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This is the book on self-publishing. It appears in just about every bibliography on self-publishing. It is a little more expensive than the others, but you get 421 info-packed pages. If you can only afford one book on self-publishing, this is the one you want. It about publishing a book, but a lot of the information is valuable for whatever medium you are considering. Poynter covers everything from writing the book, through publishing, selling, and promoting, with all sorts of examples, forms, bibliographies. It also has a great glossary. This also has pointers to the publisher's Web site, ParaPublishing.com for further information. Bottom line: This is the best--packed with information that you will refer to again and again. If you are considering self-publishing at all, you owe yourself this book. Geared toward: Those seriously wanting to self-publish a book.
Basically this is a book encouraging women to consider self-publishing. One of its unique features is vignettes from successfully self-published women. It tells where to find out about self-publishing. Includes lots of great links to Web resources, and an extensive bibliography. Some of the information is:
Bottom line: Great practical advice for the novice to self-publishing. Good links, good bibliography, and quotes sprinkled throughout. Recommended. Geared toward: Novice level; Women; Book publishing
Shaw offers great advice on why and how to start a home-based business. Shaw is honest about both the advantages and disadvantages of taking this step. She then goes into various items that can be published from home. Each section covers the topics: Description of the activity, Ease of startup, Initial investment, Time commitment, Success potential, How to market, The pros, The cons, and Special Considerations. The kinds of publishing covered are Booklets, Books, Greeting cards, Magazines, Newsletters, Newspapers, Software,' Zines, Ezines, and Web sites. She then goes into running the business, marketing and how to keep balance in your life. Has a sample business plan in the back. Bottom line: Great balanced advice. I especially like the fact that she considers other publishing than the standard. Recommended. Geared toward: Someone seriously considering publishing as a business, who needs a good overview.
This is a saddle-stitched 57-page booklet, which looks like it was printed right out of a word processing program. It covers such topics as:
Bottom line: This is bare-bones information. More a reference book than the others. There is not a lot of explanation. The $14.95 price may be a bit steep for what you get, though there is useful information here. Geared toward: Writers who need information about electronic publishing.
This helps you compare regular publishing with self-publishing to see if it's right for you. Three main questions underlie the process:
Who is your audience What makes your book different or unique? Chapters cover such topics as:
Bottom line: Lots of great suggestions, but he doesn't go into any very deeply. At only 62 pages, this is useful as a handbook. Geared toward: Writers who needs an overview of the process. More geared toward traditional paper publishing, and is for books only.
This book gives advice on some practical areas, such as:
It also covers such things as getting an ISBN, and ways to promote your title. One piece of advice Frances offers is "Add credibility to your book list by having more titles to offer. The more titles you offer, the more creditable your presentation of titles." I get the feeling that this book was written for that very reason--to give her one more title in her list, as well as to give advice on how to make money publishing. If you are more interested in that than in getting a message to people, then this book may be for you. Bottom line: Weakest of the six reviewed. Geared toward: Book publishing. Making money publishing. |
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