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Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/26/2012 1:32:11 PM   
Lockit


Posts: 11292
Joined: 5/7/2007
Status: offline 		I just recently starting buying e-books, got a Kindle and have been exploring, researching, etc. I thought it might be best to self publish my book, rather than to take more time with a publishing house, because I'm hungry! I need to get some income coming in and by self publishing the whole process is faster. Less money maybe, but faster. I need the fast cash right now, even if it is less and I can always up the price of the book later when I have others out there and have made some degree of success.

I am reading about publishing in different places and each have their own agreements. I'm one of those... promises, promises... will hurt you kind of people and was wondering if anyone had any experience working with different e-book publishers. Like books on board or booktango, for instance. Having the book on more than Amazon/Kindle would be nice, but there could be conflicts of some sort. I need a self publishing for dummies or something. lol I have read different things, bought different things and am not finding the information I want. Do I know what I want? lol Not all that sure about that. Green is my color... help the greenie out please?

Hearing any advice or experience in this area would be very appreciated.

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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/26/2012 1:59:20 PM   
LadyConstanze


Posts: 9722
Joined: 2/18/2005
Status: offline 		The problem is that you then have no editor and a good editor is invaluable, also (depending on your target market) a good agent will make sure part of your contract will include promotion. So I'd be more inclined to recommend a publisher (my experience with them has been a mixed bag, so I do understand that you are leery, but just looking at the commercial angle, maybe it's better to have a slightly smaller percentage of a big thing, than a big slice of a small pie)

Never done self-publishing, but heard a lot of good things from people who decided to go that road about LuLu http://www.lulu.com/publish/





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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/26/2012 2:07:34 PM   
Lockit


Posts: 11292
Joined: 5/7/2007
Status: offline 		I have a great editor, thankfully! lol She last said to me... you create, I will edit and hurry up.

I had a friend, that is now in the Musicians Hall of Fame... who had a little sit down talk with me about agents. He said... Never trust an agent, but you have to have one. lol Thanks Bud...

If I wasn't so hungry... I would do a publishing house for sure. I'm getting good feedback on my book so far.

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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/26/2012 2:19:31 PM   
LadyConstanze


Posts: 9722
Joined: 2/18/2005
Status: offline 		Well, then maybe you can first self-publish as an e-book and if that sells well, go the publishing house route... Hope that LuLu link gives you the info you need

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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/26/2012 2:23:14 PM   
Lockit


Posts: 11292
Joined: 5/7/2007
Status: offline 		I was thinking of self publishing one or two and then having that to add to experience and what my books are doing, which would look better to a publishing house. Thank you for the link. I think early on, I checked out Lulu. I didn't bookmark them because I believe there was a clause that I didn't like. I will have to go recheck and see.

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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/26/2012 2:29:57 PM   
ClassIsInSession


Posts: 305
Joined: 7/26/2010
Status: offline 		Lockit, I would not recommend Lulu. I've published about 4 books now through Lulu and on the print side, their are frequent errors with the color on the covers as well as misregistration on books. It's very unpredictable. They are however a very cheap route to getting an ISBN number and decent distribution.

Some alternatives are CreateSpace directly through Amazon, doing it yourself (particularly if you are talking digital, the process for creating ebooks is relatively simple, and there are Microsoft Word plugins available from Amazon to make it even easier.)

Feel free to contact me if you like, I've been publishing for years in a variety of formats and I have worked in graphic design for 14 years.

Best
Bill

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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/26/2012 3:01:26 PM   
Lockit


Posts: 11292
Joined: 5/7/2007
Status: offline 		Thank you Bill. I am not sure that the settings will allow me to contact you. You've brought up some area's I've been working on and hearing some encouraging things about. Copyright laws have changed drastically and the next thing I was concerned about was the ISBN. I don't often title my books until I am finished, but was thinking I would need to do searches on that because I don't want to infringe on someone elses copyright. I don't know the first thing about that as I haven't gotten this far before.

I will need a great graphic artist though!

I'm rather lost, but trying to get set up, as the book is coming along much faster than I expected.

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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/26/2012 3:04:32 PM   
calamitysandra


Posts: 1682
Joined: 3/17/2006
Status: offline 		While I have absolutely no advice when it comes to self-publishing, I do read the blog of somebody who is quite prolific and well informed on that front.

This is his website on the subject of writing and publishing.

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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/26/2012 3:11:09 PM   
Lockit


Posts: 11292
Joined: 5/7/2007
Status: offline 		Thank you Calamitysandra... I'm checking the site out now.

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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/26/2012 3:32:54 PM   
DaNewAgeViking


Posts: 1009
Joined: 4/29/2004
Status: offline 		It would depend on what market you're in - you didn't say. I can't speak for all fields, but in science fiction self publishing is growing by leaps and bounds. It's also a very rough row to hoe, so you need to realize that it is primarily a for-the-love activity which might get you an entre into the New York market.

There are really no good options for writers these days unless you get incredibly lucky like Stephen King (and his success is entirely due to luck; there is plenty of talent out there), or you turn into a literary whore writing 'Stephen King' novels by contract.

Not to be discouraged! Writing is a demanding, time consuming discipline, but holding that finished book in your hand, and watching people fork over good money for it makes it all worth while.

All my best,


< Message edited by DaNewAgeViking -- 5/26/2012 3:37:25 PM >

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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/26/2012 4:11:41 PM   
Lockit


Posts: 11292
Joined: 5/7/2007
Status: offline 		LOL DaNewAgeViking, I hear you. I have a number of different areas I'm working in, but the current book is a paranormal. No vampires or werewolves. lol I want to get a couple books out there and then will be doing the story of my son and what happened there. People have been asking for years for that one, as there isn't much out there on this type of brain injury and my unique way of dealing with his injury and bringing him from where they said he would be, to where he is today.

So I'm hoping to break into a couple of markets here.

Thank you for the encouragement! Whip included!

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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/26/2012 4:24:02 PM   
Lockit


Posts: 11292
Joined: 5/7/2007
Status: offline 		Thanks to all on the thread and in my email! I'm slowly making my way through it all and the links, etc.

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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/26/2012 10:36:50 PM   
Musicmystery


Posts: 30259
Joined: 3/14/2005
Status: offline 		Lockit,

There are two bad reasons to write a book, especially an eBook -- fame and fortune.

There is a very good reason to write an eBook, and that's as something to attract clients to what it is you do that actually supplies the income. A give away, generally.

There are exceptions. There aren't many.

The book will raise your credibility, however--you will be an "author"ity. People respect and are impressed by book authors in our culture.

But if you're looking to the book alone to solve income issues--not likely. The market is more than flooded.

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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/26/2012 10:39:12 PM   
Musicmystery


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Joined: 3/14/2005
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quote:

I need a self publishing for dummies or something.


Incidentally....

http://www.amazon.com/Self-Publishing-For-Dummies-Jason-Rich/dp/0471799521

http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Idiots-Guide-Self-Publishing/dp/1592573584/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338097141&sr=1-5

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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/26/2012 11:36:59 PM   
Winterapple


Posts: 1343
Joined: 8/19/2011
Status: offline 		FR
Book titles can't be copyrighted. They can be registered as a
trademark like the for dummies books but even trademark
registered others can use the trademarked words in their own
titles.
Offhand I'm not aware of any major changes in copyright
law. You put something in tangible form it's
automatically copyrighted. You can register your
manuscript with the copyright office if you want
extra protection.
As for the various online epublishers Smashwords
seems relatively simple to use.
JA Konrath is the guru for self publishing.
His blog has a lot of information.

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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/27/2012 4:47:04 AM   
Moonhead


Posts: 16520
Joined: 9/21/2009
Status: offline 		FR:
All I'd add to what's been said, is that you need to be very very wary of some of the vanity presses. These people are at best a waste of time and effort and (at worst) out and out crooks. (There are, for instance, a lot of horror stories about PublishAmerica: just google "travis tea" and see what turns up...)
It's also worth remembering if you plan to concentrate on the genre fields, that self published fiction is not and likely never will be eligible for any of the awards and that most of the genre reviewers and critics take one look at it and run away screaming. This is the big advantage that publishing through an established press has, and the bulk of the writers who are doing quite well out of self publishing started off there and migrated to publishing their own material after making their name. (Karen Kohler is a good example of this.)

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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/27/2012 10:00:59 AM   
Lockit


Posts: 11292
Joined: 5/7/2007
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

Lockit,

There are two bad reasons to write a book, especially an eBook -- fame and fortune.

There is a very good reason to write an eBook, and that's as something to attract clients to what it is you do that actually supplies the income. A give away, generally.

There are exceptions. There aren't many.

The book will raise your credibility, however--you will be an "author"ity. People respect and are impressed by book authors in our culture.

But if you're looking to the book alone to solve income issues--not likely. The market is more than flooded.



I really wish you wouldn't destroy my fantasy here! ROFL! Actually, thank you! I have come to the conclusions you have brought forth here and still, if I can find my comfy spot and make a little bit, it will change my circumstances enough to make a difference. And I won't be forced to one day live on the tax payers and hopefully it will keep my mind active and working a bit longer. lol

So I am trying to be realistic. Your post helps me with that! hehe

_____________________________

No matter how old a woman gets, some men will think she was born yesterday! ROFL... I love this place!


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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/27/2012 10:04:09 AM   
Lockit


Posts: 11292
Joined: 5/7/2007
Status: offline 		Thank you Winterapple. I used to mail things to myself unopened, way back when. I misunderstood, apparently a great deal. I found some great information yesterday that helped me understand this. I think fear kind of motivated a lot of what I was thinking. I may be passed that now.

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No matter how old a woman gets, some men will think she was born yesterday! ROFL... I love this place!


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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/27/2012 10:08:16 AM   
Lockit


Posts: 11292
Joined: 5/7/2007
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Moonhead

FR:
All I'd add to what's been said, is that you need to be very very wary of some of the vanity presses. These people are at best a waste of time and effort and (at worst) out and out crooks. (There are, for instance, a lot of horror stories about PublishAmerica: just google "travis tea" and see what turns up...)
It's also worth remembering if you plan to concentrate on the genre fields, that self published fiction is not and likely never will be eligible for any of the awards and that most of the genre reviewers and critics take one look at it and run away screaming. This is the big advantage that publishing through an established press has, and the bulk of the writers who are doing quite well out of self publishing started off there and migrated to publishing their own material after making their name. (Karen Kohler is a good example of this.)



I've been doing searches on complaints about this and that, to find out what might be going on out there. What you've posted is very important to me and I am sure it would be to others. I did some reading on the Amazon message board for authors... whoa! lol That was an eye opener, but in all, I can see where people went wrong in not understanding and am so glad I am reaching out and getting the assist I have needed. You won't see me posting my confusion on their message boards! ROFL!

I have a much clearer view of things now. Still I can daydream... but I will go in eyes open and hope for the best of what the best can be in this market and environment. Thank you!

_____________________________

No matter how old a woman gets, some men will think she was born yesterday! ROFL... I love this place!


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RE: Any Experienced Self Publishers? - 5/27/2012 10:54:39 AM   
Musicmystery


Posts: 30259
Joined: 3/14/2005
Status: offline
quote:

I really wish you wouldn't destroy my fantasy here! ROFL! Actually, thank you! I have come to the conclusions you have brought forth here and still, if I can find my comfy spot and make a little bit, it will change my circumstances enough to make a difference.


Lockit, I encourage clients to think in terms of projects, rather than single-focus careers. A revenue stream here, an income trickle there, adds up, and if it's doing things you wanted to do, excellent.

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