Articles - Self Publishing en-us http://proofpositive.com N/A http://proofpositive.com editor@proofpositive.com 20 http://proofpositive.com/articles/388/1/Getting-a-Publisher--Getting-What-You-Want/Page1.html In the basic scenario of book publishing, a writer finishes a book and then finds an agent who helps sell the book to a publisher. When someone asks, "How do I find a publisher?" they're often looking for the details of this scenario. But let's backtrack a little. The answer to this question has to do with what you as a writer want out of the publishing process as well as what the publisher wants. It's best to be as clear as possible on both counts. Here are a few things to consider. info@proofpostive.com (Sophfronia Scott) Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://proofpositive.com/articles/396/1/Book-Marketing-101--Book-Publicity-for-Authors----Creating-a-Book-Publicity-Campaign/Page1.html Publicity is that elusive thing that can make or break your book - in all sorts of ways! Learning to promote you and your book is something that can take a bit of "re-training" for most new authors (and many old-timers too). Publicity is really all about selling your idea (and you), but all too often the word "selling" brings up images of polyester clad used-car salesmen, telemarketers, and strong-arm sales strategies that do nothing but alienate your intended customer. info@proofpostive.com ( Ray Robinson) Thu, 23 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://proofpositive.com/articles/394/1/Self-Publishing-101---Dont-Sell-Your-Book-in-a-Bookstore/Page1.html How many times when you dreamed of readers finding your book did your dreams center around them finding it in a “brick-and-mortar” bookstore? Chances are, most of the time… This is the fantasy the leads too many authors to the endless pain of the author-agent-publisher rejection cycle. And, it rarely sells any significant amount of books. info@proofpostive.com ( Ray Robinson) Thu, 23 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://proofpositive.com/articles/393/1/Self-Publishing-101---Optimizing-Your-Book-Marketing-Plan/Page1.html To market your book successfully, you don't need a book full of jargon and buzzwords - but you do need a marketing plan. For most authors, and many large publishers even, a marketing plan will produce rather underwhelming results. There are numerous opportunities for a marketing plan to go awry, so I've outlined a few of them below that are the most common and fundamental - hopefully this will help you avoid them! info@proofpostive.com ( Ray Robinson) Thu, 23 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://proofpositive.com/articles/392/1/Self-Publishing-101---How-to-Write-a-Book-Marketing-Plan/Page1.html I’m sure you’re not too surprised to find out that your work as a self published author doesn’t stop when the presses finally start â€"actually, some of the most important work you’ll do to make your book sell STARTS now (if not a bit earlier…) info@proofpostive.com ( Ray Robinson) Thu, 23 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://proofpositive.com/articles/231/1/Business-and-Legal-Forms-for-Writers/Page1.html I often get asked for advice on the "legal" aspects of writing ... from copyright concerns to book publishing, work for hire contracts, collaboration ageements and contracts with an agent.  Since I am not a lawyer ... what I normally do is refer writers to the BEST book on the subject ... melanie@proofpositive.com (Melanie Rockett) Sat, 21 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://proofpositive.com/articles/228/1/The-Profitable-World-of-Self-Publishing/Page1.html I wrote nonstop for two months and finally had it written and illustrated with my own original cartoons. The question facing me now was who would be chosen from among thousands of publishers to bring my masterpiece to the waiting, eager multitudes. After many submissions to numerous publishing houses and many rejection slips, I finally found one who agreed to publish my book. The problem was that they couldn't get around to it for about a year and a half. I would receive 20% of the retail cost of each copy sold and would have to do most of the promotion myself. info@proofpostive.com (Mike Moore) Fri, 20 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://proofpositive.com/articles/227/1/Can-You-Afford-To-Publish-Your-Book/Page1.html What Do You Want From Your Book? That is the real question! Once you are clear about what you want out of the publishing process, you can decide what route would be the most satisfying--and profitable--for you. When it comes right down it it, you can spend as much or as little as you want on your book. But how much are you willing to spend to get what you want? info@proofpostive.com (Sophfronia Scott) Fri, 20 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://proofpositive.com/articles/226/1/I-Have-My-Manuscript-Now-What-A-Look-at-the-World-of-Publishing/Page1.html To work with a publisher, you'll need to send out query letters and/or a book proposal. This is a letter or a few pages briefly describing your text, why it is unique, characteristics of your target market and how you can help market the book. Most publishers don't accept unsolicited manuscripts, so you'll need to convince them to read yours. If they request that you forward your entire manuscript, you have one foot in the door. Be prepared to send more than one query and don't expect a response next week. info@proofpostive.com (John Neyman, Jr.) Fri, 20 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0600 http://proofpositive.com/articles/225/1/How-Should-You-Publish-Your-Best-Seller-A-Case-Study/Page1.html Let's take a look at how you would get published via Traditional Publishing methods. First of all, you would need to get the attention of a publisher. Therein lays the first of many obstacles. You see, every week, publishers are inundated with thousands upon thousands of manuscripts from talented hopefuls just like you! Imagine entering your office on Monday and being greeted with over one thousand packages, all with your name on them. Obviously, the chances of one manuscript rising to the top of the pile are slim to none. info@proofpostive.com (Glenn Dietzel) Fri, 20 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0600