RESOURCES for Self-Publishing Essentials Workshop
FOUR QUESTIONS
Answer each in 1 sentence:
1. What is my book about/What is my main book idea?
2. Who do I envision my readers to be/Who am I writing this book for?
3. What is my goal for my book's impact/What will it do for my reader?
4. Why am I the one to write this specific book?
1. What is my book about/What is my main book idea?
2. Who do I envision my readers to be/Who am I writing this book for?
3. What is my goal for my book's impact/What will it do for my reader?
4. Why am I the one to write this specific book?
TRADITIONAL VS INDEPENDENT and HYBRID PUBLISHING
A thorough article from Joanne Penn at Creative Penn
https://www.thecreativepenn.com/self-publishing-vs-traditional/
Overview of companies that provide publishing services rated by Alliance of Independent Authors
https://selfpublishingadvice.org/allis-self-publishing-service-directory/self-publishing-service-reviews/
https://www.thecreativepenn.com/self-publishing-vs-traditional/
Overview of companies that provide publishing services rated by Alliance of Independent Authors
https://selfpublishingadvice.org/allis-self-publishing-service-directory/self-publishing-service-reviews/
COVER DESIGN
Excellent article on designing book covers from Kindlepreneur. Focuses on ebooks, but very useful for ebook and print design both. Includes links to inexpensive online book cover services:
https://kindlepreneur.com/book-cover-design/
I make my covers in PhotoShop, but here's free book cover software from Canva:
https://www.canva.com/create/book-covers/
A guide to making your own cover from CreateSpace with downloadable template:
https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/CoverPDF.jsp
PickFU service for getting feedback on covers. I have found their 50-response service for $20 very useful. (Can also be used for trying out different titles.)
https://kindlepreneur.com/book-cover-design/
I make my covers in PhotoShop, but here's free book cover software from Canva:
https://www.canva.com/create/book-covers/
A guide to making your own cover from CreateSpace with downloadable template:
https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/CoverPDF.jsp
PickFU service for getting feedback on covers. I have found their 50-response service for $20 very useful. (Can also be used for trying out different titles.)
INTERIOR DESIGN
Handy CreateSpace guide to setting the margins for your book:
https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/InteriorPDF.jsp
Good article on avoiding common formatting mistakes:
https://self-publishingschool.com/5-book-formatting-mistakes-to-avoid/
Another good article on interior design - especially good section on fonts:
http://www.writing-world.com/publish/format.shtml
Helpful look at the best fonts for self published books:
https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2012/06/picking-fonts-for-your-self-published-book/
Formatting Poetry Books
http://diybookformats.com/format-publish-market-book-poetry/
https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/InteriorPDF.jsp
Good article on avoiding common formatting mistakes:
https://self-publishingschool.com/5-book-formatting-mistakes-to-avoid/
Another good article on interior design - especially good section on fonts:
http://www.writing-world.com/publish/format.shtml
Helpful look at the best fonts for self published books:
https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2012/06/picking-fonts-for-your-self-published-book/
Formatting Poetry Books
http://diybookformats.com/format-publish-market-book-poetry/
EDITING
Great article on how to choose an editor, should you decide to hire someone
https://kindlepreneur.com/book-editors/
https://kindlepreneur.com/book-editors/
FREELANCE HELP
Upwork has links to freelance designers for book covers and to editors
The Book Designers specializes in book design, layout, covers, editing, audio books
The Book Designers specializes in book design, layout, covers, editing, audio books
ISBNs
R. R. Bowker is the nation's supplier of ISBN numbers. It is the only supplier. If you get one inexpensively elsewhere, your title will be connected to their name, not yours. You will need more than 1, so get the 10-pack or see the option below with Ingram Spark.
Ingram Spark offers an ISBN service that allows you to have your own publishing house name attached to your ISBN (as if you had bought one from R. R. Bowker), but my recommendation is to buy your own. See article below
Each book in each format needs its own ISBN number, so think carefully about how many to purchase. For example, you will need 1 for your print version, 1 for large print, 1 for ebook, and 1 for audio book. If you plan to write more than one book, you can use up ISBN numbers pretty quickly, so I recommend getting at least 10 if you buy them from R R Bowker.
Excellent article HERE on why you want to buy your own ISBN numbers
Ingram Spark offers an ISBN service that allows you to have your own publishing house name attached to your ISBN (as if you had bought one from R. R. Bowker), but my recommendation is to buy your own. See article below
Each book in each format needs its own ISBN number, so think carefully about how many to purchase. For example, you will need 1 for your print version, 1 for large print, 1 for ebook, and 1 for audio book. If you plan to write more than one book, you can use up ISBN numbers pretty quickly, so I recommend getting at least 10 if you buy them from R R Bowker.
Excellent article HERE on why you want to buy your own ISBN numbers
CIP DATA BLOCK
Cataloguing-in-Publication. Recommended if you are intending to sell to libraries. Here is a retired librarian who can make a professional CIP data block for you for $60. Do not attempt to make one up yourself.
Adrienne Bashista
Adrienne Bashista
COPYRIGHT
Once you have published your book, you can register it with the US Copyright Office if you so choose, by filling out a form, paying $35, and mailing them a copy.
CREATESPACE
CreateSpace provides print-on-demand service and allows you to offer your book on Amazon for free. CreateSpace has excellent customer service by email, chat, or phone.
Here's their step-by-step guide to getting your book published on Amazon (after you register and are logged in). Choose the guided process:
https://tsw.createspace.com/getstarted/productselection
This explains everything you need to know to work with CreateSpace - click on each tab - it even has a Royalty Calculator:
https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/
Here's their step-by-step guide to getting your book published on Amazon (after you register and are logged in). Choose the guided process:
https://tsw.createspace.com/getstarted/productselection
This explains everything you need to know to work with CreateSpace - click on each tab - it even has a Royalty Calculator:
https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/
INGRAM SPARK
Ingram Spark
Yes, you want to do BOTH this and CreateSpace if you expect to have books in bookstores. DO NOT choose Expanded Distribution on CreateSpace for Amazon. Allow Ingram to distribute to bookstores and libraries. Ingram offers print-on-demand service for $49 and lists your book in their online catalogue that independent booksellers use.
Here's a page that explains how to work with Ingram Spark with easy click-throughs to get started ($49 fee for both print & ebook when done together):
http://www.ingramspark.com/how-it-works#self-publish
Use the same ISBN number, cover file, and interior file as you did for CreateSpace. Ingram will format your book for ebook distribution through its network as part of your fee, if you choose. Remember to click on Regular Discount for bookstores and Returnable, otherwise your book will not be attractive to independent booksellers.
Yes, you want to do BOTH this and CreateSpace if you expect to have books in bookstores. DO NOT choose Expanded Distribution on CreateSpace for Amazon. Allow Ingram to distribute to bookstores and libraries. Ingram offers print-on-demand service for $49 and lists your book in their online catalogue that independent booksellers use.
Here's a page that explains how to work with Ingram Spark with easy click-throughs to get started ($49 fee for both print & ebook when done together):
http://www.ingramspark.com/how-it-works#self-publish
Use the same ISBN number, cover file, and interior file as you did for CreateSpace. Ingram will format your book for ebook distribution through its network as part of your fee, if you choose. Remember to click on Regular Discount for bookstores and Returnable, otherwise your book will not be attractive to independent booksellers.
KDP (KINDLE DIRECT PUBLISHING)
KDP allows you to sell your book as an ebook on Amazon. It is a free service and highly recommended, as ebooks rival print books in popularity.
SELLING YOUR EBOOK BEYOND AMAZON
Smashwords is a free service that will take your ebook and make it available to all outlets online, including Barnes and Noble Nook and Apple's iBooks. It's more finicky on the formatting than KDP, so can be a little frustrating getting through their process (reformatting and reformatting), but can be worth it since it basically covers all online ebook sellers.
How to Publish on Smashwords:
www.smashwords.com/about/how_to_publish_on_smashwords
Draft2Digital is another free service - it's newer than Smashwords and distributes to fewer retailers, but hits all the major ones. The big plus with them is that they are easier to use - they format your ebook for you and their website is easier to navigate.
How to Publish on Smashwords:
www.smashwords.com/about/how_to_publish_on_smashwords
Draft2Digital is another free service - it's newer than Smashwords and distributes to fewer retailers, but hits all the major ones. The big plus with them is that they are easier to use - they format your ebook for you and their website is easier to navigate.
GENERAL HELP
The Creative Penn (Joanna Penn's website) has some really good material on every aspect of independent publishing.
Kindlepreneur: Excellent resource for anything to do with ebooks
Top 10 Sites for Indie Authors
The 100 Best Websites for Writers 2018
Kindlepreneur: Excellent resource for anything to do with ebooks
Top 10 Sites for Indie Authors
The 100 Best Websites for Writers 2018
REVIEWS
BookLife is the subdivision of Publishers Weekly that is dedicated to self-published authors
How Self-Published Authors Can Get Professional Reviews
How Self-Published Authors Can Get Professional Reviews
SCRIVENER WRITING SOFTWARE
Scrivener is an alternative to WORD designed for authors and many writers swear by it.
Writer's Store
Literature and Latte
Writer's Store
Literature and Latte
TEMPLATE-BASED WEBSITE GENERATORS
Weebly
Top 10 Website Builders
If you don't wish to build your own website, here is a site that creates them specifically for authors:
Author Your Website
Top 10 Website Builders
If you don't wish to build your own website, here is a site that creates them specifically for authors:
Author Your Website
MARKETING
Mega-List of Free Promotional Sites for Self-Published Books
The Indie Author's Guide to Free Reviews
How to Market Your Self-Published Book Without at Budget
Marketing Your Book for Self Publishers
The Indie Author's Guide to Free Reviews
How to Market Your Self-Published Book Without at Budget
Marketing Your Book for Self Publishers
KEYWORDS
Google Trends allows you to see what hot topics are trending in social media, but if you use their search bar at the top of the page and type in a keyword or phrase, it will show you how many people are searching for that phrase or similar phrases over the last few months or the last year.
