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Any self published authors out here?!?

Posted by mugshot • 3/23/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: books, publishing, writing

Im thinking of starting to write a book and self publishing it...has anyone here had any success? Any pointers to help?

I know what I want to write but I am lost after this!

User Comments

3/23/08

allentaylor

I have a couple of small chapbooks, but that is all. I would highly recommend using a service like Xlibris for the printing. And for marketing you definitely need a website.

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3/23/08

mugshot

The website is not a problem for me to make and I was thinking about contacting local independant bookstores etc also. Do you know if lLulu is any good? It looks like they have a good package to get an ISBN for Amazon etc also.

Im just starting out on this and am really wondering where to go etc.

Thank you for your input, any help is much appreciated.

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1. 3/26/08
  
  veryheaven
  
  hi dear,
  LULU is okay, AMAZON has a nevv and very kinky service for self-pulishers.
  agree vvith mmeX recommendation: your marketing plan - especially the "voice" in your vvords, must be appealing and vvanting, vvhat YOU offer. analyse the best publsihed books in your niche - you´ll get a good grip on hovv to.
  *try something: tell US in HERE vvhat your USP is like?
  *vvrite in one sentence vvith not more than 60 characters, vvhat´s the MOST IMPORTANT THING your readers BENEFIT from your book (as it seem not to offer to very much nevvs in the field / niche).
  *hope that helps your ideas spinning :-)
3/23/08

pointlessbanter

I used Lulu.com for my book and I know a handful of other people that have used it. No complaints from me or the people that I know.

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1. 3/23/08
  
  aningeniousname
  
  Did you make any money on that Pointless?
2. 3/23/08
  
  pointlessbanter
  
  Yeah not a huge amount, but I made money.
  
  I republished old posts basically which I think hurt. If it was all original work it would have sold a lot better.
3/23/08

MadameX

Mugshot, a lot depends on what kind of book you're planning and on having a good marketing plan. I have published traditionally and self-published; I made a lot more money on my self-published book than I ever have through traditional publishing. However, it was a non-fiction niche book and there was a ready market for it that was fairly concentrated and accessible--and I marketed it for nine months before I actually started selling it. Without any one of those factors, I think it might have worked out quite differently.

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3/23/08

mugshot

Well....my book is actually one about weight lifting, so it shows you the exercises and training plans as well as the biology side of the bodys muscles and nutritional information (proteins, amino acids, food types etc).

I know this is a saturated niche already so it will be difficult but you never know without trying right? I just thought it would be great to hand over my knowledge on weight lifting, an example is that I have increased the weight I lift by over 50% since the turn of the year.

I have also thought of talking to the chain of Gyms I use as another marketing tool.

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3/23/08

Pentad

I self-published with trafford.com up in Canada. All the way from overseas. They have excellent service, and can help you with anything you should need.

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3/26/08

richsinglemom

I self-published my book 100 Secrets of Successful Single Motherhood a couple of years ago. I used instantpublisher.com. They have ISBN numbers, a number of book sizes to choose from, templates for book layout (usually from a Word doc), and personalized help. I was very satisfied with the results. Pricing was very reasonable too. If you need help with the process I am more than glad to help. My book is on amazon.com if you want to take a look.

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3/26/08

lisamcglaun

There are some scam self publishers on the internet so be careful. Only use a company that comes highly recommended by other authors. I would go with a small self-publishing house. I can recommend www.mysticpublishers.com. I know the editor and she works hard to give her authors what they want in a book.

It sounds like you will have illustrations. Be careful to pick a publisher that will do quality illustrations for you. You don't want you book to look unprofessional. If it does, it won't sell.

That's about all the advice I have. I'd say from what I've heard from author friends of mine stay away from Publish America and AuthorHouse. I don't know anyone whose had a good experience with them.

Best of Luck!

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3/26/08

kevingoodman

What about authorhouse - they are huge around here.

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1. 3/26/08
  
  lisamcglaun
  
  Kevin,
  
  I know two authors who've had nothing but trouble with them...poor proof reading leaving mistakes in the final copies of their books that they were never able to get corrected. Nickel and diming them for services related to the books. The hold of copyrights so that the dissatisfied authors couldn't do anything else with their books with another publisher. Poor communication and bad cover designs. My friends think their experiences with AuthorHouse/First Books has been a nightmare and they warn everyone away from them.
4/13/08

FaeryInkPress

I've also thought seriously about self publishing, and I heard that going through a printer--not a "vanity press"--is the best way to go. Aren't Lulu and Trafford vanity presses?

Thoughts, please.

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4/13/08

crazyeddie

I've checked out scores of on-line publishers and have used a few of them. From my limited experience Lulu.com is by far the best. By the way, Lulu is a POD press, not a vanity press. With Lulu one can produce very high-quality books. Of course, it's still up to you to promote and market your book--and that takes money. Lulu's ISBN service is very helpful.

Probably the very easiest way to publish a book is through Amazon's Kindle. The big drawback is that your book will only be available to those with an Amazon Kindle reading device. So I would suggest publishing simultaneously through Lulu and Amazon Kindle. If your book is good and you have 10 to 50 thousand dollars handy to promote and market your book you can find success.

Another quick and easy way to get published is to have a cousin who is an editor at Random House--or to be married to a celebrity--or to be a celebrity.

I don't mean to dishearten you. It really can be done without having a cousin at Random House or being a celebrity. But it takes outrageous perserverance and commitment....and good writing that really touches people. You've just about got to be obsessed with it. Good luck. I definitely recommend Lulu.

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4/13/08

kaybday

Go into it with eyes wide open. Don't indebt yourself heavily. If you have photos, especially if they're color, consider the cost and consider other ways to repro them if you can do it for less (black and whites or line art, etc.)

I had a great publisher behind me with my last two books, and he really markets. But it's a very tough marketplace, especially since amazon is mandating the use of their own POD subsidiary for any book (self or small press) that is POD. Be sure to read all the stuff on the Web about that so you know your options (I wrote about it at The US Report, but there's tons of info about it at Writers Weekly--writersweekly.com).

I have a publisher for my next book, and I've honestly thought about doing it myself because of profits. You get an advance and then you get almost nothing in royalties unless you sell 15,000+ copies, or at least that's what many authors tell me and that's been my own experience.

Be sure you build your platform first. At events where I speak, I just hear so many horror stories.

And I'll share my favorite self-spun chestnut with you: the book biz sux.

best, Kay

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4/13/08

varniticula

I am an illustrator who has done a considerable amount of research on self-publishing. The top places to get your books published at are trafford and lulu. They have book marketing packages, ISBN numbers, book binding options, and great color presses.

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4/14/08

zoom56ok

Yeah I'm doing a little ebook, so I did a sample and uploaded about 50 pages to lulu, and made a little cover and everything about a week back. Years ago I wrote a giant 800 pg book and did tons of research for self publishing, but that info is virtually obsolete in the new digital format era.

But the links and insights here are very helpful. So thanks for answering mugs question so well.

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2/11/09

theotherwoman100

Here is an opportunity to work with a publisher. Writing Contest. Free entry. please visit blog.imetyourhusbandlastnight.com.

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