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The Indie Author Revolution: An Insider's Guide to Self-Publishing
If you've got passion, a plan, and persistence, you don't need an agent. The Indie Author An Insider's Guide to Self-Publishing is your friendly guide to the new era of self-publishing. Everything you need to create a quality book is within your reach, including editors, designers, printers, mentoring presses, e-books, and social media.
Written from the perspective of an editor who has mentored hundreds of indie authors, The Indie Author Revolution will teach
- All the key areas of self-publishing success--from vetting your manuscript ideas to crafting your publishing plan for both print and electronic books.
- Advice, tips, and tools from real-life indie authors and book publishing professionals to help you avoid missteps in writing, publishing, and marketing.
- The pros and cons of doing it yourself, working with an indie press, and everything between.
Written from the perspective of an editor who has mentored hundreds of indie authors, The Indie Author Revolution will teach
- All the key areas of self-publishing success--from vetting your manuscript ideas to crafting your publishing plan for both print and electronic books.
- Advice, tips, and tools from real-life indie authors and book publishing professionals to help you avoid missteps in writing, publishing, and marketing.
- The pros and cons of doing it yourself, working with an indie press, and everything between.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2012
6 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 5, 2013
Reviewed for THC Reviews
When I saw The Indie Author Revolution available for review, I eagerly requested a copy, thinking it might be helpful to me in my journey toward indie publishing my first book. Unfortunately, after reading it, I find myself rather disappointed by it. For starters, the author seems to focus more on non-fiction books rather than fiction, which is what I write. Granted, a fair bit of the general information would apply to both genres, but a lot of the specific tips and advice are geared toward the author who is writing non-fiction. Examples of this would be the author saying things like, you might have a good book idea if “you're a known and respected expert on a particular topic” or “if you have a business and your book would educate and inspire clients.” She also asks questions about your book idea such as, “What important problem are you solving?” and “Why do people need your solution?” In the marketing section, she talks about contacting your local news stations with a press release or becoming a speaker through your Chamber of Commerce, local clubs like Rotary, Lions, etc., or volunteer organizations. Comments like these are liberally peppered throughout the book, and were very difficult for a fiction writer like myself to relate to, as well as being mostly unhelpful. Ms. Beevas does discuss fiction writing occasionally, but the sections are usually much shorter than those that seem to be directed more toward non-fiction writing.
The next weakness of the book was that a large part of it seems to be geared toward the writer who is looking to hire an indie publishing company (aka a mentoring press) to do all the work for them. Not only is this essentially the “old-fashioned” way of self-publishing, but it's also exorbitantly expensive and not even an option for someone like me with limited funds. I soon figured out that the probable reason for this focus is that the author herself is the vice president of a mentoring press, but in narrowing her focus like this, I felt she gave short shrift to much easier and cheaper self-publishing platforms, such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Createspace, Smashwords, and many other similar companies, which are rapidly becoming the wave of the publishing future. She does mention these, but usually only in passing. The author also largely ignored the digital revolution in publishing. She does have one chapter dedicated to e-books, but it's the second shortest one in the book and falls far short of giving comprehensive coverage to this rapidly expanding aspect of indie publishing.
The last issue I had with the book is that the sheer amount of information and steps the authors takes the reader through are completely overwhelming. She offers the prospective indie author a plethora of checklists and step-by-step guidelines for the publishing process, some of which, to my way of thinking, are simply unnecessary. If I did every single thing on these lists that she told me to do, I'd never have time to write another book, because I'd be too busy worrying about things like goal-setting, researching the competition, and writing publishing plans, marketing plans, and press releases. If you're only planning to write one book (which might be the case for those expert, non-fiction writers that this book seems to be tailor-made for), this might be OK, but for the author who hopes to write lots of books in the years to come, there has to be a balance between the amount of time spent writing and the amount of time spent on the publishing and marketing process.
I don't deny that for what it is The Indie Author Revolution is a well-organized and technically well-written book. When it isn't being unrelatable to a fiction writer like myself, focusing too narrowly on mentoring type presses, or being too overwhelming, it does have some decent information to impart to the indie author who knows little or nothing about the publishing process. Unfortunately, that person is not me. I've done a great deal of research into this on my own, and can't say that this book covered anything particularly new or groundbreaking. I did pick up a few useful tidbits from the marketing section, things I hadn't thought of before, but overall, I've learned far more from attending writer's conferences and from reading the Romance Writer's of America's industry magazine, Romance Writer's Report, as well as online articles.
The bottom line: If you're a non-fiction writer or a fiction writer who doesn't mind sifting through information geared toward the non-fiction writer, if you're an author who is seriously considering hiring a mentoring press, or if you're a writer who knows virtually nothing about the publishing process then you might find this book to be quite helpful. If, like me, you're a fiction writer, you're an indie author who is planning to do it yourself via Amazon or other online publishing platforms, and/or you've already done your homework, then, in my opinion, there are much better resources out there for you.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the author via the publicist, Bostick Communications, in exchange for an honest review.
When I saw The Indie Author Revolution available for review, I eagerly requested a copy, thinking it might be helpful to me in my journey toward indie publishing my first book. Unfortunately, after reading it, I find myself rather disappointed by it. For starters, the author seems to focus more on non-fiction books rather than fiction, which is what I write. Granted, a fair bit of the general information would apply to both genres, but a lot of the specific tips and advice are geared toward the author who is writing non-fiction. Examples of this would be the author saying things like, you might have a good book idea if “you're a known and respected expert on a particular topic” or “if you have a business and your book would educate and inspire clients.” She also asks questions about your book idea such as, “What important problem are you solving?” and “Why do people need your solution?” In the marketing section, she talks about contacting your local news stations with a press release or becoming a speaker through your Chamber of Commerce, local clubs like Rotary, Lions, etc., or volunteer organizations. Comments like these are liberally peppered throughout the book, and were very difficult for a fiction writer like myself to relate to, as well as being mostly unhelpful. Ms. Beevas does discuss fiction writing occasionally, but the sections are usually much shorter than those that seem to be directed more toward non-fiction writing.
The next weakness of the book was that a large part of it seems to be geared toward the writer who is looking to hire an indie publishing company (aka a mentoring press) to do all the work for them. Not only is this essentially the “old-fashioned” way of self-publishing, but it's also exorbitantly expensive and not even an option for someone like me with limited funds. I soon figured out that the probable reason for this focus is that the author herself is the vice president of a mentoring press, but in narrowing her focus like this, I felt she gave short shrift to much easier and cheaper self-publishing platforms, such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Createspace, Smashwords, and many other similar companies, which are rapidly becoming the wave of the publishing future. She does mention these, but usually only in passing. The author also largely ignored the digital revolution in publishing. She does have one chapter dedicated to e-books, but it's the second shortest one in the book and falls far short of giving comprehensive coverage to this rapidly expanding aspect of indie publishing.
The last issue I had with the book is that the sheer amount of information and steps the authors takes the reader through are completely overwhelming. She offers the prospective indie author a plethora of checklists and step-by-step guidelines for the publishing process, some of which, to my way of thinking, are simply unnecessary. If I did every single thing on these lists that she told me to do, I'd never have time to write another book, because I'd be too busy worrying about things like goal-setting, researching the competition, and writing publishing plans, marketing plans, and press releases. If you're only planning to write one book (which might be the case for those expert, non-fiction writers that this book seems to be tailor-made for), this might be OK, but for the author who hopes to write lots of books in the years to come, there has to be a balance between the amount of time spent writing and the amount of time spent on the publishing and marketing process.
I don't deny that for what it is The Indie Author Revolution is a well-organized and technically well-written book. When it isn't being unrelatable to a fiction writer like myself, focusing too narrowly on mentoring type presses, or being too overwhelming, it does have some decent information to impart to the indie author who knows little or nothing about the publishing process. Unfortunately, that person is not me. I've done a great deal of research into this on my own, and can't say that this book covered anything particularly new or groundbreaking. I did pick up a few useful tidbits from the marketing section, things I hadn't thought of before, but overall, I've learned far more from attending writer's conferences and from reading the Romance Writer's of America's industry magazine, Romance Writer's Report, as well as online articles.
The bottom line: If you're a non-fiction writer or a fiction writer who doesn't mind sifting through information geared toward the non-fiction writer, if you're an author who is seriously considering hiring a mentoring press, or if you're a writer who knows virtually nothing about the publishing process then you might find this book to be quite helpful. If, like me, you're a fiction writer, you're an indie author who is planning to do it yourself via Amazon or other online publishing platforms, and/or you've already done your homework, then, in my opinion, there are much better resources out there for you.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the author via the publicist, Bostick Communications, in exchange for an honest review.
October 10, 2012
Secrets and solved mysteries on having success in self-publishing
One major difference in this self help book for those who are steeping into the current fad of self publishing is author Dara M. Beevas' approach to the writers who read her little golden book of information. This is not a step one step two step three how-to book, though Beevas does give specific information on various steps she considers important to teach. Instead, this is a book of motivation that informs the independent author to be of the pitfalls and the flourishes of creating a book that will be a success on every level.
The words of advice here are those of personal conviction on the part of the writer. First, the need of publishing a work written by the reader must come from a committed desire that publishing a book in the most polished manner possible is the driver. The decision to go it on your won or enter the stairway to presenting manuscripts of publishing houses includes the commitment to thinking, writing, publishing and marketing outside the box. Beevas helps the reader make that decision by outlining the pluses and minuses of both approaches of publishing and then proceeds to test to see if indeed publishing your work is a dedicated goal or just a `let's-find-out' hobby.
Beevas takes each aspect of the publishing process, dissects it, and hands it back to the reader. She states mandatory steps - finding a quality editor, designer, printer, making the choice of going eBook or hardcopy or both, and once the finished product is as fine as you can make it, then how to assure that the publicity (including the use of social media and websites as well as brick and mortar bookstores0 will frame your product in the most sophisticated and alluring fashion that will help drive your professional appearing book to the top of the sales lists! At the end of her book Beevas offers excellent appendices for helpful reference guides of every step of the way. `A good book is a good book no matter how it came to print.' This is an inspirational book as well as a fine instruction manual. Dara M. Beevas has presented a `polished product' to guide the wannabe published authors to the road of gonnabe published writers.
Grady Harp
One major difference in this self help book for those who are steeping into the current fad of self publishing is author Dara M. Beevas' approach to the writers who read her little golden book of information. This is not a step one step two step three how-to book, though Beevas does give specific information on various steps she considers important to teach. Instead, this is a book of motivation that informs the independent author to be of the pitfalls and the flourishes of creating a book that will be a success on every level.
The words of advice here are those of personal conviction on the part of the writer. First, the need of publishing a work written by the reader must come from a committed desire that publishing a book in the most polished manner possible is the driver. The decision to go it on your won or enter the stairway to presenting manuscripts of publishing houses includes the commitment to thinking, writing, publishing and marketing outside the box. Beevas helps the reader make that decision by outlining the pluses and minuses of both approaches of publishing and then proceeds to test to see if indeed publishing your work is a dedicated goal or just a `let's-find-out' hobby.
Beevas takes each aspect of the publishing process, dissects it, and hands it back to the reader. She states mandatory steps - finding a quality editor, designer, printer, making the choice of going eBook or hardcopy or both, and once the finished product is as fine as you can make it, then how to assure that the publicity (including the use of social media and websites as well as brick and mortar bookstores0 will frame your product in the most sophisticated and alluring fashion that will help drive your professional appearing book to the top of the sales lists! At the end of her book Beevas offers excellent appendices for helpful reference guides of every step of the way. `A good book is a good book no matter how it came to print.' This is an inspirational book as well as a fine instruction manual. Dara M. Beevas has presented a `polished product' to guide the wannabe published authors to the road of gonnabe published writers.
Grady Harp
October 20, 2012
Very informative. An excellent resource for anyone even contemplating self-publishing.
December 21, 2012
The publishing world is changing, in fact it’s changed, and will continue to change in the foreseeable future. And according to Dara M. Beevas, “It’s the age of the indie author.” In this new book, endorsed by self-publishing guru Dan Poynter, “The Indie Author Revolution: An Insider’s Guide to Self-Publishing,” sets forth a path for anyone with a desire to write and share their message to bypass agents and traditional publishers to go the self-publishing route.
While this book might not have everything a person needs to become successful in self-publishing, it does provide some sound advice and motivation for the person thinking of publishing his or her own work. I liked the book and will refer back to it for things as I continue my own writing journey.
The book contains three main parts. The first, Launching the Idea, has three chapters: To publish or not to publish, self-publishing 101, and starting with the plan. These are good chapters if you are wondering if self-publishing is for you and need to know the basics of what it all entails.
The second part, Building Your Book, shares some nuts and bolts of self-publishing in the chapters: The ABCs of writing for publication, the editorial process, design and production, printing your book, distributing your printed book, and a short chapter on e-books.
The third part, Marketing Your Book, contains three chapters on marketing. These are marketing and sales, survival secrets of marketing, and sell your book using the web and social media. The book also contains some good resources for authors in the back.
Overall, I thought this was a fun book to read with some very practical and useful advice for anyone wanting to publish their own books or e-books. It is not the only guide you will want, but it is a very good one. (Another I recommend that I reviewed recently is “APE: How to Publish a Book” by Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch) Use both of these books to kickstart your writing career, especially your indie author writing career.
While this book might not have everything a person needs to become successful in self-publishing, it does provide some sound advice and motivation for the person thinking of publishing his or her own work. I liked the book and will refer back to it for things as I continue my own writing journey.
The book contains three main parts. The first, Launching the Idea, has three chapters: To publish or not to publish, self-publishing 101, and starting with the plan. These are good chapters if you are wondering if self-publishing is for you and need to know the basics of what it all entails.
The second part, Building Your Book, shares some nuts and bolts of self-publishing in the chapters: The ABCs of writing for publication, the editorial process, design and production, printing your book, distributing your printed book, and a short chapter on e-books.
The third part, Marketing Your Book, contains three chapters on marketing. These are marketing and sales, survival secrets of marketing, and sell your book using the web and social media. The book also contains some good resources for authors in the back.
Overall, I thought this was a fun book to read with some very practical and useful advice for anyone wanting to publish their own books or e-books. It is not the only guide you will want, but it is a very good one. (Another I recommend that I reviewed recently is “APE: How to Publish a Book” by Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch) Use both of these books to kickstart your writing career, especially your indie author writing career.
February 5, 2013
They say don't judge a book by its cover, but in this case, the content of The Indie Author Revolution is just as vibrant and engaging as my first impression of the cover had me assume. Dara offers all the advice that you would expect from a self-publishing authority, but the book is not bogged down with dry information. I loved the strong (and occasionally sassy!) first-person "I" and engaging interior design. After finishing this book, I felt so much more capable of participating in the self-publishing field, which before oftentimes felt intimidating and downright scary! There are so many tips that are so simple, I can't believe I never thought of them myself! I guess it comes with experience... or a book like this :)
February 11, 2013
It is a lot of good info, but sometimes its boring... But hey.. I am glad I read it!
February 28, 2013
Packed with tons of information for new or aspiring authors. Also contains a thorough listing of resources that you can't place a price on if you're a "newbie" in the field.
February 24, 2019
This provides much insight into the independent publishing business and examines such topics as selecting a cover color and even a good type font as some folks will ignore a book base upon the look.
Mentions finances, research, look at other books in a book store that may compare. Goes into selection a publisher and mentions 'Vanity' publishers that will publish ANYTHING for a FEE! Much of this information can be located by contacting a potential publisher as they are EAGER TO SELL YOU A PACKAGE! YOU GET TO PICK! Y O U are the pretty girl!
Goes into e books, have a copy of your book on hand and always be ready to SELL! Memorize your book pitch just in case you end up in an elevator with...OPRAH! (Yes, the author really did write that. Insightful.
MOST IMPORTANT THING!!! MAKE A SERIOUS EXAMINATION of the manuscript for errors. Let it cool for a month to forget the details and allow for your fresh eyes to reexamine the material. BEST WISHES!
Mentions finances, research, look at other books in a book store that may compare. Goes into selection a publisher and mentions 'Vanity' publishers that will publish ANYTHING for a FEE! Much of this information can be located by contacting a potential publisher as they are EAGER TO SELL YOU A PACKAGE! YOU GET TO PICK! Y O U are the pretty girl!
Goes into e books, have a copy of your book on hand and always be ready to SELL! Memorize your book pitch just in case you end up in an elevator with...OPRAH! (Yes, the author really did write that. Insightful.
MOST IMPORTANT THING!!! MAKE A SERIOUS EXAMINATION of the manuscript for errors. Let it cool for a month to forget the details and allow for your fresh eyes to reexamine the material. BEST WISHES!
October 3, 2012
A fabulous guide to navigating the difficult world of self publishing! You can tell in the pages that Dara M. Beeves is truly passionate about self-publishing and the work she does with authors. Her all-encompassing guide provides thorough information and checklists for authors at any stage in the publishing process. Furthermore, Beevas doesn't mince words or hold anything back--she gives all the industry secrets she can, at the same time helping authors get in the right mindset to self publish and do it right!
October 21, 2012
In this age of self-publishing, here comes a book to help the independent author become successful. I tis filled with much information, from the through of going the self-publishing route to the editorial process (the author emphasizes the importance of hiring a professional to edit one’s book)., to designing the layout and cover to printing and marketing.
I found this book to very helpful and informative and will help anyone thinking off publishing their own book. And if you do it right, you ought to be successful. This book should be a part of any writer’s library.
I found this book to very helpful and informative and will help anyone thinking off publishing their own book. And if you do it right, you ought to be successful. This book should be a part of any writer’s library.
December 31, 2012
I won this book through Good Reads. I haven't finished this book yet. I am interested in self publishing a book so I was very happy I won it. This book explains the ins and outs of self publishing. I didn't know there were different ways to self publish. I didn't understand which way was more expensive. Very happy I have a start with this book. Thanks.
October 3, 2025
This is a good book to have as a resource book.
March 23, 2015
This is one of the best books on the topic of self-publishing. Most authors think that uploading their Word doc to Amazon CreateSpace and forking over some money is how to get published. That's absolutely the wrong approach. Dara's years as an editor in the publishing world provides great insight on how the industry operates, how some things have changed, how some things are still the same.
November 16, 2013
Secrets to self-publishing and MORE. Written in an easy to read, easy to follow manner. Dara took and made something scary and unfamiliar seem easy and manageable in small chunks. I'm already taken the things I've learned into consideration as I plan and write my next book.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews