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Step-by-Step Instructions:
How to Self-Publish Your Book

So, you think you might want to self-publish your own book?

I have self-published two books so far and intend to move forward with self publishing for my upcoming projects. It's a LOT easier than it looks!

In fact, if you're sure you've written a high QUALITY manuscript, and can't find a traditional publisher to take on your project, you should seriously consider self publishing through Kindle as a starting point. That is where I began and it's a LOT easier than it looks.

After starting with Kindle, I moved on to independent publishing of my print version and I'm selling copies of my books decently there too. EBooks are the trend of the future though, and my sales roughly stack up as 2/3rds Kindle and 1/3 print copy.

SO, if you'd like to get started, I have a step-by-step guide below that is a basic shell of a plan. If you prefer learning by video tutorial and want tools to help you get started, check out one of the programs below as good places to get started:

Kindle Money Mastery

Kindle Cash Code

Here is my brief step-by-step guide to self-publishing. It isn't "training" like you'd get through one of the packages above, but it is basic free info to give you an idea about what is involved:

1) Write a top-notch manuscript and have it professionally edited. There are published writers, professional editors, and others who offer editing services for a small fee. Fees are usually based upon the length of your manuscript. You may be charged by the word, by the page, or by the hour. I have sought services through both Fiverr.com and Elance.com.

2) If your book requires illustrations, you can find someone to provide illustrations for a fee. If you check out the Illustrating sites we have listed whereyou might be able to find someone you can work with. You can probably find someone on Fiverr.com to help you, but I'll give you a heads-up CAUTION! I've had an illustrator take an imagefrom another source and provide them to me as a finished product, but he didn't own rights to the image. Conversely, I had a very wonderful image drawn for me personally from someone on Fiverr, so you just have to be keen as to whether the illustrations seem personally made or not.

3) Select your publisher! Watch to be sure you get a reputable one. I highly recommend starting with Kindle Books and/or Createspace.

4) If your selected publisher doesn't provide an ISBN for free or at a low cost, or you if you want to manage your own ISBNs, you will need to acquire ISBN numbers. In the United States, you can obtain ISBNs through R. R. Bowker's ISBN site. ISBNs are purchased as singles or in blocks of 10 or more numbers. You can also read their Frequently Asked Questions about ISBNs to learn more about them.

5) Have your book published.. You can get publishing services through a number of providers. I have found Amazon's CreateSpace publishing service easy to work with and among the most cost-effective of solutions. There are MANY providers of independent publishing services these days.

6) If your publisher does not distribute for you, you will need to list your book with distribution channels such as Amazon, Biblio, Greenleaf Book Group, Barnes and Noble, etc. Amazon will accept listings for your book and this will provide you an instant distribution point. Biblio and Greenleaf Book Group are book distributors which can help you will reach a significant number of booksellers across the country. Alternately, you can carry and self-distribute your book through online sales outlets such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I would recommend pursuing distribution through at least one direct outlet and through a distributor to maximize your market exposure.

Alternately, you might consider complete digital fulfillment through Lightning Source, a subsidiary of Ingram Industries Inc. Ingram is one of the largest retail book distributors in the U.S.. Lightning Source offers a suite of digital fulfillment services, comprehensive packages for print-on-demand, and distribution services. Ideal candidates for Lightning Source are publishers, large and small, in need of digital printing and distribution services worldwide.

After publication, If your book is NOT selling and not ranking well on Amazon, you may want to take a course to improve your Amazon Kindle Ranking.

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Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2014

2014 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Self-Publish Your Book

Step-by-Step Instructions:
How to Self-Publish Your Book