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Book ReviewsComplete Guide to Self Publishing |
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Book: Complete Guide to Self Publishing
Written by: Marilyn Ross |
Publisher: Random House Value Publishing
Average Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5
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This book is going to make MY book a success
Rating:
5 / 5
The information in this book is up to date with LOTS of Internet advice and how to position your book or ebook. Full of things to do and things to avoid and why you should avoid the things that don't work. From starting concept to finished book this guide will take you through every phase of publishing. I am currently writing a book called "Coffee Cup" and will really have to study Tom and Marilyn Ross' book which OVERFLOWS with a wealth of ideas and stategies.
I Can Write a Book
Rating:
5 / 5
Probably the single biggest lesson that comes from The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing (by Tom and Marilyn Ross) is that writing the book can be one of the easier steps in the whole process. The tasks involved with the printing, distribution and marketing of the self-published book can be formidable, but this guide is a useful reference that can help you avoid many of the pitfalls that could come in this business.
As is typical with books like this, the first chapter is what I call a "rah-rah" chapter that is designed more to generate enthusiasm than to impart information; after that, however, the lessons come quickly, more or less in the order of the self-publishing workflow. First, we are introduced to the different types of publishing, then we get into the nitty-gritty of developing the actual book.
Although there are a lot of references to fiction (and poetry), there is no mistaking that this book focuses on non-fiction and seems to emphasize that self-publishing is better fitted to this subject. As such, the first chapter on the development of the book is about picking a subject; Ross & Ross look at the writing of the book as somewhat mercenary. In fact, they seem to address the reader as someone who may have never written a book; there is a chapter that is dedicated to elementary writing tips. My feeling is that if you want to write a book - however you publish - you will need to learn more that what is discussed in this text.
Subsequent chapters deal with designing the book (covers, ISBN numbers, etc.), working with printers and distributors and figuring out how to get your book to the most potential readers as possible. This is very useful information that will no doubt discourage a lot of would-be self-publishers, but that's a good thing: if you're not up to the work required, it's best you know it at the start rather than wasting a lot of time and money.
The Rosses have created a book that will be a handy reference for any interested in self-publishing and probably for anyone who wants to learn more about publishing in general. Ironically, they are not great writers, merely okay: their humor in particular seems a bit flat. But what they lack in pure style they make up for with their clarity and completeness. Since these features are more important in this type of text, I am giving this five stars.
Self Publishing
Rating:
5 / 5
A thorough job presenting the self-publishing system. A great value for the money.
A "how to" book that is a complete "how to" book.
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