Posted on 07 February 2010. Tags: author, book, get published, publishing, self-publishing
Self-publishing is an option that many aspiring authors are giving more consideration to these days. Therefore, as one chooses, you should consider all that is involved self-publishing. Did you know there is more than one option under the umbrella of “self-publishing?” These include choosing to either use a subsidy or vanity press company or to publish completely independently. Each of these options has its own set of “steps.”
When choosing to use a subsidy press or vanity publisher, you will likely only go through a couple of steps. These include approving the final copy of your book once you’ve submitted it and promoting and marketing, much of which you’ll still have to do yourself.
On the other hand, when publishing independently there are more steps involved, however you will soon understand why these steps are worth the effort. Publishing independently involves finding a contract editor as well as a contract book designer, going through the process of registering your ISBN number, your LCCN, copyrights and other registrations, contracting with a printer, and finally promoting and marketing.
Though it may seem like more work, and it likely is, the benefits are larger as well. When choosing to use subsidy publishing an author will split the profits with the press, most likely encounter quality issues, and run into distribution blocks when promoting to bookstores. However, when choosing to publish independently, you will keep 100% of the profits, end up with a higher quality book, and avoid those distribution blocks.
Ultimately, it is up to you, the author, to decide what option you will choose for publishing. After all, you are the one who must put in the work and who will benefit from the results. Take your time and choose wisely!
Posted in 4. Get Published, Authors
Posted on 29 January 2010. Tags: get published, publishing, self-publishing, strategies
Many of us dream of becoming a published author. If you’re like most who dream of having their book published, you have likely spent hours and hours researching the different options that are out there. These may have included publishing your book through a traditional publisher, through a vanity publisher or even publishing the book yourself and, effectively, creating your own publishing company.
These options are quite different, and the process that one must go through in each option is different as well. Let’s explore each publishing option and its details, including why self-publishing is not “made-easy.”
- Traditional publishing is what most of us initially think of when wanting to become a published author. You may worry about the submission process or the length of time it may take to get your book on the shelves in bookstores. Traditional publishing is known to be a longer, more drawn-out process that is intricate, and requires that you stick to the publisher’s rules and regulations. The timeline from acceptance of your manuscript to seeing your book in print is approximately one and a half years. You will also likely give up most of the “control” that you have over the book itself.
- Then there is vanity publishing which most of us first consider as the “self-publishing” option. Though in reality the book isn’t really “all yours” when you choose to go this route. Vanity publishers typically own the ISBN number for your book, therefore the book is not registered in your own name. The process can still take quite some time and most of all it can be more expensive. There are also added problems with distribution that authors typically experience with vanity publishers.
- Finally, there is the option of self-publishing where you create your own publishing company and do everything under your own name. This option, though quite detailed, ensures that you own your book, its ISBN number and have all rights to the publication. This is a great route to take, but do not think for a minute that it is the “easy” route. Nonetheless, it is a route where you will be sure that your book is how you hoped for it to be and what you set out to create from day one.
There will be no surprises and there are many ways you can keep expenses down. However, you will have an exceptional amount of work in store for you, but the process will be enjoyable and most of all rewarding. Once you are finished, your book will be in print, have the ability to be on the shelves of bookstores and proudly displaying your name and publishing company. Not only will you be a published author, but a business owner as well. The hard work and much attention to all the details will definitely be worth your extra effort.
Another added bonus is that self-published authors keep 100% of the profits from book sales, as well as the fact that books can be designed, printed, and distributed in as little as two months. You are truly in control of the process from start to finish. So, therefore, if you’re willing to put in the hours and attention to detail that is involved in this route of self-publishing, it is definitely an option to consider.
You won’t have to wait on a publisher to call you, or pay the big bucks involved in vanity publishing. You can do it yourself and experience all the many benefits of self-publishing. As the old saying goes, “a little hard work never hurt anybody.” Why not find out for yourself just how it feels by choosing the do-it-yourself self-publishing option?
Posted in 4. Get Published, Authors
Posted on 12 January 2010. Tags: Inspiration, publishing, self-publishing, writing
There is a myth about being a first time author I’d like to blow apart. It is not just for the elite, you do not have to face hundreds of letters of rejection from publishers, you can afford to self-publish, and you do have time to write it in your busy schedule! I can show you how easy it can be and share a unique method to create and organize your first book. Read the full story
Posted in 3. Write Books Easily, Authors
Posted on 06 January 2010. Tags: choosing, content, creative control, investment, publishing, publishing 2.0, publishing type, sales and marketing
Here is a simple Evaluation Survey to help you decide What is right for your book.
What are your options for publishing a book? What are the advantages and disadvantages of Self-publishing vs. traditional publishing houses; are there any other alternatives?
Try this simple evaluation questionnaire and then read the summary below to see which option might suit you better.
Out of each section, choose the letter beside the statement that you think best suits you. Read the full story
Posted in Authors, Principles
Posted on 21 December 2009. Tags: book, ego, experience, fear, good, interesting, knowledge, lessons, make a difference, publishing, Reader, teaching, writing

Madhan Ind{Yeah}: http://www.flickr.com/photos/flickcoolpix/3566848458/
What is stopping you from sharing your knowledge and experience? Don’t let Fear and Ego get in the way of writing and publishing your book.
The biggest obstacle for writing your book always comes down to fear and ego, these are the top 3 objections:
- Is my story interesting enough?
- Will people be interested in reading it?
- Is my writing good enough?
When in reality you should be asking yourself:
Read the full story
Posted in 1. Get Book Ideas, Authors
Posted on 17 December 2009. Tags: agent or publisher, get published, literary agent, publishing
It’s the classic Catch 22. Most publishers won’t look at your manuscript unless you have an agent. And some literary agents won’t read your book unless you have a publisher. Rejection letters seem to be dropping through your letter box every other day. You’re just about ready to give up.
In over 20 years of working with writers, there’s something I’ve noticed about the most successful of them. It isn’t talent that differentiates them. They have something way more important than the words they write. They have a persistence and tenacity, that sees them through the hurdles.
80 per cent of people say they want to write a book. Not many of them have the perseverance to see it through. As with most things, it’s about mindset. If you want to succeed, you need an unshakable self-belief at your core. Your belief in YOU and having the right mindset is far more valuable than the words you set down on the page.
Ignore everything you read in the media ~ genuine stories of “instant fame” and “meteoric success” are few and far between. Many of the big names in writing have served long apprenticeships before achieving fame and fortune. Joanna Trollope must have had steam coming out of her ears when she told a journalist that it had taken her 20 years to become an ‘overnight sensation’. Author Philip Pullman, CBE, echoed the sentiment when he told a BBC reporter: “It took me 30 years to become an overnight success.” Similarly, Mark Haddon was a writer and illustrator for 16 years before ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ won the Whitbread Award in 2003. His five attempts at writing an adult novel are apparently still languishing in a drawer.
Unfortunately, “Shoots to Fame after Years of Hard Slog” does not make a good newspaper headline!
I’ve known many talented authors – writers of brilliant and scintillating prose – over the years who have fallen by the wayside. It wasn’t their talent or ability that let them down. It was simply that they didn’t have the staying power to keep going. They didn’t have the ability to bounce back from rejection or the flexibility to learn from mistakes. Or their negative attitude meant that they were their own worst enemy. They had opportunities that would have been the envy of many other writers. Yet, they spent so much time moaning and complaining that publishers or agents eventually dropped them from their lists.
If you want to be a success as a writer, then work on your mindset. This is just as important as writing your manuscript! Find the unshakable self-belief at your core. Develop a resilience and tenacity. Work on your ‘out of the box’ thinking. If Plan A or Plan B doesn’t work, train yourself to think about plans C, D, and E. This will help you when nothing’s going the way it’s supposed to be.
Because you know what? If someone says “no” or “it’s not possible”, you’ll get twice the pleasure when you prove them wrong!

Posted in 4. Get Published
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