Tag: Wendy Stetina

Book Design, Wendy Speaks

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Let Your Publisher Format Your Book

Your book’s format is important to its overall success. It’s so important that authors often outsource their book’s design to get the best possible results. While there are some authors who are skilled in graphic design, many authors are mainly talented in their own area of expertise — writing.

Authors that decide to publish their book using a self-publishing company, such as Outskirts Press, typically choose to allow the publisher to format their book for them. However, there are some authors who opt to either format the book themselves or hire a graphic designer. If you’re using a self-publishing company, you should not let them format your book if:

  • You don’t mind a poorly-designed book. The best writers can also be the most amateur book designers. If you aren’t experienced in graphic design, you should have someone else do this for you.
  • You want to pay more money — on top of your publishing package cost. In most cases, your publishing package has the fees for book design already built into the cost. Publishers typically don’t reduce the cost of your package even if you submit a “print-ready” manuscript. On top of that, graphic designers are in demand and charge premium fees. This can add a hefty amount to your publishing costs.
  • You want to have “more control” over your book’s formatting. One of the biggest benefits of self-publishing is maintaining creative control over your book. The importance of this benefit cannot be overlooked. So, while this may initially seem like a good reason to design your own book, you can achieve the same result by allowing your publisher to design it for you.

Did you let your publisher design your book for you?

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.
Uncategorized, Wendy Speaks

Paperbacks, Hardbacks, and eBooks — Oh My!

Today’s post is by publishing industry expert, Wendy Stetina.

Authors often ask whether they should publish a paperback, hardback, and eBook version of their book? In most cases, the answer is yes, but in some cases, publishing additional editions isn’t the best idea.  Let me clarify here…

Some full-service self-publishing companies, such as Outskirts Press, allow authors to publish a hardback instead of a paperback or they may publish a hardback in addition to their paperback. Authors are also able to add editions for the various eReaders — for example an Amazon Kindle or Barnes&Noble Nook. Editions above and beyond paperback usually add an additional cost to producing your book.

I rarely recommend that a first time author publish primarily in hardback because these books come with a higher price tag and will possibility have a lower sales performance than paperback. I love for an author to have both formats for two reasons it gives the book a standard (the paperback) and a premium (the hardback) version and two price points.

I look at the hardback as an investment into your book promotion strategy. I do not see it as the version that is going to drive sales volume but more as a “special” edition for the author to sign and give as gifts etc.

If budget is an issue, I would suggest investing the money into either a custom designed cover or professional copyediting as neglecting either of these options could seriously cloud the public’s perception of your book.

 

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 Stentina can put you on the right path.
Self-Publishing, Uncategorized, Wendy Speaks

How Much Will it Cost to Self-Publish My Book?

Today’s post is by publishing industry expert, Wendy Stetina.

How much will it cost to self-publish my book? That’s a loaded question.

There are many factors that go into how much it will cost to self-publish. Your cost will be dependent on the route you choose — whether you opt to do all of the work yourself, outsource some of the work, or hire a full-service self-publisher.

If you do all of the work yourself, the costs will be minimal and dependent on your skills and knowledge. Some of the top things you will be responsible for are (in no particular order):

Of course, this only scratches the surface as there is quite a bit involved with turning a manuscript into a published book.

A good alternative for those who have a bit of book industry savvy is to outsource small jobs that are a part of the book creation process. Of course, your costs for these jobs will be dependent on the quote you receive from the professional you intend to hire.

Lastly, if you have limited knowledge or would rather leave book creation completely to the industry experts, you can choose to go with a full-service self-publisher, like Outskirts Press.

A good rule of thumb would be for an author to invest an equal amount in production and marketing. Serious non-fiction authors, for example, should plan on investing around $5000.00 – $7000.00.  This would break down into approximately $2500.00 – $3500.00 for the creation of the book (designing interior, editing manuscript, cover design, etc.),  and $2500 – $3500.00 to launch the book (book launch parties, marketing efforts, book orders, etc.). Post launch there needs to be an ongoing marketing effort.

DISCUSSION: How much did you spend to create and distribute your book?

 

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 Stentina can put you on the right path.
Self-Publishing, Uncategorized, Wendy Speaks

HUGE MISTAKE: Using “Traditional” Business Cards as a Coach/Speaker

Today’s post is by publishing industry expert, Wendy Stetina.

You’re an AMAZING speaker. You know how to work the room when you’re in front of an audience. Once your  presentation is over, though, you make a HUGE mistake. This one is really big, but no one told you what you were doing wrong: you hand out a business card. That sounds harmless enough, right? Not if you’re a coach or speaker.

A business card can’t portray the true value of a speaker’s knowledge in their field. Last week, I presented at Kathleen Gage’s New Horizon’s Telesummit on the topic “Your Book – Your Business Card“. If you haven’t published a book, you are doing your business (yourself) a great disservice. Think about how easy it will be to attract/retain clients and book speaking gigs if you had a published book —

  • Your audience can get to know more about you and your business
  • You can share your expertise with your target customer and others in your field
  • Coaching is intangible. A book allows the client to touch the coach via the book.
  • A well written content rich book will validate the author as an expert. Experts get to charge more.

Okay, I’m sold. I know I need to publish a book to build my business. How can I get started? If you decide to self-publish, it’s not as difficult as you think. There are some companies that offer self-publishing packages for coaches and speakers, including Outskirts Press. Packages like these are designed for busy professionals that are always on the go. If you think self-publishing is right for you be sure to choose a self-publisher that can accommodate your marketing and distribution goals. Truthfully, creating the actual book is the easiest part. Make sure that you are maintaining the rights to your material and that you have control over your retail piece and your trade discount.

Some authors don’t want to pay to publish their books. In cases like these, you may consider going the “traditional” publishing route. Remember that you will be selling your rights to the book, but you will still be responsible for promoting your book after the process is complete. Also, publishing your book this way could take months or even years (if it’s accepted).

It is important that you weigh the pros and cons of each option and decide which one works for you.

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 Stentina can put you on the right path.

 

DISCUSSION:As a coach or speaker, how have you used your book to build your business?

Self-Publishing, Uncategorized

Your Book – Your Business Card: Upcoming New Horizons Telesummit Session with Self-Publishing Expert Wendy Stetina

You’ve finally freed yourself from cubicle land and become a consultant. The problem is, you’re having a hard time finding clients because you haven’t proven yourself. What if you could do have a business card that would tell potential clients all about your business? What if you had written a book about the very service you are providing to clients? Wouldn’t that make you the best resource? What if you could use your book as your business card?

As an author, you can enjoy the ultimate reach. Potential clients have  the opportunity to get an excellent snapshot of your expertise and familiarize themselves with your skills without you saying a word.

You can join Wendy Stetina (publishing industry expert and Outskirts Press Director of Author Services) on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 1:30 PM Pacific Time. She will be discussing the following:

  • How to determine if self-publishing is right for you
  • How self publishing differs from traditional publishing.
  • What is “print-on-demand” and why is it advantageous.
  • How much should you plan to invest?
  • How pricing and distribution works in the publishing world and how it will affect the retail price (and royalties) of your book
  • The self-publishing process and typical timeline.

The best part is – listening to Wendy and other experts at this telesummit is 100% Free! You can register HERE.

If you can’t attend, don’t worry, I’ll be there to take notes for you to use for future reference. I will post them to the blog very shortly thereafter.

DISCUSSION: How have you used your book to catapult your business?