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Penniless Publishing: How to Publish a Book Without Spending a Cent!
Publishing a book used to be difficult...and expensive. These days...? Eh...not so much. The problem is, most authors still believe the myth that writing and publishing a book is an EXPENSIVE process that takes a serious investment of both time and money. Fact is - nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, Penniless Publishing shows you how you can self publish your first book without spending a cent! Inside Penniless Publishing you'll find all the tools, resources, and motivation you need to get started...the only investment is your time. For a limited time, you'll also receive access to the Penniless Publishing video training course! Yep...access is included as a BONUS to you when you purchase the ebook. Along with several other free gifts that will help you kickstart your journey into self-publishing - the Penniless Publishing way! Grab your copy today, so you can begin your journey as a PENNILESS self-publisher. A quick note from Ed Lewis, author of Penniless "I've written Penniless Publishing not because self-publishing your book without spending a cent is the best way to do it...but because of the power it provides. By showing that virtually anyone can publish a book - even someone without a penny to their name - it eliminates the fear, excuses, and overwhelm many authors who dream of publishing their first book are confronted with. I think that's powerful...and important."
- GenresWriting
68 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2017
78 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 8, 2017
Great Place to Start, but...
I just finished Penniless Publishing. It was a quick read and is a great place for first-time writers to start.
Pros
I love that the author provides recommendations, along with links. Hemmingway Editor, Grammarly (I knew about that one), Reedsy (though I don't see where this one is free for formatting as it is a marketplace), Canva, Unsplash, Pexels and CreateSpace. There are plenty of others recommended, so it is really worth checking out. A great place to get started. Plus, you get a bonus book, Published is Better than Perfect. So two for the price of one!
Cons
The promised video training link does not work. I tried it multiple times, wherein it always asks me to sign up or log in. I go through the hoops and then it takes me to a page that says it no longer exits. Very disappointing. The Book Covers downloads say that the files are broken, so that was a bust too. Yikes. I sure hope he fixes both issues.
I just finished Penniless Publishing. It was a quick read and is a great place for first-time writers to start.
Pros
I love that the author provides recommendations, along with links. Hemmingway Editor, Grammarly (I knew about that one), Reedsy (though I don't see where this one is free for formatting as it is a marketplace), Canva, Unsplash, Pexels and CreateSpace. There are plenty of others recommended, so it is really worth checking out. A great place to get started. Plus, you get a bonus book, Published is Better than Perfect. So two for the price of one!
Cons
The promised video training link does not work. I tried it multiple times, wherein it always asks me to sign up or log in. I go through the hoops and then it takes me to a page that says it no longer exits. Very disappointing. The Book Covers downloads say that the files are broken, so that was a bust too. Yikes. I sure hope he fixes both issues.
March 30, 2019
So interestingly enough, this is not like most books published about the subject. It gives decent advice, that I could tell, and it is short enough to get through quickly. It's actually fairly informative if you're not rolling in money and still want to publish your book.
I was really impressed with his ethical approach to marketing ideas. The paid review thing is a big, huge problem. The only gripe I have with this book is giving ARC copies is looked down upon as a marketing strategy, when if done correctly, is actually an excellent marketing strategy. Even publishing houses do it. I myself am a 'professional reviewer' and took exception to the tone used to describe us.
If done right, giving out free copies for honest reviews is legal and a good marketing strategy. I myself only give honest reviews, even DNF reviews if the book is really bad, because reviews are supposed to be for other consumers, NOT the author. Authors benefit from reviews, but it isn't for them. It's for potential customers. Being offered an ARC and receiving one has never influenced my opinion and I never seek out free copies, ever.
That said, I do understand what the problem is, so many reviewers and book promotional agencies are doing gray hat tactics like asking for 3 star reviews to be put on hold until after release week, or reviewers feel grateful for the free book and give 5 stars when they didn't feel it was 5 stars. I do get that dishonest people kind of ruin it for those of us who pride ourselves on complete honesty. Also, asking your Facebook friends who never read the book to give good ratings is also against policy. Amazon doesn't accept reviews by an author's friends if caught.
I also don't understand why people don't review more books they don't like. Please do! It's hard to decide a book is total crap if no one reviews it as total crap. You'll be helping others avoid it.
Ahem, sorry. Anyway, I picked up this book more out of curiosity and not because I want to publish a book. But still some good resources for anyone looking for a cheap way to do anything. I recommend this book. :)
I was really impressed with his ethical approach to marketing ideas. The paid review thing is a big, huge problem. The only gripe I have with this book is giving ARC copies is looked down upon as a marketing strategy, when if done correctly, is actually an excellent marketing strategy. Even publishing houses do it. I myself am a 'professional reviewer' and took exception to the tone used to describe us.
If done right, giving out free copies for honest reviews is legal and a good marketing strategy. I myself only give honest reviews, even DNF reviews if the book is really bad, because reviews are supposed to be for other consumers, NOT the author. Authors benefit from reviews, but it isn't for them. It's for potential customers. Being offered an ARC and receiving one has never influenced my opinion and I never seek out free copies, ever.
That said, I do understand what the problem is, so many reviewers and book promotional agencies are doing gray hat tactics like asking for 3 star reviews to be put on hold until after release week, or reviewers feel grateful for the free book and give 5 stars when they didn't feel it was 5 stars. I do get that dishonest people kind of ruin it for those of us who pride ourselves on complete honesty. Also, asking your Facebook friends who never read the book to give good ratings is also against policy. Amazon doesn't accept reviews by an author's friends if caught.
I also don't understand why people don't review more books they don't like. Please do! It's hard to decide a book is total crap if no one reviews it as total crap. You'll be helping others avoid it.
Ahem, sorry. Anyway, I picked up this book more out of curiosity and not because I want to publish a book. But still some good resources for anyone looking for a cheap way to do anything. I recommend this book. :)
May 8, 2018
This is a great book for authors who don't want to spend a lot of money. There are links to helpful apps like Grammarly, Hemingway, and Reedsy. Well worth more than the 99 pennies I paid for the book. Yes, I wasn't penniless.
January 25, 2019
Good info, very well written
I'd recommend this book, totally worth the price I paid for it. The author imparts information clearly with a friendly voice and a traditional writing style. I really liked that. Many of the non fiction e-books I've purchased use blog style writing complete with ascii emoji and lots of ellipsis. It was nice to see proper sentence structure and punctuation (I've been accused of being the grammar police, Ed Lewis is NOT under arrest for breaking the laws of the English language).
I enjoyed seeing the diversity of free options and the candid recommendations where "you get what you pay for" suggestions were given. I also liked that it was not a complete sales pitch or overly stocked with affiliate links.
I'd recommend this book, totally worth the price I paid for it. The author imparts information clearly with a friendly voice and a traditional writing style. I really liked that. Many of the non fiction e-books I've purchased use blog style writing complete with ascii emoji and lots of ellipsis. It was nice to see proper sentence structure and punctuation (I've been accused of being the grammar police, Ed Lewis is NOT under arrest for breaking the laws of the English language).
I enjoyed seeing the diversity of free options and the candid recommendations where "you get what you pay for" suggestions were given. I also liked that it was not a complete sales pitch or overly stocked with affiliate links.
June 9, 2019
Helpful but short on details
The books intention was helpful on how to publish with very little cost if none. It had a lot of good ideas and some websites which are no longer active. It was short on actual details other than Hemingway and a few others they're mostly known to Riders on a shoestring. The language was clear and the layout was focused. So basically it's a good read and helpful just a little short on.
The books intention was helpful on how to publish with very little cost if none. It had a lot of good ideas and some websites which are no longer active. It was short on actual details other than Hemingway and a few others they're mostly known to Riders on a shoestring. The language was clear and the layout was focused. So basically it's a good read and helpful just a little short on.
June 30, 2020
Easy and Understandable
I am in the process of writing my first book.
It is a promise I made to a Chief Justice in Maryland
after surviving a horrific crime. Publishing seems overwhelming since I am a Religious Sister with few assets.
I am so very grateful to all the suggestions in this book and
Plan to use them all when I am done and while I continue to write . Thank You, and blessings!!
I am in the process of writing my first book.
It is a promise I made to a Chief Justice in Maryland
after surviving a horrific crime. Publishing seems overwhelming since I am a Religious Sister with few assets.
I am so very grateful to all the suggestions in this book and
Plan to use them all when I am done and while I continue to write . Thank You, and blessings!!
August 4, 2017
So incredible!
I just loved this book. I read it all the way through once and now I am going to read it again while taking notes of the sites and programs needed to do this for free. As a single mother of 4 girls and a severely low income this is exactly what I wanted to help realize my dream of writing.
I just loved this book. I read it all the way through once and now I am going to read it again while taking notes of the sites and programs needed to do this for free. As a single mother of 4 girls and a severely low income this is exactly what I wanted to help realize my dream of writing.
October 9, 2017
Good stuff
Decent resources for people who really want to publish a book but lacking cash. There is a lot of information so be sure to take notes. Author touches on important subjects such as sites and apps for taking notes, word processing, editing, formatting and book covers. Can't wait to dig into these resources.
Decent resources for people who really want to publish a book but lacking cash. There is a lot of information so be sure to take notes. Author touches on important subjects such as sites and apps for taking notes, word processing, editing, formatting and book covers. Can't wait to dig into these resources.
January 2, 2019
Brilliant!!!
Ed has set the bar high yet he proves that yes, without spending a single penny you can infact write, market and publish a book. It's truly inspiring! It has certainly inspired me. Included are links to tonnes of sites for everything that you could possibly need. I highly recommend this book to all writers out there..You can't go wrong.
Ed has set the bar high yet he proves that yes, without spending a single penny you can infact write, market and publish a book. It's truly inspiring! It has certainly inspired me. Included are links to tonnes of sites for everything that you could possibly need. I highly recommend this book to all writers out there..You can't go wrong.
August 26, 2017
An excellent road map with well placed signs
As a novice writer I appreciate the detailed information and links for further information. The information provided by the author saves me hours of research and $$. The best advice, get your book written first, then design your cover.
As a novice writer I appreciate the detailed information and links for further information. The information provided by the author saves me hours of research and $$. The best advice, get your book written first, then design your cover.
October 17, 2017
Good Info
The author provides some good information. I would recommend for Indie authors on a budget. It is true, one can publish a book with little or no money! If you have the entrepreneurial spirit.
The author provides some good information. I would recommend for Indie authors on a budget. It is true, one can publish a book with little or no money! If you have the entrepreneurial spirit.
February 19, 2019
Wonderful resources
The book is full of great info and resources to use. I did try to click through the links at the back of the book and they were broken links. I was not able to access the book cover secrets from the links in the book, the site comes up as defunct.
The book is full of great info and resources to use. I did try to click through the links at the back of the book and they were broken links. I was not able to access the book cover secrets from the links in the book, the site comes up as defunct.
July 29, 2017
Worth the buck
Surprisingly good and useful info for the price!
I would recommend this article to an author who has little money.
Surprisingly good and useful info for the price!
I would recommend this article to an author who has little money.
November 16, 2017
Great resources
The author provided nugget of gems in this book and at a fantastic price. All the tips he gave was very helpful for an author on a shoestring.
The author provided nugget of gems in this book and at a fantastic price. All the tips he gave was very helpful for an author on a shoestring.
April 10, 2018
A nice collection of resources.
Written for people that always wanted to write a book but thought it was either impossible or it would cost too much to publish it.
Written for people that always wanted to write a book but thought it was either impossible or it would cost too much to publish it.
May 13, 2018
Great. Learned a lot!
I wasn't sure how true to his title this would be. But, he was right. Things I didn't know. Good info.
I wasn't sure how true to his title this would be. But, he was right. Things I didn't know. Good info.
June 5, 2018
A catalogue of useful resources for an author. No bulk. Precise and upto the point.
April 26, 2019
Good book
Lots of useful information. A go-to book for me! Really a self publish help dream. You need this book. Yeah!
Lots of useful information. A go-to book for me! Really a self publish help dream. You need this book. Yeah!
September 15, 2019
I loved all the resources that are mentioned in this book. I took 4 pages of notes as I read. I think it will be very helpful as I write more books.
January 7, 2021
Good book lots of good information
This book gave me so many pointers and tips so happy I read it I recommend you read this before you waist anymore time walking in circles
This book gave me so many pointers and tips so happy I read it I recommend you read this before you waist anymore time walking in circles
October 2, 2022
My two cents
I really like this book. There are so many excellent ways to do author stuff and/or publishing things without spending any money. As a newbie author, I'm trying to do as much as possible without spending any money. That's a hard egg to order. I'm so thankful for this book!
My biggest complaint is that a lot of the links for the websites and tools do not work. Maybe the sites are no longer working, or maybe Ed needs to re-release this with updates?
I like how the information is provided clearly and with a friendly voice. I also enjoyed seeing lots of free options and the candid recommendations where "you get what you pay for."
Several typos, but nothing too distracting.
I really like this book. There are so many excellent ways to do author stuff and/or publishing things without spending any money. As a newbie author, I'm trying to do as much as possible without spending any money. That's a hard egg to order. I'm so thankful for this book!
My biggest complaint is that a lot of the links for the websites and tools do not work. Maybe the sites are no longer working, or maybe Ed needs to re-release this with updates?
I like how the information is provided clearly and with a friendly voice. I also enjoyed seeing lots of free options and the candid recommendations where "you get what you pay for."
Several typos, but nothing too distracting.
July 31, 2019
The author did a great job on this book. i shown my friends this book, you know it hard to shell out some cash to people, and to have someone like him to show us their way to make a book, without spending or spending very little money on doing it, this is great.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews