Excerpt for A Simple Guide to Self-Publishing by Elena Ransley, available in its entirety at Smashwords

A Simple Guide to Self-Publishing

By Elena Ransley




Smashwords Edition Copyright 2011 Elena Ransley


Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.



CONTENTS


Acknowledgements

Author’s Note

Introduction

1. Getting Started

Is self-publishing right for you?

Self-publishing is a quick route to success.

2. Create an Online Presence

The key word here is interaction

Create a blog

Subject Matter

Social Media

Five Key Rules

3. Fulfilling the Publisher’s Role

Editor

Designer

Illustrator

The Blurb

Front Matter

Back Matter

Typesetter

4. E-publishing

The Biggest Sellers

iBooks

Amazon Kindle

Third Party Publishers

5. Print on Demand (POD)

Service Providers

Access to Market

6. Pricing

7. Make Your Work Stand Out from the Crowd

Enhanced e-books

Enhancing Options

Are Enhancements Worthwhile?

Could this be part of your blog topic?

Can I publish through all platforms?

8. Marketing

Outsourcing marketing

Selling yourself

Why are you doing this again?

9. And Finally…

10. Those Who Have Had a Say

11. About the Author




Acknowledgements


Writing this text has taken me on a fascinating journey. I have met some wonderful people, learnt the values of social media and when to stop asking questions.

The following people I wish to thank for their patience, and apologise to them for the misspelled, hurriedly written grammarless emails: Eoin Purcell, Jerry Simmons, Helen Smith, and Sally Harrison (specifically for putting this crazy idea in my head).

A special thanks in particular goes to Jessica Schmeidler. Initially requested to help out with some proof reading, she has become my editor, designer, mentor and a very good friend.

Thank you to all of you who have read my blog or followed me on Twitter.




Authors Note


In its early days, this book was planned to be a simple, how-to guide for producing an e-book. I spoke to many industry insiders, as well as writers, and it soon became apparent that more of an explanation was needed. The market doesn’t just want to know how an e-book is published, but the background work that is required for producing a quality text.

I hope to have answered those questions in a clear and concise manner. All of the information I provide can be found online. I also hope to have broken through the jargon, dispelled the myths, and provided an unbiased explanation.



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