Tag: Self-Publishing

Wendy Speaks

4 Ways to Find a Great Ghostwriter

A great ghostwriter can help make your dreams of self-publishing a book come true. Whether you are too busy to finish your book project or need the assist of someone with excellent writing skills, you need to find a ghostwriter who is experienced and trained but who also meshes well with your personality.

When interviewing ghostwriters, be sure to ask about their education and work background as well as writing projects they have completed. Don’t be turned off by a writer who hasn’t completed a book exactly like your project because hopefully, your book is a one-of-a-kind idea. Instead, look for a writer with excellent writing and organizational skills. Having some background knowledge in your subject may also be a good idea, but most writers are magnificent researchers and enjoy learning about new topics.

Even more important than the writer’s background is the writer’s personality. When interviewing ghostwriters, ask about their work habits and expectations. Think of hiring a ghostwriter as dating someone new. You will be spending a lot of time working with this person, so you want to make sure you connect with the writer. There is no perfect way to determine if a ghostwriter is a good fit for you and your project. You just need to trust your gut.

So where do you find the perfect ghostwriter? Here are four places to look.

1.) Ask for references – If you know other authors who have used a ghostwriter, ask for references. They will be more than happy to share their experiences with you. This is a great way to find a writer who will do a great job because you can often trust other writer’s opinions.

2.) Check out your self-publishing company – Some self-publishing companies offer ghostwriting services. They will match you up with a ghostwriter that meets your needs. This is another great way to ensure you are hiring a reputable writer because self-publishing companies will only use writers they trust to produce great work.

3.) Search the web – If you go to your favorite search engine and type in “ghostwriter for hire” or other related keywords, you will find links to various writers’ websites. If you choose to go this route, be sure to thoroughly research the writer. Just because they have a website doesn’t mean they are qualified to do the job.

4.) Post a job ad – There are plenty of websites that allow you to post a listing looking for a writer. Be sure to include as many details about the project as possible and explain your expectations. One great place to begin is the Association of Ghostwriters.

I’d love to know, where did you find your ghostwriter?

ABOUT WENDY STETINA: Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and 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, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.
Kelly Speaks, Self-Publishing

Top 5 Questions New Authors Ask About Self-Publishing

Whether you are a regular visitor of this blog or this is your first time here, something led you to us.  Maybe you are interested in self-publishing or some of the specific topics discussed on this blog (like book reviews or book marketing).

In many cases, our readers come to us because they searched a particular term on Google or another search engine and that led them to one of our helpful posts.  Below are the top 5 questions readers ask that bring them to our blog.  Perhaps you will find answers to some of the questions you have about self-publishing (each question is conveniently linked to a post that discusses the individual topic in more detail):

  1. How much do authors make? – This post discusses what self-publishing authors can expect to earn in royalties and some of the considerations when it comes to successful book sales.
  2. How much does it cost to publish a book? – Read this post from Wendy Stetina as she advises on what self-publishing authors can expect to invest in the publication of their book, including professional cover design, copyediting, production and marketing.
  3. How do you market a Kindle ebook format? – This guest post from Dana Lynn Smith has been a top post for months.  As the publishing industry shifts from hardcopy to ebook formats, authors want to know how to increase their ebook sales.  Dana tells us just how to do that.
  4. How can you use tags to promote your book on Amazon? – A post by…yours truly about how to use Tags to help customers find your book on Amazon.
  5. Where can I find self-publishing advice? – This one doesn’t have a link because you’re already here! If you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the Self Publishing Advisor blog (top right corner of the page) and you will receive our posts directly in your email inbox.  We’re glad you’re here and hope you’ll come back for more.

I would love to know, what other questions do you have about 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.
Jodee Speaks

Top 7 Book Formatting Questions for Self Publishing Authors

For new self-published authors, properly  formatting a book can be a bit overwhelming.  There are many questions that arise in formatting a page:

  • Should I use double space or single space?
  • Do I indent and/or leave a space between paragraphs?
  • Should my manuscript include headers and footers?
  • How should I number my pages?
  • What should my page margins be?
  • What font and font size will be easiest to read?
  • What elements, other than the book content itself, should be included?

You may be wondering why these formatting variants even matter. Well, clear, consistent formatting creates a page that is visually appealing to readers. When formatted properly, a book should feel both familiar and fresh and should be easy for readers to follow.

Luckily, it is not necessary for you to become an expert in book formatting in order to create a professionally formatted self-published book.  Many full-service publishing companies work with you to ensure that your book is in tip-top shape before it is printed. For instance, at Outskirts Press, standard professional interior formatting that meets high-end industry specifications for your genre is included with all publishing packages.They also offer additional options to further address your specific ideas and concerns.

If you have book formatting questions, contact your self-publishing company. If you are still choosing a self-publishing company and formatting is a concern, be sure to pick a company that will assist you with this process. Best of luck!

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.
Jodee Speaks

Strike While the Skillet is Hot and Publish Your Cookbook

Do you love to cook? Now is a great time to publish a cookbook. Viewers and readers are loving food-related shows and books. You can take advantage of this booming market and share your recipes with the world.

If you decide to publish a cookbook, you need to understand that there are very specific formatting methods for this genre. You will need to decide how to layout all of the elements including lists, instructions, photos, and more. This is essential as you want the book to be appealing with consistent formatting and easy to follow.

If this all sounds confusing, don’t worry. Simply speak to someone at your self-publishing company to find out if they offer assistance with this task. For instance, Outskirts Press recently introduced the Cookbook Formatting Kit, which provides a simple process to help you design your cookbook. This low-cost kit can make your dreams of becoming a cookbook author come true.

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.
Wendy Speaks

You Don’t Need a Degree to Publish a Book

During my years in the publishing industry, I’ve often been asked the same question: Do I need a college degree to publish a book? The answer is simple: No! There are many cases of excellent books that were written by people who didn’t have a college degree: how many times have you heard the success story of a school-aged kid publishing a book? Likewise, highly educated individuals with advanced degrees in writing often never publish a book. That is because traditional publishing is difficult. It has nothing to do with how educated you are and more to do with what books are selling and what books editors and agents are willing to promote.

But don’t let that news discourage. In today’s world, traditional publishing is not the only option. You don’t have to sit around waiting for someone to finally buy your manuscript. You can choose to self-publish and see your book in print within a few months. Don’t worry: as the self-publishing industry continues to grow, the authors are becoming more and more respected. If you believe in your book, don’t wait for someone else’s approval; share it with the world.

ABOUT WENDY STETINA: Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and 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, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.