Tag: Self-Publishing

Choosing a Publisher

The Importance of Distribution in Self Publishing

If a publisher focuses on discounts to an author who buys their own book in bulk, that often communicates two things. 1) That publisher is more concerned with selling to you than to other readers. 2)  The publisher is charging you too much for lower quantities. Do you really want to be forced to buy 100 books at a time just to get a fair price? “Bulk” discounts simply trick the author into buying more books than they need, which defeats the whole advantage of on-demand printing.

I’ve seen many authors go down that road, and then end up with lots of books sitting in their garage or basement that no one knows about, because the distribution piece is missing.  The power of the on-demand printing and EDI distribution offered in custom self-publishing take advantage of wholesale availability via multiple sales channels including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Baker and Taylor, and Ingram—North America’s largest distributor.  Look also to see that your book is available through I-Page, the book ordering system available at over 25,000 bookstores and retail chains world-wide.

Do look also for a publisher that will sell your book to you at a special author discounted price as well.  It’s never a bad idea to have access to an inventory to compliment your virtually endless on-demand inventory.

The power of distribution when paired with flexible pricing creates an advantageous sales combination for the self-publishing author.



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Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Published Book Review of the Week: The Soldiers of the Cross

The Soldiers of the Cross

by J. Laurence Stillwell

This self-published book was recently reviewed by Reader Views:

I have to admit, I took a personal interest in reading this volume. As a Vietnam veteran myself, I was intrigued to read what this Vietnam vet had to say and how he said it. Mr. Stillwell writes a very good book of poetic verse, he writes what he lived. As a veteran, he was there, to see the carnage, to feel and hear the terrible things he has scribed in this book.

He states “Nature itself seemed to be at war, as the thunder crashed like waves. Over the hills and valleys by the score, over the mountains and in the caves.” I could feel the pain and the fright he felt. I could feel his anguish, the heartfelt expression of his feelings poured out with such bravado.

Page after page, Mr. Stillwell’s poetry spoke out about the war between good and evil – this struggle that plagued man from the dawn of time. Using many references to scripture, he assimilates war, with the struggles of good and evil, God and the Devil.

Unique in its presentation, “The Soldiers of the Cross” by J. Laurence Stillwell was entertaining and well written. I was absorbed in it from the first page to the last. It is a general audience volume that is well worth the price and I gave it a well-deserved A. Entertaining, interesting and thought provoking, I would recommend it as an addition to any library.

For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/thesoldiersofthecross



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Book Marketing, Choosing a Publisher

Self-publishing and the future of markets

Seth Godin offers insight into the water mark, and future of book sales in a recent blog post, “Books you don’t need in a place you can’t find.” As usual, thank you, Seth.

This is good news for self-publishing authors who’s publishers offer targeted online marketing, on-demand distribution, and the acumen and experience to help you reach your readers. And your readers reach you.


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Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Reviews

Self-publishing Book Marketing: Magazine Reviews

The following list comes compliments of ForeWord magazine in the interest of helping you secure reviews with not only their magazine, but all magazines you pursue.

1. Become familiar with the magazine
2. Read the submission guidelines for each magazine before submitting your book for review
3. Create a good cover letter
4. Include a sales sheet (ask your self-publisher or publishing rep).
5. Follow-up

The best way to familiarize yourself with a magazine you want to review your book is to read the magazine first.

You can usually find submission guidelines for magazines on the magazine’s website.

When sending your book out for review, always include your contact information so the reviewer can get in touch with you if necessary. This should be a part of your cover letter. You can also politely request that a reviewer notify you when/if they review your book (but realize that many may choose not to do this).


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Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Published Book Review of the Week: Through the Triangle

Through the Triangle

by C.P Stewart

This self-published book was recently reviewed by Reader Views:

August 13, 2005, started off promising for Jake Myers. He and his teenage son Nathan would be deep-sea fishing on a charter boat in the Atlantic Ocean. However, unbeknown to him, a fellow passenger has a dark secret and will stop at nothing to keep it from being discovered.

To make matters worse, a bad storm arises and after it passes, the crew has no idea where they presently are located. After exploring the seemingly deserted land, they discover they have been transported to nearly three-hundred years in the future. They befriend several other people who have “disappeared” in the area known as the Bermuda Triangle. However, they also encounter the Azujos who are a race of hooded warriors who patrol the streets and are unfriendly to humans.

This work of science fiction will appeal to all adults. The author demonstrates an impressive imagination through his ideas of incredible futuristic technology. He foresees laser weapons, underground travel by automobile, and food preparation at the touch of a button. He also includes genetic experimentation as well as many other scientific principles to try to explain time travel. I love the science lessons but I was disappointed at the minimum amount of discussion about the legend of the Bermuda Triangle. In fact, most of the characters on the charter seemed to have never heard of the lore.

“Through the Triangle” contains several different elements to keep the story interesting. There is the aforementioned scientific aspect. There is a lot of suspense as they struggle to remain safe from the Azujos. There is an emotional side as the characters realize everyone they knew before they left on their trip have long since died and never found out what happened to their loved ones. It was emotional as they searched the news archives and learned of the events that occurred in the three-hundred years they missed. Sprinkled within the plot is also a bit of romance.

“Through the Triangle” by C.P. Stewart is a novel that will challenge the reader to think about the possibilities for the future. I enjoyed the subject matter and plan to do further research about the Bermuda Triangle and its mysteries.

For more information or to order the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/throughthetriangle


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