Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Networking, Self-Publishing

Google Book Settlement & Registering your Self-published Book

Perhaps you’ve been following news about the Google Book Settlement over the past few weeks. The overall implications of the deal are still unclear, with notable opposition coming from The Authors Guild and the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

The details of the settlement involving copyright concerns and royalties first initiated through the Google Library Project in 2004 are a bit esoteric and apparently complex. Don’t be overwhelmed. There is no downside to registering your self-published book, so don’t miss the deadlines.

Outskirts Press has provided a step by step overview of the process in their most recent newsletter. Check it out here.

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Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Published Book Review of the Week: Mediterranean Madness

This self-published book was recently reviewed by ReviewYourBook.com:

Living in a port community this book was very intrguing and exciding to read. The imagination of the author and the great thrill of this story grabed my attention in a way that keeped me wanting to read on, and not put it down. I love books that have great plots and lots of excitement, and this story is one that should be put in movie form, “It was that good.”

The research that Mr.Rafkin did, along with plenty of action and suspense is why I say that this is a must read. The characters that he uses are true heroes in this fight that we have against terrorism in the world today. The combination of how the North Korean and Iranian extremists that want to hurt us, along with their ambitions to destroy the freedoms that we enjoy, is why the heroes in this book are real and make me feel like being part of the story.

–Terry Katnic, Amazon Review

These events later served as inspiration for his first non-fiction true life adventure, Red Sky Morning.

He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and later Graduated from California State University, Dominguez Hills with degrees in economics and marketing. He is a successful entrepreneur and president of Palos Verdes Security Systems, and certified by the Department of Homeland Security.
Andrew has published three books and is currently finishing up the trilogy to Creating Madness.  He lives with his wife, Lynn in San Pedro, California, and spends his spare time reading, fishing, hunting, golfing, and making wine.

Visit his website: www.andrewrafkin.com

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

Self-publishing Book Marketing Advice – Readers that Count

Placing your book in front of readers that matter is one of the most important elements in successful book marketing of your self-published title. This  should be high on your long range radar even as you write.

What does this mean? The smaller, most identified reader base the better off you’ll sit. Does your non-fiction piece focus on Green Building and Design? Your fiction take place in the US Civil War? Or your title introducing relevant ways to manage a company during a recession?

Each of these examples presents you, the author, with a strong, identifiable reader base. Should you care if someone who blogs incessantly about the Harry Potter series doesn’t know or care about your book? Without question, no.

Should you take note if Robert Morris mentions your B2B management or effective leadership piece? Absolutely. He is an individual influential on a specific topic that will bring others to your book.

The bottom line challenge is finding which circles, critics, and resource that matter to your book and convincing them of its value. Its in trying to please everyone that we become invisible – something like the law of diminish returns.

Doesn’t writing sometimes seem to be the easiest part?

– Karl Schroeder

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