Comments for Self Publishing Advisor

Comment on How to Select a Good Title for Your Self-Published Book by quickfamesystem

quickfamesystem — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:13:59 +0000

Thanks, that is one of the hardest part of book publishing and probably the most important. Edward Smith.

Comment on The New Era of Digital Books by Tony Maxey

Tony Maxey — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:17:13 +0000

I couldn’t agree more. As a blogger/author who writes for the web now, but wants to expand to books, the traditional route for getting a book published still has its appeal, but as you say readers expect choice so as an author eBook options are very important. Also, from what I see, eBooks are a great way for new authors to attract an audience and then build from there.

Comment on Copyediting Is A Must For Self-Published Authors by quickfamesystem

quickfamesystem — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:34:12 +0000

Yes, yes, and yes. Quality counts regardless of who published the book. Thanks, Edward Smith.

Comment on Avoid the 3 “Tell-Tale” Signs of Self-Published Books by Ken Klopper

Ken Klopper — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:36:59 +0000

I found the advice very useful. The fact is that all authors have to start somewhere and as with most things in life, its trial and error or you end up just being a dreamer. There is a quagmire of advice on the net on the dos and donts of good writing with conflicting views on fonts, spacing etc.and you just have to go and read a couple of popular books to see the differences. As an example one can look at the views on starting chapters with a certain amount of spacing. Some authors do this and others start at the top of the page.When it comes to spelling there are differences between UK and US English for instance. I am from South Africa where a number of words are spelt differently-we use an ‘s’ instead of a ‘z’ in words such as emphasise. What are the acceptable norms in these circumstances or is it just a question of style? Does it make a difference to the readers?

Comment on Self-Published Authors Have Input by malanlewis

malanlewis — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:16:03 +0000

I’ve just released my self-published novel, “The Environmeddlers.” http://www.calcentral.com/~malewis/environmeddlers.html

I chose Lulu.com as my POD source, because of their flexibility in customization of the content and cover art. I designed the cover, created and applied my own photographs, chose the font style and placement, wrote the back cover blurb and chose the background colors. The result is a cover I’m pleased with and that has engendered positive comments.

It’s true that I don’t receive the absolute apex in revenue from Lulu, but it’s sufficient for my needs. I appreciate the artistic satisfaction more than the modestly greater income potential.

Comment on Should You Submit Print Ready Files? by James Green

James Green — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:19:21 +0000

I have been using a company called Writers Out http://www.writersoutpublishing.com who takes care of all the files and pre publishing process. Check them out, they have been very good and not expensive for self-publishing. They also have free resources http://www.writersoutpublishing.com/blog

Comment on How Much Do Illustrations Cost? by James Green

James Green — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:15:45 +0000

I have a good publishing company, depending on what you want to do you can publish for around $60. They have some good free resources too, see http://www.writersoutpublishing.com/self-publishing/

Comment on Avoid the 3 “Tell-Tale” Signs of Self-Published Books by davidrory

davidrory — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 08:24:35 +0000

Hi all, I’m back here after a delay. Much has changed since I gave the opinion above. I now have and editor and all my original work was withdrawn, re-edited and re-issued as both e-books and as trade paperbacks with Createspace. The improvements have been huge and I see very clearly how valuable my investment in editorial oversight has been. I am now one who says: “Get professional editing or don’t publish.”
I use a template from Lulu.com for my 6X9 paperback on Word for my novels. (I do not use cover templates but design my covers using Quark express and Photoshop.) The books have different spacing than I used before and it’s not as tightly spaced as in many standard paperbacks – but it is easy to read, consistent and looks great to my eye.

I started my own indi publishing company and no longer use a subsidy publisher to produce the work. It’s been a steep learning curve but the results are a vast improvement on my first efforts. I feel I can hold my head up and say with pride – yes “I’m indi and am proud of it.”
I see no need to hide that or try to make my work a clone of mass-market work. The novels have been well reviewed and I am building readership slowly. I am waiting until I get everything in place, including professional video for Amazon and You-Tube before I launch a major push.
We should learn from our mistakes quickly and before too much damage is done. Seek out good editing and proofing. If the result is worthy work, then I see no need to hide the fact of being indi. No need to pretend to be mainstream.
We should be proud of what we can do as indi publishers and stop being apologetic and comparing ourselves unfavorably with the mainstream.
The world of literature is richer for being more inclusive and democratic than ever before – even though we must suffer the poorly produced pool of dross we must struggle to rise above. The same has been true on a different scale of all publishing; there has always been dross.
Regards, DavidRory.

Comment on Who Needs an LCCN? by Ellen

Ellen — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:50:24 +0000

Do you need a LCCN for an eBook?

Comment on Should You Pay for a Book Review? by Tom

Tom — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:39:12 +0000

I’ve had much luck with the digital in (all one word after the three w’s, dot com). It worked for two of my books, and reviews were just $12 each. They were posted to Amazon by verified purchasers, which added a lot. Plus reviewers buy a copy of each book they review so ranking improves, sometimes dramatically, especially if you buy more than a half dozen or so at a time.