Recommended books on self-publishing

Your First 1000 Copies: The Step-by-Step Guide to Marketing Your Book by Tim Grahl

In Your First 1000 Copies, seasoned book marketing expert Tim Grahl walks you through how successful authors are using the online marketing tools to build their platform, connect with readers, and sell more books. Whether you’re a seasoned author looking to step into the new publishing landscape or you’re a brand new author, this book will give you the tools to connect with readers and sell more books.

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print by Renni Browne and Dave King

Renni Browne and Dave King teach you, the writer, how to apply the editing techniques they have developed to your own work. Chapters on dialogue, exposition, point of view, interior monologue, and other techniques take you through the same processes an expert editor would go through to perfect your manuscript.

Let’s Get Visible by David Gaughran

There are over 3 million books in the Kindle Store, with thousands more added every day. How do you get yours noticed? Visibility isn’t a challenge that can be bested once—it requires continual work. But there are tools and strategies to do much of the heavy lifting for you. InLet’s Get Visible: How To Get Noticed And Sell More Books, you’ll discover tips that will get your book noticed. And getting noticed is the key to growing your sales.

Get Your Book in the News: How to Write a Press Release that Announces Your Book by Sandra Beckwith

Every book (and author) needs a press release that announces the book’s arrival. It is the essential media relations tool that accompanies review copies or tells the media and other key influencers that your book is available. Get Your Book in the News: How to Write a Press Release That Announces Your Book teaches you—step by step—how to write a press release for your book launch that isn’t a waste of time, energy, and money. You won’t just learn how to do it, though. You’ll also learn (and understand) why you should do it and why you should do it a specific way.

Create Your Writer Platform: The Key to Building an Audience, Selling More Books, and Finding Success as an Author by Chuck Sambuchino

Creating a platform isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential! In today’s world of blogging, websites, Twitter feeds, and Facebook updates, building a writer platform from the ground up can seem a daunting task. Never fear—author and editor Chuck Sambuchino provides expert, practical advice for increasing your visibility, selling more books, and launching a successful career. If you’re serious about building a platform tailored to you and your writing—a platform that’s going to help you succeed as a writer—look no further than Create Your Writer Platform.

Self-Publishing Links

ISBN, Copyright, LCCN

• ISBN.org – The US ISBN Agency, Bowker. This is where you go to purchase ISBNs for your book.
• Copyright.gov – The US Copyright Office, you can register your copyright through this website.
• Library of Congress – follow this link to sign up to get your LCCN for your book.

Book Printers and Distributors

• IngramSpark – a popular print-on-demand (POD) printer and book distributor that is owned by Ingram
• KDP – a POD printer and eBook distributor owned by Amazon.com

eBook Resources

• Kindle Direct Publishing – create an account here to be able to sell your eBooks through Amazon for the Kindle.
• Smashwords – a global eBook distribution to major retailers and libraries
• NookPress – Barnes and Noble’s portal that allows you to submit your eBook to be sold on the Nook.
• iTunes Connect – the first step in getting an account that will enable you to sell your eBooks in the Apple’s iBookstore on the iPad.

Author websites

Website Hosting

• HostGator.com – An affordable and reliable website host with WordPress site options
• Blue Host – One of the best WordPress website hosting companies we have found. They are the hosting company that we use for this website.

Domain Name Registration

• GoDaddy – Popular domain name registrar