Self-Publishing

'Times are bad. Children no longer obey their parents and everyone is writing a book.' Cicero 106-43 BC Roman orator and statesman. Self-publishing can be more rewarding than being published - creatively, financially, and in other respects - if you go about it the right way. You could well be confused, as many self-publishers are, by the multiplicity of options available to you. The good news is that you can now make your books visible and available to book buyers around the world at minimal cost. This ebook edition was made available worldwide at no cost, while the paperback edition was made available worldwide for a one-off payment of just GBP42.00. As a self-publisher, what are your options for new books? Should you choose an offset lithography print run, a digital print run, or maybe print-on-demand (POD)? Hardback or paperback, or other formats? Possibly an ebook too? And, crucially, how will you get your books distributed cost-effectively to buyers around the world? This book will take you through the options and explain their relative advantages and disadvantages. It provides guidance on selecting book topics with strong sales potential; writing distinctively; obtaining a professional critique of your work; writing content-rich non-fiction; writing in a number of genres; choosing between hardback and paperback and other formats; choosing the optimal printing method; book content formatting; book specifications; colour plate section options; distribution; print-on-demand ('POD'); order fulfilment; dealing with Amazon, Lightning Source, Nielsen, and Bowker; printers; copy editors and proofreaders; typesetters; cover designers; photographers; pricing; marketing your books - and a whole lot more besides. Mike Buchanan, a British writer and former business consultant, is the author of six books. He's been published internationally by a major publisher (in English and Chinese editions), and he's self-published. He much prefers self-publishing, for a variety of reasons. In January 2010, at the age of 52, he took early retirement and now writes and self-publishes full-time. He developed the model of 'professional self-publishing' outlined in this book. The model has been designed to help self-publishers enjoy their writing more, increase their output of strong titles, and maximise their profits.

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1 Motivation, persistence, advice, writing and self-publishing 2 The writer's delusion and its exploitation by some publishers 3 Selecting book topics with strong sales potential 4 The professional self-publishing model, writing and selling distinctive content-rich non-fiction 5 The professional self-publishing model: financial aspects 6 Book formatting and specification options 7 The Lightning Source Inc print-on-demand ('POD') model 8 Making your books visible and available to potential buyers 9 Dealing with Amazon and other online and 'bricks and mortar' booksellers, distribution in the UK and elsewhere 10 Marketing your books 11 Writing other people's autobiographies 12 Writing travelogues 13 Conclusion Epilogue Apx 1 Quotations about books and related matters (mostly) Apx 2 Key organisations and freelance service providers Apx 3 Invoice format Apx 4 Content of 'Writers' and Artists' Yearbook (2011)' Apx 5 Notes from a successful book cover designer (John Chandler) Apx 6 Notes from a successful ebook formatting service provider (Doug Morris) Apx 7 Notes from a successful non-fiction author (Joanna Trollope) Apx 8 Notes from a successful non-fiction author (Simon Winchester) Apx 9 Notes from a successful self-publisher (GP Taylor) Quotations: index of writers and speakers Index of cited publications Index of subjects, writers etc.

About the Author :
Mike Buchanan is a 52-year old British author who has written six books since 2008. The first was published and distributed internationally by Kogan Page, the other books were published and distributed internationally by his own company, LPS publishing (lpspublishing.co.uk). Copies of all the books are available to order from the website, upon request Mike will both sign and dedicate books ordered from the website. Credit cards accepted. Before taking early retirement and starting to write and self-publish full-time in January 2010, Mike Buchanan worked for 25 years at a senior level in the procurement of goods and services for major organisations, including printed materials. This experience was invaluable in providing insights for the book.

Review :
I've been publishing my own books for over 20 years, after having been published by more than a dozen of London's leading publishers including Pan, Penguin, Corgi, Arrow etc. I've had books on both the 'Bookseller' and 'Sunday Times' bestseller lists. During the last two decades I've self-published scores of books and sold millions of copies around the world. I wish I'd had Mike Buchanan's book 'The Joy of Self-Publishing' when I started. It's the best damned book on publishing in existence. Brilliant. I'm learning stuff from it every time I open it. Writers who try self-publishing without reading it first - and without keeping it on their desks as they go on - are giving themselves an extra handicap. And in the business of self-publishing we all start with enough handicaps. Dr Vernon Coleman Testimonials for two of the writer's other self-published books: 'Two Men in a Car (A Businessman, a Chauffeur, and Their Holidays in France)' A splendid romp. Vive la France! Peter Mayle 1939- British author famous for his series of books detailing life in Provence, including the international bestseller 'A Year in Provence' (1989) 'The Marriage Delusion: The Fraud of the Rings?' A highly original and stimulating critique of the modern marriage crisis, supported by important yet sometimes uncomfortable truths. Oliver James, clinical psychologist, broadcaster, and author of 'Affluenza', 'Britain on the Couch', 'They F*** You Up', 'How Not to F*** Them Up' Mike Buchanan's analysis of marriage in western industrialised society is courageous and thoughtful. His perspectives on the challenges associated with marriage, and solutions to them, draw on important scientific evidence and arguments from some of our leading psychologists and wisest philosophers. This is a 'must-read' for all concerned with modern marriage. Alan Carr, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University College, Dublin, and author of 'The Handbook of Adult Clinical Psychology', 'Family Therapy' and 'Positive Psychology'