Self-publish, Then Self-Promote!

If you've published your book, you are aware of all the costs involved that ultimately cut into the profit you make, and that's only one end of the process. The other is creating exposure-- getting your book out there for people to read. It is recommended that you sell through one of the big online retailers to establish consumer credibility, but often they will take upwards of 50% off the top from each sale. Many online retailers require trade discounts as well; based on a range that you the author set with the retailer, a percentage of these trade discounts are offered online as bargains for the consumer. (But be warned, not all publishers allow you to set your own trade discounts, and some retailers will not push your book less fervently the lower you have set them.)

For legitimacy, sell through an established online bookseller; for profit, sell your books through your own website. Though you will have an added cost of advertising online in order to entice people to your website, you will still fare better since many methods of setting up a personal page on the internet are free. A blog like this one is a great example of a way to sell your books. Blogs have come into their own as more credible sources of news and culture, while being user-friendly for both the one running the blog and the reader. Most blogs are easy to update, archive past posts well, and have enough storage to upload your work in text, audio, even video clips. Perhaps you want to post excerpts or serially post chapters of your book online to captivate the reader; you may want to take advantage of the platform given you to speak to the research you did and the experience of writing your book. The content is up to you, and most blog hosts give you plenty of freedom in determining the look and feel of your site. Blogs offer a great way to connect with your readers in a personal way, faster and farther, around the clock.

A Book Publishing Glossary Worth A Second Look

Each industry has specific terms that take awhile to become accustomed to and publishing is no exception to the rule. Even after nearly a decade in the publishing business, I often find myself looking up terms that I forgot, or trying to figure out a new term I haven't heard before. Just the process of printing and binding the book involves words you don't hear every day, "offset, underrun, galley, saddle stitching, and web press", to name a few

As a new author, it can leave your head spinning. I'm always on the search for a bigger and better publishing glossary and resources I can share with our authors. Tonight, I came across one in the strangest of places, on the BookJobs.com website. Hop on over to their "About Publishing: Commonly Used Terms" page and you might just learn a thing or two.

Getting the most out of your book cover...

A book cover is one of the most important marketing tools for an author. Especially when self-publishing your book, you want to ensure that your book cover is professional and eye-catching. What you choose as your book cover will speak volumes about the book before anyone reads it. Thus, there are a few important things to remember during the book cover process:

• Always fill out your questionaire honestly and completely. This is crucial for our designers to create the perfect book cover for you. The more detailed your answers are, the better your ideas will come across to your designer.
• Don't have a clue about what your cover should look like? Do your research. Amazon is a great resource for gathering ideas. Look at other books similar in subject matter, noting which ones catch your eye and interest first. You don't want to copy anyone else's cover directly, but you may find details that inspire you.
• When choosing your initial concept, make sure you take time to review it carefully. Ask family and friends what they think. If you want an honest opinion about which cover you should choose, ask a 5 year old.
• When making changes to your cover concept, be open to comments and suggestions from the designer and Mill City Press. We hire design professionals for a reason, they are able help you figure out what will and what won't work for your cover. In the end, the cover is ultimately yours, but we're here to guide you.
• Before you give the final sign off on your book cover, make sure you reviewed the cover carefully. Are all your requested changes made? Did you want the price on the cover? If so, is it on there? Are there any typos or mistakes in the text? Making sure that everything is exactly how you want it before signing off on it will help you avoid costly re-submission fees in the future.