Feb 18

The Best in Christian Self Publishing

Authors, publishing 7 Comments »

This past weekend, I had the privilege of spending time at Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild conference called Writing for the Soul. This is a first rate conference and my second time attending. As was the case last year, I was extremely impressed with the quality of the faculty and the speakers. Jerry is on record as saying that he wants the conference to be known as one of the highest quality events on the calendar, and it showed. The conference featured keynote speakers Liz Curtis Higgs, James MacDonald, and Steven James, as well as a cast of industry professionals teaching writers how to become published authors. I would highly recommend for anyone thinking of attending a writer’s event.

The purpose of the Guild is to train writers how to become authors. This is in their DNA. They offer three courses that take a new writer through training and mentoring, with the intent that they are ready to present their writing to agents and editors. I don’t know of any other programs quite like it.

A few weeks ago, Jerry announced a new, advanced course called PUBLISHED. This ‘masters level’ type course adds a fourth layer to his already successful program…with a new twist. For writers who finish the course, and follow their mentoring, the Christian Writers Guild will provide the author services (editing, typesetting, design, etc.) that it takes to craft a quality book for market. The new publishing initiative is called Christian Writers Guild Publishing (CWGP), and takes the best of both traditional and self publishing and combines them in a model Jerry calls ‘come-alongside publishing.’

Unfortunately, as often happens in Christian community, the idea was blasted from a number of sides. Jerry had been on record earlier in his career as being against self publishing (see his announcement for his own admission to this), and many looked at this new initiative as an attempt to cash in on self publishing. It’s too bad that people have chosen to attack what is being offered without understanding the full picture, which is still evolving.

In a Q&A session, Jerry shared that the Writers Guild has always been a labor of love, and struggles to break even every year. This new teaching program is not about making money, but about providing opportunity for writers. He said that that his most recent experience has shown that 1 in 1000 writers makes it to a traditional publishing contract, and that many of the students in the Guild program have publishable material, but for whatever reason, can’t get the traditional deal. It is for these students, that this new program is built. PUBLISHED is not for everyone.

I applaud the commitment Jerry has to writers. I hope this new initiative creates opportunities for Christian writers, and give their voices a chance to be published. As with all new things, there are most definitely going to be changes and updates to the program as it matures. Jerry made a point of telling the conference attendees that the program ‘isn’t for everyone,’  but will be a good fit for some.

I am pretty sure the program will eventually include a robust set of marketing and publicity tools, eBook conversion and distribution to retail, even though the current information doesn’t include this.

I would love to hear what you think about it!

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Feb 14

Every Author Needs an eBook

Authors, E-book, publishing No Comments »

Not too many months ago, I would have never considered writing this sort of post. I believe in the printed word, and love traditional paper books. I know that eBook reading is growing and I know that eBooks are helping new authors get discovered like never before. However, my business was book printing.

But the readers have spoken. With more and more regularity, they are saying they want options. They want to be able to download books and read them on devices. They want the flexibility.

At the time, I wasn’t able to help. Now I can.

I want to introduce you to a new eBook company specifically designed to serve Christian authors and independent publishers, along with authors who want a family friendly place to publish their eBooks. ChristianeBookPublishing.com, is the culmination of the desire to offer eBook services with a distinctly Christian worldview and a world class eBook publishing system, now available to authors and publishers.

Authors might only need a file conversion. We offer a tremendous value along with a quality product that is hand crafted by experts here in the US. Other authors might need help with editing and design. We can do that too. And a whole other group of authors and publishers will want to consider the advantages and efficiency of having ChristianeBookPublishing.com distribute their files to more than 30 retailers. We collect the royalty checks and compile the reports, all for a modest upfront fee…and the best part is that we don’t take a penny of your royalties. You get to keep 100%!

We invite you to give us a try and see the difference our professional services can make.

Do you have your books available as eBooks? What has been your experience?

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Nov 15

How to Make an Interior Book File in Word

Authors, publishing, Writing No Comments »

This information was originally published on selfpubauthors.com by Ruth Ann Nordin. Used with permission. Copyright © 2009 Ruth Ann Nordin.

How do I typeset my own book?

First of all, I highly recommend getting a professional who understands all of the rules about type, and how to make your book look professional, and let them do this for you. As with any art form, it takes years of practice to make sure you get it done right, and in line with the latest trends.

Books are definitely judged by their covers, and if you get a reader to pick up your book, you have won the first battle. However, if a reader can’t get past your awkward typesetting, you may lose not only this reader, but his/her endorsement of your book. Peer reviews are the most potent method to increase sales of your book. Don’t lose them because of a poor design and typesetting!

However, some people want to do the typesetting on their own, and I recently ran across a pretty complete set of instructions about how do this using Word, which is the default word processing program for most authors.

These instructions are for paperbacks or ebooks that are supposed to be a duplicate of paperback copies. (Note: This is not for getting a document ready for Kindle or for other electronic handheld devices. That is a different format.) This is how I make the interior file, but I’m sure there are other ways of doing it.

What you’ll need: Microsoft Word 2007 or a newer version.

Instructions:

  1. Open your completed Word document…

Download the complete instructions.

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Oct 22

7 reasons why every pastor should publish a book

Authors, publishing, Uncategorized 1 Comment »

Depositphotos_1987256_xs

October is clergy appreciation month…so if you have a pastor or priest that you worship with; make sure to let them know how much you appreciate their time and efforts.

Pastors, by their very nature are communicators. They take the time to learn and study each week, and then hone their verbal communication skills in order to bring a message that inspires and energizes.

In the past few years, the tools to publish have become easier to access, and the opportunities for clergy to expand their communication to the written word have never been greater. Many pastors have begun using social media as one way to build relationship with their congregations. Others have begun blogging as a way to communicate messages impressed on their hearts.

For a much smaller group of pastors, publishing has become another tool to expend their reach to people both inside and outside the church. With the rapid growth of self-publishing tools like access to freelance editors and designers; along with print-on-demand services, many pastors and churches are beginning to use this communication tool as part of their overall ministry strategy.

Here are 7 reasons every pastor should publish:

  1. Pastors are already communication experts. If you are an inexperienced writer, get help. Take the messages that are most impactful from the pulpit, and expand their reach to others. Or, prepare a book ahead of the next series, and make the book available to the congregation while you teach through its content.
  2. Pastors are thought leaders. It is a proven strategy in publishing circles, that pastors can influence a book’s success by simply mentioning it from the pulpit.
  3. Books are less intimidating. Sometimes, books can give advice where a person can’t.
  4. Books expand the ministry outside the walls of the church. Every pastor wants to reach new people, and books allow that to happen.
  5. Books can help shoulder ministry costs. Although churches are not set up to make profits, book sales can be used to fund ministry efforts.
  6. Books have fewer boundaries. Sunday morning sermons might live on in an audio format on the website, but books will travel to places the message will never reach otherwise.
  7. Books allow deeper engagement. Thirty minutes on a Sunday morning might be enough to start someone’s thinking, but a book will drive them deeper into the topic.

All of the tools are available, and the cost of entry is very affordable. If you are a pastor, have you considered this communication strategy? If not, why?

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Oct 17

If you need an expert, who do I recommend?

Authors, Uncategorized No Comments »

Writer on the Tracks | Stock Photo © Trevor Goodwin #2220146

Every week, I consult with small publishers and authors who are choosing to self publish their own book. As I have written about in previous posts (best time to be a writer, good company, build your house) self publishing is a lot like being the general contractor on your own book project. Each step of the process can be contracted out to free lance professionals. Unlike companies who offer self publishing packages, which are kind of a one size fits all approach, an author can choose the help they need ala carte, and many times get a better product while reducing their overall costs.

I have worked directly with most of these professionals, or have interviewed them about their experience and each has a track record of success.

Note: Snowfall Press does not benefit financially from any of these relationships.

Copy Editing

Cover Design

Typesetting:

Marketing Services:

Social Media:

Publicity:        

Expanded Retail Distribution:

E-book conversion:

Out of Print file construction/conversion: (scan physical book to printable PDF)

Legal (publishing and copyright):

There are lots of other wonderful professionals out there in these different areas. If you are an expert in one of these areas, send me a note. We love to help our authors and publishers find new people to work with.

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Oct 03

Don’t rush your publishing plan…especially if you don’t have one.

Authors, Marketing, publishing, Uncategorized 1 Comment »

This is a guest post from Marika Flatt, founder of PR by the Book, wrote this blog post in late 2010. Because we now continue to hear the same questions from self-published authors—planning to have a late-year pub date, she wanted to update the article and run it again. Enjoy!

This blog post is for all you authors out there who are self-publishing, now or in the future! Let’s start with the big picture. There is a reason why it takes so long for the publishing process to roll out with publishing houses. It’s not unusual for there to be an 18-month window (or longer) between a publisher accepting a manuscript and the publication date. There are a myriad of reasons why this is. So much has to be done: editing, cover design, more editing, seeding the distribution pipeline, sales meetings, more editing, printing galleys (also called ARCs/ advanced review copies), etc.

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/439901

The publicity department starts working on a title approximately six months prior to the pub date. The reason for this is because they want to send galleys to publications that are book review publications, industry publications (for that topic, such as education magazines) and national media outlets (such as national TV programs). This process takes time. And, for six months leading up to pub date, the publicists are pitching, pitching, pitching (and lunching with producers for national TV shows).

So, self-published authors…what’s the big hurry? I talk to 1-2 authors per week who tell me that their pub (publication) date is this month or next month and what can we do?? First of all, you don’t want your pub date to ever be in November or December (unless it’s a holiday book).  Don’t get me wrong. Publicists stay busy during November and December, but not on books that are releasing those months. So, why?

The publishing industry has two big time frames for releasing books: the Fall (primarily September and October) and the Spring (primarily March and April). There are a few other months that are popular for releasing books, depending on genres/ topics: January for New Year’s resolution-oriented titles: February for relationship books and books from African-American authors since it’s Black History Month; May and June for beach reads, etc.

But, bottom line—the year of pub date matters most (the year is more important than the month)! I had 4 authors tell me this month that they were self-publishing and were planning to put a Nov or Dec  2011 pub date on it, and they’d done no publicity to date. WHY? When January 1st, 2012 gets here, your book is automatically “old” in the book sellers’ and book buyers’ eyes. If you just pushed it 1-2 months, it would have a 2012 copyright date and be current for another whole year. Yes, a few months makes a big difference! You want, and need, a 2012 pub date.

Now, on to the publicity end of things.  You want to give your book adequate lead time with your publicist. We need 2-6 months prior to pub date to lay the proper foundation for your book. Depending on how much time we have, we can “seed the media” in various ways and have media starting to hit during your pub date month. But, wait! What else must be done before that happens?

We must thoroughly research and read up on your materials and set you up in our system. Then we write a full set of press materials (multiple press releases, Sample Interview Questions, author bio, etc.). Then we must build our media lists: we use two separate databases. Then, and only then, can we even start pitching you to the media. The outlets must get our pitch, decide they are interested, obtain materials from us, sometimes read the book and/or press materials, decide to use it, write up their review/ feature, submit it to their publication (and if they’re a monthly, that all has to be finished at least one month prior to their issue date).

So, we could talk all day about publicity timelines and lead times, but you get the picture. Don’t rush it! One of the biggest advantages you have in self-publishing is that you get to designate your release date. Use that to your full advantage. Take your time! It’s going to benefit you in the long run to do it the right way and give your book the best chance for life.

Marika Flatt is the owner of PR by the Book, www.prbythebook.com, a publicity firm dedicated to helping authors and publishers achieve quality media exposure. After 10 years in business, PR by the Book has helped land their clients exposure in major media outlets such as TIME, NPR, and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. You can reach them at info@prbythebook.com.

 

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Sep 24

This is the best time to be a writer

Authors, Industry Events, Leadership, Social Media, Uncategorized 3 Comments »

I just returned from my trip to the American Christian Fiction Writers conference (ACFW). It was a great opportunity to meet with authors and talk with them about the publishing world. I had the privilege of presenting a seminar on retail, and the state of publishing, especially as it concerns authors. For many authors, the business side of publishing is hidden behind the curtain. And yet, the author is critical to a publisher’s success, not only getting the book into the retail channel, but through the retail channel to the end consumer.

The keynote speaker for this year’s conference was Michael Hyatt. Michael is the former CEO and Chairman of the Board at Thomas Nelson. He has spent the last year and a half writing and speaking full time, although he is still very engaged with authors and the publishing community.

Michael shared these encouraging words in the first session, and I thought they would be helpful to share with all of the authors that I work with on a weekly basis.

Michael Hyatt’s five reasons why ‘today is the best time to be a writer.’

  1. It is easier than ever to do the writing. The tools have never been easier to access, from conferences and books about writing to specific software for writers and other technology.
  2. It is easier than ever to do market research. Google made it possible. Facebook and twitter have made it personal. Authors can research their characters and scenes with a few key strokes. Understanding the target audience for a book has never been easier with tools on the internet. ‘Group-think’ is facilitated by creative groups engaging each other through social media and writing circles. Authors can engage readers directly like never before. Authors have the tools to figure out what their platform is, and to build a tribe around it.
  3. It is easier than ever to get into print. Traditional publishing is no longer the only option. Self publishing is viable. It is not necessarily the best option for everyone, but it can be a great option for some. Traditional publishing is far from dead, and if traditional publishers learn to ‘lean into the changes’ being brought by the self publishing phenomenon, it can be an exciting place to be. Traditional publishers need to ask: What do these tools and this model make possible? What are the new opportunities? How can I find new readers in more places?
  4. It is easier than ever to build a tribe. Authors can engage their fans directly. There are new tools like the recently launched bookshout.com site, where authors can interact real-time with readers inside of their own book. Another new site called bookjolt.com, allows readers to read whole books for free online, and interact with authors. These are part of a new concept called social reading, and literally, an author’s book becomes a platform.
  5. It is easier than ever to build a business around your content. After all, it is great to write for writing sake, but most authors would like to earn some income from their writing too. Websites and blogs help you build your platform, engage readers, offer free content, and sell books. A small book business can be a sustainable business.

Michael also echoed something that I share with authors all the time. Authors have never been in a stronger position to make things happen than they are now. Authors can go after traditional publishing, or they can do it themselves. All of the tools are available for them to compete, in almost all cases, with everyone else.

This new model is a far cry from the stigma that used to be attached with what people called vanity publishing. In fact, a recent article in the Huffington Post, makes an interesting point that what we call ‘traditional publishing’, might be in fact, the new ‘vanity publishing.’

All of this change and opportunity is encouraging news for the content industry.

If you are an author, do you agree, or disagree with these thoughts? Let us hear it!

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Mar 06

If you self publish, you are in good company.

publishing, Writing 2 Comments »

According to multiple lists on the web, self publishing is neither new, nor is it for ‘no-name’ authors. If you are self published, or want to be…take heart, there are some pretty big books, and well known authors who have done just what you are considering. This is not bad company:

  1. Remembrance of things Past, by Marcel Proust
  2. Ulysses, by James Joyce
  3. The Adventures of Peter Rabbit, by Beatrix Potter
  4. A Time to Kill, by John Grisham
  5. The Wealthy Barber, by David Chilton
  6. The Bridges of Madison County, by Robert James Waller
  7. What Color is Your Parachute, by Richard N Bolles
  8. In Search of Excellence, by Tom Peters
  9. The Celestine Prophecy, by James Redfield
  10. The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr.
  11. The Joy of Cooking, by Irma S. Rombauer
  12. When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple, by Sandra Haldeman-Martz
  13. Life’s Little Instruction Book, by H. Jackson Brown Jr
  14. Robert’s Rules of Order
  15. Eragon, by Christopher Paolini
  16. Chicken Soup for the Soul, by Jack Canfield

Other famous authors who have self-published:

  1. Deepak Chopra
  2. Gertrude Stein
  3. Zane Grey
  4. Upton Sinclair
  5. Carl Sandburg
  6. Ezra Pound
  7. Mark Twain
  8. Edgar Rice Burroughs
  9. Stephen Crane
  10. Bernard Shaw
  11. Anais Nin
  12. Thomas Paine
  13. Virginia Wolff
  14. e.e. Cummings
  15. Edgar Allen Poe
  16. Rudyard Kipling
  17. Henry David Thoreau
  18. Benjamin Franklin
  19. Walt Whitman
  20. Alexandre Dumas
  21. William E.B. DuBois
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Feb 09

Build your own house

Authors, Design, E-book, Sales No Comments »

In the home construction industry, depending on your local regulations and rules, it is possible to become the general contractor for your new home project. This doesn’t mean that somehow the process is subpar, or that the house looks second rate on the outside, or that it will not be as attractive as the other houses on your street. It also doesn’t mean that you will never be able to sell the house when it is finished…because someone labeled it as a self-built house. Somehow, a self- contractor doesn’t get the reputation of being a vanity builder because they chose to manage the building process themselves, but instead hired their own sub contractors to take care of the different aspects of the building process that they were professionally equipped to do.

I have known friends who have chosen to be the general contractor on their home building project and most people called them ‘smart, industrious, cost conscious and good investors.’ In fact, these friends did a wonderful job with the building and got more out of the process personally, than they would have otherwise. In addition, they saved some good money too.

I belong to a number of publishing groups on LinkedIn where I have followed discussions about self publishing. It is amazing to hear people talk-down-to, or outright smear authors who decide to become the general contractor of their own book project. Self publishing is a smart business decision for some people. It is not vanity publishing, as many would suggest. (Vanity publishing or subsidy publishing is explained in more detail here.) Self publishing is networking and hiring the best people, professionals, who can frame the house, sheetrock, and help put in the plumbing. Yes, it takes time and resources to do this, but that is publishing.

As with any project, home building included, there are better ways to do things. Some people will always take short cuts and develop/build an inferior product. Fortunately for all of us, the marketplace determines how long these people survive based on how many books they sell. I dare say that a lot of people, when encouraged and educated, will take the right building measures to create a quality project, including their own book.

So, I encourage authors to build their own house. There are plenty of sub contractors out there to help. There are hundreds of blogs with free tips and tricks about everything from writing, editing, design, packaging, marketing and publicity. There are eBooks about creating eBooks, and self published books about self publishing books. There is no shortage of good, building tools. Printing a book today is easy. Distribution options to consumers and retail exist and can compete with the big traditional publishers.

Start swinging the hammer.

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Feb 07

How to Choose the Best Method for Publishing Your Book

publishing, Uncategorized No Comments »

This guest post (white paper) is written by Michael J. Dowling,  a ghostwriter and editor who helps individuals and organizations write and publish books and white papers to advance their ideas and enhance their reputations. Learn more about Mike’s services and read samples of his writing and testimonials from his clients at http://www.michaeljdowling.com. Used with permission.


So you’ve decided to write a book. How do you plan to publish it? Are you going to look for a traditional publisher, self-publish, or use a subsidy publisher? It’s wise to make this decision early in the writing process.

Due to advances in printing technology and the advent of the Internet, the publishing landscape is changing rapidly and dramatically. The lines between publishing, printing, distribution, and retailing are becoming increasing blurred. For example, Amazon.com, which started as a book retailer, now also provides printing, self-publishing, and traditional publishing services.

New technologies, such as e-books and POD (print on demand), increase the complexity of the decision-making process. Today authors must sort through a multitude of options that were unavailable a mere five years ago.

Largely as a result of these changes, self-publishing is ascending in popularity and acceptance. Traditional publishers are being challenged to adapt to the new realities.

This paper focuses on the business of publishing rather than the technology of publishing. In spite of all of the changes mentioned above, traditional publishing, self-publishing, and subsidy publishing continue to be the three primary business models available to authors. This paper briefly describes the advantages and disadvantages each, so you can make an informed decision.

Traditional Publishing
You’re no doubt familiar with traditional publishing (sometimes called “royalty publishing”). Under this arrangement, the author seeks out a publisher, often with the help of an agent. Once the author’s manuscript has been accepted, the publisher will handle the duties and pay the bills associated with publication and distribution. The author receives royalties, generally in the range of 6 to 10 percent of the book’s sales revenues.

The names of a few of the large New York-based traditional publishers are familiar to all of us. But authors should not overlook the hundreds, even thousands, of very fine mid-size traditional publishers, many of whom have outstanding reputations and excellent penetration of niche markets.

Advantages of traditional publishing: (to read the rest of this paper, click here.)

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