For some of us, writing the book is easier than writing the synopsis, a brief promo piece or—dread of all dreads—the back cover copy. Who wrote (or will write) your back cover copy—the bit on the back of the book designed to influence browsers to buy it? Did you ask your editor to write it? Maybe you left it to your POD publishing service. Or did you write it yourself?

Self-Publishing has never been any easier, as long as you go into the process prepared. Unfortunately it’s a virtual minefield out there, which you need to successfully navigate, or you can end up flushing lots of money down the toilet. Your primary mission is to properly analyze your personal situation and set your goals accordingly. Those of you who have been through this process realize that this is easier said then done. Now there is a simple quiz you can take to help you get started on the right foot and give you the best chance of achieving your goals.

You’ve worked long and hard to complete your manuscript and now you’re ready to publish. What should you do next? First, consider your goals and target audience. Did you take on the project: Because of a burning need to get your story written down primarily for family and friends so it won’t be forgotten over time?

Q: I spoke a few weeks ago about laying out my MSWord file into 5.5×8.5 book format. I would like to get some clarification on a few things: Other publishers or printers are telling me that typesetting is needed because a number of glitches could occur with the file conversion from my Word file to whatever you use to work in. True or not?

Special-sales opportunities are so ubiquitous that we fail to see them. We become so used to seeing a gift shop, toy store, beauty salon or museum for what they are that we do not think of them for what they could be: potential outlets for book sales. You can find these new sources of revenue by conducting simple grassroots market research.

Many sales are lost because salespeople assume they know what the customer wants. Sales people like to made assumptions of knowledge about what the buyer wants and needs, or sometimes more important why the buyer might be motivated to buy. Using one’s instincts and sixth sense is fine in the equation of success, but it should be only part of your expertise.

3 years ago I set out on a dream to purposely be one of those rare writers who self-published a book and landed a deal with a major publisher and I’m happy to say I achieved that goal. A lot of writers ask me if there was one thing I learned that I would advise [...]