Get Your Book Into Print: A Review
Computer consultant Helen Gallagher, author of Computer Ease, has written a new book, Release Your Writing: Book Publishing, Your Way (Virtualbookworm, 2007).
She presents a practical, businesslike, common-sense approach for getting your book published, mainly through self-publishing or POD (Print-on-Demand).
Gallagher examines the changing publishing industry, pointing out some interesting facts: "A few companies, just five or six, control over 80 percent of the industry. Most books in bookstores come from those few firms. Only one to two percent of unsolicited submissions are purchased for publication."
What's more, it's usually a long journey of up to two years or more from manuscript to publication for traditionally-published books, and most have to sell at least 1,200 copies for marginal success, over 7,000 to sustain interest. Even then, there's no guarantee of financial success, and most book promotion is still left to the author.
The author points out, "self-publishing is not settling for second best. It's the right choice if your book won't likely capture the attention of a large publisher and you don't want to spend years waiting to see your book in print." Gallagher is writing for a wider audience, but it seems to me that most of my fellow senior writers or would-be writers need to heed her words. "Attract a publisher if you can, but if not, don't wait your life away."
Through her considerable experience both as a writer and as a consultant who helps clients through her firm, Computer Clarity, Helen Gallagher is well qualified to give extensive advice on both word processing techniques and on the business aspects of being a writer. From organizing material to establishing a contact database to promoting your book through a web site or blog, she covers all the bases, and she adds an appendix of writing resources.
For a writer either beginning or just finishing a book, Helen Gallagher's Release Your Writing should prove to be a valuable tool.
This book can be ordered at http://www.releaseyourwriting.com/.
Copyright 2007 by Marlys Marshall Styne
2 comments:
Self-publishing is the new wave thanks to POD technology. Professionals look down on self-pubbed books because there is no vetting process, so it is an uphill battle to get media and book stores to look at them. If you want to sell your book to strangers, you need to do your homework well and read plenty of books on self-publishing and promotion!
That's certainly true, Linda. Some POD authors have done quite well with agressive marketing efforts. I have read a lot of books on self-publishing and promotion, although I can't say I've worked very hard at it myself.
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