Product Description

Landing a publisher has never been harder. So many want to get published, but few understand the enormous challenges, the fierce competition, and the merciless reality of bookstore shelf. But, what if you are one of the lucky ones to land a publisher? Well, here’s what you can count on: anemic royalty rates, 18 to 24 months to publication, and giving up the rights to your book. And guess what? You’ll still be expected to do most of the marketing yourself! There’s a better way. Thanks to the Internet, self-publishing has become easier, more viable, and more potentially lucrative than ever before. In 2000, veteran commercial freelancer Peter Bowerman self-published The Well-Fed Writer (an award winning Book-of-the-Month Club selection) and in 2005, he did the same with its companion, TWFW: Back For Seconds (triple-award-finalist). The books became “standards” in the lucrative field of commercial freelancing: writing for businesses, large and small, and for hourly rates of $60-125+ or more. As this is written, together, the two books – about 50,000 copies in print – had earned him a full-time living for over five years. The definition of a full-time living (straight from the horse’s mouth): Okay, we’re not talking “picking-out-chateaux-in-the-South-of-France” kind of money, but the book paid all my bills (including a couple of print runs each year), allowed me to stay the course in funding my retirement account, stay completely out of debt, and take a few nice vacations each year. Would that work for you? The Well-Fed Self-Publisher is a 300-page, detailed, step-by-step blueprint that explains exactly how the author did what he did. According to Bowerman, “This book is for those who really want to turn their passionate creative efforts into real ‘pay-the-mortgage’ money.” Acknowledging that “self-publishing” carries an enormous amount of negative baggage (and deservedly so), the author says the focus of the book is to dramatically raise the bar on quality, for starters: I’ll show you how to create a book indistinguishable in quality from one produced by a reputable publishing company; how to do a far better job of marketing and promoting that book than a publisher ever could; and how to make far more money than you ever would with that publisher. And by doing it all yourself, you control the timetable (potentially shaving 12 to 18 months off production). Plus, you retain all the rights, allowing you to leverage the brand you’ve created into a host of profitable “spinoff” businesses – each with its own income stream. Starting from perhaps not-so-obvious fundamentals (“Write a book people will want to read”), the book progresses through a discussion of the significant limitations of the conventional publishing model (despite the best intentions of most publishers). Then, in a nod to the outright panic and terror most “creatives” experience at the mere mention of the term “sales and marketing,” the book provides an entire early chapter to help demystify these often daunting concepts. As Bowerman is quick to point out, “Success as a self-publisher is far more a function of a process than an aptitude. It’s far less about some way you have to be than it is about a bunch of things you have to do.” At that point, the book kicks into gear, offering up discussing in-depth discussions of book production, distribution, marketing, promotion, publicity (through one’s own web site, the Internet, radio, article writing, bookstores and far beyond), Amazon, spinoff businesses, and an entire chapter on the controversial so-called “revolution” known as “POD publishing” (print-on-demand). The book finishes with five appendices offering up resources and a time line for the self-publisher, a primer on foreign rights, and more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #55601 in Books
• Published on: 2006-08-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 294 pages

Review
"This book is a gem. Well organized, well written, all the facts, and lots of smart advice.” --M.J. Rose, (Former Self-Publisher), Author, International Bestseller, "The Venus Fix"

"This comprehensive reference covers all the bases, and does it with humor and a personal touch." --Dan Poynter, Author, "Self-Publishing Manual" (and 120+ books)

“As an industry insider, this book is a refreshing alternative to most of what’s out there on the subject." --Ron Pramschufer, 35-year publishing industry veteran

M.J. Rose, (Former Self-Publisher), Author, International Bestseller, "The Venus Fix"
"This book is a gem. Well organized, well written, all the facts, and lots of smart advice."

Ron Pramschufer, 35-year publishing industry veteran
"As an industry insider, this book is a refreshing alternative to most of what's out there on the subject."

Customer Reviews

UNIQUE BOOK
I am independently publishing my book and there are only about three books that are REALLY strong on the topic and this book is one of those books. What I really like about this book is it isn't a new version of Dan Poyter or Marilyn/Tom's Book ~ the book is unique and well organized....its new info ~ I appreciate how he gave contact info to contractors. I liked his website list format so much I am using it on my book (He put them all in the back, I was considering doing it chapter by chapter) Get the book!

Ravished Again
I was so thrilled to see that Peter Bowerman had done it again, and was so close to publishing my second book that I bought the e-book, downloaded it, printed it out and spent several evenings happily employed with a hole-punch.

I couldn't wait for the print version, so now I've got a pretty bulky, but useful, product. I love it! I use it! It's great!

Thanks, Peter
Mary Lynn Archibald

This is the best "Road map" to get it done
I already wrote a book and after a never ending correction process, finally got it ready to print. BUT, at that point,got so many questions that I was paralyzed. After researching decided to go self-published. Here is when "The well fed...self publisher" rescue me from the jungle of choices, teaching me ALL I need to know to succeed. I appreciate very much your help Peter!!!!. A wrong decision means not only wasted time but a lot of wasted money too!!, from this point of view this book pays itself many times.
I recommend this excellent book to everyone looking for a COMPLETE GUIDE to be a self publisher. It is full of real world tips & tricks that helps you to find always the right path in each topic covered. I feel that the author teaches ALL he knows with the authority of his vast experience.

Thanks again !!

Anibal
anibal2100@hotmail.com

PS: just in case, no, I'm NOT a friend or relative of the author. Just a reader. I wrote this positive review because he deserves it