FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What are the main challenges to self-publishing a book?

• Having to take on the business aspect of publishing and marketing your book. The difference between writing a book and publishing a book is quite dramatic. Writing is an art, whereas publishing is a business.
• Having to learn everything so quickly. This is why research and preparation are absolutely essential for success.
• Cash flow. As seasoned self-publishers know, publishing a book out-of-pocket requires a fair amount of funding.
• Time management. Because self-publishing can be very time consuming, successful self-publishers usually learn to become experts at prioritizing and planning.

2. Are there any tax advantages for self-publishers?

Absolutely! To self-publish means that you are running your own business. The government realizes that it takes an investment to run a business and allows the self-publisher to deduct any work-related expense from gross income. This means anything from post-it notes to a laptop computer is tax-deductible, if purchased for business purposes.

3. How do I copyright my book?

Let's address why you should copyright first:
Copyright protection arises automatically the moment the author fixes the work in a tangible form (i.e. when a writer writes a story), without the author having to do anything. So, why copyright your work if you're automatically protected?

- Registration establishes a public record of your copyright and puts everyone in the world on notice of your copyright.

- You cannot sue somebody for copyright infringement until you have registered your work with the Copyright Office.

Bottom Line: Legally, your manuscript is automatically copyrighted the moment it's created. When someone says "get a copyright," they really mean "register the copyright with the government."

Keep in mind, there's no need to register an article or story before it's accepted for publication. If you register within three months of first publication and prior to the infringement, you're entitled to sue for the full range of damages noted above. If you register after that, you may sue only for actual damages plus the profits, but you can do so even if registration postdates the infringement.

Another reason not to register unpublished work: it may make you a target for solicitation. Many subsidy publishers and questionable literary agents contact writers who register copyrights for their books.

Now, let's address how to copyright your book:

The most common approach is to use the copyright symbol with the year and your name (Copyright © 2004 Your Name) and including it on the copyright page of your manuscript. You can register your work yourself for a small fee. Search Google for the copyright forms required by your particular country.

RESOURCE: Need a copyright? Here is an easy-to-use U.S. Copyright registration system that will guide you through to the appropriate form selection. See www.clickandcopyright.com

4. What is the proper manuscript format?

The proper manuscript format is:

• Double-spaced lines
• 1" - 1 1/2" margins
• One side of the paper (on standard white)
• 12 point clean font (I recommend courier)

On the first page in the upper left corner, include your name and contact information, including your email and Web address if you have one. Place an approximate word count in the upper right corner. Place the title of your story about halfway down the first page.

Center your title; one double space below your title, center your byline.

Place a header in the upper right corner of every page of your manuscript except the first. The header should consist of the surname from your byline, one or two important words from the title of your story, and the current page number.

Many editors accept manuscripts in electronic format. This means you can send them your manuscript via email or on disk. Be sure to ask them which format they prefer - paper or electronic.

Read this great article that gives detailed information on proper manuscript format and can explain what to do, and what not to do, in a very clear way.

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5. What is an ISBN and where can I get one for my book?

An ISBN (known as an International Standard Book Number) is a unique identifying number for your book. You will need this number to enter your book into the marketplace. Every book sold in bookstores throughout the world has its own ISBN, and the ISBN helps to ensure that the books are identified, ordered, and shipped correctly. In the U.S. you can only purchase ISBNs from R.R. Bowker company; in Canada you can only get them from the National Library of Canada. The barcode on a book's cover includes both the ISBN and scanning information.

Whoever purchases the ISBN is the publisher. There seems to be a lot of confusion over this issue. If you pay to have your book published through one of the many POD companies and they provide the ISBN, they, not you are the publisher of the book. If you want to self-publish, you must buy your own ISBNs. Likewise, do not sell someone else one of your ISBNs. If you are the purchaser of the ISBN, then you are the legal publisher of the book.

You'll need a separate ISBN for the hardcover, softcover, audio, video, and e-book versions of your book. Even if the content is the same, each unique version requires a unique ISBN. That way, when a bookstore or library orders your book by ISBN, they will get the version desired.

Almost any question that you may have about ISBNs can be answered here: http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/isbn/us/isbnqa.asp

 

6. Do I need my own Web site?

Absolutely. The Internet advances the self-published author to the same playing field as the big boys. It’s an inexpensive way to put your book in front of millions of potential customers. With your own Web site, you can allow interested persons to download a sample chapter plus customers can order directly from you – this means that YOU get to keep 100% of the profits.

For more information visit our Web Design page.

7. How can I find an illustrator for my book?

Check out the Society of Children's Books Writers & Illustrators, which acts as a network for the exchange of knowledge between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers and others involved with literature for young people.

You can also shop Elance - We found over 500 active profiles for "illustrator."

8. What is “print-on-demand (POD)" publishing?

Fairly recent technological advances make it possible to produce a single bound book in response to each incoming order.

The on-demand publishing approach saves the self-publishing author what might otherwise be a considerable investment in printing and storage of books. Since books are printed only after an order is received and payment verified, it is the book buyer who pays for the printing when it occurs, not the author.

We are beginning to see more and more vanity/subsidy publishers that use POD technology offer full returns. Publishers that don't have a full return policy virtually have no chance with selling their books to bookstores or libraries.

Advantages: With on-demand publishing, books are printed as they are ordered. This technology allows you to store and print your book in electronic form, eliminating the two great costs of publishing... warehousing and large print runs.

Disadvantages: Print-on-demand books are not returnable by most wholesalers or bookstores. This creates a certain level of resistance for bookstores to order print-on-demand books for their inventory. To remedy this, ask them to buy a few copies to see how your book sells or offer to sell the books on consignment.

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