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How To Self-Publish: A Do-It-Yourself Approach
This book is for anyone who has ever considered publishing their own work but has either thought the process seemed too complicated or too expensive. My newest book will hold your hand as it guides your manuscript from your word processor to a formatted e-book and paperback. It will show you how to launch and market your book, get reviews, and use social media to establish an author platform. I promise to show you how this can all be accomplished for less than you would spend on a week's worth of lattes!
My Do-It-Yourself Approach is full of useful advice and practical tips any author new to the world of self-publishing can easily implement.
The best news? I am not alone in this endeavor. I have teamed up with 6 other authors who represent a wide variety of writers including; Craig Hurren, Victoria Sawyer, Carmen Stefanescu, Clancy Tucker, Melissa Wray and Lee Zamloch. They have each contributed their insight on topics like the importance of research, coping with bad reviews, creating a brand, utilizing feedback and much more!
My Do-It-Yourself Approach is full of useful advice and practical tips any author new to the world of self-publishing can easily implement.
The best news? I am not alone in this endeavor. I have teamed up with 6 other authors who represent a wide variety of writers including; Craig Hurren, Victoria Sawyer, Carmen Stefanescu, Clancy Tucker, Melissa Wray and Lee Zamloch. They have each contributed their insight on topics like the importance of research, coping with bad reviews, creating a brand, utilizing feedback and much more!
Unknown Binding
First published August 20, 2013
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 30, 2017
Looking for some helpful advice on self publishing? This guide is for you! Told in an approachable way, the author takes the reader through every area of self publishing, from formatting to the Smashwords debate. I found it useful and even garnered a few tips to use on my next book. Well done!
My Rating: 4 stars
My Rating: 4 stars
September 6, 2013
The complexities of self-publishing via Kindle & Smashwords can often overwhelm the most passionate of writers who wish to self-publish : I count myself in that particular stable!
How To Self-Publish : A Do-It-Yourself-Approach offered me a glimmer of hope for in it's description, Del Mar shares that it is "... for anyone who has ever considered publishing their own work but has either thought the process seemed too complicated or too expensive ... will hold your hand as it guides your manuscript from your word processor to a formatted e-book and paperback."
Having read numerous books offering a similar approach but leaving me feeling short-changed, I turned to Chapter 1 (What is a Do-It-Yourself Approach?) with no real expectation of it being anything other than an interesting read. But no - Del Mar really does deliver the goods; well-written, each chapter offers clarity and - where needed - literally step-by-step instructions on conquering self-publishing.
By sharing her own indie (self-publishing) story, in addition to fellow author perspectives on aspects of the self-publishing path, this makes for a very entertaining and enjoyable read, as well as a guide to help you get your book published on platforms such as Kindle and Smashwords.
I personally found Chapter 10 (Compiling a Product : Formatting For Print) and Chapter 12 (Formatting eBooks for Amazon) very useful and appreciated the detail to which the author has gone to, which includes sharing details of specific low-cost or free programs which will be of particular help to the new indie author.
Offering a complete walk-through for the novice self-publisher, I also appreciated the HTML code which Del Mar thoughtfully provided, in addition to resources at the end of the book.
As I have a wealth of experience as media PR/co-ordinator for authors - which included organising virtual blog tours and interviews - I found the author's clear guidance and insights into blog tours illuminating. Simple explanations as to why it is SO important to be organised, and why new authors need to plan on spending sufficient time well in advance of your publication date, developing quality connections with fellow authors and bloggers in your genre, were refreshing and made it seem doable for even the most disorganised writers.
All in all, How To Self-Publish is an engaging, well-written guide to help any aspiring author to get their books published at very low cost.
I have, however, only one thing on my wish-list to make this a dream title for self-publishing : one of the great mysteries in life is the use of ISBNs. Do you make use the free ones available at Smashwords, for example? Which you then are not able to use on Kindle titles. Or, if you wish to be consistent and appear professional, how do you get hold of ISBNs? At what stage do you need to consider ISBNs? How does it fit into the step-by-plan?
But that is one very minor point - I would wholeheartedly recommend this title for anyone who feels frozen with fear by the self-publishing maze. Del Mar's clarity will get you published before you know it - and at a fraction of the cost 'professionals' insist you need to pay to get a book in print, or in e-book format.
I look forward to putting these steps into practice over the coming weeks and finally conquer my fear of self-publishing.
How To Self-Publish : A Do-It-Yourself-Approach offered me a glimmer of hope for in it's description, Del Mar shares that it is "... for anyone who has ever considered publishing their own work but has either thought the process seemed too complicated or too expensive ... will hold your hand as it guides your manuscript from your word processor to a formatted e-book and paperback."
Having read numerous books offering a similar approach but leaving me feeling short-changed, I turned to Chapter 1 (What is a Do-It-Yourself Approach?) with no real expectation of it being anything other than an interesting read. But no - Del Mar really does deliver the goods; well-written, each chapter offers clarity and - where needed - literally step-by-step instructions on conquering self-publishing.
By sharing her own indie (self-publishing) story, in addition to fellow author perspectives on aspects of the self-publishing path, this makes for a very entertaining and enjoyable read, as well as a guide to help you get your book published on platforms such as Kindle and Smashwords.
I personally found Chapter 10 (Compiling a Product : Formatting For Print) and Chapter 12 (Formatting eBooks for Amazon) very useful and appreciated the detail to which the author has gone to, which includes sharing details of specific low-cost or free programs which will be of particular help to the new indie author.
Offering a complete walk-through for the novice self-publisher, I also appreciated the HTML code which Del Mar thoughtfully provided, in addition to resources at the end of the book.
As I have a wealth of experience as media PR/co-ordinator for authors - which included organising virtual blog tours and interviews - I found the author's clear guidance and insights into blog tours illuminating. Simple explanations as to why it is SO important to be organised, and why new authors need to plan on spending sufficient time well in advance of your publication date, developing quality connections with fellow authors and bloggers in your genre, were refreshing and made it seem doable for even the most disorganised writers.
All in all, How To Self-Publish is an engaging, well-written guide to help any aspiring author to get their books published at very low cost.
I have, however, only one thing on my wish-list to make this a dream title for self-publishing : one of the great mysteries in life is the use of ISBNs. Do you make use the free ones available at Smashwords, for example? Which you then are not able to use on Kindle titles. Or, if you wish to be consistent and appear professional, how do you get hold of ISBNs? At what stage do you need to consider ISBNs? How does it fit into the step-by-plan?
But that is one very minor point - I would wholeheartedly recommend this title for anyone who feels frozen with fear by the self-publishing maze. Del Mar's clarity will get you published before you know it - and at a fraction of the cost 'professionals' insist you need to pay to get a book in print, or in e-book format.
I look forward to putting these steps into practice over the coming weeks and finally conquer my fear of self-publishing.
August 9, 2016
This book covered a broader range of topics than I expected. I was surprised that it started out with advice on writing, and seemed to be aimed at the absolute beginner. However, even the experienced author will benefit from the detailed advice on formatting and book marketing.
Honestly, the writing section was handled very differently from my own writing process, so I cannot really comment on that except to say that every author is different, and the techniques in this book may work quite well for some people.
The section on formatting went into great detail. Again, this is a very different process than what I have used so far, but in the near future I am probably going to have to delve into some of the things the author walks us through in this book. This section was meant to be worked through, and will serve as a step-by-step guide for formatting to epub. Necessary html is included, as well as access to the author's website, where the needed codes can handily be copied and pasted. Nice.
The real gem in this book is the final section, where the author gives plenty of excellent advice on building an author platform and how self-published authors can market their work. I would say this book is worth reading for that section alone.
Overall, a nice book with lots and lots of information.
Honestly, the writing section was handled very differently from my own writing process, so I cannot really comment on that except to say that every author is different, and the techniques in this book may work quite well for some people.
The section on formatting went into great detail. Again, this is a very different process than what I have used so far, but in the near future I am probably going to have to delve into some of the things the author walks us through in this book. This section was meant to be worked through, and will serve as a step-by-step guide for formatting to epub. Necessary html is included, as well as access to the author's website, where the needed codes can handily be copied and pasted. Nice.
The real gem in this book is the final section, where the author gives plenty of excellent advice on building an author platform and how self-published authors can market their work. I would say this book is worth reading for that section alone.
Overall, a nice book with lots and lots of information.
September 8, 2013
How to Self-Publish: A DIY Approach by Leti Del Mar is a very helpful guide for beginning authors who choose to self-publish. It guides us through the process of writing a manuscript, revising, rewriting, editing and then formatting and distributing through several popular avenues of sale. There are even recommendations about marketing the finished product. The author shares her personal insights and hard-learned lessons along with several "author insight" chapters by guest authors, offering their experienced input. The tips included in this book will save newbie, do-it-yourself writers hours of wasted time and pain-staking efforts.
I found this book to be both informative and inspiring. It offers a detailed map of how to get started in the book industry at a minimal investment of both money and time (two resources I never seem to have enough of). The directions are clear and concise and presented in a simple, straight-forward manner that the reader will not find intimidating or overwhelming. If you are dreaming of publishing your own book, as I am, this is the how-to guide for you!
I was provided with a digital copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I found this book to be both informative and inspiring. It offers a detailed map of how to get started in the book industry at a minimal investment of both money and time (two resources I never seem to have enough of). The directions are clear and concise and presented in a simple, straight-forward manner that the reader will not find intimidating or overwhelming. If you are dreaming of publishing your own book, as I am, this is the how-to guide for you!
I was provided with a digital copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2013
Great guide for new indie authors and helpful tips and resources for experienced self-publishers. How to Self-Publish tackles a broad category and does an excellent job. The writing style is casual and friendly from an enthusiastic self-published author of a number of books who writes from her own experience.
It is best read as a working user’s guide. There is good information on writing, researching and editing. Extensive information on formatting that you will want to read while actually doing the task. There is also helpful information on book covers, distribution and marketing. Finally, there is a generous resource section that is worth checking out and saving for future use.
This is definitely a do-it-yourself publishing book with brief information on enlisting the efforts of others. Most authors will not or should not do it all themselves. This book can sort out where you should spend your self-publishing dollars, help organize your efforts and avoid newbie mistakes.
I received an advance copy of the book from the author for a voluntary review.
It is best read as a working user’s guide. There is good information on writing, researching and editing. Extensive information on formatting that you will want to read while actually doing the task. There is also helpful information on book covers, distribution and marketing. Finally, there is a generous resource section that is worth checking out and saving for future use.
This is definitely a do-it-yourself publishing book with brief information on enlisting the efforts of others. Most authors will not or should not do it all themselves. This book can sort out where you should spend your self-publishing dollars, help organize your efforts and avoid newbie mistakes.
I received an advance copy of the book from the author for a voluntary review.
August 22, 2013
I receive this book from the author for an honest review.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. For someone that is an indie author and just starting, this "how to" book is going to help so many. I wish this book would have been available when I first began my indie journey because there are so many helpful resources.
Not only did this book have help with ideas on writing and editing and formatting, but it also had help with promoting and marketing aspects that many indies may not be aware of.
I would recommend this to anyone that is just starting in this crazy business and is either feeling lost, not sure where to start or just plain stuck.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. For someone that is an indie author and just starting, this "how to" book is going to help so many. I wish this book would have been available when I first began my indie journey because there are so many helpful resources.
Not only did this book have help with ideas on writing and editing and formatting, but it also had help with promoting and marketing aspects that many indies may not be aware of.
I would recommend this to anyone that is just starting in this crazy business and is either feeling lost, not sure where to start or just plain stuck.
March 6, 2014
Useful info for people who want to go self-publishing. Highly recommended guide.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews