Although it has become relatively easy to self-publish, it's also easy to make serious mistakes in writing, design and marketing that can seriously limit the acceptability and sales of a self-published book. It's sad--and funny--that some of the worst self-published books, and the majority of the books discussed in this book, are books that try to provide advice to other authors. This book will help you avoid the worst mistakes of others, so you can publish a book that you can be justifiably proud of, and perhaps enlighten, entertain and inform others--and maybe you'll even make some money.

In 2016, like many millions of Americans, I had voted for Hillary Clinton to become our 45th president. And, like many millions of Americans, I assumed that there was no way that Donald Trump could beat her. In 2008 Trump wrote, "I know Hillary and I think she'd make a great president." During the 2016 presidential campaign he said, "She has to go to jail." If it were not for our peculiar and archaic Electoral College–plus last-minute interference from FBI Director James Comey just when Clinton's favorable poll ratings were moving up, and sabotage by Russia–Clinton would have become president. Trump frequently boasted about his "landslide" victory. In truth, his electoral win was no landslide at all. In the popular vote Clinton won by about 2.9 million votes–a margin of 2.1%. That's higher than the victories won by JFK, George W. Bush, Nixon and other recent American presidents. Jerome Kowalski, an attorney who has known Trump for more than 30 years, said, "Michael N. Marcus's powerful book is nothing short of a detailed bill of particulars of the evil Trump presents and why his reign of terror must be stopped."

This is the story of the amazing Hunter J. Marcus (my “four-legged son”). Hunter lived for 15 years and three months. He was a golden retriever and the typical lifespan for a "golden" is 10-12 years, so he definitely had high mileage. His death was not sudden, violent nor unexpected—but was nonetheless very sad. I could not be more miserable because of the loss of a human child. I never thought of Hunter as a pet, and certainly not as a possession. He was a housemate, playmate, child, co-conspirator, fellow traveler and—most of all—my best buddy. He soared like an eagle, swam like a porpoise, ate like a shark and often thought like a human. Hunter understood dozens of English words and was very obedient—when he chose to be. Golden retrievers are very smart, and very independent. Hunter always knew exactly what he was supposed to do in any situation, and sometimes he was willing to do what he was supposed to do. We rewarded bad behavior because anything a dog does is cute! This book is a memorial, but it's fun, not morbid.

LAUGH & LEARN This bestselling book is a collection of amusing anecdotes and useful advice on a wide range of subjects: money, relationships, parenting, business, work, cars, food & drink, life & death, education, health, technology, media, aging, time, animals, baseball, sailing, sex, writing & publishing and law. The book is the sad—and also humorous and helpful—story of what the author did wrong over a lifetime and what he learned from his mistakes, plus what he learned from observing other people, companies, animals and events. Marcus often fantasizes about traveling back in time to warn himself not to make stupid mistakes. He says, "The ten-, twenty- and sixty-year-old me might have ignored the advice of parents, teachers, doctors and accountants—but not the advice of me. If I talk to myself I have to listen. While technology will not yet allow me to go back and talk to myself, I can warn and advise anyone else who's willing to pay attention. That's why I wrote this book. And maybe by looking back I can influence my own future."

An American professor of folklore visits relatives in Russia. Initially, he comes to do research on aspects of Russian epics, which have been passed down orally and have literally survived on the lips of the peasants. However, the American soon abandons his primary purpose and decides to pursue loftier goals. He falls in love with a Russian lady. Their romance flourishes. Then, something unexpected occurs and the American discovers the true nature of his lover. Vasil Donskov experiences first hand the tender kiss of a Russian werewolf.

“She may be an insane chimp, but she’s my insane chimp!” Two ingenious metanarratives that take comedy writing to surreal, uproarious new heights. Mike Sacks is writing the apotheosis of avant garde comedy—books written as found documents, trawling through the ephemera of suburban America, jokes low-brow, bizarre and visceral in a package more formally taut and wildly ambitious than nearly anything published as literary fiction today. Stinker Lets Loose is the deadly accurate novelization of a non-existent ’70s drive-in film, complete with images from the set; it explores the implications behind Eastwood and Reynolds vehicles while one-upping them in puerility and wildness.

There are stories we never talk about. Stories we are afraid to share. Simply because they hurt too much or no one wants to listen to them. Such was the story of Jhanvi, who is a budding social media influencer. She appears to have it all together, living her ideal life, but something is missing: Jhanvi has this impossible need that drives her to be more perfect than any person could possibly be. And the story of Ashray, who had a rocky start in life. With hard work and determination, he translates his dreams into reality, but his deep-seated insecurities come to the fore when life throws him a curveball. As their stories intersect, their lives change in ways they never expected. In a world of loss, darkness and destruction, will Jhanvi and Ashray be able to tell a story of hope, light and recovery?