Thanks largely (though not exclusively) to the model and tools provided to us by Amazon, self publishing continues to experience a meteoric rise in popularity. Not all self publishing efforts though are created equal. Below are some tips to help get you ahead of the curve.
There's no arguing with the numbers. U.S. ISBN figures show self-publishing in 2012 jumping to over 391,000 titles. This is up 59% over 2011 - 422% over 2007.
And this growth is being driven by the e-book phenomenon. By 2012 they comprised 40 percent of the self published ISBNs. That is up from just 11 percent in 2007 - nearly a 400 percent increase in five years.
For the aspiring, self publishing, author these numbers point to two obvious facts. One, the opportunities have never been greater. And, two, neither has been the competition.
To benefit from these opportunities, more than ever, the aspiring self publisher must learn to distinguish him or herself. Self publishing on Amazon puts some great tools at your disposal. If you fail to make the most of them, it is only you who will suffer. Considering the three things discussed below will not guarantee your book's success. Neglecting them though is guaranteed to put you behind the eight ball right from the start.
Begin with your author's page. There is provided a place to post a photo. Surprisingly (or maybe not) most beginners post their book's cover art. I strongly recommend against this, unless of course your book cover has a picture of your smiling face.
Authors seem to assume no one wants to see what they look like. Actually though that is exactly wrong. It turns out a feeling of connection to the author can be a huge factor in prospective readers pulling out the old credit card on behalf of a book. However great your cover art, it is almost guaranteed that some sense of a connection to you will be more influential.
Standard head shots are usually the right choice. As in all walks of life, you're a bit ahead if you're good looking. Don't be hesitant to post your most flattering picture, though. Whatever you look like, trust me: a personal pic is better than not having one. And, at the risk of stating the obvious, smile at the camera! And, absolutely no sunglasses! A picture concealing your eyes may be the one thing worse than not having a personal pic at all.
Second, the author's page provides you the opportunity to say a little about yourself. It appears that most authors take this opportunity much too casually. Again, it seems to be believed that the book speaks for itself.
Alas, however great your book is, it can't speak for itself if no one reads it! Your mission, dear author, should you choose to accept it, is to actually prompt a potential reader to read it. A conviction that the author who wrote it is interesting enough to have something to say that is worth reading goes some way in that direction.
You're a writer, right? So write. All due and proper modesty notwithstanding, I'm quite certain it's not too much of a stretch to make yourself sound interesting. Emphasize the aspects of your life and experience that reveal you as a good candidate to have written a compelling and engaging book on your chosen topic.
If it's a cook book, what is your culinary resume? If it's a detective novel set in 1890s New York, how do you come to have such as expertise on the time period? If it's a how-to book, let them know how your background should will give them confidence that you really do know how? You're following the gist of the mission, I presume.
Third, last, but oh so far from least, is the description of your book. Honestly, the writing of this is actually more challenging than the writing of your book. Once they've invested in your book, most readers - unless they just hate it - will give you at least 20 pages or so to win them over. In your book description you literally have about 20-30 seconds to win them over.
Again, your book, however wonderful, is unable to speak for itself until prospective readers buy it. Until they do, you've got to do all the speaking. The short version of a great book description is simply stated: in just a few sentences you have 1) tell them, 2) entice them and 3) show them.
Space limits don't allow me to go into this at greater length, here. If you really want to understand what's involved, see my article specifically dedicated to the details and nuance of doing your book description well.
Attention to these three matters is essential to avoid taking yourself right out of the game from the start. Self publishing on Amazon is an opportunity and a challenge. You have to meet the latter to benefit from the former.
There's no arguing with the numbers. U.S. ISBN figures show self-publishing in 2012 jumping to over 391,000 titles. This is up 59% over 2011 - 422% over 2007.
And this growth is being driven by the e-book phenomenon. By 2012 they comprised 40 percent of the self published ISBNs. That is up from just 11 percent in 2007 - nearly a 400 percent increase in five years.
For the aspiring, self publishing, author these numbers point to two obvious facts. One, the opportunities have never been greater. And, two, neither has been the competition.
To benefit from these opportunities, more than ever, the aspiring self publisher must learn to distinguish him or herself. Self publishing on Amazon puts some great tools at your disposal. If you fail to make the most of them, it is only you who will suffer. Considering the three things discussed below will not guarantee your book's success. Neglecting them though is guaranteed to put you behind the eight ball right from the start.
Begin with your author's page. There is provided a place to post a photo. Surprisingly (or maybe not) most beginners post their book's cover art. I strongly recommend against this, unless of course your book cover has a picture of your smiling face.
Authors seem to assume no one wants to see what they look like. Actually though that is exactly wrong. It turns out a feeling of connection to the author can be a huge factor in prospective readers pulling out the old credit card on behalf of a book. However great your cover art, it is almost guaranteed that some sense of a connection to you will be more influential.
Standard head shots are usually the right choice. As in all walks of life, you're a bit ahead if you're good looking. Don't be hesitant to post your most flattering picture, though. Whatever you look like, trust me: a personal pic is better than not having one. And, at the risk of stating the obvious, smile at the camera! And, absolutely no sunglasses! A picture concealing your eyes may be the one thing worse than not having a personal pic at all.
Second, the author's page provides you the opportunity to say a little about yourself. It appears that most authors take this opportunity much too casually. Again, it seems to be believed that the book speaks for itself.
Alas, however great your book is, it can't speak for itself if no one reads it! Your mission, dear author, should you choose to accept it, is to actually prompt a potential reader to read it. A conviction that the author who wrote it is interesting enough to have something to say that is worth reading goes some way in that direction.
You're a writer, right? So write. All due and proper modesty notwithstanding, I'm quite certain it's not too much of a stretch to make yourself sound interesting. Emphasize the aspects of your life and experience that reveal you as a good candidate to have written a compelling and engaging book on your chosen topic.
If it's a cook book, what is your culinary resume? If it's a detective novel set in 1890s New York, how do you come to have such as expertise on the time period? If it's a how-to book, let them know how your background should will give them confidence that you really do know how? You're following the gist of the mission, I presume.
Third, last, but oh so far from least, is the description of your book. Honestly, the writing of this is actually more challenging than the writing of your book. Once they've invested in your book, most readers - unless they just hate it - will give you at least 20 pages or so to win them over. In your book description you literally have about 20-30 seconds to win them over.
Again, your book, however wonderful, is unable to speak for itself until prospective readers buy it. Until they do, you've got to do all the speaking. The short version of a great book description is simply stated: in just a few sentences you have 1) tell them, 2) entice them and 3) show them.
Space limits don't allow me to go into this at greater length, here. If you really want to understand what's involved, see my article specifically dedicated to the details and nuance of doing your book description well.
Attention to these three matters is essential to avoid taking yourself right out of the game from the start. Self publishing on Amazon is an opportunity and a challenge. You have to meet the latter to benefit from the former.
About the Author:
If you're an aspiring self publisher, you need to stay on top of all the hottest tips and trends at Self Publishing on Amazon . Lance Fallbrook regularly scribbles about writing and writers at a variety of writing related blogs. Check out his controversial list of top 20 most famous American authors .
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