Alright, let's ditch the formalities and dive into the world of self-publishing paperbacks! Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned author looking to take charge of your destiny, this guide is your treasure map to navigating the wild west of independent publishing. We're going to dissect the top 10 platforms that cater to your paperback dreams, each with its own quirks and charms. First up, the big kahuna: Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). This titan offers an easy-to-use platform and a global reach that's hard to beat. We'll delve into formatting your manuscript, crafting an eye-catching cover, and harnessing Amazon's marketing muscle to get your book noticed. Next, we'll tackle IngramSpark, the brainiac of the bunch. They offer print-on-demand services and access to a massive distribution network. We'll crack their pricing code, decode their quality standards, and navigate their vast array of sizes and paper options to make your paperback a masterpiece. Then, there's Lulu, the friendly giant. Their simple publishing process, competitive pricing, and handy cover designer tool make them a popular choice. We'll uncover how Lulu's worldwide distribution can get your book into the hands of readers everywhere. Blurb, the photo book aficionado, also knows a thing or two about text-based publications. We'll explore their intuitive book creation tools, scrutinize their print quality, and reveal how to tap into their niche marketing magic. BookBaby, the full-service maven, offers everything from editing to distribution. We'll dissect their pricing models, investigate their marketing packages, and discover how their personalized support can empower authors at every turn. Xlibris, one of the trailblazers of self-publishing, has a variety of publishing packages to suit every taste and budget. We'll break down their options, assess their pros and cons, and help you decide if Xlibris is your perfect match. For our Indian and South Asian friends, Pothi is a local hero.

Use this concise how-to-guide by M.K. Williams to bring your self-published books beyond the Amazon ecosystem Everyone is going wide... here's how: The buzzy term in the self-publishing space right now is, "wide." I was doing this before it was a thing. As more authors hear about the benefits of self-publishing on multiple platforms, I find myself on the receiving end of many panicked emails. While the concept is easy to understand the execution requires planning and patience. For those who want to get their book out to as many readers and retailers as possible, I have the tools you need to create than plan. I've condensed my years of experience and best advice into this short and actionable book to help you go from Amazon-Only to Wide Author. This book will cover strategy, platforms, opting out of exclusivity, and marketing for success. Get your free planners throughout the book to help you make and stick to your plan. Ready to go wide?

“This is a very thorough, detailed resource that is a must-have for anyone considering self-publishing a book” ~Jane Are you interested in self-publishing a book, but fear it is beyond your capabilities? When confronted with the confusing, multifaceted world of publishing, many authors make the assumption they aren’t capable of self-publishing, but nothing could be further from the truth! How to Self-Publish a Book: For the Technology Challenged Author is perfect for authors who have finished creating a story, but are intimidated by the next steps. This book’s step-by-step, friendly format will make it easy for you to shake off the anxiety of the unknown and find your way safely and quickly to the fun and profits of self-publishing. Many books on publishing focus only on Amazon. This book helps you understand the full range of choices available to all authors. It helps authors understand how to make their book available to as many readers as possible. Author & Technical Trainer Barb Drozdowich, has worked with non-technical authors for years and understands how to break complex topics down using non-technical language. She has traditionally published and self-published of 27 books and understands all of its forms. Barb cuts through all the technobabble to teach you what you need to know to successfully publish your book in a down-to-earth and practical way. Some of the skills you will learn from this book include: How to find an editor & cover designer What an ISBN is and where to get one for the country you live in How to structure and format your book Where you can sell your book, how to set up all the retailer accounts, and how to get paid What to look for in a service provider & where to find freelancers to help This book has a huge appendix filled with articles for further reading, lists of helpful videos, lists of distributors, a multi page glossary and much more. Don’t let your struggles with technology hold you back from self-publishing. Let Barb help you to learn the language and move forward into the publishing world with confidence. Pick up a copy and start publishing today.

You've done it!You've finished your novel (or memoir, or how-to, or poetry collection, etc.).Sit back. Breathe a sigh, take a drink, light a cigar.You've done it!Now what?Usually, an author is so exhilarated by finishing a book that he or she doesn't really think about what's next.Sure, there are those dreams of every publisher knocking at your door, starting a bidding war for your manuscript and your book becoming a best-seller over night.And that can happen. It does occasionally, but more often the hard work still is to come.This book is not for those authors who get an agent who gets them editors who convince their publishers to publish their books.This book is for those intrepid souls who decide the only way to maintain control over their books -- and/or to make more money per book than with a traditional publisher -- is to self-publish.

The days of needing a publisher to be a successful, millionaire author are gone. Do you want to make a living as a successful full-time author, making more than $100,000 a year? If you do, then this is your book. How do you write a book and market it effectively? I’ll show you how successful, full-time, self-published authors make more than six figures a year doing what they love for a living — writing! Everything you need to know about being an author and making bank is right here in this book. I cover how to write, edit, format, design covers, and handle copyrights. I also provide in-depth, step-by-step instructions on how to publish and market your book. You can do it all yourself, without a publisher, on a budget and even for free. I’ll also show you how to avoid thousands of con artists and scammers who pose as publishers and marketers. Don’t get taken because you have little to no understanding of how the publishing industry works. Learn it here. Keep your money. Keep your profits. Don’t be a victim. Learn the following from this book: How to get started in self publishing for free if you have no money Tips and tricks for writing better books, links included Learn to self-edit for free if you have no money Learn how to get editing for cheaper on a limited budget Get tips on formatting your book for free if you have no money Get tips on getting your book formatted on a budget How to do your own covers on a budget or for free if you have no money Learn copyright laws, with up-to-date Links. How ISBNs work Step-by-step instructions on publishing your book for free Step-by-step instructions on how to market your book for free if you have no money Step-by-step instructions on how to market your book on a budget Step-by Step instructions on how to market your book like the pros, with links How the business side of books work How to hire the best, for less and avoid con artists posing as publishers, agents, and marketers Numerous author scams and how to avoid them Links to some of the best free and paid training in the self-publishing business

Self-publishing is a growing area and writers need independent and reliable advice they can trust. This guide is full of practical, nuts-and-bolts information on each aspect of the DIY-publishing process, from editing and page layout, cover design and book production, publicity and selling. Each chapter is written by publishing professionals expert in supporting authors and is full of insights from successful self-published authors themselves. This guide is essential reading for any indie author who wants to go it totally alone, who wants to work with other independent professionals or who might choose to pay for self-publishing provider services. It gives the pros and cons and potential financial outlay for the various options available so writers can make informed decisions about the best approach for their own book.