The One Hour Guide to Self-Publishing: Straight Talk For Fiction & Nonfiction Writers About Producing & Marketing Your Own Books

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Designed to be read in about an hour, this book provides practical informationabout each step of the publishing process based on my own experienceswriting, producing, designing, distributing and promoting my own books.Whenever possible, I encourage you to do things yourself to save money,but there are times when it's wise to invest money to achieve theexcellence your long hours of writing deserve. Self-publishing is moreeconomical than it ever has been, but it isn't free. Understanding theexpenses and challenges of a venture before they become a roadblockallows you to proceed with realistic expectations when you're ready toundertake your journey. As promised on the cover, it's "straight talkfor fiction and nonfiction writers."
 
The first section of The One Hour Guide to Self-Publishing focuses on producing your book. The second section is about promotingit afterward. The book is organized into short chapters that summarizeeach facet of the publishing process. If you prefer to spend more timewriting and less time researching fine details of the publishingbusiness, this book provides the concise insights, warnings, shortcuts,explanations and inspiration needed to help you make your book available directly and through major booksellers, and in both printed and eBookform. You'll have a good idea of what's involved and where to go fromhere.
 
What this book is not is a comprehensive guide topage layout, production techniques, public relations or building anonline marketing platform. Think of it as a "what-to-do" guide ratherthan a "how-to-do-it" guide. Especially when it comes to marketing andpromotion, there are infinite directions to be explored, but The One Hour Guide to Self-Publishing assumes you are more interested in writing than in becoming a full-time marketer, that your time is limited, and that you are publishing with a limited budget. You'll find your hands full with plenty to learn righthere, and will be well-served to try the techniques offered within these pages before investing further time and resources in additionalmarketing strategies.
 
The Universe of publishing is vast andexpanding. A comprehensive listing would double the size of this bookand require monthly updates. Though the resources described here willmeet your needs, be sure to research all your options before deciding on vendors and directions.
 
Any costs or prices mentioned are inUnited States dollars, and you should calculate currency exchangesaccordingly. However, with the publishing industry evolving constantly,you should treat them as guidelines and research current costs andoptions.
 
A list of links to the resources listed in the text is also included.
 
Whether you're a novelist, a poet or a business-writer, The One Hour Guide to Self-Publishing was written for you.

A fan of adventure and travel, he began living aboard cruising sailboats at the age of 18, spent several years solo cruising in the Bahamas during the late 1980s, and crossed the Atlantic on a wooden yawl in 1991. During these voyages, he encountered some of the unusual people, places and circumstances that color his stories.

An inveterate do-it-yourselfer, Bricker writes, produces and designs his own books and publishes them through his private Essential Absurdities Press.

Current projects include "Waves," a continuation of the story of the protagonist from his first novel, "The Dance," that follows him from Florida to the Caribbean on a cruising trimaran, "The One Hour Guide to Self-Publishing" - a nonfiction offering, an as-yet-untitled memoir of his own sailing experiences and an electronic book conceived to painlessly teach left-brain programming skills to right-brained artists.