A new world has opened to writers who wish to have their words turned into finished books. With technological advances in typesetting, printing, distribution, and sales, self-publishing has become a reality. But while converting your writing into a commercially available title may sound relatively easy—based upon the claims of the companies that offer this service—there are many important considerations you should be aware of before going to press. Book publishing expert Dr. Jan Yager has created an easy-to-follow guide that will take you from conception to production to selling—and everywhere in between. Whether the work is fiction or nonfiction, there are many crucial decisions to be made and pitfalls to avoid. How to Self-Publish Your Bookoffers sound and proven advice at every turn.

The book is divided into three parts. Part One takes you through the initial manuscript preparation—setting your goals, editing, proofing, and choosing a layout, as well as creating a business plan for the book’s eventual release. Part Two focuses on the actual production of the book. It explains the importance of cover design, what you need to know about producing physical books and E-books, and how to turn your title into an audiobook. Part Three provides key information on how to market and sell a book—the very areas most writers understand least even though they are essential to a title’s success. Also included is a valuable resource section that you can to turn to time and time again for helpful websites and e-mail that provide essential self-publishing services including free-lance editors, proofreaders, book marketers, publicists, printers, and related associations

Today, numerous workshops and lecturers charge hundreds of dollars, promising to turn self-published books into bestsellers. The fact is that to create the best book possible, you have to start with the title’s conception, not with the finished product. Here is a complete road map to what lays ahead for the self-published author—not based on hype or wishful thinking, but based on Dr. Jan Yager’s lifetime of experience in the world of publishing.