World Famous Comics: Complete Guide to Self Publishing: Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish, Promote, and Sell Your Own Book (Self-Publishing 4th Edition)
Complete Guide to Self Publishing: Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish, Promote, and Sell Your Own Book (Self-Publishing 4th Edition)
Amazon.com: "Self-publishing," say authors Tom and Marilyn Ross, "is a perfect example of the American dream." The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing, then, is an aspiring self-publisher's dream. "This isn't a book of fancy theory," as the authors put it; "it's a practical handbook of state-of-the-art specifics." In 521 pages, it lays out everything you need to know to publish your own books, from start-up considerations to the possibility of selling to a big publisher: how to choose a name for your press, how to get an ISBN, what cover designs cost, how to find a reliable printer, how to price your book, where to find lighter-weight shipping envelopes, how to generate working capital. The authors' encyclopedic grasp of the ins and outs of self-publishing is matched by their natural good sense about self-promotion. Turn your signings into events, they recommend; get your books into a variety of venues; use the books as fundraisers for organizations; get online and get reviewed online. The price of this book is negligible considering the cost of proper self-publishing (between $12,000 and $25,000), and, oh, the headaches it will spare you! --Jane Steinberg
Book Description: This new, updated edition of the industry standard shows writers how to get full control over their careers by self-publishing. Writers will see how the publishing industry works and learn how to make it work for them. Packed with maximum profit/minimal risk ideas, The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing, 4th Edition provides readers with: * Step-by-step guidance on every aspect of publishing and marketing a book * Appendices that list marketing contacts, government help and vendors, including names and addresses * Updated advice on e-publishing and electronic rights--everything the writer needs to know to tackle this dynamic new medium * Production tips that can cut design and printing costs * Proven sales letter formats, cover designs and catalog sheets * Dynamic marketing strategies for publicity, advertising and sales--specifically, what works and what doesn't
the complete handbook Having met the Ross's at Colorado Independent Publishers Assn and purchased their book, I felt ready to complete my manuscript. I found I was using it almost hourly. Lots of straight from the shoulder opinions as to what not to use or do. As well as sure fire suggestions in what to watch out for. They even have forms and phone numbers that can be used. I found out what there was to know about ISBN numbers and how to get them. I keep it handy and still use it to remind me of points that I find have slipped my recall. No other publication is needed in this area of information, that I can imagine. A keeper. Not a loaner. Randall Shelton, author of "Life on Earth The Game."
The "COMPLETE" Guide to Self-Publishing? "EVERYTHING" You Need to Know? Well, "YES," but only if you intend to hire professionals to do a lot of your technical self-publishing work. But if you want really to do it ALL yourself, Tom and Marilyn's instructions do not include the step-by-step, bottom-line, technical details on how to create formatted computer files that POD presses will accept.
You will not learn how to use a computer to setup and format your pages, to insert section breaks and page numbers, to insert 300 dpi photos, or to format a cover for your book. And, this book tells you nothing at all about how to convert your book block and cover files to PDF, the format required by POD presses. (Amazon offers other books that will teach you these skills.)
However, if you really don't want to do all this yourself, The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing is THE book you surely should buy. This book is geared primarily to teach you how to set-up your own, full-blown publishing business, and how to sell your books, once you have published them. Virtually all aspects of these two main topics are covered in great detail. To a lesser extent (in 53 of the book's 521 pages), suggestions and instructions concerning book and cover design are helpful as far as they go. But to convert their ideas to computer files, Tom and Marilyn suggest repeatedly that you should hire professionals to do these technical tasks.
Even so, because of its overall, valuable content, I have given this book a five-star rating.
Edwin Scroggins is author of How to Self-Publish Your Book with BookSurge for $99, 2nd Edition: A Step-by-Step Guide for Designing & Formatting Your Microsoft Word Book to PDF & POD Press Specifications
A Publisher's Bible This book is the perfect bible for publishers and authors alike. Helpful information can be gleaned from each and every chapter for those just getting starting in the publishing industry.
As a publisher, I refer to it often and each time I learn something new. To complete your collection, you should buy Jumpstart Your Book Sales and Shameless Marketing for Brazen Hussies.
Tom and Marilyn Ross have definitely filled an empty spot in this industry with this book!
Good Pep Talk I liked this book to most degrees. It has a somewhat dated feel to it, but it contains a decent amount of information that a brand new self-publisher or author needs to get the job done. My only qualm with this book is that it seems to be too much of a motivational speech--but that is a minor irritant that I'm sure some readers really enjoy. I like examples of what worked for someone--not what might work. Examples are the key, specific examples, and this book could have used more of them. I really prefer Morris Rosenthal's book about self-publishing--he gives a year in the life of a book (from beginning to finish in the publishing life). BUT, I think this book helped me, too, so I recommend it. 4 stars!
Jason Sipe Hood Press Books, Tales of Madness: Seven Horror Stories by Edgar Allan Poe
This book guided me to publish my book. From the time I began the process to self-publish my book, The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing was in near-reach to me. This book goes over the many details needed to publish a book and opened my eyes to the very important and various aspects of marketing for both before and after the book is printed. I first read the book front to back taking notes and marking which pages I knew I would need to return to for different stages in the process. From the book's Self-Publishing Timetable, I formed and kept my own very long `What to do' list, and over the months, it felt good to be able to check off the items. I have been recommending this book to people I know who are also considering the self-publishing direction. The encouragement from Tom and Marilyn Ross to do it and do it successfully guided me to getting my math book into print last year.
Susan Greenwald MA Ed. "Author of Two Plus Two is Not Five: Easy Methods to Learn Addition and Subtraction"
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
