DIY Publishing: A step-by-step guide for print and ebook formatting and distribution

by Maggie McVay Lynch

Plenty of books have been written on writing craft. An equal number of books have been written about marketing and platform for the self-published writer. However, until now, few have tackled the actual DIY steps to get your finished manuscript from your word processor, through formatting for print and various ebook reading devices, to being distributed by all the major vendors and bookstores. Lynch demystifies the technology in her easy-to-read explanations. Each step is illustrated with examples and screen shots. She also provides resources and links to additional software products and options that the more technically inclined writer may wish to pursue.

Lynch has already done the work of testing a variety of technical solutions. In this book she shares the process she found that is easy—even for non-technical writers—and takes the least amount of time to process each book. Along the way, she shares tidbits around the changing state of publishing, the importance and use of metadata for both print and ebook sales, and the decision-making processes any writer must undertake in determining what amount of time and effort she is willing to expend in the preparation and distribution of her work versus spending more time writing the next book.

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 31, 2013

Reviews

[Judith Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still my Go To Book on Indie Publishing until Maggie finishes her Author Secrets series. Some of the information is out-of-date but the process we go through to become indie published is not.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a few short stories collecting virtual dust on my computer, and I thought it might be kind of cool to put them all together and self-publish them. The thought of self-publishing broke me out in hives, however. I had no time or money to waste, and I had no idea where to start. But when this book was offered for free for NaNoWriMo winners, I snatched it up and read it cover to cover.

Ms. Lynch lays everything out in perfect detail. She talks about what has worked for her and what programs she uses, and while I didn't do or try everything she recommended, I know much more about my options for next time. And now my first self-published book is sitting pretty on virtual shelves. Yay me!

At this point, I have no idea if I'll self-publish again, but if I do, this is the book I'll return to again and again!

[Kay Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three hundred plus pages of solid information, with step by step guidance on templates, formatting, front matter, back matter, cover design, blurbs, bios, ISBNs, uploading to various distributors (print and ebook), etc. Lots of advice and explanations of different options available to the beginning self-publisher.

I bought the paper edition from amazon (because I prefer paper reference books) and was offered (and accepted) a free ebook edition. The screen shots in the print book are eye-straining, and I'm sure they'd be useless on a Kindle, but they are much easier to read on the Kindle app on my computer.

Published about two years ago (Oct 2013), so there will be changes long the way, but definitely a useful addition to my indie pub reference shelf.

[Raquel (Rocki) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read and very informational. Some of it I skimmed since it didn't pertain to me or it was something I wouldn't use. The cover design portion I really liked since I have never helped design a book cover before. I will definitely reference back to some points in this book later on down my publishing career.

[Laurie Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic overview of self-publishing. I recently self-published three ebooks, and it was very helpful. I love her sections on uploading, copyright info and worldwide distribution. Highly recommended for all self-publishers. I read a lot of self-publishing books, but this was one of the best.