The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Encyclopedia of Self-Publishing
Thomas A. Williams
Venture Press
c/o William & Company Book Publishers
https://www.entrepreneur.com
9781878853882, $18.95, PB, 262pp

https://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Self-Publshing-Fact-How/dp/1878853880

Synopsis: With the publication of "The Encyclopedia of Self-Publishing", To=
m Williams completely and authoritatively answers the questions posed almos=
t daily by first-time and even more experienced self--publishers.

A compendium of fact and how-to information, The Encyclopedia of Self-Publi= shing" is arranged in encyclopedic format for easy use, the personal and an= ecdotal style of this book, growing out of the author's own 30-year experie= nce, invites browsing into unfamiliar areas that many readers may not even = know enough to ask about.

Of special note are the lengthy entries on secondary profit centers that ca=
n spell the difference between success and failure in home-based, entrepren= eurial publishing. This discussion is unique to "The Encyclopedia of Self-P= ublishing".

Of particular value are the entries on specialty book projects with fast tu= rnaround and very high potential for substantial, quick profit and the disc= ussion of the profitability of advertising-based periodicals well within th=
e capabilities of self-publishers.

"The Encyclopedia of Self-Publishing" targets not only those readers who wa=
nt to publish a single book but those who want to convert their publishing = enterprise into a sustainable, income-producing, home-based business

Critique: Impressively comprehensive and exceptionally well organized and p= resented, "The Encyclopedia of Self-Publishing" will go a long way in enhan= cing the chances for a financially successful self-publishing venture. -- T= hen there are all those priceless quotes regarding self-publication, such a=
s: 'First you're an unknown. Then you write one book and you move up to obs= curity.' -- Martin Myers. A combination of instructional reference and 'how= -to' manual, "The Encyclopedia of Self-Publishing" is a very special and un= reservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, colle= ge, and university library Writing/Publishing collections -- and ideal as a=
DIY textbook on self- publishing.

Editorial Note: Thomas A. Williams is the author of a series of books in th=
e writing/publishing field, including Get Paid to Write!, Poet Power: The P= ractical Poet's Guide to Publication, and How to Publish Your Own Magazine,=
Guidebook or Weekly Newspaper, now in its fifth edition and the standard i=
n its field. He has owned and edited his own weekly newspaper, regional mag= azines, and guidebooks. He now directs his own publishing company, Williams=
& Company, Publishers. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22280.Thomas= _A_Williams)

How to Promote Your Book
Dr. Jan Yager
Square One Publishers
115 Herricks Road, Garden City Park, NY 11040
www.squareonepublishers.com
9780757004742, $17.95, PB, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/How-Promote-Your-Book-Publicizing/dp/0757004741

Synopsis: Whether your book is being released through a commercial publishe=
r or an academic press, or you are self-publishing it, as the author, you c= an, should, and must play a crucial role in getting your book seen, talked = about, and sold.

While you may watch dozens of authors pitch their books on TV, in social me= dia, and in bookstores, they represent only a fraction of the writers who c= ome out with new books each year. What do they know that you don't? They kn=
ow what to do to get attention for themselves and, more important, for thei=
r books -- and as you will discover with "How to Promote Your Book: A Pract= ical Guide to Publicizing Your Own Title" by publishing veteran Jan Yager t= hat you can, too.

"How to Promote Your Book" is divided into three sections.

Part One begins with a look at promotion basics. These include knowing what=
your book's marketplaces are, who your audience is, how the media is divid= ed, the elements involved in publicity, and how to create an effective prom= otional timeline.

Once you understand the basics, Part Two focuses on the ways to package and=
market yourself to the various book and media outlets. It discusses puttin=
g together professional looking press releases and media kits. It also expl= ains how to obtain endorsements and reviews, as well as how to generate spe= aking engagements and interviews with journalists; bloggers; and radio, TV,=
and podcast hopes.

Part Three provides a plan that covers the first three months of an author'=
s publicity program -- from the day the book is formally released through a=
ll the media events that have been lined up. Throughout the book, you will = find insets that answer important questions such as, "What are the real cos=
ts involved?" and "Should I promote myself or hire a publicists?" Just as i= mportant, the author includes a valuable resource guide that provides the n= ames, addresses, and links to many of the key places covered in the book.

Critique: As a self-published author you have 100% of the responsibility fo=
r promoting your book. As a mid-list author you have 98% of the responsibil= ity for promoting your book.

Jan Yager has enjoyed an impressive and successful career as both a best-se= lling author and as a publisher. She has been interviewed by many of the to=
p shows on TV and radio. In the pages of "How to Promote Your Book: A Pract= ical Guide to Publicizing Your Own Title", she provides informative example=
s what she has done (both for herself and for her authors) to create effect= ive DIY publicity, promotion, and marketing campaigns.

This is an exceptionally well written, organized and presented 'how to' man= ual for marketing a book will enable even the most novice of authors to suc= cessful utilize speaking engagement, social media, book signings, radio/tv/= cable, mailings, book fairs, podcasts, conferences/conventions, reviews, an=
d more.

While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, c= ommunity, and academic library Writing/Publishing collections, it should be=
noted for personal reading lists that "How to Promote Your Book: A Practic=
al Guide to Publicizing Your Own Title" is also available in a digital book=
format (Kindle, $11.49).

Editorial Note: Jan Yager (https://www.drjanyager.com) is a sociologist, fr= eelance writer, coach, speaker, artist, and Adjunct Associate Professor in = the Department of Sociology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City U= niversity of New York. She also teaches at Baruch College and William Pater= son University. Her 50+ award-winning books, translated into 35 languages.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo= ting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no fund=
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The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "Califo= rnia Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwat= ch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available=
for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview=
(dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal= muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish= er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

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