Category: Self-Publishing

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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Book Promotion, Networking, Self-Publishing, Uncategorized

Self-publishing, Obama, and the American Economy

The New York Times reported today that the US lost almost 500,000 more jobs in June 2009. “These numbers are indicative of a continued, very severe recession,” commendted Stuart Hoffman of PNC Financial Services in Pittsburgh. Pressure continues to weigh the Obama administration and its $787 billion stimulus plan, while some economists call for an additional round of government stimulus dollars.

Hmmm

I attended a conference recently where one speaker notably remarked, “People tell me there is a recession. I simply choose not to participate.”

Sure, we’ve seen some disturbing fallout over the past year, but it’s time to move the accident from the road and press on the gas pedal. The efficiency, timeliness, and effectiveness in advancements provided through independent and self-publishing offers authors the opportunity for their own stimulus package. Businesses leaders, entrepreneurs,  industry experts, speakers, and more are finding book publishing as an avenue to promote themselves and their work, leading to growth, credibility, and investment dollars, not to mention the ancillary benefit of ongoing royalties on book sales.

No-brainer? Give it a shot. Adversity engenders growth, and self publishing at the edge of the envelope. Don’t miss the train.

Karl Schroeder


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Self-Publishing

Self-Publishing Success for The Shack

You can’t walk through WalMart or browse through an online bookstore without catching a glimpse of The Shack. This 256 page novel was written by William P. Young, a former salesman, and self-published with the help of two business associates. Once copied and bound at Kinko’s, The Shack is now a New York Times Bestseller.

Published under an imprint, Windblown Media, created by Young and two former pastors, The Shack had a $300 marketing budget. The three embarked on a viral marketing campaign (word-of-mouth, church-to-church, blog-to-blog) to get copies out.

The moral of the story: as a self-published author, you’ve got to know your readers, discover how to reach them and start spreading the word.

Not every self-published author aspires to be like Young, and for those who do, the chances may be one in a million. However, The Shack proves that traditional publishing is not the only path to success for authors.

Next week we’ll discuss viral marketing tips you may find helpful for your book.

Good luck and have fun!
Kelly Schuknecht
selfpublishingadvice.wordpress.com