Published on March 26, 2014
self-publishing
Tempted to sign up with one of those P.O.D. publishers that are claiming to be FREE? You’ll first need design experience so you can layout a professional book interior, and create a professional cover.
In addition, if you really want to get your book published for “free”, in some cases you can forget about having an ISBN (which online and brick and mortar bookstores as well as libraries require), forget about being distributed by Ingram, the world’s largest book distributor, which distributes book listings to online and physical bookstores across the globe, and forget about a lot of other things as well, including a print proof to check before your book goes to market…
Published on March 20, 2014
self-publishing
Your book is finally on the market. You’re printing business cards, updating your website, and sending out press releases. You know you’ll get higher royalties when someone buys your book from your publisher’s website so you send people there. But, wait! What does your publisher’s homepage tell your readers about your book?
Published on March 12, 2014
Print on demand, self-publishing
Hello Angela,
In the past, I have entered your 24-hour short story writing contests. My question: I have a completed book that I’d like to self-publish. Who would you recommend for self publishing and what problems could I run into with self publishing?
Thank you,
Rebecca
Published on December 27, 2013
author, Print on demand, self-publishing, writing career advice
I have always been offended by over-the-top marketing verbiage. Saying something is a “good deal” is one thing but trying to tell me a product or service is going to “make my dreams come true” is insulting to an individual’s intelligence. I always wonder how people can fall for so much of the garbage being shoved our way by marketing executives these days…
Published on December 18, 2013
self-publishing
At BookLocker.com, whenever I notice a mistake in a book, I alert the author. If I notice a few, I will send them a list. These errors can range from the occasional misuse of a word (their vs. there, for example), or a formatting inconsistency (Chapter 1, Chapter Two, etc.), to something like the author’s misuse of the term Prologue at the end of the book (should be Epilogue).
Since we send the formatted file back to the author for any final changes, they have the opportunity to make any corrections at no extra charge at that point in the process. Alerting the author when we notice an error helps them avoid future reader complaints and, of course, bad book reviews.
Here’s a dirty secret you won’t hear anyone talking about among P.O.D. publishers. Some of them see mistakes, and purposely allow them to remain in the book…
Published on December 11, 2013
self-publishing
Millions of writers are pursuing their dreams by self-publishing. While I wouldn’t discourage anyone from chasing their dream, I would like to encourage you to think about your dream in a different way…
Published on April 24, 2013
self-publishing
I decided to pull my book off the market a few months ago, rename it, and republish it elsewhere (I was not happy with my previous P.O.D. publisher). My previous publisher said they removed the book but it’s still on Amazon. How can I make them remove it? I don’t want the old version competing with the new.
Published on December 19, 2012
amazon, Complaints about specific publishers, Print on demand, self-publishing
Someone recently brought to my attention that on Amazon, there is a listing for people to buy a “new” or “used” copy of a book (that’s from a P.O.D. source) for a reduced fee or sometimes an extraordinarily high fee. Do you know where these books come from or where I can learn more about this?
Published on November 28, 2012
self-publishing
This week, we’re going to look at how some P.O.D. publishers upsell (nickel and dime) authors on products and services that should already be included in their outrageous setup fees.
Published on August 1, 2012
self-publishing
Writing a book is hard. Publishing and promotion can be difficult as well. Most authors are professionals but some still fall for the outrageous marketing verbiage dished out by some of the Print on Demand (P.O.D.) publishers. A lot of this garbage is downright insulting. Do authors really fall for this stuff? Unfortunately, some do!
