The Business of Self-Publishing

The Business of Self-Publishing

By Joseph C. Kunz, Jr.BusinessEntrepreneurshipEducationHow ToCareers
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The Business of Self-Publishing episodes

  • 2 Writing Tips to Show Your Non-fiction Readers You Understand Them

    Updated September 24, 2023

    Subtitle

    Easy writing techniques that will help you attract, connect, and hold on to your readers

    Synopsis

    Here are two fundamental and powerful non-fiction writing techniques to show your readers that you understand them and their issues. These two writing techniques, along with a hefty dose of sincerity, honesty, and respect for yourself, your subject matter, and the reader, will go a long way to helping you build an audience of readers, followers, and buyers.

    What You Will Learn

    1. You will learn why you need to write in such a way that helps you build an emotional connection with your readers.
    2. You will learn how and why you need to talk to your readers and not at them.
    3. You will learn how and why you need to convey your enthusiasm to the reader.

    Introduction

    You are a small business owner or a sole proprietor. And you write a blog aimed at your audience of current customers and prospective customers. You are using your blog to show the world you are an expert in your field.

    You are willing to share the experiences and knowledge you have gained during your career. You want your customers and prospects to know that you have the solutions and answers to their problems because you understand them and what they are going through.

    You are one of them and want to help them succeed. To show your audience all of this is true and that you are for real, there are some simple but powerful ways to prove this to them in your writing.

    I have compiled two of my favorites here that you can immediately apply to your writing and make it more engaging:

    Writing Tip # 1. Talk to Your Readers, Not at Your Readers

    Talking to your audience in their words, terms, phrases, and levels is a very persuasive writing technique. This tip should be easy for you if you are an expert with many years of experience.

    Speak to your audience, customers, and prospects in such a way that conveys you genuinely want to help them solve their problems and become more successful. You might be an expert, a Ph.D., a professor, a celebrity, and highly successful. But you must never, ever talk down to your audience.

    For example, do not make yourself sound important by using big or obscure words. Or boast about your most significant accomplishments. You will immediately look insecure and immature. Your audience will be insulted and never come back.

    It will be challenging to become successful by alienating your audience. You need your audience as much as your audience needs you. You would not be writing if you did not need your audience for whatever personal and professional reasons you might have.

    Talking in a helpful, friendly, respectful, conversational way goes a long way to getting people to listen to you and trust you. This is how you build an audience of readers, followers, and buyers.

    Writing Tip # 2. Convey Your Enthusiasm

    Showing your enthusiasm for the subject matter AND your enthusiasm for sharing and helping your readers is a powerful writing technique. You cannot fake this kind of enthusiasm. Readers can detect nonsense from a mile away.

    You will lose them forever once they get a whiff of dishonesty. If you do not have this enthusiasm, why are you wasting your time and the reader’s time by writing in the first place?

    Enthusiasm, excitement, passion for a subject, and wanting to share it to help people are compelling. It will get every reader excited too. They will want to know more about the topic AND you. This mindset is how you build an audience of readers, followers, and buyers.

    Conclusion

    Now you have two easy-to-implement writing techniques that will help you attract, connect, and hold on to your readers. These two writing techniques, along with a hefty dose of sincerity, honesty, and respect for yourself, your subject matter, and the reader, will go a long way to helping you build an audience of readers, followers, and buyers.

    Questions to Think About

    1. What are some of the writing techniques you have utilized to connect with your readers?
    2. What are some of the writing techniques that you have utilized to show your enthusiasm for your subject?

    5 min
  • 6 Simple Tips for Writing Non-fiction in Plain English

    Updated February 22. 2024

    Subtitle

    A powerful writing technique that will help you build a bigger audience and sell more books

    Synopsis

    Writing in “plain English” is a great way to make a good impression on your audience. This technique means writing in a way that makes your message easy to read and understand. It doesn’t matter who your audience or subject matter is. Every audience will benefit from writing that uses plain English. This technique will also help you build a bigger audience and sell more books. Here are my six favorite tips to assist you.

    What You Will Learn

    1. You will learn how to simplify your non-fiction writing to make it easier to understand and remember.
    2. You will learn how and why writing in plain English can help you build and retain a broader readership and following.
    3. You will learn how and why writing in plain English will make you look more intelligent and your writing more powerful.

    Introduction

    Writing in “plain English” is a great way to make a good impression on your audience. This technique means writing in a way that makes your message easy to read and understand. It doesn’t matter who your audience is or what your subject matter is about. Every audience will benefit from writing that uses plain English.

    And it certainly doesn’t mean talking down to your audience or using baby words. It means writing in a way that gets your message to your intended audience respectfully and appropriately. Your readers will sense this and respect you for it. This behavior and attitude is how you build an audience for your work.

    Here Are My Six Favorite Tips to Help You Start Writing in Plain English:

    Tip # 1. Write for Your Audience, Not for You

    In other words, put your reader first. Always. Writing non-fiction is about providing value to the reader and helping them solve their problems. Their needs come first, not yours. You must speak directly to the reader. You do this by using only appropriate words and concepts for your audience. If you’re writing to show off your smartness, you’ll lose them immediately – and they won’t return.

    Tip # 2. Avoid Big and Fancy Words

    This technique doesn’t mean you must use simple words. It immplies that you must use words that are appropriate for your audience. No matter who your audience is or what the subject matter is, you’ll look foolish and insecure if you use big, fancy, ornate words. Using these kinds of words is the fastest way to lose your readers. Don’t use them if you sincerely want to help people and be taken seriously as a writer.

    Tip # 3. Avoid Slang, Jargon, Abbreviations, and Clichés

    These types of phrases typically don’t help your reader. If, for some reason, you need to use one, you must explain what the term means. Don’t ever assume the reader will know what you’re talking about. It would be unfair and disrespectful of your readers, and they’ll sense that. And you’ll have wasted their time.

    Tip # 4. Write Short and Clear Sentences

    Shorter sentences go a long way to making your writing more comfortable to read and understand. Long sentences tend to be confusing and tiring to read. Writing shorter sentences forces you to cut out all the unnecessary words. Try to keep your sentences under 20 words.

    Tip # 5. Use Contractions

    Yes, contractions. Such as: “can not” becomes “can’t;” and “will not” becomes “won’t.” They help you sound natural, not like a robot. Not like an insecure “intellectual” trying to impress the reader. But as someone the reader can identify with and believe. Like you’re talking to the reader face-to-face. This technique goes a long way to getting a reader to stay with you. Don’t be afraid to use them. Your readers will appreciate it.

    Tip # 6. Read It Aloud before Publishing

    This tip is essential if you ever hope your writing to sound natural. Readers want you to talk to them, not at them. You need to sound like a natural person. One that genuinely wants to help the reader find solutions to their questions and problems.

    Reading what you’ve written out loud will force you to hear how you’ll sound to the reader. It’ll help you hear what sentences are too long, such as when you need to take a breath just to finish a sentence. You’ll hear which sentences are too awkward or hard to follow. You’ll be amazed at how much your writing will improve when you read it out loud.

    Conclusion

    Remember, your job as a non-fiction writer is to communicate clearly and concisely with your audience. Powerful writing is lean and straightforward. It’s easy to read and understand. First and foremost, you’re writing to help your readers. Writing in plain English will help your reader benefit from your message. And you will build a bigger audience and sell more books.

    Questions to Think About

    1. What are your favorite tips about making your writing more comfortable to read?
    2. What other “plain English” writing tips are essential?

    7 min
  • 4 Basic Content-Sharing Etiquette-Rules

    Updated February 18, 2023

    Subtitle

    Here are the basic rules of content sharing you need to follow to stay out of trouble and keep your self-respect

    Synopsis

    All content creators and authors want their work to be shared. But taking too much information and content from them can become a problem for you and the original author. This sharing is especially true if you take credit for someone else’s work or don’t credit them appropriately. Here are the basic rules, as I see them, you need to follow.

    What You Will Learn

    1. You will learn my four basic rules for sharing another author’s content.
    2. You will learn why linking to another author or providing backlinks is imperative.
    3. You will learn some of the fundamental ways you should not be claiming the work of others as your own.

    Introduction

    Sharing content is expected. The entire internet is about sharing content. If you would like to share, use, or copy the author’s content or work on your website, article, blog post, book, etc., that’s great. It’ll help that author expand their audience and help you and your audience.

    I’ve made a list of some ways that my content is taken and used without giving me any credit, or not the proper credit, for my work. Many of these offenders don’t even include a backlink to my website. I’m sure many of you have had these same things happen to you, too.

    Here Are the Basic Rules, as I See Them, You Need to Follow:

    Content Sharing Etiquette Rule # 1:

    Use the Author’s Name as They Use It
    a. You must display the author’s name as they use it on their own online and in-print work.
    If the author’s name is Joseph C. Smith, Jr., don’t re-write it as Joe Smith. Or as Joe Smithjr. The author has a reason to write his name as he does, and you should respect that.

    Content Sharing Etiquette Rule # 2:

    You Must Include a Backlink to the Original Author
    a. If you share or use another’s online content, such as you might find on their website or blog, a link back to the author’s website or blog is mandatory. Simply including their name is not enough. Backlinks are a significant part of blogging. You want backlinks to your work, and so does the author whose work you use.

    Content Sharing Etiquette Rule # 3:

    You Must Notify the Original Author
    a. Notifying the author is mandatory if you share or use their content in your book, ebook, or print.

    b. Sending the author an email letting them know you used their content in your book is expected. It is common courtesy and a sign of respect.

    c. The original author can let readers see how and where his content is shared. This respect is how you succeed as an author, blogger, and businessperson. It’s a win-win-win for all involved.

    Content Sharing Etiquette Rule # 4:

    Don’t Put Your Name on Something You Didn’t Create
    a. You cannot re-post an author’s content and add your name as a co-author.

    b. You cannot re-post an author’s content, then delete their name and sign your name to it, claiming it is your work.

    c. You cannot re-arrange the paragraphs and then claim the original author’s work as yours.

    d. You cannot re-post an author’s content, word-for-word, and then claim it as your work by simply changing the title.

    e. You cannot re-post an author’s content word-for-word, add a few paragraphs, and then claim it as your work.

    All of these are outright stealing and copyright infringement. Doing any of this but adding a backlink to the original author does not make it any less creepy and underhanded.

    Conclusion

    These simple rules will help you stay out of trouble and maintain self-respect. These rules will help you build good relationships with content creators and authors. When you show others respect, courtesy, and fairness, they (I should say “many”), in turn, will show you the same. It can, and should be, a win-win for both authors and their respective audiences.

    Questions to Think About

    1. Do you have any personal rules about sharing others’ work?
    2. In what clever or silly ways has your content been stolen or repurposed?

    6 min
  • 5 Selfishly Great and Satisfying Reasons to Write a Non-fiction Book

    Updated January 18, 2023

    Subtitle

    Sharing your skills, knowledge, and experiences will improve your life in surprising ways

    Synopsis

    You should write non-fiction if you like to help people improve their lives, careers, businesses, and relationships – by teaching, inspiring, and sharing your knowledge and experiences. Here is a short list of my favorite reasons why you should write and sell non-fiction books.

    What You Will Learn

    1. You will learn why writing non-fiction is a great way to help satisfy your own needs and wants.
    2. You will learn five great reasons why you should write non-fiction.
    3. You will learn about stumbling blocks no longer in your way.

    Introduction

    If you like entertaining people, you will probably enjoy writing fiction. But, if you want to help people improve their lives, careers, businesses, and relationships – by teaching, inspiring, and sharing your knowledge and experiences – then you should write non-fiction.

    From my perspective, we all have an obligation to do this, especially if we like to communicate by writing. And, in the high-tech world we live in today, there are no longer any obstacles preventing us from doing this through self-publishing

    Here Is a Short List of My Favorite Reasons Why You Should Be Writing and Selling Non-fiction Books:

    Reason # 1. A Non-fiction Book Can Boost Your Career and Business

    Even with the massive proliferation of self-publishing, having your name on a published book will still impress most people. One of the main reasons to write a non-fiction book is to boost your credibility in the eyes of your current clients, prospective clients, co-workers, and peers.

    Handing a prospective client your signed book is infinitely more impressive than giving them a business card and a brochure. Credibility is one of the main ingredients to building a great career and business. A well-written non-fiction book will help you achieve that.

    Reason # 2. More People Buy Non-fiction Books

    There will always be a demand for non-fiction books. Non-fiction sales numbers have been rising for many years and outpacing fiction. Just walk into any big bookstore, look around, and immediately see that non-fiction takes up almost the entire store. In addition, many book buyers don’t mind paying a higher price for non-fiction books.

    Reason # 3. Non-fiction Books Help Make the World a Better and More Productive Place

    You spend your life learning about specific topics. Topics that you have become an expert in. And you get paid for applying that knowledge to help others improve their lives. A non-fiction book will enable you to help thousands more than you could realistically help from your office.

    Reason # 4. Non-fiction Books Are Easier to Market and Sell

    This reason is half the battle to building a successful marketing plan. And, it’s essential if you have any hope for sales success. With non-fiction, finding and understanding your target audience is much easier. And, as a bonus, non-fiction books generally have a very long shelf life. If appropriately written, your book will make you money for a long time.

    Reason # 5. Non-fiction Books Aren’t Overly Difficult to Write

    Although nothing is easy to write, especially for publication, you are probably writing about topics you already have knowledge, understanding, and expertise in. Or, at the very least, a topic you have a great enthusiasm for and interest in.

    And, if you look at writing your non-fiction book not as one gigantic project but as many little goals that you can achieve one at a time, you’re more likely to finish writing it. So, with some planning, research, an outline, and some perseverance, the process will be a great learning experience for you and an enjoyable one.

    Conclusion

    You must share your knowledge, understanding, and expertise to be viewed as a leader in your field. Don’t be afraid to share your unique skills, knowledge, and experiences. You need to believe and understand that the world needs your help and that people worldwide will benefit from what you can and should share with them.

    Success isn’t only about what you accomplish in your own life. It’s also about what you inspire others to do with their lives. Writing and publishing non-fiction will help you achieve that.

    Questions to Think About

    1. Have you considered sharing your skills, knowledge, and experiences by writing a non-fiction book?
    2. What is holding you back from doing it?

    6 min
  • Book Review: The Public Domain Publishing Bible

    This is an updated version of the post that was originally posted on September 22, 2011.

    •Title: The Public Domain Publishing Bible

    •Sub-title: How To Create “Royalty” Income For Life
    •Author: Andras M. Nagy
    •Publisher: Murine Communications
    •Publication Date: 2011
    •ISBN: 978-0-982499-41-2
    •Author Website: None

    “Great insightful advice for the novice publisher.” JCK

    Synopsis

    This is an easy to read and comprehensive guide on how to republish public domain books to get started as a self-publisher. Heavy emphasis on starting and running a self-publishing company on a very tight budget. Plenty of practical advice and resources for doing this. Nagy also discusses how, what, and why he republished books that are in the public domain.

    Introduction

    I really enjoyed reading Nagy’s book. It’s an easy-to-read and comprehensive guide on how to republish public domain books as a way to get started as a self-publisher. There’s a heavy emphasis on starting and running a self-publishing company on a very tight budget. He gives us plenty of practical advice and resources for doing this.

    It was very helpful to read about how, what, and why Nagy himself republished books that are in the public domain. This is a practical how-to book that will appeal to every budding entrepreneur looking for a way to enter the world of publishing. I wish that I had found this book before I got started as a publisher of public domain books. I had to discover all of this information on my own by doing a lot of research over a long period of time.

    My Favorite Piece Of Advice

    One of my favorite pieces of advice appears early in Nagy’s book when he recommends that a novice publisher should choose a genre that they know something about. It should be a subject that you already love and can easily see yourself devoting time and money to. Nagy suggests, “If you wish to publish classical literary works, you should be reading and studying your genre. If you like poetry, perhaps that genre is to be tried first.”

    More Great Advice

    Nagy gives us another great piece of advice when he stresses that we should consider adding original content to the out-of-copyright book. This will add value to the final book. This added content, such as “editorials, footnotes, and illustrations,” will help make it easier for your readers to understand the content of the original book. It’ll also help the buyer choose your “value-added” edition over all the others that are available for sale that don’t have the additional content.

    A Word From The Author

    In Nagy’s Foreword, he explains that “The cornerstone of using public domain information is to creatively build upon existing ideas and works of art.” “With some fresh ideas, and using this book, anyone can do what I have done on a shoestring. There are many aspiring authors who find it comforting to run a publishing company while working on their own creative literary urges.”

    How I Relate To This Book

    As a publisher of a few public domain titles myself, I can personally testify that Nagy’s information and advice can work. My wife Michele and I own and manage a medical training company here in New York. Most of our students are nurses. We realized that many of them, especially the younger ones, had never heard of, or read the works of, Florence Nightingale.

    So, we decided to republish Nightingale’s most famous book, “Notes on Nursing”. We turned it into an “Annotated Nursing-Student Edition.” We added quite a lot of new “value-added” content to make the book much easier to understand and use. We like to say that we made the book “student-friendly and teacher-friendly”. We added a foreword, section headings, focus questions for each chapter, a glossary, Nightingale quotes, an index, footnotes, and a list of additional sources.

    The book was well received and has become mandatory reading in many colleges throughout America. We like to think that our book played a small part in the tidal wave of renewed interest in Nightingale.

    Conclusion

    Whether you’re self-publishing part-time or full-time, I definitely recommend that you check out Nagy’s book. Republishing at least one public domain title that is related to the other books that you publish, as my wife and I did, might also be good for you too. My wife and I were lucky to find a title that happens to be a very important book within the industry that we work in.

    It seemed only natural for us to republish that book and turn it into a student-friendly book that modern nurses could enjoy and learn from. To this very day, that very book continues to bring us income and also helps spread the message that the original author had to share.

    6 min
  • How to Create a One-Minute Book Promo Video in 4 Easy Steps

    Updated September 7, 2023

    Subtitle

    You can make a professional-looking book promo video with some research, patience, practice, and persistence

    Synopsis

    My main goal is to share how I create my book promo videos so you can see the basic steps involved. You can make a professional-looking book promo video with research, patience, practice, and persistence.

    What You Will Learn

    1. You will learn the four basic steps to create a simple book promo video for your book.
    2. You will learn exactly how I do it for the books that my wife and I self-publish.
    3. You will learn which software I use and where I post the completed video.

    Introduction

    My main goal is to share how I create my book promo videos so you can see the basic steps involved.

    I try to keep the process simple. I always aim to take a complicated process, make it as simple as possible, and still produce a quality product.

    And with patience and practice, I will improve each time I create one of these little videos. And hopefully, sell a few more books in the process.

    Here is a quick run-down of the four main steps I follow to make my introductory 1-minute book promo videos:

    Step # 1. Create a PowerPoint deck

    Step # 2. Export deck to .jpeg

    Step # 3. Import .jpeg’s to iMovie

    Step # 4. Convert iMovie to mp4

    Done.

    Here is a list of the software programs that I utilize to produce my promo videos:

    1. Microsoft PowerPoint for Mac, ver. 16

    2. Apple iMovie, ver. 10

    3. Adobe Illustrator 2020

    4. Adobe Photoshop 2020

    Software Notes:

    a. Microsoft PowerPoint I bought as a package of an entire suite of Microsoft products called Microsoft Office 365 Home, which has an annual fee to use.

    b. Apple iMovie is a free download from the Mac App Store.

    c. The Adobe programs are part of Adobe Creative Cloud for which I pay a monthly fee.

    I upload my videos to the following websites:

    (For this book, it is to my wife’s pages.)

    Website # 1. My YouTube page

    Website # 2. My book’s webpage (on the book’s main page, and on the Media Kit page for that book)

    Website # 3. My Twitter page

    Website # 4. My Facebook page

    Here is a more detailed look at the steps that I follow to create my promo videos:

    Step # 1. Create slide presentation in PowerPoint

    The general rule for making PowerPoint slides is to keep them simple, short, and concise.

    ACLS QA book PowerPoint screen shot

    Step # 2. Add a .jpeg picture of your book’s cover, and your headshot

    Ensure they are clear, easy to see and read, high-quality photos.

    Step # 3. Add text to each slide

    Again, do not overdo it. Keep it simple, with lots of white space.

    Step # 4. Save as a PowerPoint presentation .pptx

    This PowerPoint now completes step 1.

    Step # 5. Export slides as .jpeg

    Save them in the same folder as the PowerPoint deck/presentation that you just made.

    Step # 6. Import/drag/drop all of those .jpeg slides into new iMovie

    Create a new movie and drag and drop all those .jpeg slides you just made into the movie timeline.

    Step # 7. Drag/drop music/audio onto the timeline

    iMovie has a small library of music already included. You choose which one you like and drag and drop it onto the movie timeline. And then adjust the music’s length to fit the video’s length.

    ACLS QA book iMovie screen shot

    Step # 8. Share to file as a 1080p, and then as mp4

    This step is accomplished from within the iMovie program.

    Step # 9. Upload to internet

    I first uploaded the new video for this book to my wife’s YouTube page. After the upload, I go to the “share” button on her YouTube page and take that link to place the video on our book website, my Twitter page, and my wife’s Facebook page.

    # 10. Done

    Completed, finished, over with, concluded, ended, period.

    Conclusion

    I know that this was a rapid overview of the process. And, if you have never used any of this software, the process will seem overwhelming, confusing, and frustrating. But, if it’s any consolation, PowerPoint and iMovie are very easy to learn. And plenty of good videos on YouTube will teach you how to use them.

    Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop are challenging and have a significant learning curve. But, with a bit of research on Google, you will be able to find much more straightforward, faster, and less costly ways to create high-quality jpegs and avoid Adobe altogether. I use them because I have extensive experience with them and enjoy the process.

    You can also easily find websites that will help you complete the entire process from within their website. And, for little or no money, produce a professional-looking promo video. Maybe I will investigate these in the future.

    But, I am always concerned about control and ownership of my work product. So, for now, I will be sticking to my method and trying my best to improve the quality of my videos. Maybe in the future, I will try out a few online services and create multiple videos for each of our books.

    Questions to Think About

    1. What is your process for producing your book promo videos?
    2. What stumbling blocks you had to deal with when making your videos?

    9 min
  • Strippable Books vs. Non-Strippable Books: A Self-Publisher’s Guide

    Updated January 2, 2023

    Subtitle

    Understanding the terminology of the book publishing industry can help us become better and more successful at self-publishing

    Synopsis

    Understanding the terminology, jargon, terms of art, vocabulary, and slang, of the book publishing industry can only help us become better and more successful at self-publishing. Here is a discussion of the terms “strippable” and “non-strippable” as they relate to printed books and their covers.

    What You Will Learn

    1. You will learn the physical differences between a book considered strippable and one not.
    2. You will learn why a particular book is considered strippable.
    3. You will learn who is affected by these designations.

    Introduction

    Most of us involved with self-publishing will never need to deal with books that are strippable or not. But, despite that fact, we still need to understand the book industry. Understanding the terminology, jargon, terms of art, vocabulary, and slang, of the book publishing industry, can only help us become better and more successful at self-publishing.

    Here is a discussion of the terms “strippable” and “non-strippable” as they relate to printed books and their covers:

    Strippable Defined

    “Strippable” means that a book’s cover can be torn off, or stripped off, by the book retailer or distributor and then sent back to the book publisher for a credit or refund. The publisher tells the book retailers and distributors which books it will allow being stripped and which cannot.

    Each publisher has rules and guidelines about which books can be stripped. Stripping off the cover of a book and sending the cover back to the publisher without the body of the book will significantly reduce postage costs.

    It’s much less costly to send back a bunch of book covers than an entire box of books. The bookseller then destroys the book once the cover is stripped off.

    Title page of a mass-market paperback book. The paragraph in the middle discusses the cover and what happens when a book is stripped.

    Non-strippable Defined

    “Non-strippable” books are the opposite of “strippable.” “Non-strippable” means that a book cannot be returned to the publisher for a credit or refund unless the book is complete, with the cover intact.

    Who Is Involved With, Concerned About, and Affected By, Stripping Books?

    Stripping books is something self-publishers will never need to be involved in. Strippable and non-strippable books are something that large publishers, book distributors, and retail bookstores are engaged in.

    Strippable Book

    The large publishers are forced by the retailers and distributors to accept returns. Retailers feel that it’s too risky for them to put a book in their stores without having the option of sending the book back for a credit or refund.

    Distributors feel that it’s too risky to receive many thousands of copies of a book from a publisher without having the option of sending the books back for a credit or refund. The large publishers accept returns because they depend on the book retailers and distributors for their financial survival.

    As small self-publishers, we generally don’t want our books in bookstores and should not want them. Having your book displayed at a bookstore might be good for your ego but not for your bank account. Once you get involved with self-publishing, you’ll quickly learn that bookstores are the worst place to display and sell your books – and doing so can very promptly bankrupt your little publishing company.

    Mass-market paperback on the left side, with the triangle and the letter S indicating that the book is strippable; Trade paperback on the right side with triangle with no letter S indicating that the book is not strippable. Also, notice the price and size differences. In addition, the mass-market book has a UPC barcode; and the trade has a Bookland/EAN barcode.

    The “S” designates that that book is strippable. A triangle without an “S” means that the book is not strippable. You will generally see a triangle with an “S” on mass-market paperbacks. These are generally the smaller, less expensive books. You’ll typically see the empty triangle on the trade paperbacks and hardcover books, which are more expensive.

    Non-Strippable Book

    The “S” designates that that book is strippable. A triangle without an “S” means that the book is not strippable. You will generally see a triangle with an “S” on mass-market paperbacks. These are generally the smaller, less expensive books. You’ll typically see the empty triangle on the trade paperbacks and hardcover books, which are more expensive.

    The publishers use this triangle symbol to make it visually more straightforward for the retailers and distributors to avoid stripping a book that shouldn’t be stripped. You’ll never need to display this triangle symbol in your self-published books.

    Conclusion

    Now you’re an expert on strippable and non-strippable books! Don’t you feel intellectually more robust and self-confident as a self-publisher? Well, you should. Understanding every inch and crevice of an industry you’re involved with will make you feel, look, and sound like the successful professional you aspire to be.

    It takes a lot of work, and a lot of time, to truly become a success at anything. Book publishing and self-publishing are no different. One step at a time, one day at a time, one term at a time.

    Questions to Think About

    1. If you have ever worked in a bookstore, did you get to tear off the covers of the strippable books?
    2. How often did you need to do this?

    7 min
  • Book Review: Now All We Need Is a Title

    Updated September 8, 2011

    •Title: Now All We Need Is A Title

    •Sub-title: Famous Book Titles And How They Got That Way
    •Author: Andre Bernard
    •Publisher: W.W. Norton and Co.
    •Date: 1996
    •ISBN: 978-0-393314-36-6
    •Author’s Website

    Synopsis

    An amusing anthology of anecdotes and commentary on the history of over 100 famous book titles. It reveals the behind-the-scenes efforts of famous authors and editors to find titles for their books. It’s an anecdotal account of how some of the most well-known book and play titles come to be.

    “Great concept. Very interesting, entertaining, amusing, and informative.”

    “A must-read for book lovers, authors, and book publishers.” JCK

    Introduction

    I really enjoyed reading this book. I found it fascinating to read about some of the behind-the-scenes workings of how many of my favorite books finally arrived at their title. It was very amusing to see the back-and-forth struggles between editors and authors over a book’s title. Although not a how-to book, this small, short, amusing book will certainly appeal to every writer and editor.

    Lot’s Of Famous Titles

    The book discusses over 100 different famous books of fiction, such as Jaws, The Great Gatsby, The Maltese Falcon, and Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and how their title came to be. One of my favorites is the story of Gone With The Wind. It was first called Pansy, then changed to Tote the Weary Load, and then to Tomorrow is Another Day.

    Great Advice

    Bernard’s book also has great advice, sprinkled throughout the book, from authors and editors about choosing a title. One of my favorites is a quote by Walker Percy: “A good title should be like a good metaphor; it should intrigue without being too baffling or too obvious.”

    Literary Facts

    Some historic literary facts are also given for many of the titles. One of my favorites is the story about Lewis Carroll being the first one to suggest to his publisher that the dust jacket carry the title of the book. Carroll’s The Hunting of the Snark became the first book to be published with a printed jacket.

    A Word From The Author

    In Bernard’s Introduction, he says that this book is an “. . . an anecdotal account of how some of the most well-known book and play titles come to be. It is not meant to be a comprehensive compendium of every catchy title, but rather a lighthearted look at a struggle that has bedeviled writers for centuries.”

    How I Relate To This Book

    As an author and publisher, I can really appreciate how important a title can be to the financial success of a book. Nowadays, a title must not only be catchy, but also be keyword-rich, and search-engine-friendly, if you have any hope of it being found on the internet. The proper title is essential if you want your publication to stand out from the huge number of publications that are published every day.

    Conclusion

    If you are an author or publisher, you will certainly know that a good title is an essential part of a successful marketing plan for any publication. In Bernard’s book, you will read about very famous authors going through the same agonizing process that we authors and publishers go through today.

    Nowadays, developing the best title is even more important than it was when most of the books discussed in Bernard’s book were written. But it was still very interesting to see how these famous authors and big-name publishers dealt with this important process.

    5 min
  • 10 Tips for Memorizing Information the Smart and Easy Way

    Updated September 5, 2023

    Subtitle

    Memorization is a necessary first step to learning

    Synopsis

    Memorization is the fixing of information into your memory through sheer repetition. It is a necessary first step in learning. Memorizing the fundamental terms and concepts of a complex or new topic will provide a strong foundation for a deeper understanding of the more difficult concepts that will follow with additional study.

    What You Will Learn

    1. You will learn what memorization is and why it is vital to learning.
    2. You will learn ten tips to help set up an easy-to-follow studying system.
    3. You will learn about mnemonics and how quickly you can create them.

    Introduction

    Memorization is the fixing of information into your memory through sheer repetition. It is a necessary first step in learning. Memorizing the fundamental terms and concepts of a complex or new topic will provide a strong foundation for a deeper understanding of the more difficult concepts that will follow with additional study.

    Learning a giant, complicated, or utterly new subject might initially seem overwhelming. We have all been there before. And most of us get through it ok.

    My wife Michele and I teach many healthcare professionals each year. Most are expected to quickly recall hundreds of essential dosages, formulas, and rules while dealing with stressful situations. We have learned that memorization is the fastest and most practical way to get our students started on their path to becoming great at their jobs.

    Memorization, schooling, self-study, continuing education classes, online training, on-the-job training, in-house classes, and mandatory certifications all play a part in becoming very successful at almost anything.

    Here is a list of our favorite tips to memorize a topic and its essential facts:

    Tip # 1. Break the Material Down into Smaller Parts

    Smaller bits of information will be much easier for your brain to hold onto. Make several lists. Work on memorizing these lists. Memorize a few facts, and then learn a few more.

    Tip # 2. Study in Short Periods over a Long Period

    Short bursts of study, fifteen or thirty minutes at a time, are much better and more productive than sitting there and studying for sixty or ninety minutes. For example, when sitting in a doctor’s waiting room, take out your study cards and read them.

    These short bursts of study periods can be very productive. Constantly doing this over many months is the surest way to get the information into your long-term memory.

    Tip # 3. Review the Material Frequently

    You must review the material frequently to get the new information from your short-term memory into your long-term memory. The more complex the topic, and the less previous knowledge you have for an issue, the more frequently you must review the material.

    Some nights, you should do a complete study session on a subject. On the other nights, you can do a quick review. But always try to touch that subject at least once every twenty-four hours.

    Tip # 4. Do Not Cram

    Cramming is usually useless. Learning a new or complex topic takes days, weeks, months, and years, not minutes. It takes a lot of time to process information correctly.

    Tip # 5. Use Mnemonic Devices, Catchy Puns, and Phrases

    Mnemonics are a great memory device to help you memorize complex information. Here is one I created to remember the stages of shock: “Not His lucky CHARMS.” Neurogenic, Hemorrhagic, Cardiogenic, Hypovolemic, Anaphylactic, Respiratory, Metabolic, Septic. You can create a mnemonic from a phrase, rhyme, or sentence.

    Tip # 6. Teach the Information to Another Person

    This tip is probably one of the surest ways to force yourself to learn a topic thoroughly. Get a family member, friend, or co-worker to sit and let you explain a subject to them. Have them ask you questions and put you on the spot for an understandable answer. Do not just talk to the person. Try to help them understand the subject.

    Forcing yourself to explain the topic to another person will cause your brain to put the issue into a format that your brain is comfortable with. This technique will get you past simple memorization, and you will start to learn a subject.

    Tip # 7. Use Various Study Materials

    This tip simply means using different study materials like flashcards, videos, study guides, etc. One night, you might utilize flashcards and videos. The next night, use the textbook and your notes. Another night, use the flashcards, a study guide, etc.

    Tip # 8. Leave the Radio and TV Off

    You must minimize outside distractions. With all your concentration abilities, you must study the material as intensely as possible for short bursts of time. Your brain can easily handle two or three tasks at the same time. But, when studying, especially a new subject, it’s not the time to get distracted by other things.

    Tip # 9. Use Study Charts and Cards

    Make your study charts and flash cards. This personalization is a great way to help you recognize what information you have difficulty understanding and memorizing.

    Tip # 10. Study with a Friend

    This buddy system will undoubtedly make studying a complex subject much more fun. It will also be a great way to test each other. It is also a way to ensure you will learn instead of watching television.

    Conclusion

    Memorization is a necessary first step in learning. The trick to studying a new topic is to accept that you must start as soon as possible and put in the time required to learn the material.

    Michele and I have learned that memorization is the fastest and most practical way to get our students started on their path to becoming great at their jobs. You will learn the material if you use these ten tips long enough.

    Questions For Us To Think About And Discuss

    1. What techniques have you used or developed to help you quickly learn a new subject?
    2. What are your main distractions when you study?

    9 min
  • The Importance of Sincerity When Writing Non-fiction

    Updated December 27, 2022

    Subtitle

    Sincerity will help you build a following of readers that will respect you and what you do, which will help you sell more books

    Synopsis

    Sincerity is crucial to all of us because it helps build trust. And faith is one of the fundamental building blocks to developing a lasting and rewarding relationship. Non-fiction writers need to display sincerity with their words. Readers can sense this and reward writers they trust by following them, reading their articles, and buying their books. Here is a short discussion on the importance of writing with sincerity.

    What You Will Learn

    1. You’ll learn why sincerity is vital to non-fiction writing.
    2. You’ll learn how to define and understand sincerity.
    3. You’ll learn about the critical connection between sincerity and tone in your writing.

    Introduction

    Sincerity is crucial to all of us because it helps build trust. And faith is one of the fundamental building blocks to developing a lasting and rewarding relationship. Non-fiction writers need to display sincerity with their words. Sincerity, honesty, and respect for the subject matter and the reader are essential to building up a tribe of followers, readers, and buyers.

    One of the main ways non-fiction writers display sincerity is by being transparent, straightforward, and honest with their readers. Readers can quickly sense this and reward writers they trust by following them, reading their articles, and buying their books.

    Your writing voice, and the connection you make with your reader, are heavily influenced by your sincerity for the subject matter, your desire to help the reader, and the tone you use when you write.

    Here are three terms you must understand in order to write with sincerity:

    Term # 1. Writing voice refers to when your writing reflects your personality and characteristics. The tone you use helps reveal how you feel about the topic you are writing about and how you think about the reader. Your writing voice will help your readers understand and connect with you emotionally.

    Term # 2. Sincerity means having no pretense, deceit, or hypocrisy. And, for example, being honest, genuine, truthful, open, transparent, and candid with the reader. Sincerity should never be faked or feigned because, for your readers to believe what you’re writing about, they must genuinely believe that you’re being honest with them.

    To write with sincerity, you must first respect yourself, the subject matter, and, more importantly, the reader. Once you lose the reader’s respect, they’ll never come back to you to read your articles, or buy your books, ever again. Readers, especially today, can detect hypocrisy a mile away.

    Term # 3. Tone: reflects your attitude toward your subject matter AND your attitude toward the reader and will significantly influence how your readers interpret your message. Tone refers to your perspective, such as formal, informal, ironic, serious, sophisticated, comedic, sarcastic, sad, dark, or cheerful.

    Conclusion

    Sincerity is one of the fundamental building blocks to developing trust between you, the writer, and your readers. One of the main ways non-fiction writers display sincerity is by being transparent, straightforward, and honest with their readers.

    Your writing voice helps convey your seriousness and attitude toward the subject matter and your sincere desire to help the reader. All of this will help you build a following of readers that will respect you and what you do, which will help you sell more books.

    Questions to Think About

    1. What specific techniques have you used to improve your writing voice?
    2. What are some changes you’ve made to your writing tone?

    5 min

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