THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SELF- PUBLISHING EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW to write, publish, promote, and sell your own book Marilyn Ross & Sue Collier FIFTH EDITION The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing. Copyright © 2010 by Marilyn Ross & Sue Collier. Manufactured in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No other part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review. Published by Writer's Digest Books, an imprint of F+W Media, Inc., 4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236. (800) 289-0963. Fifth edition. For more resources for writers, visit www.writersdigest.com/books. To receive a free weekly e-mail newsletter delivering tips and updates about writing and about Writer's Digest products, register directly at http://newsletters.fwpublications.com. 14 13 12 11 10 5 4 3 2 1 Distributed in Canada by Fraser Direct 100 Armstrong Avenue Georgetown, Ontario, Canada L7G 5S4 Tel: (905) 877-4411 Distributed in the U.K. and Europe by David & Charles Brunel House, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 4PU, England Tel: (+44) 1626-323200, Fax: (+44) 1626-323319 E-mail: [email protected] Distributed in Australia by Capricorn Link P.O. Box 704, Windsor, NSW 2756 Australia Tel: (02) 4577-3555 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Ross, Marilyn Heimberg. The complete guide to self-publishing: everything you need to know to write, publish, promote, and sell your own book / by Marlyn Ross & Sue Collier. — 5th ed. p. cm. Rev. ed. of: Complete guide to self-publishing / by Tom Ross, 4th ed., 2002. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-D58e2s9ig7n-7e1d8 b-y8: (Taelkrr.i pWaopeesr)ner eISBN E1d3i:t e9d7 8b-y1: -S5c9o9t6t F3r-a1n8c0i-s6 1. Self-pPurobdliuschtiinogn —co oUrndiitneadt eSdta btey:s M. 2a.r kS eGlrf-ifpfiunblishing — Canada. I. Collier, Sue. II. T itle. III. Title: Self-publishing. 2010001930 Z285.5.R67 2010 070.5'93 — dc22 Dedication Dedicated to my late husband, Tom, coauthor of the previous four editions and my steadfast, loving partner in all things. — Marilyn Dedicated to those who have inspired me, those who have challenged me, and those who have mentored me. And to my son, Lucas, who shines a light on all things. — Sue Most of all, it's dedicated to our readers — the self-publishing superstars of tomorrow. Permissions Proofreading symbols, from Writer's Encyclopedia, edited by Kirk Polking, reprinted courtesy of Writer's Digest Books. Typography chart, from The Children's Picture Book: How to Write It, How to Sell It, by Ellen E.M. Roberts, designed by Hal Siegel, reprinted courtesy of Writer's Digest Books. Dust jacket chart reprinted by permission of Sheridan Books, Chelsea, Michigan. Small portions of this book have previously appeared in the SPAN Connection. Although the authors and publisher have exhaustively researched all sources to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this book, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any other inconsistency herein. Any slights against people or organizations are unintentional. Readers should consult an attorney or accountant for specific applications to their individual publishing ventures. Attention colleges and universities, corporations, and writing and publishing organizations: Quantity discounts are available on bulk purchases of this book for educational training purposes, fund- raising, or gift giving. Special books, booklets, or book excerpts can also be created to fit your specific needs. For information contact Writer's Digest Books, 4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236, (800) 289-0963. Acknowledgments Thanks to our many clients, students, and others for the contributions they've made to this work. Without their thirst for information and their faith that we could quench this thirst, we wouldn't have been challenged to dig so deeply, to probe so many crannies, to look beyond the readily available answers for true solutions. Nor would we have had the motivation or the opportunity to test these findings and document the results. We also wish to express special gratitude to our original editor, Carol Cartaino, whose editorial suggestions showed remarkable sensitivity and depth of knowledge. To the entire staff of Writer's Digest Books, we say a hearty, “Bravo.” Without the help of our wonderful staff, this mammoth revision could never have been completed on time. The revisions were bounteous and meticulous, the Internet research and fact-checking a gargantuan task. Our deepest appreciation to Kate Deubert and Rebecca Hull. We are also indebted to Adrienne Wiggins and Cathy Fraser for their input on the social media marketing chapter, Jennifer Meyers for her feedback on tax and business issues, and Juanita Dix for her graphic design expertise. Additionally, we wish to acknowledge the countless individuals, organizations, and companies who so generously offered ideas, information, review copies of books, and software. The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing grew out of people's experiences — our own and many others'. Sincerest thanks to all those who have gone before, from the pioneers who cut the trails to the engineers who paved the road, so that our travels might be easier. About the Authors Photo by Sarah Clymer Marilyn Ross is a self-publishing pioneer. Over the last three decades, she has helped thousands of authors sell millions of books through About Books, Inc., the company she and former husband Tom founded in 1977 and have since sold. Then Marilyn turned her energies toward championing authors, professionals, and small presses by founding Self-Publishing Resources (SPR). Marilyn, an internationally acclaimed self-publishing authority, has been noted and quoted in U.S. News & World Report, Publishers Weekly, the Los Angeles Times, Writer's Digest, Bottom Line/Personal, John Naisbitt's Trend Letter, Investor's Business Daily, Rocky Mountain News, the Denver Post, San Diego Union, Chicago Daily Herald, Phoenix Gazette, The New York Times, Newsweek, and the San Francisco Chronicle, among others. Entrepreneur magazine dubbed Marilyn a “trend tracker.” Additionally, she has appeared on scores of radio and TV shows, including NPR's All Things Considered. In 1996, Marilyn and Tom Ross launched the Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN), although they are no longer involved. Under their leadership SPAN became the second largest such organization in the world. Marilyn brings her invigorating style to her best-selling books The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing, Jump Start Your Book Sales, and Shameless Marketing for Brazen Hussies. This energetic woman not only helps authors successfully write, publish, and market their own books and information products — she has written and self-published fifteen books of her own. Following the “success formula” she espouses, five of the books have been sold to major trade publishers. Singled out for the Guerrilla Marketing Hall of Fame, she is also listed in numerous Who's Who directories. Marilyn has intimate knowledge of the joys and frustrations of being an author. Writing and publishing conference planners often call upon her as a speaker. She now divides her time between volunteer activities, geocaching, dancing, enjoying nature, gardening, spiritual study, travel, being playful, and nurturing her many friends. Photo by Cathy Fraser Sue Collier brings together a multitude of talents in the publishing industry. She began her career in the business as communications editor for the College of American Pathologists in Chicago during the late 1980s. After cutting her editorial teeth on medical publications, she moved on to a position as production editor for the American Society for Quality in Milwaukee. She handled all facets of production for approximately forty Quality Press titles annually. The mountains of Colorado beckoned, however, and in 1991, she relocated to the Denver area and accepted a position as managing editor for Fulcrum Publishing, a trade publisher specializing in travel, gardening, natural history, education, self-help, and children's books, among other genres. Sue spent more than four years there, working with dozens of authors, freelancers, vendors, and staffers on a myriad of projects. In 1995, she took the entrepreneurial plunge, starting an editorial, writing, and graphic design business called Lead Dog Communications. Sue ghostwrote a number of books and presented seminars for self-publishing authors. Soon she began collaborating with Marilyn Ross, former owner of About Books, Inc., and Self- Publishing Resources (SPR). Marilyn, whom she considers her mentor, recently sold SPR to Sue. As president and CEO of SPR, Sue oversees all book project work, coordinating a team of experts and holding true to the result-getting principles she learned from her mentor. Marilyn continues to serve as the “consultant to the consultant.” SPR provides turnkey service to individuals and organizations seeking to publish and promote their own books, handling all aspects of book editing, design, production, and marketing and promotions. Sue also offers personalized publishing and writing coaching services for authors and small presses, providing them with the benefits of her extensive publishing background. Over the past two decades, she has worked with hundreds of clients, guiding them through the self- publishing process and helping them produce professional, attractive books. Sue has degrees in English and education from the University of Wisconsin and is listed in the national registry of Who's Who. In her spare time, she is an avid runner who has completed four marathons. Sue also enjoys biking, hiking, reading, and spending time with her two dogs. She has one son and lives in the suburbs south of Denver. How to Contact the Authors The company founded by Marilyn Ross and headed by Sue Collier provides full consulting services for selected authors, professionals, businesses, associations, corporations and nonprofit organizations worldwide. Requests for further information, as well as inquiries about the authors' availability for speeches and seminars, should be directed to them at the address below. Readers of this book are also encouraged to contact the authors with comments and ideas for future editions. Marilyn Ross and Sue Collier Self-Publishing Resources 4542 Melbourne Way Highlands Ranch, CO 80130 Phone: (720) 344-4388, Fax: (866) 685-0307 [email protected]; [email protected] Web site: www.SelfPublishingResources.com Book information: www.CommunicationCreativity.com Find Sue on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Sue.Collier), Twitter (@SueCollier), and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/SueCollier). Become a fan of The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing, Fifth Edition, on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/TheCompleteGuidetoSelfPublishing BOOKS BY MARILYN AND TOM ROSS Jump Start Your Book Sales Country Bound! 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