Category: Choosing a Publisher

Choosing a Publisher, Networking, Self-Publishing

Self-publishing’s Strongest According to Inc. Magazine

Inc500Cover2Inc. Magazine released its annual top 500 fastest growing US businesses yesterday. Outskirts Press, Inc ranked #268 on the list, and exclusive among full-service self publishing outfits. With on-demand publications up 132% over the previous year, Outskirts Press finds itself the fastest growing provider in the fastest growing segment of the book publishing industry. Congratulations Outskirts Press.

Author Solutions – the only other self-publishing related provider recognized, came in at 3266 among the top 5000 companies.

Congratulations self-publishing.

– Karl Schroeder

Choosing a Publisher, Self-Publishing

Prolific Author Turns to Self-Publishing

Powerful applications and devices like Facebook, Twitter, and your iPhone are metastasizing around internet technology to bring us information closer and faster than ever before. Isn’t it time book publishing catches up? Stephen R. Covey, well known author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People thinks so.

Late last week Covey introduced his first in a series of 6 self-published books expected to hit the market this year. Covey cites publishing time lines – at around just 2 months self-publishing – and content control critical in his decision. “It would have taken at least a year if FranklinCovey [Covey’s publishing management group] had gone to a traditional publisher,” he said.

Covey’s books have sold more than 20 million copies in 38 languages, according to FranklinCovey’s Web site. Far from mere lip-service, Covey’s action proves another strong statement to the future of book publishing.

As always, have fun and keep writing.

– Karl Schroeder

Book Promotion, Choosing a Publisher, Networking, Self-Publishing

Self-Publishing: Give me six hours…

Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. – Abraham Lincoln

Let’s look at breaking down your self-publishing book project into the short, mid, and long range in terms of the process in goals. The actual time involved for each phase varies with each author and each project. Nevertheless, you’ve worked hard on writing, revising, and preparing your book for publication. Congratulations. The first step or phase is done or nearing complete, and it’s time to publish.

Many authors confuse this second step – actual publishing – with step 3. Let’s slow down and take a closer look. Phase 1 is the writing, or artistic phase. Step 2, the publishing or business step. Time to begin sharpening the axe. Upfront prices are important, but take the time to avoid the ever present instant gratification of free and quick publishing and research beyond. What kind of pricing control will you have? Professional production options? Will your book be situated to retail competitively on the market? What kind of marketing services and options are available after publication? These are critical questions to ask as you research full-service self-publishing options, customize your mid-range work, and begin to look at getting your published book into reader’s hands. Now your prepared to chop the tree.

Karl Schroeder
https://selfpublishingadvice.wordpress.com

Choosing a Publisher, Self-Publishing

Self-Published books eclipse Traditionally published titles

Publishers Weekly announced on-demand published title output up a whopping 132% in 2008 over the previous year whereas traditionally published books down over 3%. The total number of self-published, on-demand books overtook the traditional side for the first year ever last year, demonstrating further the inevitable climate change in the publishing industry.

Print and communication technology is leveling the playing field democratizing the way books publish. Strong self-publishing outfits are adapting to meet that market and help authors find success in the industry. But just because a self-publishing service provider spends big bucks getting their name out there doesn’t mean they’ll invest the same effort for your book. Pricing flexibility and marketing services and options are critical in finding success in this new environment. Do your homework, invest well, and let your publisher take you for the ride.

Have fun and keep writing!

– Karl


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Choosing a Publisher, Networking, Self-Publishing

Self-Publishing and the Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference

I recently had the privilege of attending the annual Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference as a faculty member representing independent and on-demand self-publishing. Although, as the name implies, this was the Colorado Christian writer’s conference, attendees gathered in Estes Park, CO from all over the map.

Thanks to Marlene Bagnull and her staff. The conference was wonderfully orchestrated and attracted outstanding energy and author talent.

Perhaps the latter being most refreshing. In the old paradigm, authors would bring proposals to events like this in order to sell themselves to an acquisitions editor. The editor, in turn, looks at this proposal and considers whether she can sell not the manuscript, but some form of it, to a predetermined audience. Sound limiting, or even worse, familiar?

I was personally impressed by the number of conferees who recognize and are pursuing independent self-publishing. Writers merging art with the business of publishing, and ones who are required to sell no one but themselves on the potential of their project.

Understanding that publishing as a business continues to be a theme here. Beyond researching the commodities of your self publishing options, make sure yours has demonstrated success in getting author books sold. That indicates they not only the options and services, but consulting acumen to help you reach your greatest potential.

Have fun. Keep writing.

– Karl Schroeder