SELF PUBLISHING YOUR BOOK

up the POD files, assigning ISBNs, obtaining Library of Congress numbers, arranging distribution, getting your account set up, and other administrative details. Setup costs for print-on-demand range

from as low as $400 for a generic looking book with a plain cover to $2000

for a book that would be difficult to distinguish from one produced by a large publishing house.

Myth: No one reviews self published books.

Truth: Self-published books do get reviews. Some even get reviewed in major magazines and newspapers. However, these are the exception, not the rule. Most POD books get reviewed on radio, in local media, in regional magazines, and on the internet.

Myth: I'm going to have an instant bestseller.

Truth: If you're Bill Clinton maybe. Otherwise, be prepared for a lot

of work just to get yourself known. Although some self published

books have sold and do sell like that, they are exceptional. Xlibris reported paying one million in royalties last year, but what they didn't say in their PR was that this was to 8000 plus authors --about $125 per author on average. The reality is a small percentage of authors will make decent money from their book and the rest will sell very little.

Myth: The best book for a newcomer to write is a novel.

Truth: Actually, non-fiction is your best route. Informative, how-to

books sell on the internet and are generally easier to place in bookstores. This is because people who need information will buy it from any source as long as it looks reputable. What do they stand to lose? Just a few dollars. But people who are looking for entertainment or an emotional experience from a book want to know what they're getting before they start reading. An unknown author of fiction is an emotional risk. What if you let them down? Not that there aren't any risk-takers among the reading public. There are; they're just not as plentiful as new writers might wish.

Myth: The only books that make it are those published by big name

writers or famous people.

Truth: Again, there are self published books that made it big and then

were picked up by major publishers and made it even bigger. Most

books make a small income for the author. As long as the book is good to start with, the more it's marketed and promoted to its target audience, the better it will sell.

Myth: All I should have to do is write the book. Sales are not up to me.

Truth: There are over a million books in print, so if you want yours

to stand out, you should be prepared to work. Selling books is a business, and it requires hard work just like any other business.

Myth: Big publishers wouldn't expect me to market my own book.

Truth: Here's a quote from a Senior Editor at Harper Collins: "I won't

even look at a book unless the author is prepared to do a book tour

and book signings..." If that's not work, I don't know what is.

Myth: Bookstores won't stock POD books.

Truth: They sometimes will at a local level when they deal directly

with the author. They will also stock POD books if they're returnable

through Ingram. Otherwise, they probably won't, at least not as yet.

Myth: POD books can't be returnable.