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PUBLISHING RESOURCES
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FIND an EDITOR, DESIGNER, ILLUSTRATOR, PHOTOGRAPHER, PROOFREADER, INDEXER, etc. |
BOOKS that discuss Publishing Options
Dan Poynter’s Self-Publishing Manual is in its 16th printing. But Poynter has now released Volume 2, bearing the subtitle, How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book Employing the Latest Technologies and the Newest Techniques. It explains how to write your book faster, publish it for less, discover more economical ways to distribute your book, and earn more profit by cutting out the middlemen. This book covers print books, e-books, audiobooks, and others.
Dan has also developed The Para Promotion Program, a series of book promotion projects the author can accomplish without leaving home. The weekly assignments show the author what to do to reach his or her audience. Each assignment takes five to 120 minutes to complete. The program not only shows the author how to promote his or her current book, it is a crash course in book promotion that can be applied to future books. And authors who understand how to reach their audience tend to write books their readers want. For details, CLICK HERE.
The Fine Print of Self-Publishing, by Mark Levine, which compares and ranks 45 companies in this growing field. Full review HERE.
The Step-By-Step Guide to Self-Publishing for Profit! by C. Pinheiro with Nick Russell, Pineapple Publications. Read Bobbi's review HERE.
The Well-Fed Writer
(updated) and The Well-Fed Self-Publisher by
Peter Bowerman.
Read reviews HERE
and HERE.
Publishize: How to Quickly and Affordably Self-Publish a Book That Promotes Your Expertise, by Susan Daffron, a hands-on guidebook for entrepreneurs who want to add a new revenue stream to their business. Read the table of contents and some sample pages at: www.logicalexpressions.com.
Release Your Writing: Book Publishing Your Way, by Helen Gallagher. Read Bobbi's review HERE.
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Canadian Printers (offset):
Custom Printers, who did a wonderful job on Mewsings/Musings.
Marquis specializes in short and medium run book printing in Canada. They have two printing plants, with more than 115 employees dedicated exclusively to book production. They offer formatting and editing for all types of work, web press capabilities and sheetfed presses, with book binding in-house, including perfect binding, saddle stitching, spiral binding, wire-O, and case bound.
Formatting guides for the major eBook formats: http://mediabistro.com/galleycat
Independent Book Reviewers:
Susan Daffron has put together an extensive list of independent book reviewers. All of the reviewers in this guide accept small press books, and all of them review books for free. The guide lists their likes, dislikes, contact information, website information, etc. Go to: http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net/
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CANADIAN
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WEBSITES for Publishing Information
The sequel to Dan's popular title, The Self-Publishing Manual, has just been released. Learn how to use new techniques to write your book faster, new technology to publish it for less, new ways to distribute your book more economically, ways to have fun promoting it and how to profit from your investment by cutting out all of publishing’s gatekeepers in the middle. Available now as an eBook in ten different formats. $7.97 from http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/607 and a printed book for $14.95 from Dan's website. See the cover and blurb HERE.
There's also Dan's terrific Book Publishing
Encyclopedia to answer all your questions. Go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Book-Publishing-Encyclopedia-Dan-Poynter/dp/1568601271/
Dan and a colleague also offer a free newsletter, The Savvy Self-Publisher, with tips and tricks to help the streetwise author publish a book quickly and economically -- and to promote it more effectively. It contains success stories of self-publishers in action, and a treasure trove of tools to help you reach more readers. http://www.u-publish.com/monthly.htm
This link leads to a helpful article about how to
set up a self-publishing business:
http://parapublishing.com/sites/para/information/business.cfm
www.smashwords.com Smashwords has reached an agreement with Shortcovers to sell their ebooks. This will give their authors and publishers access to readers in 189 countries. Smashwords’ authors and publishers receive royalties of 46.75 percent of the digital list price. Their books are now distributed to Barnes & Noble and many e-book retailers, such as the Apple iBookstore, Aldiko, Stanza, Kobo and Sony. For a helpful article on how to use Smashwords effectively, click HERE. Note that Smashwords does not provide paid services of any kind. Instead, they offer a free download which provides guidance on how to prepare your book for quality ebook conversion to various formats. It's very important to do this in Word.
www.bookmarket.com
(John Kremer, author of 1001 Ways to Market Your
Books). John also has new e-book, Book Marketing 105: Choosing
a Book Distribution, which includes information on 30 book
distributors, 4 library distributors, 89 book publishers who also
distribute for other publishers, 3 sales representatives to the
chains, 27 bookstore wholesalers, 34 library wholesalers, and 23
Spanish-language wholesalers, plus a sample book distribution
contract. Ebook download, $30.00.
www.spawn.org
(Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network)
http://www.pma-online.org/ The Publishers' Marketing Association has changed its name to the Independent Book Publishers Association.
www.span.net
(Self Publishers Association of North America)
Association of Educational Publishers: http://www.aepweb.org
Association of Canadian Publishers http://www.publishers.ca/index.htm includes advice about preparing a book proposal and a list of literary agents by province
www.bookcentre.ca/ (The Canadian Children's Book Centre)
www.beneaththecover.com/ (a useful site with information about all aspects of pubishing)
Preditors & Editors: http://pred-ed.com/ A wide range of information about agents, publishing, rights
Between the Lines, a free writers' e-zine brought to you by The Editorial Department, a 26-year-old freelance editorial firm with 14 editors on staff who provide both developmental consultation and sentence-level editing of nearly all genres of fiction and nonfiction and also a team of dedicated support staff to help our unagented authors find representation for their work.
www.WriteToYourMarket.com
and www.BookCoverCoaching.com
(wonderful sites for publishing help)
http://abookinsideforum.ning.com/
a forum for self-publishers
The
Book Designer offers a free newsletter, and when you subscribe
you will receive a copyright report specifically for
publishers Joel Friedlander, proprietor of Marin
Bookworks, offers great tips in his newsletter. Here's a delightful
humor piece (with serious information) Joel posted recently.
Click HERE
http://www.book-publishing-companies.com/
www.book-publishers-compared.com
http://www.bookmarketingworks.com/mktgmattersnews/
http://www.publishingbasics.com/current/
http://poddymouth.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/top-pod-self-publishers-in-terms-of-book-sales/
(POD publishers ranked by book sales)
Preditors and Editors: http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubwarn.htm
Writers Beware: http://www.sfwa.org/beware
http://www.publishyourownebooks.com/ information about self-publishing from a site in Hong Kong; sign up for their free newsletter
www.matilijapress.com books by Patricia Fry, including The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles for Book Promotion and Profit, and Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book. Also check Patricia's excellent blog at: www.matilijapress.com/publishingblog Patricia is also an excellent publishing consultant.
The Thrifty Author’s Guide to Launching Your Book Without Losing Your Mind (Comfort Publishing) is the first in a series by author and international speaker Gail Martin. She explains everything a new author needs to know about marketing, and provides a helpful checklist beginning with six months before launch and carrying on to six months afterwards, when most authors don't realize they still have work to do if the book is going to succeed. She includes budgeting, charts, and tips from other published authors at the end of each of the 20 chapters. Other books in this series will cover social media, blogging, book tours, and other promotional efforts. Check out Gail's home study course, The Solopreneur Survival Guide, and her e-books, 154 Power-Packed PR and Marketing Tips, and Passion, Profit and Partnership: Entrepreneur Success Strategies. The owner of Dreamspinner Communications, Gail offers a free newsletter and podcasts of phone interviews with successful authors and entrepreneurs. Mini-review HERE.
Sigrid Macdonald is an author, book coach, copy editor, substantive editor and manuscript evaluator. Her book, Be Your Own Editor, is available from Lulu, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Maria Carlton is a award-winning business and publishing coach, pro-speaker, author and book shepherd. Her site is full of useful information. Go to: www.marukibooks.com
The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing, the updated version of Tom and Marilyn Ross's classic book. Writers Digest Books.
Take a look at a virtual book tour: http://cleasimon.blogspot.com/
SOURCES: a searchable, deep-indexed database of Canadian experts, media spokespersons, and other sources of information.
www.isbn.org
http://www.publishingbasics.com/2004/01/11/the-skinny-on-isbns-2/
article by Fern Reiss on ISBNs http://newsletter.logicalexpressions.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=151
article by Susan Daffron on ISBNs
SERVICES: agents, lawyers, contract help
http://www.legaldocs.com/ a variety of legal documents, most free to download
http://www.LitMatch.net
The largest, most complete directory of literary agents on the web
http://www.litmatch.net/AgentBlogs.asp
agent blogs
The Association of Authors' Representatives
http://www.agentquery.com/ a comprehensive database of literary agents
http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com
http://www.writersservices.com/agent/us08/agent_us.htm U.S. agents
http://www.writersservices.com/agent/row08/index.htm index of agents
http://www.agentquery.com/ information about agents, editors, as well as a paid newsletter
http://www.acqweb.org/pubr.html publishers in all genres
http://www.writeanonfictionbook.com/ARTICLES/Literary%20Agents.html Bobbi Linkemer's helpful article
http://www.londonfreelance.org/ an organization of writers in the U.K.
http://www.writersunion.ca/ (The Writers' Union of Canada, which publishes a number of helpful booklets, including Anthology Rates and Contracts, Author and Literary Agent, and New Technologies, which includes information on e-books and print-on-demand publishing). TWUC also publishes the Writers' Guide to Canadian Publishers, a list of publishers who currently accept unsolicited manuscripts, and a Contracts Self-Help Package, which inlcudes a Model Trade Book Contract and Help Yourself to a Better Contract.
Ivan Hoffman, Literary & Entertainment lawyer: http://www.ivanhoffman.com/
Websites that list foreign rights agents:
For a single list of 1,400 literary agents, including 250+ foreign rights agents, you can instantly download a copy in Word format for $30 at http://www.bookmarket.com/orderform.htm.
OTHER RESOURCES
SPAWN sponsors the Self-Publishers Online Conference (SPOC), held every spring. The three-day event will feature 15 speakers and a virtual exhibit hall. Attending the conference live is free, and SPAWN members will get discounts on the recordings. Learn more at the SPOC site: http://www.SelfPublishersOnlineConference.com
NEW: The Secrets of Emotional, Hot-Button Copywriting: How to Employ the 7 Key copy Drivers that Make People Act, by Denny Hatch, the most respected authority on direct mail in the U.S., who has drawn from the top sellers to show the reader exactly how to reach the public, whether with paid ads or in media releases and promotional materials. Published by Target Marketing, for whom Denny writes a popular free newsletter, Business Common Sense. Order using this URL. Read Bobbi's full review HERE.
SITES OFFERING FREE BOOK REVIEWS:
http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/send-press-releases-review-material-andor/
http://acqweb.org/bookrev.html
http://www.bookspot.com/reviews
Look up book review opportunities by the topic of
your book:
http://www.world-newspapers.com/review.html
A site to find professional book reviewers (who
will review your book free of charge):
http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/send-press-releases-review-material-andor/
The Fine Print of Self-Publishing by Mark Levine. This book compares many of the popular POD and so-called "self-publishing" options, providing clear information about what each actually costs and how much profit they actually offer authors. Mark's website contains many resources and services for business, writers, artists, and musicians: www.clickindustries.com. Read Bobbi's review HERE.
Publishing Possibilities, 8 Steps to Understanding Your Options, and Choosing the Best Path for Your Book, by Cheryl Pickett (Brighter Day Publishing, 2009) http://www.publishinganswers.com, reviewed by Patricia Fry. Publishing Possibilities is a pretty complete 8-step program designed to help you understand your publishing options and choose the right one for your particular manuscript. The author offers this through brief, succinct, uncluttered chapters and worksheets. To read the full review of Publishing Possibilities, go to http://www.spawn.org/books/books_pub_publishingpossibilities.htm. Patricia Fry is a seasoned editor who can also guide you through the publishing process. Contact her at PLFry620@yahoo.com or through her website at http://www.matilijapress.com/consulting.html. You'll also find other resources for self-publishers on Patricia's site, including a new 27-page ebook called The Author's Repair Kit: Heal Your Publishing Mistakes and Breathe New Life Into Your Book
Become a Real Self-Publisher, by Michael N. Marcus (Silver Sands Books)
The Step-By-Step Guide to Self-Publishing for Profit! by C. Pinheiro with Nick Russell, Pineapple Publications. Read Bobbi's review HERE.
The Well-Fed Self-Publisher by Peter Bowerman. Read Bobbi's review HERE.
Help naming your book, from Marcia Yudkin at Named at Last. Read about choosing the best book title HERE.
The Thrifty Author’s Guide to Launching Your Book Without Losing Your Mind, by Gail Martin. Read Bobbi's review HERE.
A free calendar to help you plan book promotion and publicity
www.directcontactpr.com/files/files/Publicityplan2010.pdf
www.woods-and-waters.com/books/index.html (another reputable U.S. publisher)
www.lulu.com
(custom publishing of many types of digital
content; based in Canada)
http://www.wwaow.com/ (the World Wide Association of Writers, a division of Peleman Industries NV in Belgium; check their FAQs for their publishing program)
www.selfpublishing.ca/
(Suzanne Anderson, author of
Self-Publishing in Canada)
www.self-pub.net (Kimberly Martin)
http://smallpress.typepad.com/index/ a blog for independent publishers
www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/bookfair.html (listings of book fairs and similar literary events, primarily U.S.)
http://www.bellerophonproductions.com Craig Hines offers checklists for various steps in the production process, designed for academic papers, but just as useful for other types of publications
http://www.writeanonfictionbook.com helpful information from Bobbi Linkemer
Sherrill Wark offers proofreading, editing, and
document preparation via:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/swark/
Susan Daffron and James Byrd run http://www.LogicalExpressions.com which can help you self-publish your book.
http://www.writers-publish.com/book-distributors.html information on self-publishing and distribution
http://newselfpublishing.com/index.html#blog free resources on self publishing from author/publisher Aaron Shepard of Shepard Publications and Sales Rank Express.
BOOK PROMOTION & PUBLICITY
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The sold-out workshop, How to Promote Your Book or Your Business, is now available for download. For $40, buyers will receive a copy of Barbara's award-winning manual, Five Fast Steps to Low-Cost Publicity, along with 30 pages of notes from the presentation. This package includes many "bonus" materials. Click HERE for details. |
Robert Beauchemin offers web design and also offers promotional materials (such as two-sided, full color, gloss finish bookmarks) at a very reasonable cost.
www.matilijapress.com books by Patricia Fry, including The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles for Book Promotion and Profit, and Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book. Also check Patricia's excellent blog at: www.matilijapress.com/publishingblog
www.thepublicityhound.com Joan Stewart publishes a terrific free newsletter and offers many free booklets and resources on her website. Some of the key resources for book publishers that follow have been gleaned from her tips. All of her paid materials are well worth the cost.
Shel Horowitz prepares detailed marketing plans, customized to suit each individual book project. He shared one of these with me, and it's excellent. He also offers a Book Marketing Checklist which asks all the right questions. Reach him via www.principledprofits.com
I See Your Name Everywhere, a new book about how to obtain publicity. Read my review HERE.
Free All-in-One Media Directory with TV and weekly newspaper databases, 5,000 links to print and electronic media on the Internet, 1,600 e-mail addresses for radio and TV stations, and 200 links to Internet/computer related magazines: http://www.gebbieinc.com
Raleigh Pinskey, author of 101 Ways to Promote Yourself: http://www.promoteyourself.com
Publishize: How to Quickly and Affordably
Self-Publish a Book That Promotes Your Expertise, by Susan
Daffron, a hands-on guidebook for entrepreneurs who want to add a new
revenue stream to their business. Read the table of contents and some
sample pages at:
www.logicalexpressions.com.
"How to Get Booked on NPR" (local
and national shows on National Public Radio:
www.publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-tapes/NPR.htm
www.afcp.org/design/general/freepapers.asp The Association of Free Community Papers
www.SpeakerMatch.com - a paid service matching speakers with event bookers
If your book would make a great gift, consider purchasing The Gift List for Holidays, which includes national and regional magazines, the top 250 newspapers, major wire and news services, and national television. $349. from http://www.giftlistmedia.com
http://www.earthcalendar.net holidays, events and special celebration days that you might be able to relate to your book
http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com paid bi-weekly newsletter
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LIBRARY DIRECTORIES
http://www.PublicLibraries.com lists all U.S. libraries by types and state, with phone numbers. Ask to speak with Collections Development Services.
http://www.travelinlibrarian.info/libdir
http://www.webpan.com/msauers/libdir
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CANADIAN
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The Donohue Group, Inc. (DGI) is a library contract services firm with extensive experience in cataloging, retrospective conversion and publisher cataloging-in-publication.
A list of 2,224 U.S. public and college libraries,
in various data formats, for $40. from
http://www.bookmarket.com/orderform.htm
Download a PDF Measuring Tool designed by Marko Mikulich to help authors build their self-published Book. The tool is cut out of an 8.5x11-in paper sheet and contains five different measuring rulers (inches, millimeters/centimeters, pica), type-sizing tool for determining lettering size from 6 to 72-points, decimal-fraction equivalent conversion, line widths, etc. This tool is from the Appendix of the new book, ILLUSTRATE YOUR SELF-PUBLISHED BOOK; The Author's Guide for Drawing, Photography, Typesetting & Production. http://www.erdc.com/meas-tool.pdf
BEFORE YOU CONSIDER PRINT-ON-DEMAND OR INTERNET-BASED SERVICES, PLEASE CLICK HERE
The Canadian Booksellers' Association
CLICK HERE FOR MARKETING RESOURCES
A NOTE RE DISTRIBUTION:
Ingram and Baker & Taylor
are WHOLESALERS, not distributors. All they do is provide a way for
booksellers to order the books. A distributor actively markets the
books they represent to those booksellers, and most demand a higher
discount--usually 65-75%.
RECOMMENDED SOFTWARE FOR WRITERS
WebExpress (MicroVision Development) www.mvd.com/webexpress/
Clipmate: http://www.thornsoft.com/index.htm?referrer=SimonTeakettleInk
If you don't want to design your own website, here are web designers I can recommend:
Eleanor Reardon: www.eleanorreardon.com
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CANADIAN
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