Category: publishing

Are there book-writing and self-publishing groups I should be joining or following?

Published on by Mike McCandlessLeave a comment

There sure are! Here are my favorites:

The IBPA (International Book Publishers Association): everything the self-publisher could want in a trade association all about us. News, information, events and awards aimed at helping to build a community of self-publishers. There’s a lot to be learned from our peers.

The ALLI (Alliance for Independent Authors, pronounced like “ally”) is the professional association for authors who self-publish. They work to foster ethics and excellence in self-publishing — and run many campaigns and collaborations that benefit our members. If you feel your book will be interesting for English-speaking readers across the Commonwealth of Nations, this is the group for you!

Ten LinkedIn Groups to Check Out:

These groups on LinkedIn represent a lot of diversity across the writing and publishing community. I’m not endorsing any of them necessarily, but I do think they’re worth a look for opportunities to connect with people like you, people and organizations you may want to target, or service providers you may want to work with. Search for each group on LinkedIn and click their About tab to get started:

  1. Independent Book  Publishers Association (3900 members). Private group. To request membership, click Join and your request will be reviewed by the group manager. The Independent Book Publishers Association, founded in 1983, is the leading professional trade association for independent book publishers. IBPA serves the needs and fosters the growth of emerging and established independent book publishers through education and professional development, cooperative marketing programs, advocacy, and collective buying power. Note above.
  2. Self-Publishing and Book Marketing (550 members) is a networking and friendly LinkedIn Group for Self-Publishers, Authors and Book Business Professionals. In this group Self-Publishers and Authors will learn advanced promoting solutions as well as how to get real results and increase their sales. Book Business Professionals will teach and share their experiences in book business and book marketing – what works and what doesn’t.
  3. Ebooks, Ebook Readers, Digital Books, and Digital Content Publishing (84,000 members). Book Publishing professionals interested in latest industry news and experiments on ebooks (e-books), ebook readers, digital books & content—creating/developing, marketing & sales: what’s working/not, what are you trying, expand your network, improve your resources, discuss business models and more.
  4. Publishing Today (3100 members). With more than 25 years of literary experience, I am the owner of a writing/editing/indie publishing service. I have the knowledge and expertise to direct newcomers to the world of publishing. Note: Obviously, this is one person’s project.
  5. Books and Writers (88,000 members). Private group. To request membership, click Join and your request will be reviewed by the group manager. Book, Writer and Publisher group to network around writing and publishing, marketing and selling your books. Become a better writer and sell more of your books. Learn and network to get more of your books sold into book stores, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, direct sales and even international rights sales. This group is for authors, publishers, editors, book literary agents and even future writers. If you like to write articles, blogs, books, or will write in the future this blog is for you.
  6. Western Publishing Association (453 members, Western USA). Offers education and professional resources to 250+ media/publishing companies and their partners in the western U.S. WPA is renown for its innovative publishing conference in Los Angeles and its prestigious Maggie Awards program. Our LinkedIn Group is now open to WPA members other qualified publishing professionals.
  7. Ebooks, E-learning, Epub 3, HTML5, Fixed layout ebook, Children eBook Apps and Digital Publishing (Phew!, A long title makes their name show up in more key word searches. 12K members.) Book Publishing professionals interested in latest industry news and experiments on ebooks (e-books), ebook readers, digital books & content—creating/developing, marketing & sales: what’s working/not, what are you trying, expand your network, improve your resources, discuss business models and more.
  8. Authors, Writers, Publishers, Editors, & Writing Professionals (No religion or politics, 18,000 members). A moderated group and is open to publishing professionals via an application process. A professional is an individual who is paid for their work(s), who is already published, who has edited manuscripts, or as a publisher, has published works that receive royalty benefits.
  9. Publishing Business (8300 members). Private group. To request membership, click Join and your request will be reviewed by the group manager. Executives in magazine, book and online publishing worldwide, hosted by Publishing Executive magazine, Book Business magazine and the Publishing Business Conference & Expo (NYC in September). Note: Don’t be put off if you’re not accepted as a member in groups intended for “publishing professionals.” You may find the occasional anti-self-publisher bias from those who think they have something to protect, but don’t take it personally. 
  10. Book Marketing (24,000 members). Book authors have to switch from being a writer to a marketer if they want to promote their book in the crowded book space. Book authors need to start with a call-to-action book author website whose URL can be used for all social media profiles. Then book authors need to conduct a book marketing campaign to promote their books.

 

Do I need a new ISBN for every version of my e-book?

Published on by Mike McCandlessLeave a comment

No. E-books don’t need ISBN’s at all. Remember that ISBN’s are essentially universal (at least in the bookseller world) stock numbers. E-books won’t ever be inventoried or accounted by the copy, so no ISBN number is needed. Whoever you publish with, such as Kindle, will have their own internal project numbering system or other method of controlling their internal database. Your book will get assigned some sort of tracking number. But an ISBN? No.

How often can I or should I make changes to my book?

Published on by Mike McCandlessLeave a comment

Here’s an example of something authors can do now that was nearly unthinkable before digitization. E-books can turn on a dime, so authors can revise and re-publish as often as they like…up to the point where readers are annoyed if they must buy the update. For most books, it’s probably worth thinking ahead before pulling the trigger on an update.

If you’ve published a non-fiction, reference-type book, consider a companion website where readers can get updated resources and information. But if you do this, make sure and maintain the website (best to do this according to an announced schedule) or risk losing your audience.

When do I need to get an ISBN? How do I get one?

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R.R. Bowker Company was named exclusive provider of International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) in the United States in 1968 (an awful year, otherwise). Today, the company (now just plain Bowker) is part of ProQuest and still pumping out ISBNs as well as standard bar codes for publisher/bookseller inventory management. And, it offers a range of other publishing services and more. A good company. Bowker does license others to help sell ISBNs, such as Publisher Services. But watch out for nefarious ISBN distributor wannabes.

Your books need ISBNs. Every version, edition, and format needs its own ISBN, which can be purchased one-at-a-time (very expensive) or in lots on a steep discount curve. E-Books don’t require ISBNs. If you are publishing using Amazon CreateSpace, you can get your one-off ISBN from them at no cost at all. Sweet deal.

Is it OK for me to use a pen name?

Published on by Mike McCandlessLeave a comment

Apparently, yes. I’ve done some quick research here and here, and it appears this is done frequently (Mark Twain, J.D. Robb, many others). Authors may use pen names without telling anyone except their publishers (or Amazon, or anyone who needs to send you checks!) and if you’re self-publishing, well, no-brainer. Talk to a lawyer if you have any lingering questions. I am not a lawyer, and anything I say about pen names should not be taken as authoritative.

Where can I find an illustrator for my children’s book?

Published on by Mike McCandless1 Comment

A big part of the magic of any children’s book is the artwork. But if you’re not Beatrix Potter, you’re going to need to collaborate with an illustrator. If you don’t have one lined up, it can be daunting to try and find one whose style fits with what’s in your mind’s eye and who is affordable and congenial.

Visit Fiverr and other sites such as guru, odesk, and elance, where freelancers hang out. There’s even ChildrensIlllustrators.com, as you knew there would be.

Make sure your illustrator has verifiable references, is willling to work under a written agreement (good ones will have their own), and that you have no lingering doubts before committing a lot of time and money to the partnership. Also make sure you retain all the rights you need to use the illustrator’s output in the ways you may need to, i.e. for further publication in other media, etc.