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PrintMore Bang for Your Buck: Self-Publishing
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Producer:
Laura Garrigan
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What do Richard Nixon, John Grisham and Virginia Woolf have in common? They're all best sellers who self-published their first book. Now, in tonight's more Bang For Your Buck, if you ever wanted to be an author, we're going to show you how to start a new chapter in your life.
Then, one day, Rey got hold of a real cliffhanger. He wanted to see if he could be an author.
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My story, it's called 'Through the Eyes of a Son,'" says Rey. "It's a kid who grew up knowing what his father did for a living, and he just happened to be a hit man for the Mafia."But in order to sell his story, Rey decided to try self-publishing.
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It's a matter of control," says self-publisher Robert Roots. "Self-publishing is a business."A difficult business, according to Robert.
He says if you want to succeed, you need to follow certain lessons.
Chapter 1 - find an editor.
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It's a matter of networking and not being afraid to share your ideas," says Robert.Chapter 2 - buy an ISBN number or an International Standard Business Number.
This is like a code. It will give your book life within the publishing world.
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When you read the ads, it makes it seem an ISBN must be thousands of dollars, but, in fact, you receive ten ISBN numbers for about 250 dollars."Now it's time to move into production, Chapter 3 - printing your book.
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The key to self-publishing is never print more books than you think you can sell," says Robert.Instead, think less is more, keep the number of copies under a thousand.
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It might cost you anywhere from 2 to 3 dollars to print and if you sell the book for 12 or 15 dollars then you're making a good profit," Robert says.Of course to make a good profit, you'll need Chapter 4 - marketing your book.
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You can do some pre-sales of your book," Robert says.Then it's time hit the streets.
Hold book signings, organize readings at libraries, ask local schools to make it part of the curriculum and be prepared to give out free copies.
Rey's right now in the editing process, but when the book's finally published, he promises you can expect a happy ending.
He says, "
It's kind of a way to leave a little piece of you behind, you know? Years from now somebody can pick up the book, and, if it was a good one, it can make a difference."You should aware, there are many companies that will publish your book for a fee.
Some are very selective, others will publish just about anything you give them.
Just make sure the company's legit.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: lmartinez@wsvn.com
Robert Roots
Prepare for the Wolf: Success Secrets of the Three Little Pigs
Buy ISBN Number: www.bowker.com
Print Books: www.justbooksjust.com