Author: selfpublishingadvisor

Book Promotion, Choosing a Publisher

Self-Publishing Resources

Self-publishing continues to gain footing in the book industry, bringing authors to the captain’s chair in terms of creative control, book pricing, and marketing. As this wave continues to build in speed and size, publishing options will inevitably follow.

Finding quality, researched information on self publishing options is important for authors looking for an advantage on the back-end, when sales help get good work into the marketplace. Stacie Vander Pol’s recently published book, Top Self Publishing Firms Revealed, is a new and sound resource in that arena.

The book is the product of Vander Pol’s own search for information about how several leading self-publishers fare in terms of book sales performance – actually helping authors get books in off press and into reader’s hands. Information about upfront fees, book pricing, and distribution is profiled as well.

Vander Pol notes in one interview that the her favorite part of the book is the enormous listing of current top-selling titles published by the organizations profiled. Keep an eye out for this one. It includes some solid, independent advice based on quality research.

– Karl Schroeder

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Ask the Book Doctor – Show n Tell

Q: We hear all the time, “Show, don’t tell.” My feeling is

the point is overused. Better might be “Telling is okay,

but it must be interesting and justified, for example,

moving the story along.” What do you say?

A: Everything in creative writing is a matter of

moderation. Back story almost always includes a little

telling, but keep the “telling” to a minimum. Make sure it

involves as many action verbs as possible, and it probably

will be fine.

What’s your question for Book Doctor Bobbie Christmas? Send

it today to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.

Choosing a Publisher

Wholesale Distribution in Self-Publishing

It’s helpful to remember that self published books are sold in many places other than bookstores. Depending upon your subject matter, you may find that gift shops, grocery stores, corner markets, or websites are interested in ordering copies of your book and selling it to their customer base.

Many of these “niche markets” may not have accounts with Ingram or Baker and Taylor. But don’t worry. Make sure those niche markets can order your book directly from your publisher’s online bookstore for the full discounted price. A few good self-publishers offer that service. Look for one where you get your full royalty even when they get their full discount. Simply cut out the middleman and everyone wins.  

– Karl Schroeder

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Published Book Review of the Week: EVERY RESCUED DOG HAS A TALE

EVERY RESCUED DOG HAS A TALE
by Deborah Eades

Review by Robert J. Mccarty “Barking Planet” (Marblehead and Helsinki, Finland)

I entered another world when I read Deborah Eades heart warming book.
I had no idea that so many dogs were not wanted. I didn’t realize how much dogs were suffering because of cruelty and neglect.

And I didn’t know that there are networks of dog lovers across the country who save and transport dogs to a new lives where they will be loved and cared for.

With words and pictures, I was transported into the personal experiences of this dog loving author — and her family — on the Dog Rescue “Railroad.” The dogs breeds vary,as do the personal stories of their rescue. What is constant is the loving satisfaction that Deborah Eades shares with all readers in her touching, heart warming book.

For more information about EVERY RESCUED DOG HAS A TALE, visit the author’s website: everyrescueddog.homestead.com

Choosing a Publisher

Ask the Doctor – Sections in a Novel / Self-Publishing

Q: Is there any technical reason for a novel to be broken up into parts? I want to break my next novel up in a way that I haven’t really seen before.

Part 1 – Introduction of the main character (the good guy). Provide plot and conflict.

Part 2 – Introduce opposing character (the bad guy)

Part 3 – Good and bad characters clash, and conflict is resolved.

The first twelve chapters focus on the “good guy” perspective. The “bad guy” is introduced in Chapter 13. If I spend the next twelve or so chapters telling the other side of the story (the bad guy’s perspective), will readers forget the plight of the good guy in the first twelve chapters?

I really want to have the two sides (good and evil) make compelling arguments. By breaking up the novel this way, I hope the reader will be conflicted going into the third part of the book. Any thoughts?  

A: The reason you can’t find any specific material on the subject of breaking a novel into parts is that (at least to my knowledge) there is no absolute rule regarding it.

The only problem I can perceive is that according to your outline, all the clash occurs in the final part, so what will make readers continue reading through the first two parts? Yes, it says plot and conflict will be provided in Part 1, but if there’s only one character in that part, how can there be conflict? Conflict and tension are the elements that make readers turn pages and keep reading.

That said, I can’t judge the book without seeing it, so if you sense that it is working the way you are writing it, trust your gut and move forward. I have seen good books broken into parts for the characters; Franny and Zoey by J.D. Salinger comes to mind, for one.

Bobbie Christmas, book doctor, author of Write In Style (Union Square Publishing), and owner of Zebra Communications, will answer your questions, too. Send them to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com. Read more “Ask the Book Doctor” questions and answers at www.zebraeditor.com.