Publishing a Book - Any Experience or Advice?

[financeblogger123]

Hello,

I have been working on a book over the past year and I am finally in that final stage where I am looking to get published. I have done my due dilligence in terms of researching self-publishing in bulk, Print on Demand, and a bit about actual publishers...but I am still not sure of the best route to take.

Back story about the book and I...It is a basic financial literacy book in an easy to read and a bit more entertaining way for youths. I have a website SuccessfulYoungInvestor.com, where I plan on selling the book as well as thorough Amazon perhaps, and also have a number of media engagements lined up such as national television appearances, featured magazine articles, newspaper articles, and a speaking tour at Personal Fulfillment Summer Camps.

I am not sure though being in the position I am how I should execute this venture...Any advice?

Thanks

[BizGuy]

Well, I have recently done my research for both Self Publishing and finding a Publisher and thought I would share my several days and hours of research:

If you are planning on looking for a publisher, you may want to try and find a literary agent (according to wikipedia here is the definition A literary agent is an agent who represents writers and their written works to publishers, theatrical producers and film producers and assists in the sale and deal negotiation of the same. Literary agents most often represent novelists, screenwriters and major non-fiction writers. They are paid a fixed percentage (ten to twenty percent; fifteen percent is usual) of the proceeds of sales they negotiate on behalf of their clients.

Here are a few of the reasons authors look for a literary agent: (1.) Quite a few of the more well-known publishing houses do not accept un-agented submissions. (2.) A knowledgeable agent knows the market, and can be a source of valuable career advice and guidance. (3.) Being a publishable author doesn't automatically make you an expert on modern publishing contracts and practices, especially where legal publishing rights are involved. Many authors prefer to have an agent handle these types of matters. (4.) The author can focus on book signings, promoting etc. rather than collecting money from book sales.

On the other hand as mentioned above, you will be giving up 10-20% of your sales proceeds to the literary agent.

My personal opinion is that you may want to explore the various self publishing options to get started. You can always print a smaller print run of your book and then 'shop it around' once you start creating some buzz for your book.

Once you have finished writing your book, you will need to follow these notes:

1)You will want to make SURE your book is edited and error-free. Have several sets of eyes look through your book for both spelling and grammatical errors. Hire someone experienced to ensure a flawless product prior to printing.

2)If you plan on selling your book through stores you may want to get a Barcode (A bar code can best be described as a series of black bars and white spaces of varying widths which will be printed on your book to uniquely identify its title and price).

ISBN (The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a 10-digit number that uniquely identifies books and book-like products published internationally, every ISBN consists of ten digits and whenever it is printed it is preceded by the letters ISBN.

SAN (The Standard Address Number (SAN) is a unique seven-digit identifier used to signify a specific address of an organization in (or served by) the publishing industry.)

3)If you are not using a company that offers this service there are still ways to get your book listed on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble etc.

You must have an ISBN number for your book in order to be listed by any online retailers.

Amazon.com offers a program called "Amazon.com Advantage" that will allow you to sell your book through their website. It is free to join this program.

In order for your book listed at Barnes and Noble.com you must first become listed as a "Vendor of Record" with their warehouse.

If you find that your book is listed by either Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com but they are not displaying the cover image or description you can submit them.

For information on submitting your cover art or book description:

For Amazon.com visit their Publishers and Book Sellers Guide.

For Barnes and Noble visit their: Publisher & Author Guidelines.

3) Plan on doing a lot of self-promotion especially if self publishing. Press Releases, Interviews and book signings are just some of the ways to get your book in the spotlight.

4)I have some great contacts with some good book printing (small print run) companies (PM me if interested and I will forward you the contact info). There are also some print on demand companies online that will print super small runs of even ONE book. This is a great way to see what your book will look like when printed. So, its a good starting point to get others feedback and opinions. Here are a few of the sites that seem to be pretty good: Lulu.com, Booksurge (amazon owned), and Blurb.com


Wow, I didn't think this answer would become a short book (maybe I should self publish this. ) Feel free to ask any other questions here on this thread and I'll be sure to do my best at answering them.

Cheers,

Adam T.

[financeblogger123]

Thank you Adam for such a great response!

One of the main questions that I have been asking myself is, I know how to get the ISBN, but does that come with the bar code or are they two entirely seperate entities? If they are how do you go about getting a bar code?

Also, I am debating between two POD compnaies, that you had mentioned above as well, LuLu and Booksurge for my first run at the book. Have you heard about one being better than the other?

[BBlackwood]

I've used Lulu and had good experiences. They offer you several ways to get an ISBN. You can also buy one (or a group) from www.isbn.org

[financeblogger123]

How do the commissions work? Are you able to set a price at say $10 per copy and then they pay royalties based upon that?

[BizGuy]

Hey there, Glad the post was helpful!

Yes, you can get the barcode from: Bar Code Service from Bowker - ISBN, Bookland EAN Images and Graphics
Or most Print On Demand Publishers offer a service for a small additional fee.

I have heard that Lulu and Booksurge are both quite good and user-friendly!

Good luck on this and keep this post updated with your experience once you order from either of them.

Cheers,

Adam T.