• Kamy Wicoff
  • I'm Thinking of Self-Publishing. Whaddya Think? (And Help!)
This blog was featured on 07/20/2016
I'm Thinking of Self-Publishing. Whaddya Think? (And Help!)
Contributor

At this year's BEA conference, the talk was all e.  Ebooks, epub, e-everything. And it got me to thinking.  She Writes has an amazingly engaged, talented community, an authentic voice, and an audience.  Maybe we should think about doing some publishing ourselves.

However when I began to look at all the available tools I felt like my head was going to explode.  Create Space? Lulu? iUniverse? Scribd? Kindle Direct? Smashwords?  Which one is the best?  What are the pros and cons?  How important is it to have a universal ISBN number?  How do you set price?  Is it enough to have just an ebook, or do you need a print version, too?

I and one of stellar summer interns, ISABEL FARHI, set out to do some research into these questions, and we have managed to sort out some of the basics.  But as we dug in further, I realized we were underutilizing the best tool we have: YOU.

The whole reason I started She Writes was so none of us had to reinvent the wheel alone -- together we are the smartest kid in the room.  So I am asking for you to share your expertise.  If you have self-published, what tool did you use?  How did you decide?  What might be best for short publications, like, say, "The Best of She Writes"?

I've created discussion threads for each of the tools I'm aware of:

Create Space

Smashwords

Lulu

iUniverse

Scribd

Kindle Direct

Pubit

Lightning Source (though that's a little bit more for independent publishers)

If you have knowledge or information to share about any of these tools, please share it!  And if you are a "self-publishing" expert or coach, feel free to reach out to me about potentially providing some guidance to me and She Writes as we explore this area.

Let's be friends

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Comments
  • Valerie Hegwood

    Thank you! There is never enough info out there on epublishing right now as it is constantly changing and growing.  I dipped my tow in last month and wow--what a learning curve!  I learned so much and stretched myself into areas I thought was beyond my ability--but I still feel I am a novice. 

    Here is the link to my YA novel on Kindle; it is also on Nook, if anyone is interested: http://www.amazon.com/Brother-August-Teenage-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0052G1MM2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1308149508&sr=1-1

    Right now I am working on the print edition through Create Space, which gives you an ISBN for the print book's sale thru Amazon.

    Mostly, I am anxious to begin on the next installment of the Addie August series, but know I have to tie everything up with Addie #1 first. All in all, I simply need to be promoting it more--but there are only so many hours in the day.  At this point, I love all the indie creative freedom however and have many plans for the next year both in fiction and nonfiction--having complete creative control over your baby is exhilirating. I look forward to reading all these posts--there is so much yet to learn! Thanks, Kamy and She Writes for being an absolute treasure trove of information for writers. I love this site.

  • This is amazing -- thanks you guys.  I am moving into a new apartment tomorrow so I will have to dig into this in a couple of days, but I am so grateful, as ever, for the amazing awesomeness here. :)   More soon!!

  • There is so much information out there at the tip of your google, :-) that anything you are not sure of, info to help navigate can be found. I have had the self publish debate a few times. One time on a site i used to write on, I spent about two hours just pulling info for folks to read, looking at both sides of the issue....Maybe I will go round that stuff up and post it here.

  • Catherine Stine

    Thanks, helpful info!

  • Beware: Do not buy a single ISBN through any third party. Buy only through Bowker. If you see an offer for a single ISBN that is less than $125 and is sold from a third party, don’t buy it. The problem with those “single” ISBNs purchased from third parties is that they come from a “clearing house.” Frequently those ISBN prefixes start with a 615, and when an author puts one of these third-party-purchased ISBNs in his or her book, the ISBN is not associated with the author (or the author’s publishing company name), but rather is associated with the third-party company that sold them the ISBN initially. This can get messy.

    Should You Obtain an ISBN or Use a Publisher’s?

    If you’re published by a traditional press, you’ll have to use theirs.  If you’re published by a self-publishing company, the company will likely require that you use theirs. Most publishers (both traditional and self) purchase ISBNs in blocks (the smallest is a block of ten). The publisher, as purchaser/owner of the ISBN, assigns an ISBN to each edition of the book the author has licensed it to publish.

    Most self-publishing companies won’t allow authors to use an ISBN that the author purchases directly for the version of the book the company publishes. Some publishers allow authors to provide their own ISBNs, but that can be more hassle and cost than it’s worth. The author is able to publish a version of the book either during or after the term of your contract with the publisher, using a directly purchased ISBN (assuming there is a contract that allows for that). The advantage: if you terminate your contract with the publisher, your ISBN is already in place and wouldn’t have to be swapped out of the book’s interior. The downside is that there will still be complications involved with the original publisher related to handling orders and royalty payments.

    Once the ISBN has been assigned to a book, it should be reported to R.R. Bowker, the database of record for the ISBN agency. Your book can be listed for free in R.R. Bowker’s Books In Print database as long as you submit the information about your title athttp://www.bowkerlink.com.

    If a publisher wants to charge you for submitting your book’s information to Books In Print, make sure the charge is reasonable, because there is no fee to register at Books In Print. Of course, it takes time for a publisher’s employee to handle these things, and a fair fee is certainly reasonable. Excerpt from

    http://www.go-publish-yourself.com/self-publishing/how-to-get-an-isbn

     

     

     

  • I have not had that experience. When you register a work [each time you write a book and assign it a number you then register it. When libraries [whether in schools or otherwise] are looking for books they do so by ISBN and description. When they find a title they are interested in they pull up the information. You decide when registering how the book will be made available and they then use that information to order. I have the ability to print on demand from my home in chapbook form so I offer those versions, for my plays and dinner theatre works. For books I state a delivery expectation date and size of order. None of what you do needs to go through a third party unless that is how you get your books printed and sent.  two things to be noted here. There are differences depending on where you live to costs etc when applying for ISBNS for instance I reside in Canada and my numbers were free. I have noticed there is a fee for US ISBNS which I find odd but not surprising except for the costs ouch. Here are some links that may be helpful.

    http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/index-e.html

    http://amicus.collectionscanada.gc.ca/aaweb-bin/aamain/rqst_sb?sessionKey=999999999_142&r=2&i=NA&l=0&v=0&lvl=1&t=Canadian+ISBN+Agency

     

    US: http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/index.asp

    http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/isbn/us/printable/isbn.asp

     

  • Catherine Stine

    Thanks, Debra, but what's an LCCN number? So, you're saying if I understand you, that it's worth it to pay for an "upgraded" Bowker ISBN

  • Catherine Stine

    CJ, I heard from a fellow author who is indi-pubbing that if you create your own publishing name, and don't use createspace, that you cannot get in libraries and bookstores. True? If so, this gives me pause, even though I love the idea of making up a company name.

  • One thing I forgot to mention... when I decided  that self publishing was the way to go for me. I also decided to go one step further. I created my own publishing company, It was easy enough to do. I was able to get a block of ISBN numbers and decided to also get ISSN numbers for ezines and other endeavors. The purpose was to cover the many areas I like to write in and also be able to cross mediums. There is a division for my plays and  dinner theatre writings, one for my poetry, which I utilize in everything from greeting cards, chapbooks to poetry cards, totes, T shirts, posters, etc. So for me there was a bigger picture beyond just getting my book out there. So that is why it was the way for me to go. Lots of good advice and viewpoints here i must say....

  • Lynn Jaussi

    YEs I do own them. I just ordered a new copy of the book with my changes added to it. Their layout was perfect, but now trying to move it around and re create it has been a mess. I don't know if create space has a HD pic layout type book. I would be very grateful for any help at all!!

  • Lynn Jaussi

    Thanks Debra. That is good information. I will look into all of that.

    My book that I finished has HD Photos throughout going with the writing. I created on Booksmart and now am from everything I can see, stuck there unless I can give my done book to a printing/publishing company who can reproduce it. My PDF has their watermark on it, and it doesn't allow you to download the cover...although I do have the cover saved in my computer.....any suggestions!

  • Marsha Aizumi

    I weighed both self publishing and traditional publishing.  As a first time author, I decided to try the traditional route, due to the marketing and distribution support.  I also found an agent that said if she couldn't get me published in a reasonable period of time, I could self publish . . . that is how much she believed in my book.  I signed with her in December, 2010 and I just signed with a publisher in May 2011. A few hints that I think made my journey successful to this point:
    1).  I re-wrote, re-wrote and then did more, especially after receiving rejections from agents who had good ideas that matched my vision for the book.
    2).  I had a good book proposal which I paid for.  Perhaps i could do the next one on my own.
    3).  I made sure, through research, that my book had a unique angle. 
    4).  I developed a good social network in the last two years.
    5).  I had a website, blog, FB personal page and FB book page.  I posted my first chapter on scribd.com
    6).  I attended a local writer's conference and got invaluable information.
    I believe everything I did presented me as a professional, dedicated and influential author.  If the publisher can't see me having influence in my subject matter or committed to my craft, how can they see me selling books?

    I know this discussion group was about self-publishing, but I thought I would share the other side. I hope it helps those weighing their options.

  • Emily A. Francis

    Oh, and the ones I've used for self publishing are lulu, authorhouse, and balboa. Each have significant pro's and cons. Depending on your book subject, I can help guide you to one or none of these.

  • Emily A. Francis

    I have self published SEVEN times...and two combined got picked up by a traditional publisher. I would say this: unless you know somebody in the business of publishing, or have an agent that's also a friend-go with self publishing. The chances of getting it done the other way are slim, especially these days. The publishers don't want to waste their money on people that don't already have a name out there. It's discouraging to say the least. I knew I had something to share, and that come hell or high water, I was going to find a way to share it. Self publishing though does not come easy. You have to find and pay the editor, you have to format, you have to do the title and the cover. You are in charge of every single production part there is. For this, it takes incredible determination and follow through to get it done.

    BUT...when that book shows up at your doorstep all ready and new...it's AMAZING!

    Good luck :-)

    Emily

  • Nancy MacMillan

    Anyone can self-publish and have a book printed, the hardest part is the marketing and distribution.  Who wants to drive around with a trunk full of books?  There are so many steps to consider.  I'd like to hear others who have stepped into this new frontier . . . I'm dealing with this dilemma myself.

  • Karyne Corum

    I say go for it.  It's a new frontier, why not be a a pioneer, She Writes certainly makes one hell of a wagon train!

  • Great Advice Nancy

  • Nancy MacMillan

    I'm fairly new to SheWrites, but I have attended an adult ed class in Santa Barbara on writing and publishing for the last 6 semesters.  My blog gives insite to this class.  My first book was complete, however this class refined my endeavour.  It also teaches traditional and self-publishing, which I've  looked into.  Personally, I'm giving traditional one year.  If not picked up by then, I will self-publish.

    Check me out at http://blogofavetswife.blogspot.com/.  

    I just returned from New Zealand with oodles to do.  I work 3 days a week and attend school another day, but I wanted to comment while I'm here.  I believe Amazon is too expensive . . . watch for "added value."  Sites will charge one fee, then charge seperate fees for each added service.  Writers are not wealthy.  I look for both price and quality.  Of the many sites I've researched, I've found Booklocker.com to be the best.  This probably will be who I use if I'm not picked up.  Check out their website, then compare the rest.  Would love to know what others find. xo

  • I am not only eagerly reading every post, but also making copies on my hard drive. I don't have much to contribute to this discussion. I'm learning. But I want to tell you ALL how much I'm appreciating it!

  • Okay so let me expand on social networking a bit.... popular enough for the phrase social network marketing to be coined and used in pitches aimed at folks such as us.  

    We, most of us have a normal facebook page for chatting with friends and then some of us, have figured out, that having a separate page that deals with our other interests is actually not just a fun thing to do, it is a must thing to do.. Separating your personal [sometimes only wanted to be seen by friends commentary from your litrary group or other artistic endeavors can be the difference between TMI getting out there where you would rather it not]. But it is more than that......

     

    How much more?

    How does it all work as a marketing tool?

     

    Well now in this day and age depending on what you do for a living.... you create your anchor site [personal webpage] that gives you selling ability, showroom or gallery and etc setup...then by linking that to your relevant FB, and or twitter acct, you create a way to drive people to your anchor site while also being able to build your customer/fan base on both mediums.

     

    This then allows you to post a twitter blurb [hey folks doing a reading at so n so on such and such catch me there......

    [Now this used to be the way most folks looked at it, simple straight forward print adcopy etc.  We all kinda got that BUT........... It does not stop there AND there is a much bigger picture of opportunity here to maximize effective market strategies....more bang available for your buck so to speak....

    What you ask?

    Twitter offers you the added bonus of being able to do live broadcasts where folks can sign in chat with you and you can read excerpts from your book just like you would in the bookstore. You can also record all your live broadcasts then post them to your FB page or [and this is how big social networking has become] you can simulcast live on FB at the same time and on either site the recorded version is available, so folks who may have missed the live rounds can then watch on Twitter or FB later which of course you tweet about on twitter and post comments on, on facebook telling them that and before you know it you have reached thousands of people, where you may have only reached 40-50 per book reading event before.....This not only increases potential online sales ability it also increases the crowd potential for in person events where folks can meet you and get their signed copies.....

    NOW the biggest bang that makes all of this so totally wonderful, is that all of this publicity all of this exposure is FREE! Not one dime paid to some agent or agencies to promote you.  Take note that pro gossip bloggers are trolling for news bits and so are news sites and other folks..... Ellen even trolls youtube for talent.... Lots of shows have pages on FB, so it is easy to drop a blurb on a show page, there are so many perks at the tips of your fingers that the ability to succeed really depends on how well you learn to work the medium....

    A few years ago the place to be for actors to showcase demo reels n their resumes etc was Casting workbook [ all agents insisted their clients have a page there stating that casting directors go there to look at your work] nowadays they have expanded their thinking.. A lot of actors have anchor pages but just as many have taken [like myself] to having their page on facebook instead.  my agent now directs casting there. The fact this saves actors money [casting workbook charges] and that FB offers all the bells n whistles and then some for free.... with yet another point n it's favor being [anyone here ever heard of casting workbook? did you know it existed? But you know FB though right? exactly....

     

    I am betting that a lot of you have an FB page for personal and for your work..... So let me share some of the pages I created. but let me add this little caveat... don't get caught up in the number of likes you have because that is not a true indicator of how many people frequent your page. whenever you post a comment or link it will show how many people have read it ... each comment will have the word impressions under it above the like section this tells you how many have read that particular comment, now if you posted a number of things during that day take the impressions in each under consideration in determining how many people know you are there ...

    Here are mine each one feeds off the other in some way.....this one is for my acting and entertaining, serving many purposes http://www.facebook.com/pages/C-J-Jackman-Zigante-ProComicDivaCentral/406426470386

    I am also a handcraft artist,

    so I use this one for that http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zigante-Designs/10150124992185038........

    I like go be active in my community and promote others in the arts so i created this page 

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Usher-FB-Community-Arts-Entertainment-

    Magazine/132702090110204

    they all have favorited links to the other and I can cross post when I choose too

    with my newfound energy for writing it is just a matter of time before I create an authors page  which of course will have links to these other pages and to areas of interest 'She Writes' :-)

    So I said all of this to say for you gals who are considering self publishing and those who already do, there is so much more potential and ability to control your destiny. The limitations that used to hold us back are no longer truly there. Sure it takes some boning up on social marketing but it's far from the monolithic mountain it once was.......happy networking! ;-)

     

     

  • Tina L. Hook

    Thank you to Kiana for that inspiring comment. This has given me so much to think about. Maybe it is time to leap. It seems like literary agents are interested in hearing how I plan on launching my work on my own platform. If I am already doing my own marketing...self publishing seems viable.  GirlwithaNewLife.com

  • Stacy Green

    So for all of you who've self-published and queried, what would you recommend for a first timer? I'd thought I would query for six months if only for the experience, but the more I hear about self-publishing, the more I wonder.

  • I was considering POD, (print on demand) for my poetry volume when I was introduced to my friend's publisher. This woman, who will publish my book, is the best of both worlds. She is the imprint, Pearson Publishing, but uses POD. It's a joint venture with the author to cover costs. . .and she connected to distributors. That's the thing with POD, you have to figure out distribution other than Amazon.  The site I was considering because of it's cost and how many times it comes up on google searches is Cafepress.com

     

  • Patricia Sands

    Wow - thank you Kiana Davenport! What great information. I'm going to look into your suggestions and may be in touch.

  • kiana davenport

    PS...Amen,  Zetta Brown,  and CJ Jackman Zigante!  You mentioned things I forgot.  The DOWNSIDE of publishing your own book is....eternal self-promoting,  social networking, etc. etc.  It eats up half your day.  I never Twittered, Facebooked, or blogged,  didn't even know what they were....now I've had to take crash courses in each of them.  In essence,  you sort of become a networking-slut.  On the other hand,  it helps sales of your books and you meet a lot of interesting people.  Have also noticed in this indie world of publishing writers are much nicer to each other,  more supportive, and open with suggestions.  In the print world of publishing it was always competitive and cold.  I think its because big publishers had us by the throat.  Everyone competing for ads, tours, reviews.  Now, as self-publishing comes into ascendence,  its more like a cottage industry,  a new era,  and like our pioneer ancestors we are all trying to help each other.  Anyway,  thanks Zetta and CJ,  for mentioning all the stuff I forgot.  Good luck, MJ,  keep us posted.  And yes, I agree, everyone should read  Joe Friedlander's blog.  Alohas for now, Kiana