Self-Publishing Tools, Tips, and Techiques

[DavidDvorkin]

It's published at last. About six months later than I thought. A year later than I hoped. But here it is. This is the print edition. I'm still working away at the e-book, which is requiring some fixing because of the huge number of images.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1977993788/ref=sr_1_1

Once the e-book's available, Amazon will probably make the first 20% available to be read online. In the meantime, you can read 20% of the print edition here:

http://dvorkin.com/selfpub/

[Zoonart]

1. Hi David.

Just bought a copy. I have published two horror fiction books with a publishing house that went under in the 2009 bankruptcy wave and have not dipped my toe back in for the past years because I have had to put much of my creative life on hold to take care of aging parents. I am ready to jump back in and have hesitated to try the self publishing route because if just seems... exhausting. LOL

I am very anxious to read your book and to apply your techniques. Thanks for the heads up.

[DavidDvorkin]

3. Thanks!

Don't be put off by all the detail. I included everything I could think of, but that doesn't mean you have to do all of it. I say that because I'm afraid that the details might make the task seem daunting, whereas my message is that it doesn't have to be.

[mainer]

2. Very interesting.

I've been traditionally published for years, but I'm working on a really weird project that I'm not sure my publisher will want. (And one that I'd feel more comfortable using a pen name for.) This may come in handy.

[DavidDvorkin]

4. That's one of self-publishing's most important roles, I think

Freeing up authors to try things that traditional publishers won't want to try.

[TheBlackAdder]

5. There are multiple self-pubs out there. Amazon is greatest exposure, but they take the greatest cut.

[DavidDvorkin]

6. Amazon is still the giant

And its position seems secure for a long time to come.

In my book (insert eloquent and utterly convincing language explaining why you simply must buy my book).

[TheBlackAdder]

7. Yep. But those who self-publish rarely see more than pennies per copy sold.

[DavidDvorkin]

8. Not true at all

Self-publishing royalties on Amazon are very good, both for print and e-book editions.

And, yes, the details are in my book.

[TheBlackAdder]

9. OK. Something must have changed from the self-pub to POD era from as little as 5-10 years ago.

.

Oh, the self-pub days when one would have to buy their own books, getting steeper discounts the more they bought.

Then, POD opened up a cheaper way to deliver books, but still the horror stories of getting taken advantage of by Amazon and others, left self-pub guys with $1-2 for a $15-20 book. I'll check it out.

I just placed an order for a copy.

.