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Walt Shiel - EzineArticles.com Expert Author
Although born in Michigan, Walt Shiel was raised across the US and around the world as an Air Force “brat.” He started school on the Pacific Island of Guam during the Korean War and finished high school in France during the Vietnam War. Shortly after graduation, Charles DeGaulle kicked all American forces out of the country, but Walt swears it had nothing to do with him.
Subsequently, he earned a BS degree from Michigan State ... [More]
[View Walt Shiel's Extended Author Bio]
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- Can You Typeset Your Book Using Microsoft Word?
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] The short answer is...yes, of course. However, there are numerous cautions you really need to understand. Although Microsoft Word is a great word processing program, it is a mediocre book layout and typesetting program.
- What Font Should You Use For Your Book?
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] One of the most common questions asked by would-be self-publishers who are intent on designing and typesetting their book themselves is, "What font should I use?" I'm always relieved when somebody asks the question. At least it means they're not just blindly going to use the ubiquitous default fonts found in most word processing programs. However, there is almost no way to answer the question.
- The "Hard Truths" About Book Publishing
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] If you're at all serious about publishing, whether self-publishing or not, you really need to be aware of some basic statistics about the industry. They aren't pretty and may tend to be discouraging. But would you rather jump into these treacherous waters with a head full of platitudes and myths...or with a clear-eyed view of how things really are? I think you are far better off understanding what's really going on and what you, as an author and would-be self-publisher, are really up against.
- Cataloging-in-Publication Data - Should You Bother With it For Your Book?
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] Cataloging-in-Publication (CIP) data is included in many books (probably most of those published by mid-size and large publishers). You find it on the copyright page (the verso, or reverse side, of the title page). Exactly what is it? Does a self-published book need it? If so, how can you get it?
- ISBN - What Does it Really Mean?
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] A book's International Standard Book Number (ISBN) looks like a meaningless string of numbers. But it, most definitely, is not. Most any reasonably knowledgeable person in the book industry can derive a lot of useful information from the ISBN. So, self-publishers should make sure they understand what an ISBN really means.
- Library of Congress Control Number - What is it and Does Your Book Need It?
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] The Library of Congress Control Number is a free number that can point your book to a Library of Congress catalog entry and help other librarians catalog and shelve your book faster. Here's a more detailed explanation of what it is, what it's for, and how you can get -- and use -- one for your self-published book.
- Book Covers - Are They Important?
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] Don't judge a book by its cover, right? Wrong. Everyone does just that. So, it's important to understand the basics of effective cover design.
- Self-Publishing? Don't Scrimp on Editing
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] If you've decided to self-publish your book and are on a tight budget, you may be tempted to try to keep costs down by editing it yourself. This is rarely a good idea. You really should have your book professionally edited. I'd like to think that is obvious but, based on the manuscripts and self-published books I've seen or received for publication consideration...well, it apparently is not so obvious to everyone.
- Who's Going to Read Your Book?
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] It usually seems the most difficult question for a writer, particularly a new writer, to answer. Also the most important.
- Selling Your Book - Flash in the Pan Or Endurance?
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] Every self-published author and small/micro press dreams of scoring the big touchdown - making a national bestseller list. Maybe the New York Times or Publishers Weekly list. However, the odds are generally against us. Not that it can't be done, but it happens very rarely. And I'm not sure that's a bad thing.
- Typography For Self-Publishers - Does it Matter?
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] Typography really does matter for self-published books, just as much as for any other book. Too many self-publishers think they can save money and typeset their book using a word processing program. Maybe so, but they will never know how many readers were turned off by the book's poor typesetting.
- Book Marketing - Have You Evaluated Your Competition?
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] Do you think your competition for book sales is primarily other books? Maybe, maybe not. Remember that books are mostly discretionary purchases, meaning those dollars could be spent on a wide variety of other discretionary things.
- Traditional Bookstores - Are They Doomed?
[Writing-and-Speaking:Book-Marketing] The news on the brick-and-mortar bookstore front seems to be mixed lately. Many bookstores are struggling, many are closing, while many also are opening. Is the latter the triumph of hope over experience? Or just the result of some entrepreneurial overconfidence?
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