Tag: Self-Publishing

Self-Publishing, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-published Book Review of the Week

Self-published book review of the week: Public Schools are Archaic
M.R. Ussery EdD & S.R. Pargman
$11.95

For four hundred years, education has been mostly unchanged. “Public Schools are Archaic” is a discussion of the modern failings of public education and the problems that plague them. WIth ideas on how to modernize and fix what plagues our educational systems, Dr. M. R. Ussery and S. R. Pargman give readers plenty of thoughtful solutions and make for quite the fascinating read. “Public Schools are Archaic” is not a read to be missed by those concerned with education.

Reviewer: Willis M. Buhle


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Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Self-Publishing

The Amazon Experience

Amazon is the single largest book retailer available, and the company model couldn’t be friendlier in helping self-publishing authors publishing through a POD publisher/distribution model. Whether you’re published or still in the writing or production process, prepare these Amazon options to maximize your books sales.

Amazon Search Inside the Book: This is the online equivalent to flipping through your book on the shelf. An optional feature, “Look Inside” provides icon over your book’s cover image, and allows readers to browse through portions of your interior content. Amazon claims that books utilizing this option see considerably higher sales over those that do not. Pretty intuitive.

Amazon Key Word Submission: One of the best user features Amazon provides comes in allowing readers to browse instantly by category or ‘key words.’ Imagine being transported instantly around a bookstore the size of football fields without having to use a map or ask an employee for directions. This is the experience Amazon customers find in typing in a simple keyword or phrase. (Few readers browse titles by author, and even less so for first-time authors.) They key is determining around 10 top keywords to tag your book with in order to provide the widest exposure possible.

Amazon Kindle: The Kindle is everywhere, and for good reason. It is a revolutionary digital reading device that allows individuals to purchase books anywhere, anytime, and instantly. One source noted that Kindle owners, on average, buy 3x more books than non-Kindle owners. Kindle editions must be submitted through special formatting, which some POD publishers offer, and will see listing everywhere books are sold throughout the Amazon site.

And finally, email, call, and knock on the doors of everyone you know who may contribute a credible review of your published book and have them post those on your book’s Amazon listing page.


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Uncategorized

Barnes & Noble on the Block

Wise business decisions (or business people) focus on things that can be change and can be changed, while investing little time on those that cannot.

Barnes & Noble went on the block earlier this month, perhaps a good example of wise business, especially in a time when others in the book industry continue to push the proverbial boulder up the mountain. According to Forbes, “The New York-based company, which has struggled along with other brick-and-mortar booksellers under economic pressures and the technology shift away from paper books, said it could sell its famous chain…”

I enjoy the experience of a physical book store as much as holding a real book, and that will never change. But hardcover books are rising on shelves into luxury item status. In the wake of the Kindle, iPad, and digital wave, traditional publishers and brick-and-mortar stores will continually be challenged with creativity amidst this rapid change. Consumers are moving in the direction of digital downloads, as in the music industry where CD’s have been in large part replaced by iTunes and other less expensive digital downloads. While many among the traditional side of the publishing industry are fighting to keep e-book prices commensurate with perceived author value, this trend increasingly allows self-publishing authors access to reader markets at a more competitive price point.


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Self-Publishing

Self-publishing Advice Blog

Organization is key to getting your writing into a published book, and with that it may be helpful for authors to look at the book publishing process as occurring in 3 chronological phases:

  • Preparation or pre-production
  • Production & Proofing
  • Publication and Marketing

Understanding these phases, creating goals, and researching publishing options best suited to those goals is a valuable practice for authors, especially those heading into the often advantageous aspects of self-publishing. Throughout the second half of this year, Self-publishing Advice will be breaking each of these down, no matter where you are in the process we’ll be devoting time to exploring information and resources helpful from the start of the process all the way through to the sales and marketing push. It will look something like this…

Mondays – Phase I: pre-production
Tuesdays – Guest post
Wednesdays – A look at phase II information: Book Production
Thursdays – Current events
Fridays – Phase 3 information: Publication, Marketing & Sales

Stay tuned


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Self-Publishing

Guest Post: Ask the Book Doctor

Self-publishing Advice Guest Post – “Ask the Book Doctor”

Q: I am in the process of writing a book about [subject removed]. I am looking for people who will share their stories to be published in this book. Do I need to get signed permission to use their stories? How would I go about this process?

A: Yes, even if people voluntarily send in their stories, you need their signed permission to use the stories and need to exchange something of value in return, either money or at least one free copy of the book. The issue is a legal one, though, so check with an entertainment attorney or get your hands on the agreements used by such series as A Cup of Comfort and Chicken Soup for the Soul.


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