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How-To Books & Craft Patterns

Blue Sage Press

Text Box: Text Box: Publish It Yourself!

Whether you want to preserve a collection of cherished recipes for family members or write a marketable how-to manual, Self-Publishing On a Budget: A Do-It-All-Yourself Guide will show you how to gather the information and put it together into a properly formatted book.

Anyone can accomplish this task, and on a reasonable budget. Self-publishing can encompass a wide range of literature, from a 24-page booklet that you print on your own computer to a 300-page hardback novel that’s typeset by a professional printer. It’s whatever your vision and budget will allow.

All you need to do is pick a subject and starting writing. What information have you acquired during your lifetime that you can share with others? Write about what you know—your life experiences, hobbies, travels or career expertise. Find a need and fill it.

Self-publishing is fun, affordable and rewarding. Everyone should try it at least once. Even if your goal is simply a cookbook for family members or an information booklet for business clients. The satisfaction of holding that finished book in your hands is well worth the effort.

Use these easy, step-by-step self-publishing tips to share the knowledge you have accumulated with others. Don’t pass up the opportunity to see your work in print. Create a legacy that will extend long past your lifetime.
Text Box: Promotion and Marketing Tip from Self-Publishing On a Budget

The most important promotion tool for any author is a website. Make sure your website address is printed on everything you hand out or mail out, such as press releases, stationery, business cards, fliers and post cards. You want to drive traffic toward your website because it is your main information source for potential buyers, as well as newspaper and magazine editors. 

Your website should include:

A photo of your book cover, as well as yourself.
The sales pitch for your book (taken from your “back copy”) to entice your website visitors to buy.
Your author bio: a few short paragraphs about your background and credentials for writing the book.
Reviews or reader comments about your book.
A schedule of up-coming events, such as speaking engagements, book signings or workshops and classes.
Ordering information: how readers can buy online and/or order-by-mail.
A monthly newsletter or weekly tips that make readers want to return to your site.

Get more promotion and marketing ideas from Self-Publishing On a Budget: A Do-It-All-Yourself Guide.
Text Box: Websites with Free Articles About Writing
and Self-Publishing

Small Publishers Association of North America: www.spannet.org
Small Publishers, Artists & Writers Network: www.spawn.org
Publishers Marketing Association: www.pma-online.org 
www.writeandpublishyourbook.com
www.selfpublishing.com
www.writing-world.com
www.writergazette.com
Science Fiction Writers of America (“Writer Beware” notices & free articles about writing): www.sfwa.org 
Text Box: Do You Need an ISBN for Your Book?

If your purpose for self-publishing your book is to distribute it to family members or friends, or to sell it in local stores or gift shops, then you won’t need an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) for it. But if you plan to sell your book through major retail chains, bookstores and distributors, then you will need to get an ISBN. In order to do this, you must submit an application to R. R. Bowker Company to apply for a publisher prefix number (the first eleven numbers that make up a 13-digit ISBN). Their website is listed below.

This 13-digit number identifies the publisher, the book title and the author. It is important that you obtain your own ISBN rather than using one issued by your printing company or subsidy publisher, because these numbers are assigned to publishers. In other words, for as long as your book is in print, the “publisher of record” and their contact information is determined by the ISBN that is printed on the copyright page of the book.

Anytime someone wants information about your book or wants to discuss a business deal regarding it, they will contact R. R. Bowker (Books in Print) to get the official publisher’s name, address and phone number. You are not officially a self-publisher unless you are using your own ISBN’s and are listed as the “publisher of record” for your book.

ISBN’s are purchased in blocks of ten numbers for about $275.00 (at the time of this printing). You can learn more about ISBN’s and how to purchase them online at the following websites: www.bowker.com  OR   www.isbn.org.

Learn more about self-publishing from: Self-Publishing On a Budget: A Do-It-All-Yourself Guide.

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           Self-Publishing on a Budget

 

Do you long to be a published author but think it’s an impossible dream? Learn how to turn that dream into reality with the information in this step-by-step self-publishing guide.

 

It offers helpful advice on:

 

•   Finding Your Target Market                                Writing and Editing Your Manuscript

•   Book Layouts and Text Fonts                              Designing a Book Cover

•   Choosing a Binding Style                                •    Finding an Affordable Printer

                                 •   Promoting and Selling Your Book

 

Don’t pass up the chance to see your work in print. Self-publishing is easy, affordable and fun. You can do it and this book will  show you how! Size: 5.5” X 8.5”, 60 pages,  soft cover. ISBN: 978-0-9790618-5-1     $6.95

 

Read the First 10 pages of the Book

Text Box: Need an Affordable Printer?
If you need an affordable printing company to print and bind your book, I highly recommend InstantPublisher.com.

They can usually fill your order in 7-10 working days and will print as few as 25 copies. Their free software will create the necessary PDF files from your word processing document. 

Use their instant pricing calculator to estimate the cost of publishing your book. They also offer a variety of binding styles and provide book cover design assistance.
Text Box: Have a question about self-publishing?
E-mail me: gloria@bluesagepress.com
Text Box: Student Comments

“I just wanted to thank you again for the wonderful class. I am really looking forward to getting my book together and getting it published. Thanks for opening this door.” Rhonda B., Chicago, IL 
Text Box: Classes & Presentations by Gloria Hander Lyons

Does your group need a speaker for an upcoming meeting? I’m available to give presentations in the Galveston County/Clear Lake area on the topic of self-publishing. E-mail me to schedule at time for your event: gloria@bluesagepress.com

I also teach Self-Publishing Classes at the College of the Mainland Learning Center in League City, as well as private Self-Publishing classes. Visit the Classes & Presentations Page for more information.

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Text Box: Also Available on Amazon.com
Text Box: Print On Demand Publishing
If  you have the ability to create your own PDF files for your book text and cover, then you can upload them to Create Space (owned by Amazon.com). They can print and bind just one book at a time to fill orders. Your only financial obligation is to purchase one proof copy of your book. They will post your book for sale on Amazon.com and, as the author, you can purchase books for your own use for a very reasonable fee. Get all the details on their website: createspace.com
Text Box: Publishing & Design Services

Would you or members of your family or social organization like to publish a cookbook of favorite recipes from your restaurant, tea room or group? I offer assistance for book layouts, cover design, PDF creation and book printing contacts for cookbooks, as well as other book projects.

I can also assist with the design of invitations, announcements, sales or promotional flyers and a variety of other copywriting services for e-mailing or printing.

Rate: $25.00 per hour.  E-mail me for more information: gloria@bluesagepress.com