Self-Publishers Monthly, October: November 2013

By Danny O. Snow

THIS BOOK IS PART of a SERIES. See the free preview for a list of articles in this month's issue. And please feel free to sample previous issues, also available at affordable prices.

In 2013, there has NEVER been a better time to self-publish a book, whether printed or digital -- or both.

Last year, 17 of Amazon's top 100 sellers in the UK were self-published. The "Do-it-Yourself Publishing" (DIYP) boom continues to gain momentum worldwide in 2013.

Want the latest unbiased news about DIYP from leading experts such as Stephanie Chandler, Scott Flora, Joel Friedlander, Shel Horowitz, Guy Kawasaki, Florrie Kichler, Dan Poynter, Toni Rakestraw, Justine Schofield, Bob Spear and Rachel Thompson? Reports explaining new technologies, current publicity and marketing methods, and more... plus tips and tricks from bestselling DIYP authors, live links to useful resources and freebies?

Pressed for time? Now you can get them all in a single fast and easy read, updated monthly. In today's world, the publishing industry is changing at a furious pace -- sometimes literally from one day to the next. SPM keeps you informed without endless scanning of Web sites, or sifting through zillions of offers from vendors trying to sell you goods and services you may not really need or want.

The goals of SPM are simple: to help self-publishing writers create better books (printed and digital), and market them more effectively; to help you avoid outlets that gouge unwary writers for large investments, or foster unrealistic expectations; to keep you abreast of the latest technologies, trends, and new methods that DIY publishers can deploy NOW for greater success in today's ever-changing industry.

In a phrase: We don't want to sell you anything except SPM itself. We aren't influenced by advertisers or underwriters. Our expert columnists are on your side, delivering even-handed reports about ALL the options for self-publishing e-Books and tree-Books. We don't favor one printer, e-publishing service or bookseller over another, except in terms of how you can get optimal results.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Danny O. Snow
• Release date: Oct 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301258727

Danny O. Snow

SELF-PUBLISHERS MONTHLY was launched in 2013 by Harvard graduate Danny O. Snow. He has served as a senior research fellow of The Society for New Communications Research (SNCR.org) since 2008. Snow also works as a consultant to fellow authors and publishers, as a public speaker, and as a journalist. He has written for Publishers Weekly, The Independent, Huffington Post, Indie Reader and many other print and online publications. He is widely quoted by other major print, broadcast and online media about new publishing and communication technologies. In 2009, he was elected to a two-year term on the board of directors of the Independent Book Publishers Association, serving 3,000+ publishing firms across North America and around the world. (Staff photo by Thomas Buckner, Copyright © 2009, all rights reserved.)

Book preview

SPM

Self-Publishers Monthly

Your One-Stop Source for Self-Publishing Success

Vol. I, #2, October-November 2013

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PREVIEW:

Book Awards: Five Questions to Ask Before You Enter by Florrie Binford Kichler

I believe in book awards. Why?

-- A gold or silver award seal on your physical book or e-book attracts consumers’ attention and provides a mark of distinction that sets your book apart from the millions of others published each year.

-- An award gives you marketing and promotion ammunition for catalogues, bookmarks, ’Blogs, Web sites, etc.

-- If the award program you enter is one of the few that provide individual feedback as to why your book was or wasn’t selected for an award, the education and insight you receive is invaluable.

The decision to enter a book award competition is easy—what’s hard is choosing which one. There are hundreds of book awards offerings with entry fees ranging from $0 to hundreds of dollars.

How to narrow the field?

Consider the following 5 questions as you’re deciding which book awards program is right for you:

1. Who is the sponsor and/or organizer of the awards program—are they book industry professionals, for-profit or not-for-profit, vendors whose primary goal is to collect fees and amass a mailing list to sell their services to publishers? Do your due diligence to make sure that those behind the awards programs are legitimate and well-respected in the industry.

2. Who are the judges? Do they have credentials for judging against standards of excellence? Awards don’t mean much if those who choose them aren’t qualified to do so.

3. What do you get for your entry fees? How is the awards program going to promote their award in general, and you as an award