Since it is becoming more and more difficult to get published by a "normal" publisher, and computer software is getting more and more sophisticated, many authors are publishing their own works, whether books, newsletters, or other items. Along with this trend, a bewildering array of self-publishing books is flooding the market. Here are reviews of a few recent ones, to help you decide which to buy.

The Self-Publishing Manual 12th ed.
by Dan Poynter
Para Publishing, c.2000
ISBN 1568860631
$19.95

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.

The Woman's Guide to Self-Publishing
by Donna M. Murphy
Irie Book, c2000
ISBN 0966484894
$17.95

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:

• How to decide between self-publishing and using a publisher
• How to go about starting a business, and how to treat your publishing like a business
• How to put together a manuscript, and how to turn that manuscript into a printed book
• Getting an ISBN and copyright
• Marketing, promoting, and distributing your completed book

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

How to Make Money Publishing from Home
by Lisa Shaw
Prima Publishing, c2000
ISBN 0761521690
$16.00

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.

What Every Writer Must Know About E-Publishing by Emily A. Vander Veer
Self-published
ISBN: 0970290209
$14.95

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:

• How to evaluate e-publishers.
• How to decide between a strictly electronic publisher and print-on-demand
• How to protect your copyright
• Where to sell ebooks. Deciding whether you need traditional items like an ISBN
• The things you need to know to create a professional looking Web site.

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.

A Simple Guide to Self-Publishing, 3rd ed.
by Mark Ortman
Wise Owl Book, c2000
ISBN: 0963469908
$9.95

This helps you compare regular publishing with self-publishing to see if it's right for you. Three main questions underlie the process:

• Why do you want to publish your book
• Who is your audience
• What makes your book different or unique?

• Chapters cover such topics as:
• Learning about the industry and preparing the manuscript
• Printing
• Announcing your book
• Distribution
• Creating a demand, touring, marketing--by far the longest chapter

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: Writer who needs an overview of the process. More geared toward traditional paper publishing, and is for books only.

Self Publish My Book? The How To's
by Dee Frances
DDDD Publications, 2000?
ISBN 1885519230
$15.00

This book gives advice on some practical areas, such as:

• How to determine a good title
• How to understand exactly what you printer offers
• How to test market your book

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.

Good luck in making the decision on whether or not to self-publish. One or more of the above should at least get you started.