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Smart Self-Publishing: Becoming an Indie Author
Brief, practical guide for independent authors covering a myriad of topics from cover art to formatting to marketing tips.
Publisher's Note:
This title is no longer available. Contents out-of-date. Removed from the market.
Publisher's Note:
This title is no longer available. Contents out-of-date. Removed from the market.
139 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2010
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156 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 3, 2011
Smart Self-Publishing / B004AYD90U
I want to be clear that I'm glad I bought this book. It was a good read, very entertaining, and had a lot of valuable information in it. I was jotting notes as I went and I feel like I've learned a lot.
However, this book could be a lot better. I would really like to see a few more end-of-chapter and topical checklists so that you don't have to dig back through prose each time you want to look something up. And while for the most part I enjoyed the author's conversational style, there's a *lot* of places where she goes off on tangents or repeats herself.
For instance, there are at least 3 or 4 tangents in here about piracy and how awful the author thinks it is, and while I appreciate both her opinion and her right to express it, after the second or third largely irrelevant tangent, I couldn't help but reflect on the irony of an author taking my money to teach me about self-publishing, only to instead... complain about thievery. Piracy, whatever one's opinions about it, is a fact of ANY kind of publishing, so I would prefer that more time be spent on the nuts and bolts of publishing and not on grinding axes.
Another thing that disappointed me about this book was the author's unwillingness to really think outside the publishing box. For example, several times she talks about her strong opposition to giving away books for free and how it "devalues" art. Again, she's entitled to her opinion, but I think this advice greatly limits the earning potential of the indie author. Let me give a few examples, just off the top of my head as a blogger:
1. Author posts a blog post with a free coupon/deal for their book. The description of the book is "It's like [AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKED BOOK] mixed with [AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKED BOOK] with a sprinkle of [AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKED BOOK]." Every person who clicked over to Amazon to figure out what your book is like just enabled a cookie in their browser that gives YOU a percentage of everything they buy in the next 24 hours.
2. Author sets up a blog site with their entire book "free for online reading", carefully sprinkled with Google Adsense ads.
3. Author sets up audiobook recordings or podcasts of their book on YouTube with Google Ad Revenue Sharing enabled.
In each case, the "free readers" (who might not otherwise have bought the book of an unheard-of author for $2.99) are now earning the author ad revenue. Silver bullet guaranteed to work every time? Of course not! Worth thinking about and advising new authors of the possibilities? Absolutely! I just wish this book could have stepped outside the "traditional publishing" box a little bit and mentioned that there's more ways to monetize your writings than to just sell it as one book, one price per admission.
For all my little complaints, I give this book 4 stars and it's well worth the price of admission. Read it from cover-to-cover and then keep it nearby as a reference tool. There's a lot of valuable information and you'll be glad you bought it -- I am.
~ Ana Mardoll
I want to be clear that I'm glad I bought this book. It was a good read, very entertaining, and had a lot of valuable information in it. I was jotting notes as I went and I feel like I've learned a lot.
However, this book could be a lot better. I would really like to see a few more end-of-chapter and topical checklists so that you don't have to dig back through prose each time you want to look something up. And while for the most part I enjoyed the author's conversational style, there's a *lot* of places where she goes off on tangents or repeats herself.
For instance, there are at least 3 or 4 tangents in here about piracy and how awful the author thinks it is, and while I appreciate both her opinion and her right to express it, after the second or third largely irrelevant tangent, I couldn't help but reflect on the irony of an author taking my money to teach me about self-publishing, only to instead... complain about thievery. Piracy, whatever one's opinions about it, is a fact of ANY kind of publishing, so I would prefer that more time be spent on the nuts and bolts of publishing and not on grinding axes.
Another thing that disappointed me about this book was the author's unwillingness to really think outside the publishing box. For example, several times she talks about her strong opposition to giving away books for free and how it "devalues" art. Again, she's entitled to her opinion, but I think this advice greatly limits the earning potential of the indie author. Let me give a few examples, just off the top of my head as a blogger:
1. Author posts a blog post with a free coupon/deal for their book. The description of the book is "It's like [AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKED BOOK] mixed with [AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKED BOOK] with a sprinkle of [AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKED BOOK]." Every person who clicked over to Amazon to figure out what your book is like just enabled a cookie in their browser that gives YOU a percentage of everything they buy in the next 24 hours.
2. Author sets up a blog site with their entire book "free for online reading", carefully sprinkled with Google Adsense ads.
3. Author sets up audiobook recordings or podcasts of their book on YouTube with Google Ad Revenue Sharing enabled.
In each case, the "free readers" (who might not otherwise have bought the book of an unheard-of author for $2.99) are now earning the author ad revenue. Silver bullet guaranteed to work every time? Of course not! Worth thinking about and advising new authors of the possibilities? Absolutely! I just wish this book could have stepped outside the "traditional publishing" box a little bit and mentioned that there's more ways to monetize your writings than to just sell it as one book, one price per admission.
For all my little complaints, I give this book 4 stars and it's well worth the price of admission. Read it from cover-to-cover and then keep it nearby as a reference tool. There's a lot of valuable information and you'll be glad you bought it -- I am.
~ Ana Mardoll
August 17, 2011
This book is a crash course on self-publishing. It begins with discussing the meaning of self-publishing and determining if it is going to be right for you. Ms. Winters lists the following "success predictors" in indie authors;
You need to be a good writer.
You need to have the ability to separate yourself from your work.
You have to be a self-starter.
You have to be organized.
You have to be in it for the long haul.
You need the ability to blaze your own trail and forget the naysayers.
You need to be a good money manager.
You need the ability to determine the difference between quality and crap.
You need to have passion.
You need to be a self-promoter.
You need to know what you hope to gain from all of this.
If you are still interested in self-publishing after reading this chapter, the rest of the book explains the steps that you must take to get your book into the marketplace. She explains her method of writing and editing. The information that she provides about finding critique partners, beta readers and editors is very good.
She provides valuable information about choosing the correct format for your book. Ms. Winters tells of her personal experiences with producing books in print, ebook and audio formats. The author states that "digital is where the money is for indies." She explains the process of publishing ebooks at Smashwords, Barnes & Noble and the Amazon Kindle Store.
Ms. Winters offers detailed information about creating the cover art for your book. She gives advice for working with artists and also explains how you can do-it-yourself (if you have to).
Ms. Winters provides step-by-step details on formatting your book and publishing it. She offers many tips that will help the newbie self-publisher succeed. She is not shy about warning authors to avoid expensive and non-essential services.
The final part of the book deals with marketing. The author provides details on platform building and Internet marketing. She discusses blogging, social media sites and forums. She advises authors on how to approach book reviewers and how to interact with readers. She also offers good advice on contests, giveaways and book trailers.
I saw this book mentioned in several book reviews on Amazon. The reviewers all noted that this was "one of the best" books on self-publishing. I purchased the book and was not disappointed. This book is a "must read" for indie authors.
This author is the real deal. She writes about experiences and processes that she has actually done...and her unique personality comes shining through. Great reading!
You need to be a good writer.
You need to have the ability to separate yourself from your work.
You have to be a self-starter.
You have to be organized.
You have to be in it for the long haul.
You need the ability to blaze your own trail and forget the naysayers.
You need to be a good money manager.
You need the ability to determine the difference between quality and crap.
You need to have passion.
You need to be a self-promoter.
You need to know what you hope to gain from all of this.
If you are still interested in self-publishing after reading this chapter, the rest of the book explains the steps that you must take to get your book into the marketplace. She explains her method of writing and editing. The information that she provides about finding critique partners, beta readers and editors is very good.
She provides valuable information about choosing the correct format for your book. Ms. Winters tells of her personal experiences with producing books in print, ebook and audio formats. The author states that "digital is where the money is for indies." She explains the process of publishing ebooks at Smashwords, Barnes & Noble and the Amazon Kindle Store.
Ms. Winters offers detailed information about creating the cover art for your book. She gives advice for working with artists and also explains how you can do-it-yourself (if you have to).
Ms. Winters provides step-by-step details on formatting your book and publishing it. She offers many tips that will help the newbie self-publisher succeed. She is not shy about warning authors to avoid expensive and non-essential services.
The final part of the book deals with marketing. The author provides details on platform building and Internet marketing. She discusses blogging, social media sites and forums. She advises authors on how to approach book reviewers and how to interact with readers. She also offers good advice on contests, giveaways and book trailers.
I saw this book mentioned in several book reviews on Amazon. The reviewers all noted that this was "one of the best" books on self-publishing. I purchased the book and was not disappointed. This book is a "must read" for indie authors.
This author is the real deal. She writes about experiences and processes that she has actually done...and her unique personality comes shining through. Great reading!
April 1, 2011
I bought this because I'm a sucker for 'How To' Guides, and a lot of it is basic information that you can find on the net just by poking around and doing simple searches. That being said, there is a lot of good, focused information in here, and if you're interested in self-publishing but don't know where to start, I think this is a great place.
That being said, if you already know where you're going in self-publishing and are looking for tips and tricks to take you to the NEXT level, this might not be the right book for you.
That being said, if you already know where you're going in self-publishing and are looking for tips and tricks to take you to the NEXT level, this might not be the right book for you.
November 4, 2012
Love Zoe's no-frills approach. Straight up and honest, alot of useful information to refer to.
November 20, 2010
It's difficult making the decision to "go indie", though it's getting easier by the day. Once you do, there's so much to learn and think about it can be very overwhelming. Zoe Winters breaks down the process to the absolute basics in this easy-to-read manual. Her style is conversational and very accessible, and the information presented in a logical, linear fashion that will demystify getting your work from draft to market.
Any writer who has either made the decision or is thinking about self-publishing will benefit from the knowledge Ms. Winters has amassed over several years of trial and error. I'd go so far as to say it's a "must read" for anyone considering publishing their own work - and certainly worth every penny.
Any writer who has either made the decision or is thinking about self-publishing will benefit from the knowledge Ms. Winters has amassed over several years of trial and error. I'd go so far as to say it's a "must read" for anyone considering publishing their own work - and certainly worth every penny.
January 15, 2011
This is an excellent, no-nonsense guide by a woman who, in British terms, doesn't suffer fools gladly and isn't afraid to call a spade a ******** shovel. For someone who has gone down the indie route within the last year, I found much to agree with and much to tick for future reference.
The book covers everything a writer proposing to go indie needs to consider, both on the print and ebook front, and is an excellent one-stop-shop to organise a plan of action.
I have to add that I came across the name of Zoe Winters on various internet forums when I was seeking advice, and I found her comments to posts always helpful. When, quite by chance, I saw this book available I knew it would be worth its price - and I was not wrong. Highly recommended.
The book covers everything a writer proposing to go indie needs to consider, both on the print and ebook front, and is an excellent one-stop-shop to organise a plan of action.
I have to add that I came across the name of Zoe Winters on various internet forums when I was seeking advice, and I found her comments to posts always helpful. When, quite by chance, I saw this book available I knew it would be worth its price - and I was not wrong. Highly recommended.
July 1, 2012
This is the single most useful book I've read in a long time. Winters covers the process not only of becoming an independently published author, but of pursuing success through marketing once you've made your book available, and she does it comprehensively. I very much wish I had read this book earlier in my own authorship process.
The book begins with a look at the mindset of the successful indie author. Some of Winters's suggestions might seem obvious (for instance, that you have to set and adhere to your own deadlines), but I think they fall into the category of Things No One Says Because They Seem Obvious, But Actually They Really Need Saying. After all, there's a difference between sort of knowing something and keeping it front and center in your mind because you understand how important it really is.
Winters then takes you through the different ways you might make your book available to authors -- print, electronic, audio. She provides extensive information and advice on the print side of things, which makes this book valuable to indie authors who want to move beyond ebooks. She also hits hard the importance of professional editing and decent cover art, a message that really needs to get out there if indies to compete effectively with books issued by the big houses.
The latter portions of the book, which focus on how you actually get your book bought and read, are eye-opening. Winters is clearly a master marketer. In truth, I had no idea there were so many ways one could market oneself and one's work. This portion of the book strikes me as particularly valuable. I haven't come across these suggestions anywhere else.
Winters's style is colloquial, clear, and engaging. Mechanical/proofreading errors exist but are minor. Ebook formatting is good. The cover is lovely. This book is highly recommended.
This unsolicited review has been cross-posted from The Active Voice. I did not receive a free copy of this book.
The book begins with a look at the mindset of the successful indie author. Some of Winters's suggestions might seem obvious (for instance, that you have to set and adhere to your own deadlines), but I think they fall into the category of Things No One Says Because They Seem Obvious, But Actually They Really Need Saying. After all, there's a difference between sort of knowing something and keeping it front and center in your mind because you understand how important it really is.
Winters then takes you through the different ways you might make your book available to authors -- print, electronic, audio. She provides extensive information and advice on the print side of things, which makes this book valuable to indie authors who want to move beyond ebooks. She also hits hard the importance of professional editing and decent cover art, a message that really needs to get out there if indies to compete effectively with books issued by the big houses.
The latter portions of the book, which focus on how you actually get your book bought and read, are eye-opening. Winters is clearly a master marketer. In truth, I had no idea there were so many ways one could market oneself and one's work. This portion of the book strikes me as particularly valuable. I haven't come across these suggestions anywhere else.
Winters's style is colloquial, clear, and engaging. Mechanical/proofreading errors exist but are minor. Ebook formatting is good. The cover is lovely. This book is highly recommended.
This unsolicited review has been cross-posted from The Active Voice. I did not receive a free copy of this book.
November 25, 2010
In a style that's both informative and entertaining, Zoe Winters shares her trials, tribulations and tricks of the trade when it comes to the growing world of independent publishing. Winters doesn't pull any punches, or promise quick money or easy answers. She emphasizes that her personal approach is that of running a business, something any writer -- no matter their avenue of publication -- should do. Like any business, indie publishing is a gamble. But for those who are not only brave enough to try it, but savvy enough (like Winters) to carve a niche for themselves and make a go of it, it can be successful and rewarding. Any author who shares an enthusiastic interest in taking the reins of his or her career should find "Becoming an Indie Author" both a candid and comprehensive look at the process -- everything from developing your business plan and determining your long-term professional goals, to marketing, layout and cover art production tips. Winters has a quick wit and a wealth of experience, and she shares both with her readers in abundance. It's a short book (I finished it in less than a day), but one that's packed with information, and I walked away with a different perspective on my own writing career, and a greater respect for indie authors.
March 19, 2011
Loved it. I like Zoe's straight-forward style and how she expresses that these things are what have worked for her, but doesn't demand you do it the same way. They are just suggestions, albeit great ones, to give you a really good base to do even more research as to the direction you want to take your book. I recommend it to any writer -- even those going the traditional publishing route ... so people know this is a good, viable option. Not necessarily just a path for those who can't get published. Of course, some books are going to be of lesser quality because they are writers who can't find a deal, but the point of this book is to raise the bar -- show that those are not the main people. Many choose this and it is a business to them. If you treat it as such, people will come to respect indies more and realize they are *real* authors. (I just saw Amanda Hocking tweet like two days ago that she put in an offer on her dream house and it was accepted. She's paying cash from being a self-pubbed author ... so it can pay off, in more ways than one :))
November 17, 2010
If you are trying to make it as an indie author, aka a self-published author, in this modern digital world, you really need to be checking out the blog of paranormal romance indie author Zoe Winters. Though I don't normally read paranormal romance books, for some little time now I've been following Zoe's career and some of her advice. Because she has a lot of good advice to give! Zoe can be quite opinionated at times, but I find her funny. Zoe recently released this e-book about her path to successful indie writing/publishing, and I couldn't turn down an opportunity to read it.
Indie author beginners, I highly recommend this little e-book. No, it won't hold your hand and tell you every single, little step to take, but it's not too far from that. At the least, this e-book offers plenty of good advice, and it points you in the right direction. Wish I'd written it, honestly.
If you want to know where to get started as an indie writer, you must read this.
Indie author beginners, I highly recommend this little e-book. No, it won't hold your hand and tell you every single, little step to take, but it's not too far from that. At the least, this e-book offers plenty of good advice, and it points you in the right direction. Wish I'd written it, honestly.
If you want to know where to get started as an indie writer, you must read this.
December 7, 2010
If you're thinking about becoming an indie author, I believe this book is for you. It's great for beginners and people that have tons of questions. It'll help you decide which route to go. The problem is if you've already decided to go that route, you'll not find it that helpful.
This book didn't go into much detail as I thought it would. I've gotten more help from Zoe's blog posts. There was a lot of generalities in here. Just when something became useful or informational, it was on to the next one. I really do hope she writes more of these in greater depths for those of us that would like the information.
Another thing that bothered me was all the snark. While I'm used to her snark and rather enjoy it and find it amusing, it seemed out of place here. I know she talked about her experiences but it came off a bit bitter whether she wanted to or not.
It's a good book but more for beginners or people thinking about becoming an indie author.
This book didn't go into much detail as I thought it would. I've gotten more help from Zoe's blog posts. There was a lot of generalities in here. Just when something became useful or informational, it was on to the next one. I really do hope she writes more of these in greater depths for those of us that would like the information.
Another thing that bothered me was all the snark. While I'm used to her snark and rather enjoy it and find it amusing, it seemed out of place here. I know she talked about her experiences but it came off a bit bitter whether she wanted to or not.
It's a good book but more for beginners or people thinking about becoming an indie author.
November 22, 2010
So much information is packed into the pages, yet it's easy to follow, written in a way that actually makes it interesting. Even when she talks about the technical side. I'd already self-published my first book when I read this, but I still found information that helped me with my next one. And the information on promotion is brilliant! I emailed a tip to a writer friend who has a NY publisher. My only complaint is that I didn't have this for my first book. This is a must have guide for any indie writer or even already published writers putting up their backlist books.
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March 31, 2011
This is one of the most helpful things I've seen on indie publishing, written in a style that is straightforward and accessible. Zoe Winters covers everything you need to start out publishing your own books, without drowning you in confusing information. She gives you just what you need to know, in simple enough terms that you can start immediately, and gives a much more realistic picture of the joys and pitfalls of being an indie author. And most importantly, she explains everything in such clear terms that you have absolutely no excuse not to start NOW.
July 1, 2012
Want to be an indie author? Buy this book! You can buy some others..but if you don't buy this one first...you're crazy. The casual and blunt style makes one feel as if the author's sitting next to you at some Target-bought backyard picnic table and you're both slamming down fistfuls of Turkish Coffee with Tanqueray chasers. It's funny, no-frills and dead on. It's the straight poop in all it's splendor. Self publishing isn't for the feint of heart but Zoe's book is the perfect companion to help you through the wars.
July 28, 2011
Are you wanting to become an Indie Author? Even if it's just one book, or if you want to make a living at it. This book is good. It's got a lot of useful information on how to format, who to use for printing and so on. It's also written by the same Zoe Winters that likes to speak her mind. That made it an entertaining read as well. An outspoken Indie Author that shares her secrets. Take notes while you read it. You're going to need this stuff to make it work right.
January 19, 2012
Loved this book. I really didn't expect it to be so detailed and instructive. It was cheap, and I expected it to be more full of personal anecdotes and encouragement because that's how these books usually are. But it's full of actual, practical advice. I'm Canadian, so some of the advice won't apply to me, but there are a lot of resources here. I think I'm going to go back over it as a reference guide.
December 27, 2010
I think a year ago I'd have rated this six stars. If you're a new indie writer this will be a terrific resource to get yourself going. However, I am about to release my fifth novel and much of the content here isn't new to me. However, I did find several interesting web sites and marketing tips, and I think they'll help me, so even experienced indie writers might want to check this one out.
July 9, 2011
If you're thinking about joining the indie publishing route this is a must-read for you. It's short, sweet, and to the point. There's more than enough information to get you started. Where she doesn't cover an item in-depth, she points you to the best place to find out. Don't start down the indie road without reading from Zoe's experience!
August 2, 2011
I'm about 3/4 of the way through this book and am enjoying it immensely. Zoe has a laugh out loud sense of humor and it's backing up a lot of the information I've gleaned from reading other blogs and self publishing books. Thorough and entertaining. I'd recommend it for anyone on the fence about self publishing simply because Ms. Winters has a no holds barred approach to the topic.
March 4, 2011
Zoe Winters is awesome! I would reccomend this book to anyone who is thinking about self-publishing their book, or books. I loved the way Zoe got down to business and didn't waste any time with bull sh**!
March 24, 2011
This book has a whole lot of information that was enlightening and incredibly valuable. Ms Winters is deinitely gung-ho about the self-publishing biz, which is awesome. A great read for anyone who's interested in self publishing their own work.
July 5, 2011
Great book if you're clueless about the independant publishing process. Zoe Winters supplied suggestions based on her own trial and error blunders. Reading this book will allow authors who self publish to proceed with caution.
September 24, 2011
Perfect tone for what it is. I don't know Zoe Winters, but I felt like I had a friend who takes no BS sitting on my shoulder saying, "Get on with it, already!" Highly recommended for anyone considering the Indie Author avenue.
October 15, 2011
A smart and highly readable guide for those considering or just starting out on the indie path - a must read for anyone considering self-publishing. I'd love to see her write some more advanced level books on indie publishing.
July 6, 2016
A thoroughly helpful book for those who are interested in self-publishing. I used nearly 100% of the steps in this book for my own publishing journey. A wealth of resources are listed in the book. Also, Winter's candid and blunt writing style is refreshing and enjoyable.
November 21, 2010
Some useful advice for the indie author. I just signed up to Goodreads after finding out about it through this book.
March 7, 2011
A 3 for now. When this settles a bit, I may change my mind.
January 22, 2012
Zoe Winters has an entertaining voice and a down-to-earth approach to self-publishing that may save you a lot of grief.
Enjoy the book. Take the advice.
Enjoy the book. Take the advice.
July 13, 2011
A MUST READ for anyone aspiring to self-publishing.
April 12, 2011
This was a very practical, simple and straight-forward book to read. It was very informative and entertaining as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews