People ask me, why do I need to get an ISBN associated with my book, if I can easily use one of the many source companies available on the Internet to bind, manufacture and produce a bound book to promote and sale on my own? The answer is simple: If you plan on marketing your book to brick-and-mortar bookstores, seeing it in libraries or simply making your book available for a multitude of retail and wholesale distribution means, it must have an ISBN assigned to it.

Like most products sold, the bar-coded system helps uniquely identify the product’s cost, and with books, it identifies the publisher—you. You don’t wan to spend the time producing the highest quality book available to your present means, only to discover later that the local Barnes & Noble won’t stock it within their warehousing system because it is owned by someone other than “your” publishing company. If they have to deal with a third-party, they won’t deal with them at all.

Continue Reading

Popularity: 7% [?]

As ironic as it may sound, I often struggle with this whole self-publishing process—being I’m no different than you or the next person. I spent the time alone (like you) soul-searching and meditating, pondering and simply thinking about the choice to release my own title and in the end I was pleased with why I chose to take this particular literary path. And here I am responsible for a weekly column to help offer something insightful, helpful and motivational to all those would-be authors working to publish and promote their novels—and in the end—it’s harder than the actual book creation process.

Continue Reading

Popularity: 8% [?]

When working to create the ultimate finished product for your self-released title it is imperative that you put out the most polished (book ready) manuscript you can—because in the end—your book is competing against thousands of other potential sales for the would-be buyer.

I have heard that more than 100,000 new fiction titles are released each year and if you weigh out the fact that most of (us) the self-released authors don’t have a substantial financial bankroll to cover the cost of general marketing and advertising, we may only have one real opportunity in the end to prove our worth to a potential audience, no matter how much we believe in the product or many friends (we) you have.

Continue Reading

Popularity: 7% [?]

In my article dated January 24th, 2008 (Major Contest Recognition for the Independently Published Author) I referenced eight novel contests specifically targeted and geared towards the self-published author. And in order for me to maintain an effective weekly column of introducing tips, tricks, and updates for all my readers, it is imperative that I continue to stay on top of previous posts to ensure the data stays current. So, I have a few new additions to add this week in continuing with that previous list to help you stay up-to-date with the latest opportunities to publicize and promote your recent project.

Continue Reading

Popularity: 7% [?]

Continued from last Thursday's post on marketing tips for self-publishers, here are five more tips for successfully marketing your book: 

Collaborate ideas with other self-published authors
One of the things I did early on is find others who were working to promote their work in the same manner as myself. I asked them what was working for them and shared some things that worked for me. I promoted them on an Author Links page on my website. Many did the same for me.

Continue Reading

Popularity: 4% [?]

Last week I elaborated on some general points to consider when releasing your own title. Naturally, if you read through the list, you are aware of the possibility [that] there are more steps vital to successful publication than originally noted on my previous article. However, in order for me to cover everything you should know it would take a book length manuscript not a weekly column to cover everything. So, I noted some key points to consider and offered some insight into approaching those steps. This week we will cover the second part to this particular article: the Post-Publication concepts.

Continue Reading

Popularity: 5% [?]

Continuing from the self-publishing topic of last Thursday, "I've made up my mind to self-publish, now what?". I will outline a few concepts I felt were important and critical in my early success and steps I (wish) I had not avoided early on.

Step 1: Determine a DBA (Business Name) & publishing company name

DBA stands for “doing business as” and you will need to create a DBA—if you plan on operating your publishing business apart from using your own name. Having the DBA will also help simplify critical banking transactions, especially when you are working to separate what money is actually used for the sake of your publishing business and what money is for your “regular” lifestyle.

Continue Reading

Popularity: 3% [?]