Self-Publishing Week in Review: 3/25/14

As a self-publishing author, you may find it helpful to stay up-to-date on the trends and news related to the self-publishing industry. This will help you make informed decisions before, during and after the self-publishing process, which will lead to a greater self-publishing experience. To help you stay current on self-publishing topics, simply visit our blog every Tuesday to find out the hottest news.

Nook Press self-publishing platform is now available to authors in the UK and parts of Europe

Barnes and Noble, the bookseller behind the Nook e-reader devices and e-reader store, has announced that the Nook Press self-publishing platform is now available to authors and publishers in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium. As part of the move, Nook Press now supports multiple languages including French, Italian, German, Spanish and Dutch. This is great news for ebook authors because they know have access to even more readers.

Steven Berkoff makes self-publishing debut

After rejection by conventional imprints (despite having previously published), actor and director Steven Berkoff has decided to self-publish two books. This is an interesting read for authors considering self-publishing.

Next Time, I’ll Self-publish

This is an honest look at traditional publishing from a professional writer. It explains why next time, she’ll self-publish. This is a must read for all writers.

If you have other big news to share, please comment below.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.

Self-Publishing Week in Review: 3/18/14

As a self-publishing author, you may find it helpful to stay up-to-date on the trends and news related to the self-publishing industry. This will help you make informed decisions before, during and after the self-publishing process, which will lead to a greater self-publishing experience. To help you stay current on self-publishing topics, simply visit our blog every Tuesday to find out the hottest news.

Advice to the Self-Publisher

This author shares excellent advice for anyone considering self-publishing. The article discusses the different types of editing and also addresses when to self-publish your manuscript. It is a must read.

8 Rejuvenating Books To Read In The Spring

One of the best ways to improve your writing is reading. This article recommends eight books worth reading this spring.

6 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Self-Publishing an eBook

Choosing a publisher is an important decision. This article raises six questions every writer should answer before self-publishing.

Self-Published eBooks Dominate Bestseller Lists

Indie titles are dominating bestseller lists every month. This article looks at some interesting statistics on how self-published titles are starting to dominate the bestseller lists.

If you have other big news to share, please comment below.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.

Top 10 Posts from 2013

Is self-publishing a book on your 2014 to-do list? If so, I’ve gathered the top self-publishing advice and news from 2013 to help you get started on your 2014 writing projects. These articles proved to be helpful to writers publishing in the past year, and I’m sure they will be helpful to you too. Here are the top 10 self-publishing posts from 2013.

1. Top 5 Customer Service Characteristics of High Quality Self-Publishing Companies

Choosing a self-publishing company is an important decision. This article discusses five characteristics to look for to ensure that you choose a high quality self-publishing company.

2. Quick Start Guide to Marketing Your Kindle eBooks Like a Pro!

This must read article discusses the differences between marketing an ebook and marketing a print book as well the mistakes that some authors make when marketing their Kindle ebooks.

3. How Much Do Self-Published Authors Make Per Year?

How much income self-publishing authors earn is always a common question among those considering self-publishing. This article provides an honest answer about the income you can expect as a self-published author.

4. Espresso Book Machines Offer Self-Publishing Authors a Jolt in Sales

It is amazing how much the publishing industry as changed over the past few years. Espresso book machines are book vending machines that produce a paperback copy of your selection on the spot. The way they work and how they are changing the way people get books is fascinating.

5. Should You Pay for a Book Review

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to market their book and increase their credibility. This article discusses why paying for book reviews is actually a great idea.

6. Self Publishing Authors Beware: Cheaper Isn’t Always Better

Many self-publishing authors are looking for ways to publish their books while sticking to a budget. While there are ways to cut costs and save money, this article explains why cheaper isn’t always better.

7. Top 5 Considerations for Effectively Pricing Your Self-Publishing Book

Book pricing is always a hot topic among self-publishing authors. This article helps you determine a pricing strategy that is appropriate for your book.

8. Color Printing vs. Black and White Printing…What is the Difference?

This article discusses the difference between color printing and black and white printing. It also explains how these options compare to those offered by traditional publishers and what options are available to authors of long manuscripts.

9. Compare CreateSpace and Outskirts Press Self Publishing Packages

Choosing a self-publishing company can seem like a daunting task because it is difficult to make an apple-to-apple comparison. Each company offers different services and packages. This article provides an honest comparison between two popular publishing packages available through CreateSpace and Outskirts Press.

10. Copyright and Copywrite in Self-Publishing

Copyright is a confusing topic for many authors. This article explains basic copyright laws and what you need to do to protect your work.

I’d love to know, what is your favorite self-publishing post from 2013?

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.

Top Self-Publishing Companies of 2013

Choosing the right self-publishing company is an important part of the self-publishing process. There are many self-publishing companies available, and they all offer different types of packages and services. When choosing a self-publishing company, it is important for authors to do their research to help them decide which company is best for them.

One of the best ways to learn about self-publishing companies is consumer reviews. Unlike the materials available on company websites, consumer reviews aren’t trying to sell you a certain product; they are honest reviews by people who have used the services. They can tell you the good and the bad about the company. One great place to find reviews is TopConsumerReviews.com.

TopConsumerReviews.com recently announced the top self-publishing companies of 2013. The list includes Llumina Press, Trafford Publishing, iUniverse, Books Just Books, Virtual Bookworm, and Outskirts Press. Out of the companies reviews, Outskirts Press was ranked number one and received five stars.

To read the full reviews, visit http://www.topconsumerreviews.com/self-publishing/.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.

Which Type of Publisher is Right for You

In today’s publishing industry, authors have a lot of options when it comes to choosing a publisher. Success is no longer synonymous with a large, traditional publishing company. While large publishing companies are still a top choice among many writers, today’s authors have the freedom of choosing a publisher that fits their needs and who will best represent their book, and for some, that isn’t a large publisher. Here is a break down of the publishing options available to you and how to decide which publisher is best for your project.

1. Large, High-powered, Traditional Publisher

Many authors have always dreamed of having their book published by a large, traditional publisher, so this is still a top choice for people who want to work with a traditional publishing company and who don’t mind the time and work that goes into landing a contract with one of these companies. Authors who go this route often receive many rejections before landing a publisher and find that the process takes a very long time. Many authors also complain about the lack of freedom this choice offers. Despite these drawbacks, traditional publishers offer credibility, distribution channels, and low upfront costs.

2. Small, Independent Publishers

Large publishing firms aren’t the only option for people interested in the traditional publishing route. There are also many small publishing companies that offer similar benefits as large publishers. If you are considering an independent publisher, it is important to do plenty of research before sending your submission because many companies are looking for specific types of books to publish.

3. Self-Publishing

The number one reason people choose this option is control. Self-publishing authors have complete control of the entire process — the title, the cover art, the story. The writer decides if and when the book is ready to be published. There are no rejection letters, and the books often get published much quicker than those printed by traditional publishers. The main downfall to self-publishing is the upfront cost. Authors who want to self-publish a quality book usually spend money on professional services such as editing and illustrations as well as the cost of printing and marketing the book. Self-publishing is a great option for niche writers, professionals who want to sell a book as part of their services, and fiction writers who feel compelled to share their story but don’t want to work with traditional publishers.

I’d love to know, what made you choose your publishing company?

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 20 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Manager of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.