People's Guide to Publishing


Book Description

So, you want to publish books.Drawing on 23 years of experience operating an independent publishing company, Joe Biel has written the most accessible and comprehensive guide to running a successful publishing business. You'll learn all the skills of the trade, including how to:Develop your individual books to connect with readers on a practical and emotional levelChoose between offset printed, digitally printed, and eBook formats and work effectively with printersBuild an authentic niche so you can reach your audience and sell books directlyUnderstand if and when you're ready to work with a distributor or large online retailerCreate a budget and predict the cost and income of each book so your company stays in the blackDecide what work you need to do yourself and what can be done by othersPlan for sustainable growthFeaturing interviews with other upstart independent publishers and funny anecdotes from publishing's long history as well as detailed charts and visuals, this book is intended both beginners looking for a realistic overview of the publishing or self-publishing process and for experienced publishers seeking a deeper understanding of accounting principles, ways to bring their books to new audiences, and how to advance their mission in a changing industry. All readers will come away with the confidence to move forward wisely and a strong sense of why publishing matters today more than ever.




The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published


Book Description

Now updated for 2015! The best, most comprehensive guide for writers is now revised and updated, with new sections on ebooks, self-publishing, crowd-funding through Kickstarter, blogging, increasing visibility via online marketing, micropublishing, the power of social media and author websites, and more—making The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published more vital than ever for anyone who wants to mine that great idea and turn it into a successfully published book. Written by experts with twenty-five books between them as well as many years’ experience as a literary agent (Eckstut) and a book doctor (Sterry), this nuts-and-bolts guide demystifies every step of the publishing process: how to come up with a blockbuster title, create a selling proposal, find the right agent, understand a book contract, and develop marketing and publicity savvy. Includes interviews with hundreds of publishing insiders and authors, including Seth Godin, Neil Gaiman, Amy Bloom, Margaret Atwood, Leonard Lopate, plus agents, editors, and booksellers; sidebars featuring real-life publishing success stories; sample proposals, query letters, and an entirely updated resources and publishers directory.




The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books


Book Description

Provides practical and timely advice on writing different types of children's books, working with publishers, understanding the publishing process, the importance of illustrators, and building a career in the field of children's literature. Original. 12,000 first printing.




10 Secrets to a Bestseller


Book Description

Calling all writers! 10 Secrets to a Bestseller is the self-publishing guide you’ve been looking for. Whether you’ve dreamed of writing the Great American Novel, have a series of techno-thrillers in your drawer, or are drafting a self-help fitness book, you know in your heart of hearts that you’re a writer. You know it because you have always felt the drive to write; because you’re constantly coming up with new ideas; because you have something to say to the world . . . The only problem is getting the world to listen. That’s where 10 Secrets to a Bestseller: An Author’s Guide to Self-Publishing comes in. Thoughtfully crafted by Tim McConnehey, the creative force behind numerous award-winning and bestselling books, this in-depth, approachable guide will help you navigate the complex world of self-publishing, from crucial steps like researching your market and designing a great cover, to challenges like finding the right editor. In the past, authors were limited to a fine chemistry between themselves, an agent, and a publisher, and the selling process became increasingly focused on the commercially viable (as defined by the editor, marketing . . . everyone but the reader). Now, a diversity of self-publishing options has opened up a whole new world to aspiring authors where they can reach their readers directly—but a world so diverse it can be bewildering. McConnehey helps you make sense of the process involved in bringing your book to market. Looking at real-world success stories from his self-publishing company, Izzard Ink, you’ll learn the added value of professional design, what should be on your pre-publishing checklist, why proofreading is an essential (though often overlooked) step, how to market and distribute your book in ways proven to maximize your sales, and much more. Whether you’re just beginning to outline your first memoir or you’re well into your fifth novel, 10 Secrets to a Bestseller will help you get your work into the hands of readers and take your writing career to the next level. Praise for Tim McConnehey and Izzard Ink "I have worked with the world's leading multinational companies for my books, as well as managing my many speaking engagements. Izzard Ink's consultation services were some of the best. I am especially grateful for the guidance with my website and social media marketing campaigns. Izzard Ink's focus is on building authors and people. I would recommend Izzard Ink for any published or non-published author, regardless of the phase they are in the process."--Dan Clark, New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Significance, National Speaker Association Hall of Fame "My husband, W. Cleon Skousen, wrote several books, including The Naked Communist and The Naked Capitalist. We were so happy when each of those became bestsellers. I was told that, at last count, those two books had sold more than two million copies combined. I've had Izzard Ink refresh five of Cleon's books and all of them turned out crisp and new and attractive."--Jewel P. Skousen, editor and spouse of USA Today and New York Times bestselling author W. Cleon Skousen "I am a self-publishing author/publisher and have had the best experience, bar none, with the Izzard Ink group. They are the best bunch of hard-working professionals that I have ever had the privilege of working with; I would recommend them to anyone looking to design a cover, create a beautiful interior, and I would recommend them for all your creative publishing needs. Tim McConnehey has held my hand through the entire process and answered my questions at all hours of the day and night. I couldn't be more pleased with the results."--Diane Merrill Wigginton, author and owner of Jeweled Dagger Publishing "I owe my new friends at Izzard Ink a tremendous debt of gratitude. They walked me through self-publishing 101 and helped me turn my non-sellers into great sellers. One title was a bestseller on Amazon. Until I met Izzard, I didn't know how little I knew about post-writing development to produce a polished, professional-looking book. They cared about making me a success. And where some prior efforts produced a couple of duds, they guided me to help so I could repair the flaws and try again. It was worth it. Highly recommend Izzard Ink. Sometimes you just need somebody who knows the way."--Paul Skousen, bestselling author and former White House CIA analyst "Working with Tim was as effective as it was enjoyable. As a first-time author speaking on the phone with Tim for the first time, one of the first things he said to me was, 'I just want to see your book be successful.' That simple statement was the clear motivation of every interaction we had from that very first conversation all the way to me holding a finished copy of my book in my hands. It is immediately clear when speaking with Tim that his knowledge of this business is only surpassed by his willingness to help. I couldn't be more satisfied and grateful for his help to make my book a reality. I would recommend Izzard Ink to anyone and everyone without any hesitation. Tim and the Izzard Ink team offer professional advice and hands-on help that truly does range from A to Z."--Robbie Tripp, public speaker and author of Create Rebellion




The Sense of Style


Book Description

“Charming and erudite," from the author of Rationality and Enlightenment Now, "The wit and insight and clarity he brings . . . is what makes this book such a gem.” —Time.com Why is so much writing so bad, and how can we make it better? Is the English language being corrupted by texting and social media? Do the kids today even care about good writing—and why should we care? From the author of The Better Angels of Our Nature and Enlightenment Now. In this entertaining and eminently practical book, the cognitive scientist, dictionary consultant, and New York Times–bestselling author Steven Pinker rethinks the usage guide for the twenty-first century. Using examples of great and gruesome modern prose while avoiding the scolding tone and Spartan tastes of the classic manuals, he shows how the art of writing can be a form of pleasurable mastery and a fascinating intellectual topic in its own right. The Sense of Style is for writers of all kinds, and for readers who are interested in letters and literature and are curious about the ways in which the sciences of mind can illuminate how language works at its best.




An Insider's Guide to Publishing


Book Description

"Perseverance is much more important than talent. Because so many talented people fall by the wayside." --James Michener The history of writing is full of authors striving to succeed in a hyper-competitive publishing world, contending with agents, editors, publishers, critics, and sometimes the greatest challenge of all - overnight success. For all of the extaordinary changes that have recently taken place, however, there are a few things that remain the same. Getting published still requires persistence, preparation, and smarts, as well as an understanding of how the business works, where it's been, and where it's going. An Insider's Guide to Publishing pulls back the industry curtain for millions of published and aspiring authors, revealing Hemingway's famous feuds, Poe's raving madness, Capote's vengeful wit, and much more. With clever insights and dark humor to spare, David Comfort, a thirty-year veteran of the publishing trenches, explores the achivements and faultures of literary masters and editorial workaholics to show readers how they, too, can: • Use their creativity and composure to overcome publishing pitfalls. • Work with agents, editors, publishers, and critics like a pro. • Deal with rejection - and success - while avoiding the madhouse. • Navigate the pros and cons of both traditional and self-publishing. An Insider's Guide to Publishing shares the wicked wit and wisdom of some of the craziest and most ambitious authors and editors of all time - proving that even the talented need luck, pluck, persistence, and the inside scoop on this rapidly changing industry in order to succeed!




Self-printed


Book Description

The fully-revised and updated third edition of Catherine Ryan Howard's pragmatic 'how to' self-publishing guide Do you think that no one has the right to stand between you and your published writer dreams? That the publishing industry is going down in flames and self-publishers are going to rise like a 99c phoenix from the ashes? That all literary agents are interested in doing is blogging sarcastically about the rhetorical question at the start of your query letter, that editors will just use your submitted manuscript for kindling and that you'll be senile before you hear back from either of them? That once you've uploaded the book you finished yesterday afternoon to Amazon, it'll be mere minutes before the money starts rolling in and you can quit your day job? Do you say things like "gatekeepers", "The Big Five", "E.L. James", "legacy publishing" and "indie author" a lot? Are you self-publishing to "show them all"? If you've answered yes to one or more of these questions then I do apologize, but this isn't the book for you. This book is for writers who consider self-publishing to be a good Plan B, or even a sideline to traditional publication. Who want to do it the cheapest and easiest way possible while still producing a quality product. Who understand that much like Starbucks outlets and Nespresso coffee machines, traditional and self-publishing can peacefully co-exist. Writers who know that they don't have to sell a million copies of their book to start earning a living from their writing, but that they do have to work hard and treat it like a business. Who are blessed with common sense and live in the real world at least most of the time. Who find my jokes funny... If this sounds like you, then SELF-PRINTED: THE SANE PERSON'S GUIDE TO SELF-PUBLISHING may be just the "How To..." guide you were looking for. It will tell you everything you need to know in order to publish a Print On Demand paperback and e-book, and (crucially) sell them, without sounding like anti-Big Publishing propaganda produced by the Ministry of Truth. Be warned: you are now entering a No Saying "Gatekeepers" Zone...




The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published


Book Description

A complete author's toolkit: The guide that demystifies every step of the publishing process. No matter what type of book you want to write—fiction, nonfiction, humor, sci-fi, romance, cookbook, children's book—here is how to take an idea you're passionate about, develop it into a manuscript or proposal, get it published, and deliver it into the hands and hearts of readers. Includes interviews with dozens of publishing insiders—agents, editors, besteslling authors, and booksellers. Real-life success stories and the lessons they impart. Plus sample proposals and query letters, a resource guide, and more. Updated to cover ebooks, self-publishing, digital marketing, the power of social media, and more. This complete author's toolkit includes information on:- locating, luring, and landing an agent - perfecting your pitch - the nuts and bolts of a book proposal - conquering the query letter - finding the right publisher for YOU - four steps to reaching readers online - making Amazon work for you - kickstarting your Kickstarter campaign - the ins and outs of ebooks - 10 things you should have on your author website - turning rejection into a book deal - new frontiers in self-publishing




A People's Guide to Publishing Workbook


Book Description

Plan out your publishing empire, from mission to budgets, with this workbook companion to Joe Biel's A People's Guide to Publishing. A great resource for visual thinkers, note-takers, and anyone without a photographic memory, this little book will help keep your visions on track and hold you accountable to your goals. Because pursuing your meaning and purpose depends on keeping track of the details!




The Sane Person's Guide to Self-Publishing


Book Description

Honest advice about self-publishing from an award-winning author Are you thinking of self-publishing your novel or collection of short stories? If you are, this book can offer you a crash course in the process. Think of it as Self-Publishing 101. Why read this book instead of the dozens of others out there? I have self-published two novels, both of which have received honors, and self-publishing has opened up many fantastic opportunities for me. But self-publishing has also been difficult, confusing, and lonely, and most of my efforts to find guidance have led me to people trying to profit from my dreams. Because of that, I have written this book, the book I wish I had had before I embarked on my own self-publishing adventure. I want to tell you all about ways you can feel proud of your books and take advantage of opportunities that being a published author will provide. Here's my promise to you: For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, I'll give you my best advice, based on my own lived experiences, in the form of a step-by-step guide to make publishing on as easy as possible.