How important are testimonials? Testimonials sell books! For nonfiction books, you should have testimonials from professionals (those who have knowledge in your book’s subject) who are willing to endorse your book included on the back cover. If you have written a medical journal, your testimonials should be written by medical professionals. If the subject matter is golf, your book should include testimonials from golf professionals, and so on.
Send out requests for testimonials as soon as your manuscript is completed and edited. Don’t count on just one or two people for testimonials requests—people are busy and may not respond at all. Send out several requests and make responding as easy as possible. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope along with the manuscript for easy reply. Some people go as far as to send pre-written testimonials where the professional can chose the one they like best. They may suggest the person only need to scroll through the manuscript to obtain an opinion. Anyway you go about getting positive testimonials is fine, just ask politely and get them because they unquestionably matter.
Resources:
PMA article, How to get great testimonials for your book. http://www.pma-online.org/articles/shownews.aspx?id=2169
E-zine Author: Carol Denbow
Visit Carol’s new website at http://www.booksbydenbow.weebly.com/
Click here to receive this e-zine every month!
Interested in contributing to our monthly e-zine? Please send your comments, stories, requests, and questions to cdenbow@plainandsimplebooks.com
Copyright © May 2008 by Plain & Simple Books, LLC
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
We are always happy to share the information provided in our e-zine as long as credits are included. For reprint permission please e-mail cdenbow@plainandsimplebooks.com
Monday, May 26, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
A Quick Guide to ISBNs for Self-Publishers
By Jennifer Tribe
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a code assigned to every published book that uniquely identifies it in the marketplace. ISBNs make it easier and more efficient for libraries, booksellers and others in the publishing industry to order, distribute and catalog books.
When To Use an ISBN:
You need to assign an ISBN to any content you intend to distribute through outside channels such as bookstores, catalogues or libraries. ISBNs should be placed on
-- print books
-- electronic books
-- videos
-- audio cassettes and CDs
-- CD-ROMs, and
-- other items as detailed by the International ISBN Agency.
You need to issue a separate ISBN for each edition of your book and for every format. For example, if you issued the same book as a print book, e-book, audio book and Braille book, you would require a separate identifier for each. If one year later, you updated the manuscript and re-issued the book, you would assign new ISBNs to this second edition in each of its different formats.
Deciphering the Numbering System
All ISBNs are currently 10 digits. (The industry will slowly be transitioning to a 13-digit system starting in 2005. See ISBN for more information on the change.)
The digits identify:
-- the group (country, area or language area of the publisher)
-- the publisher, and
-- the title of the item.
The last digit is a check digit.
The group number is comprised of one to three digits. Zero is the number for the English language group that includes the United States, English-speaking Canada, the U.K., Australia and other countries.
The publisher number is comprised of two to seven digits. The more ISBNs a publisher uses, the small their publisher number.
Publishers that use more than 100,000 ISBNs are given a publisher number of only two digits. If you apply for 10 or fewer ISBNs, you will be assigned a publisher number with seven digits. Everyone else falls somewhere in the middle.
Thus anyone in the book trade can look at an ISBN and know roughly how big you are as a publisher by the number of ISBNs you have applied to use. This is why self-publishing gurus like Dan Poynter recommend acquiring your ISBNs in blocks of 100 to avoid being labeled “small potatoes.”
Poynter further recommends that you use an ISBN from the middle of your list of 100 for your first book, since a 0 or 1 as your title number will reveal you as a first-timer.
The check digits range from one to 10. Since there is space for only one check digit, the number 10 is represented by an X.
How To Acquire ISBNs
ISBNs in the United States are administered by R.R. Bowker. Bowker charges a fee to process your application. Ten ISBNs cost $225; 100 ISBNs cost $800. Visit www.bowker.com for more information, or to complete an application.
ISBNs in Canada are administered by the National Public Library as a free service. Visit http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/isbn/index-e.html for more information or to apply on-line.
For more information on the ISBN system and how it works, visit www.isbn.org.
About The Author
Juiced Consulting helps business owners package what they know into information products –- such as books, audiotapes and teleclasses –- that they can sell to generate new business revenue. For a free newsletter and other resources, visit http://www.juicedconsulting.com/.
jtribe@juicedconsulting.com
Article Source: Ezine Articles
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a code assigned to every published book that uniquely identifies it in the marketplace. ISBNs make it easier and more efficient for libraries, booksellers and others in the publishing industry to order, distribute and catalog books.
When To Use an ISBN:
You need to assign an ISBN to any content you intend to distribute through outside channels such as bookstores, catalogues or libraries. ISBNs should be placed on
-- print books
-- electronic books
-- videos
-- audio cassettes and CDs
-- CD-ROMs, and
-- other items as detailed by the International ISBN Agency.
You need to issue a separate ISBN for each edition of your book and for every format. For example, if you issued the same book as a print book, e-book, audio book and Braille book, you would require a separate identifier for each. If one year later, you updated the manuscript and re-issued the book, you would assign new ISBNs to this second edition in each of its different formats.
Deciphering the Numbering System
All ISBNs are currently 10 digits. (The industry will slowly be transitioning to a 13-digit system starting in 2005. See ISBN for more information on the change.)
The digits identify:
-- the group (country, area or language area of the publisher)
-- the publisher, and
-- the title of the item.
The last digit is a check digit.
The group number is comprised of one to three digits. Zero is the number for the English language group that includes the United States, English-speaking Canada, the U.K., Australia and other countries.
The publisher number is comprised of two to seven digits. The more ISBNs a publisher uses, the small their publisher number.
Publishers that use more than 100,000 ISBNs are given a publisher number of only two digits. If you apply for 10 or fewer ISBNs, you will be assigned a publisher number with seven digits. Everyone else falls somewhere in the middle.
Thus anyone in the book trade can look at an ISBN and know roughly how big you are as a publisher by the number of ISBNs you have applied to use. This is why self-publishing gurus like Dan Poynter recommend acquiring your ISBNs in blocks of 100 to avoid being labeled “small potatoes.”
Poynter further recommends that you use an ISBN from the middle of your list of 100 for your first book, since a 0 or 1 as your title number will reveal you as a first-timer.
The check digits range from one to 10. Since there is space for only one check digit, the number 10 is represented by an X.
How To Acquire ISBNs
ISBNs in the United States are administered by R.R. Bowker. Bowker charges a fee to process your application. Ten ISBNs cost $225; 100 ISBNs cost $800. Visit www.bowker.com for more information, or to complete an application.
ISBNs in Canada are administered by the National Public Library as a free service. Visit http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/isbn/index-e.html for more information or to apply on-line.
For more information on the ISBN system and how it works, visit www.isbn.org.
About The Author
Juiced Consulting helps business owners package what they know into information products –- such as books, audiotapes and teleclasses –- that they can sell to generate new business revenue. For a free newsletter and other resources, visit http://www.juicedconsulting.com/.
jtribe@juicedconsulting.com
Article Source: Ezine Articles
Friday, April 25, 2008
Vol. 8 / The Importance of a Great Book Cover Design
The Front Cover
In the old days, books were sold without a cover and buyers would bind them according to their own desires or needs. Now, the books cover has become one of the most important selling components to a book. Over half of booksellers feel the cover design is the most important component.
If you are accepted by a traditional publishing house, they will design a book cover for your book. If you use a POD (print on demand) publisher, you can hire them to design a cover, or you can submit your own design. When you self-publish you either hire a freelance cover designer or design your own.
The average person spends 8 seconds looking at the front cover and 15 seconds on the back. It is a fact, that the front cover of a book is what draws the initial attention from the buyer, if he doesn’t like the cover, he won’t look any closer at the book.
There are specific points to a cover which seem to attract the most attention. The title, size and clarity of the text, the colors, and the size of the book are amongst the top four. Make sure your title not only represents the books contents, but is clear and comprehendible to the potential buyer. The color red seems to attract the most attention to book covers. But since red is also the color most commonly associated with danger, depending on your title and subject matter, red may not be an appropriate color for your book. The size of the book is not so relevant as long as the colors are good and the title is the appropriate size for the books cover. Children’s books may be the exception to “size matters.” Children prefer larger books with many colors on the cover.
Take a trip to the library and pick out several books of different sizes and colors. If you lay them all out together and stand back six or eight feet, you will notice which sizes and colors attract your attention best. To get more feedback for you own book, pick only books similar to your subject matter. Your books title should be easily readable from at least six feet away.
An average of 13 hours is spent designing a book cover. The cost of a professionally designed cover can be as low as $500 and as much as $3,500. It could cost less if you already have artwork picked out, or if you have a good idea of what you want the cover to look like.
The back cover
Since 15 seconds are spent by the average person looking at the back cover of your book, you need to be sure it will sell the book. The buyer is looking at the back cover for a reason to buy the book. He will want to know what the book is about, who’s endorsing it, and why. He also wants to know how the book will solve his issue, whatever that may be; or how the book will entertain him. If all his questions are answered effectively, he will then briefly scroll through the book; now he may buy.
For non-fiction books, your back cover description should start by asking a question about the book subject, or address the problem that the book was written to resolve. For instance, a book about stress-relief might start with “Do you often feel stressed?” Follow that by explaining briefly how your book will solve that problem, or what the potential buyer will learn by reading your book. In other words, how will your book benefit the reader? Most likely, there are other books similar to yours, look at their back covers to see how they have formatted them and what information might attract the reader, then improve on that. Give the reader a reason to choose YOUR book instead of another.
For a fiction book, your back cover should lure the reader into wanting more. An intriguing lead into what lies ahead, but only to those who buy your book.
Testimonials sell books. You should have testimonials from professionals willing to endorse your book included on the back cover. Testimonials for your book should be done by professionals related to the book’s subject matter. If you have written a medical journal, you’re testimonials should be written by medical professionals. If the subject matter is golf, your book should include testimonials from golf professionals, and so on.
Include your bio on the back cover or inside the jacket cover. People like to see a photo of the author as well. They want to be able to relate to you and what you are saying in the book; it makes their reading experience more personal. In your bio, tell them why you are qualified to write this book and why you wrote it.
Make a professional looking picture of your books front and back cover for all promoting and advertizing. JPG is the most popular and most requested format to use when adding an image to online ads and promotion sites.
Take your time to present a well formatted and attractive book cover and you will see positive results when your book is released.
Resources:
Covers Sell Books
E-zine Author: Carol Denbow
Visit Carol’s new website at www.BooksByDenbow.Weebly.com
To receive this e-zine in your inbox every month, send an e-mail request to caroldenbow@gmail.com
Interested in contributing to our monthly e-zine? Please send your comments, stories, requests, and questions to cdenbow@plainandsimplebooks.com
Copyright © May 2008 by Plain & Simple Books, LLC
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
We are always happy to share the information provided in our e-zine as long as credits are included. For reprint permission please e-mail cdenbow@plainandsimplebooks.com
In the old days, books were sold without a cover and buyers would bind them according to their own desires or needs. Now, the books cover has become one of the most important selling components to a book. Over half of booksellers feel the cover design is the most important component.
If you are accepted by a traditional publishing house, they will design a book cover for your book. If you use a POD (print on demand) publisher, you can hire them to design a cover, or you can submit your own design. When you self-publish you either hire a freelance cover designer or design your own.
The average person spends 8 seconds looking at the front cover and 15 seconds on the back. It is a fact, that the front cover of a book is what draws the initial attention from the buyer, if he doesn’t like the cover, he won’t look any closer at the book.
There are specific points to a cover which seem to attract the most attention. The title, size and clarity of the text, the colors, and the size of the book are amongst the top four. Make sure your title not only represents the books contents, but is clear and comprehendible to the potential buyer. The color red seems to attract the most attention to book covers. But since red is also the color most commonly associated with danger, depending on your title and subject matter, red may not be an appropriate color for your book. The size of the book is not so relevant as long as the colors are good and the title is the appropriate size for the books cover. Children’s books may be the exception to “size matters.” Children prefer larger books with many colors on the cover.
Take a trip to the library and pick out several books of different sizes and colors. If you lay them all out together and stand back six or eight feet, you will notice which sizes and colors attract your attention best. To get more feedback for you own book, pick only books similar to your subject matter. Your books title should be easily readable from at least six feet away.
An average of 13 hours is spent designing a book cover. The cost of a professionally designed cover can be as low as $500 and as much as $3,500. It could cost less if you already have artwork picked out, or if you have a good idea of what you want the cover to look like.
The back cover
Since 15 seconds are spent by the average person looking at the back cover of your book, you need to be sure it will sell the book. The buyer is looking at the back cover for a reason to buy the book. He will want to know what the book is about, who’s endorsing it, and why. He also wants to know how the book will solve his issue, whatever that may be; or how the book will entertain him. If all his questions are answered effectively, he will then briefly scroll through the book; now he may buy.
For non-fiction books, your back cover description should start by asking a question about the book subject, or address the problem that the book was written to resolve. For instance, a book about stress-relief might start with “Do you often feel stressed?” Follow that by explaining briefly how your book will solve that problem, or what the potential buyer will learn by reading your book. In other words, how will your book benefit the reader? Most likely, there are other books similar to yours, look at their back covers to see how they have formatted them and what information might attract the reader, then improve on that. Give the reader a reason to choose YOUR book instead of another.
For a fiction book, your back cover should lure the reader into wanting more. An intriguing lead into what lies ahead, but only to those who buy your book.
Testimonials sell books. You should have testimonials from professionals willing to endorse your book included on the back cover. Testimonials for your book should be done by professionals related to the book’s subject matter. If you have written a medical journal, you’re testimonials should be written by medical professionals. If the subject matter is golf, your book should include testimonials from golf professionals, and so on.
Include your bio on the back cover or inside the jacket cover. People like to see a photo of the author as well. They want to be able to relate to you and what you are saying in the book; it makes their reading experience more personal. In your bio, tell them why you are qualified to write this book and why you wrote it.
Make a professional looking picture of your books front and back cover for all promoting and advertizing. JPG is the most popular and most requested format to use when adding an image to online ads and promotion sites.
Take your time to present a well formatted and attractive book cover and you will see positive results when your book is released.
Resources:
Covers Sell Books
E-zine Author: Carol Denbow
Visit Carol’s new website at www.BooksByDenbow.Weebly.com
To receive this e-zine in your inbox every month, send an e-mail request to caroldenbow@gmail.com
Interested in contributing to our monthly e-zine? Please send your comments, stories, requests, and questions to cdenbow@plainandsimplebooks.com
Copyright © May 2008 by Plain & Simple Books, LLC
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
We are always happy to share the information provided in our e-zine as long as credits are included. For reprint permission please e-mail cdenbow@plainandsimplebooks.com
Monday, April 14, 2008
Vol. 7 / Should I Copyright My Work?
One of the most commonly asked questions of new authors is “Should I copyright my work?” Authors are concerned their work might be stolen by some smuck (sorry, couldn’t think of a better descriptive word) who reprints their work and claims authorship for it. Well, the truth is, it could be. But whether filing a legal copyright will make a difference; that’s uncertain.
Since the 1976 Copyright Act, the need to file a legal copyright has changed. The new copyright act states, “Copyright protection now subsists from the time the work is created in fixed form. The copyright in the work of authorship immediately becomes the property of the author who created the work. Only the author or those deriving their rights through the author can rightfully claim copyright.”
If you find that someone has reprinted your work under their name, the process of claiming copyright follows about the same path whether you have legally or assumedly copyrighted your work. The first step to take is to contact the U.S Copyright office and report the infringement. Also contact Writer Beware (listed below).
For legitimate authors, a rule of thumb is never copy more than three words in sequence of another persons work. If you want to use someone else’s work word-for-word as part of your book, such as a quote or research document, you will need written permission from that person (See Vol. 6).
If you loose sleep worrying that someone will steal your work, by all means, file a legal copyright. The journey to becoming a published author can be stressful enough without this additional concern.
If you’re concerned about the total protection of your work, or feel better with the guarantee of register copyright, visit the U.S. Copyright office online to learn more about the copyright process (see resources).
Copyright symbol © - wrapping the letter “c” will automatically create a copyright symbol on your word processor. Include the month and year, i.e., Copyright © April 2008 by “your name”.
U.S. Copyright Office, “Copyright Office Basics,” Who Can Claim Copyright, www.copyright.gov, Washington, DC, 2006
Resources:
U.S. Copyright, www.copyright.gov
Writer Beware, http://www.sfwa.org/beware/
E-zine Author: Carol Denbow
Visit Carol’s new website at http://www.BooksByDenbow.Weebly.com
Click here to receive this e-zine every month!
Interested in contributing to our monthly e-zine? Please send your comments, stories, requests, and questions to cdenbow@plainandsimplebooks.com
Copyright © April 2008 by Plain & Simple Books, LLC
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
We are always happy to share the information provided in our e-zine as long as credits are included. For reprint permission please e-mail cdenbow@plainandsimplebooks.com
Since the 1976 Copyright Act, the need to file a legal copyright has changed. The new copyright act states, “Copyright protection now subsists from the time the work is created in fixed form. The copyright in the work of authorship immediately becomes the property of the author who created the work. Only the author or those deriving their rights through the author can rightfully claim copyright.”
If you find that someone has reprinted your work under their name, the process of claiming copyright follows about the same path whether you have legally or assumedly copyrighted your work. The first step to take is to contact the U.S Copyright office and report the infringement. Also contact Writer Beware (listed below).
For legitimate authors, a rule of thumb is never copy more than three words in sequence of another persons work. If you want to use someone else’s work word-for-word as part of your book, such as a quote or research document, you will need written permission from that person (See Vol. 6).
If you loose sleep worrying that someone will steal your work, by all means, file a legal copyright. The journey to becoming a published author can be stressful enough without this additional concern.
If you’re concerned about the total protection of your work, or feel better with the guarantee of register copyright, visit the U.S. Copyright office online to learn more about the copyright process (see resources).
Copyright symbol © - wrapping the letter “c” will automatically create a copyright symbol on your word processor. Include the month and year, i.e., Copyright © April 2008 by “your name”.
U.S. Copyright Office, “Copyright Office Basics,” Who Can Claim Copyright, www.copyright.gov, Washington, DC, 2006
Resources:
U.S. Copyright, www.copyright.gov
Writer Beware, http://www.sfwa.org/beware/
E-zine Author: Carol Denbow
Visit Carol’s new website at http://www.BooksByDenbow.Weebly.com
Click here to receive this e-zine every month!
Interested in contributing to our monthly e-zine? Please send your comments, stories, requests, and questions to cdenbow@plainandsimplebooks.com
Copyright © April 2008 by Plain & Simple Books, LLC
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
We are always happy to share the information provided in our e-zine as long as credits are included. For reprint permission please e-mail cdenbow@plainandsimplebooks.com
Friday, March 28, 2008
Vol. 6 / Research & Permission
Non-fiction is written through research, and we are a fortunate generation to have the internet available to do our research. Using the search engines like Google and Yahoo, nearly every existing topic entered will return several resources. The library is a good source for research as well. For each fact you accumulate for your book, keep notes on where you found the information and who provided it to the location you found it, i.e., what website, book, newspaper, journal, article, etc. You will need to source all your information in your book including the date when the information was printed.
You can post free requests for information on your subject at the Para Publishing website. These may include the personal stories or experiences of others. See “Para Publishing” below.
A rule of thumb is never copy more than three words in sequence of another persons work (copyright infringement). If you want to use someone else’s work word-for-word as part of your book, such as a quote or research document, you will need written permission from that person.
Your written request should include the original authors name, the title and copyright date of the work, a page number or reference site of the work, and exactly what part in total you are requesting to use. You can condense this information into a letter form, but be very specific on all details of their work. Include your name, contact information, and what you plan to use their work in conjunction with, i.e., your book title. Offer to give them credit in the book and source their name and work on the page where the work will be included. Include the following:
• Your name, address, and all contact information
• Addressed to?
• Date
• A letter similar to this:
I am writing a book tentatively titled, “John Writes a Book.” I would like your permission to include the excerpts as described below in any and all editions of the book for worldwide distribution, and in all promoting and free and paid advertizing.
In exchange for your permission, you will be listed in my Acknowledgments, names and titles index (if included in your book), and sources on the page the excerpts appear. I will also send you a copy of the finished book.
I hope you will agree to give your quality work greater exposure.
For your convenience, enclosed are a self-addressed stamped envelope and a copy of this letter for your records.
• Signature
• Include on a new page:
Material to be reprinted: Excerpts from the book “The Way is to Write.” Page 222, section begins with “Only you can write a book.” Ends with, “Are you a good writer.” Total 17 lines. Copyright date: 2001
• A line for them to sign if they grant permission, “Permission granted,” as well as a line underneath denying permission, “Permission denied.” Include a place for them to date the document along with their signature.
The internet has made an easier job of locating people. Start immediately seeking out your needed permissions for it can take a long time to receive a response. Use the search engines to locate writers and professionals for permission. If that fails, contact the publisher of the work. If you can’t obtain permission, don’t use it.
Resources:
Para Publishing marketplace newsletter archives: http://www.parapublishing.com/sites/para/resources/newsletter.cfm
E-zine author; Carol Denbow
Author of: Are You Ready to Be Your Own Boss? (2006 Plain & Simple Books, LLC)
Stress Relief for the Working Stiff (summer 2008 Publish America)
A Book Inside, Writing, publishing, and selling your story
(Summer 2008 Plain & Simple Books, LLC))
Visit Carol’s Website at http://www.BooksByDenbow.Weebly.com
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Vol. 5 / Book length – Where do I go from here?
Some writers plan ahead as to how many pages their complete book will be. Others simply start writing and end when they feel their work is completed. Either way, before publishing, the number of pages will need to be decided.
Most commonly, the length of your manuscript determines what type of publication you have.
• Short story – under 15,000 words
• Novella – 15,000 to 29,999 words
• Short novel – 30,000 to 44,999 words
• Novel – 45,000 to 69,999 words
• Plus or super novel – over 70,000 words
There are some exceptions to these numbers. If you are writing a children’s book, you may have as little as 500 words, but many more illustrations, which might add to the total number of pages in the finished work. If your manuscript is less than 8 pages, it may not be worthwhile to publish as a book. In most cases, a minimum of 32 pages is needed for a hard cover book to have a solid “backbone.”
If you self publish and have your book printed, your layout and printing costs may vary depending on the books length. Many printers prefer a book to be set up with a particular amount of pages. Most books are printed on large sheets of paper which are folded into sections containing 8, 16, or 32 pages. Since printers generally set up the pages in segments of 8 at a time, keeping your book at an even number devisable by 8 can save you some money on printing costs. For instance, if your book is 144 pages in length, the printer may use 18 sheets to copy it (144 divided by 8 = 18). Printers may vary on the number of pages per sheet so it is important to discuss this with your specific printer.
When calculating the total number of pages in your finished book, don’t forget to add up the extra pages needed for components such as, your table of contents, introduction, index, etc. And by all means, don’t forget that book pages are two-sided.
Suggested Reading;
Modern Matriarch, The Ideal Length for Your Book
McGraw-Hill, Book Length
E-zine author; Carol Denbow
Author of; Are You Ready to Be Your Own Boss? (2006 Plain & Simple Books, LLC)
Stress Relief for the Working Stiff (summer 2008, Publish America)
A Book Inside, Writing, publishing, and selling your story
(Summer 2008 Plain & Simple Books, LLC))
Visit Carol’s new website at http://www.BooksByDenbow.Weebly.com
Click here to receive this e-zine every month!
Copyright © March 2008 by Plain & Simple Books, LLC
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
We are always happy to share the information provided in our e-zine as long as credits are included. For reprint permission please e-mail The Editor
Most commonly, the length of your manuscript determines what type of publication you have.
• Short story – under 15,000 words
• Novella – 15,000 to 29,999 words
• Short novel – 30,000 to 44,999 words
• Novel – 45,000 to 69,999 words
• Plus or super novel – over 70,000 words
There are some exceptions to these numbers. If you are writing a children’s book, you may have as little as 500 words, but many more illustrations, which might add to the total number of pages in the finished work. If your manuscript is less than 8 pages, it may not be worthwhile to publish as a book. In most cases, a minimum of 32 pages is needed for a hard cover book to have a solid “backbone.”
If you self publish and have your book printed, your layout and printing costs may vary depending on the books length. Many printers prefer a book to be set up with a particular amount of pages. Most books are printed on large sheets of paper which are folded into sections containing 8, 16, or 32 pages. Since printers generally set up the pages in segments of 8 at a time, keeping your book at an even number devisable by 8 can save you some money on printing costs. For instance, if your book is 144 pages in length, the printer may use 18 sheets to copy it (144 divided by 8 = 18). Printers may vary on the number of pages per sheet so it is important to discuss this with your specific printer.
When calculating the total number of pages in your finished book, don’t forget to add up the extra pages needed for components such as, your table of contents, introduction, index, etc. And by all means, don’t forget that book pages are two-sided.
Suggested Reading;
Modern Matriarch, The Ideal Length for Your Book
McGraw-Hill, Book Length
E-zine author; Carol Denbow
Author of; Are You Ready to Be Your Own Boss? (2006 Plain & Simple Books, LLC)
Stress Relief for the Working Stiff (summer 2008, Publish America)
A Book Inside, Writing, publishing, and selling your story
(Summer 2008 Plain & Simple Books, LLC))
Visit Carol’s new website at http://www.BooksByDenbow.Weebly.com
Click here to receive this e-zine every month!
Copyright © March 2008 by Plain & Simple Books, LLC
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
We are always happy to share the information provided in our e-zine as long as credits are included. For reprint permission please e-mail The Editor
Friday, February 29, 2008
Vol. 4 / 16 Book Components and Special Sections for Authors
There are several components to a finished book. Some books of non-fiction will require the inclusion of many, while fiction or children’s books, only one or two. If you self-publish your book, you will be responsible for adding all necessary components. If you are published through a traditional publishing house, what your books layout includes will be determined by them. But even with a traditional publisher, they will expect most of the written components to be included with your submission.
Depending on the type of literature you are writing, the following will guide you to your books specific needs.
Book pages generally fall into the following order:
1. Blank page – Placed as the first page in books (usually limited to hard cover books).
2. Bastard title page –The bastard title page includes only the books title and sometimes the sub-title. In the old days, books were sold without a cover and buyers would bind them according to their own desires or needs. This was the original explanation for a bastard title page. Nowadays, most publishers don’t see the need for a bastard title page.
3. Title page (all books) – The title page should be on the right hand page. It should include the books title, sub-title, author, name of publisher, and city where published, and if it is a revised or second edition.
4. Copyright page (all books) - This is one of the few components placed on the left hand page. The fonts point size is smaller than the books core text, but should be legible. An 8 or 9 point is suitable for the copyright information. The copyright is usually printed toward the bottom of the page and centered. Your printed copyright information should include the publishers name, city and state of publisher, the copyright symbol (©), and month and year of each edition of the book as well as your name and the names of contributors to the work, i.e., photographers, artists, etc. Follow with specific copyright information, where the book was manufactured, and a book printing numbering system. Copyright is most often centered on the page (not shown).
Plain and Simple Books, LLC, North Bend, Oregon
Artwork © January 2008 by Joe Talent
ISBN: 0-937861-00-0
© Copyright January 2008 by Carol Denbow
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
(Space here reserved for Cataloging-in-Publication Data)
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
The lowest number in the chain represents this printing. If you do a second printing, you will delete the “1,” for third printing delete the “2,” and so on. Read more on copyright on page 20.
5. Dedication page – The dedication should be placed on the right hand page. Your dedication is a personal note to honor a person or group. It can be a few words or several sentences but should be limited to less than half the page.
6. Acknowledgments – Your acknowledgments is where you list people and thank them for their assistance with your book. This is your opportunity to give them credit, which in turn may add credibility to your work. Again, your acknowledgments should be placed on the right hand page.
7. Foreword (before-word), preface, and/or introduction – A foreword is written by someone who is an expert on your books topic confirming you are qualified to write this book. Forewords have been more recently replaced with testimonials placed on the back cover. Include a preface if you want to explain to the reader why or how you wrote the book. Sometimes this information is included in an introduction. The introduction is an extension of the books text and should, as it states, introduce the book. It should begin with a question on where your audience is with their challenges which led them to pick up your book. Include what problems your book will solve for them and possibly include a tip for them, a useful quote, or interesting fact related to the topic. Introductions are often used by booksellers to advertize the book, so make it appealing to the potential buyer.
8. Table of Contents – One of the most important components to the reader is the table of contents. It needs to be clear and precise for the reader to easily locate sections in the book without confusion. It is one of the more difficult sections to organize and there is no specific rule to it. If your contents page can be limited to one easy-to-read page, place it on the right hand page. If it is two pages, there is no rule saying you can’t place it on the left and right hand pages. Just be sure to make it clear and easy to follow.
9. Half title page – The half title page is a repeat of the bastard title page and is included only to show the reader that the books front matter is finished and now they will be entering the main body of the book. This is not a necessary page unless the front matter is extensive and takes up several pages.
10. Chapter title pages – Chapter title pages should stand out so the reader can easily locate them when thumbing though the book. The fonts should match all other chapter title pages and be larger and bolder than the body’s text. You are not required to include chapter numbers, but they are helpful to the reader when locating those chapters. Chapter should always begin on the right hand page even if the left hand page is blank. The print should start one third to half way down the page.
11. Text – The books main text should be in a legible font and point size. Using too many characters on a page makes it difficult for the reader to follow. Examine other books to find one where the text is comfortable to your eyes and easy to follow to get an idea of what font and point size to use. With the exception of the intent to make a point to your reader, the main body of text should not be in bold or italic.
12. Appendix (non-fiction) – Not all books need or have an appendix. Most non-fiction books have footnotes included at the bottom of the page. They can be replaced by an appendix in the back, but may create more work for the reader to locate. This is a personal preference for the writer and/or publisher. When using footnotes, place them at the bottom of the page rather than the end of the chapter.
13. Note pages – Many research books include note pages in the back matter. Some include them only to fulfill the need for additional pages.
14. Glossaries (non-fiction) – In technical books, glossaries are used to define complex words which may be unfamiliar to the lay person. If your book has numerous such words, a glossary is in order. If you have few such words, perhaps a brief explanation of the word at the point of text would be more appropriate.
15. Bibliography or “Recommended Reading” (non-fiction) – Here is a place in the back matter to reference the books or materials you located information from to write this book. It may include additional resources for your readers in the form of other literature or helpful web sites.
16. Index (non-fiction) - If your book requires an index, it is not necessary to add page reference numbers at this time. A publisher will do that for you or when self-publishing, add these just prior to printing. You might also choose to hire a professional indexer. As your manuscript is compiled into book form, the page numbers may change rendering your reference pages useless; therefore, it is advised to utilize the services of a professional indexer whenever possible.
Most of the books component titles begin on the right hand page. There are many explanations for this, the most common being that readers generally will thumb through a book with their eyes focused on the right side.
In your finished book, your page count starts at the very first page of your book but is only visible from the start of the first chapter page on. For instance, if your first chapter begins on the 15th page, that page should read “page 15” and all previous pages left blank of any page numbers.
Page numbers are best visible to the reader in the upper outside corners or the bottom center of each page. They should be in bold and one or two point sizes larger than the books text.
With the exception of the chapter title pages, and beginning on the second page of the first chapter, you should have a header with your books title and your name as author. The left hand pages should have the books title in italics placed just after the page number (if the page number has been placed on the top of each page). The right hand pages should have the authors name placed just before each page number.
When writing the necessary components to your book, utilize your best writing skills. These sections do matter in creating a winning script. For more related articles see;
9 Front Matter Components
7 Parts of the End of the Book
To receive this e-zine directly into your inbox twice a month, send an e-mail request to:
caroldenbow@gmail.com
E-zine author; Carol Denbow
Copyright © January 2008 by Plain & Simple Books, LLC
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
We are always happy to share the information provided in our e-zine as long as credits are included. For reprint permission please e-mail The Editor
Depending on the type of literature you are writing, the following will guide you to your books specific needs.
Book pages generally fall into the following order:
1. Blank page – Placed as the first page in books (usually limited to hard cover books).
2. Bastard title page –The bastard title page includes only the books title and sometimes the sub-title. In the old days, books were sold without a cover and buyers would bind them according to their own desires or needs. This was the original explanation for a bastard title page. Nowadays, most publishers don’t see the need for a bastard title page.
3. Title page (all books) – The title page should be on the right hand page. It should include the books title, sub-title, author, name of publisher, and city where published, and if it is a revised or second edition.
4. Copyright page (all books) - This is one of the few components placed on the left hand page. The fonts point size is smaller than the books core text, but should be legible. An 8 or 9 point is suitable for the copyright information. The copyright is usually printed toward the bottom of the page and centered. Your printed copyright information should include the publishers name, city and state of publisher, the copyright symbol (©), and month and year of each edition of the book as well as your name and the names of contributors to the work, i.e., photographers, artists, etc. Follow with specific copyright information, where the book was manufactured, and a book printing numbering system. Copyright is most often centered on the page (not shown).
Plain and Simple Books, LLC, North Bend, Oregon
Artwork © January 2008 by Joe Talent
ISBN: 0-937861-00-0
© Copyright January 2008 by Carol Denbow
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
(Space here reserved for Cataloging-in-Publication Data)
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
The lowest number in the chain represents this printing. If you do a second printing, you will delete the “1,” for third printing delete the “2,” and so on. Read more on copyright on page 20.
5. Dedication page – The dedication should be placed on the right hand page. Your dedication is a personal note to honor a person or group. It can be a few words or several sentences but should be limited to less than half the page.
6. Acknowledgments – Your acknowledgments is where you list people and thank them for their assistance with your book. This is your opportunity to give them credit, which in turn may add credibility to your work. Again, your acknowledgments should be placed on the right hand page.
7. Foreword (before-word), preface, and/or introduction – A foreword is written by someone who is an expert on your books topic confirming you are qualified to write this book. Forewords have been more recently replaced with testimonials placed on the back cover. Include a preface if you want to explain to the reader why or how you wrote the book. Sometimes this information is included in an introduction. The introduction is an extension of the books text and should, as it states, introduce the book. It should begin with a question on where your audience is with their challenges which led them to pick up your book. Include what problems your book will solve for them and possibly include a tip for them, a useful quote, or interesting fact related to the topic. Introductions are often used by booksellers to advertize the book, so make it appealing to the potential buyer.
8. Table of Contents – One of the most important components to the reader is the table of contents. It needs to be clear and precise for the reader to easily locate sections in the book without confusion. It is one of the more difficult sections to organize and there is no specific rule to it. If your contents page can be limited to one easy-to-read page, place it on the right hand page. If it is two pages, there is no rule saying you can’t place it on the left and right hand pages. Just be sure to make it clear and easy to follow.
9. Half title page – The half title page is a repeat of the bastard title page and is included only to show the reader that the books front matter is finished and now they will be entering the main body of the book. This is not a necessary page unless the front matter is extensive and takes up several pages.
10. Chapter title pages – Chapter title pages should stand out so the reader can easily locate them when thumbing though the book. The fonts should match all other chapter title pages and be larger and bolder than the body’s text. You are not required to include chapter numbers, but they are helpful to the reader when locating those chapters. Chapter should always begin on the right hand page even if the left hand page is blank. The print should start one third to half way down the page.
11. Text – The books main text should be in a legible font and point size. Using too many characters on a page makes it difficult for the reader to follow. Examine other books to find one where the text is comfortable to your eyes and easy to follow to get an idea of what font and point size to use. With the exception of the intent to make a point to your reader, the main body of text should not be in bold or italic.
12. Appendix (non-fiction) – Not all books need or have an appendix. Most non-fiction books have footnotes included at the bottom of the page. They can be replaced by an appendix in the back, but may create more work for the reader to locate. This is a personal preference for the writer and/or publisher. When using footnotes, place them at the bottom of the page rather than the end of the chapter.
13. Note pages – Many research books include note pages in the back matter. Some include them only to fulfill the need for additional pages.
14. Glossaries (non-fiction) – In technical books, glossaries are used to define complex words which may be unfamiliar to the lay person. If your book has numerous such words, a glossary is in order. If you have few such words, perhaps a brief explanation of the word at the point of text would be more appropriate.
15. Bibliography or “Recommended Reading” (non-fiction) – Here is a place in the back matter to reference the books or materials you located information from to write this book. It may include additional resources for your readers in the form of other literature or helpful web sites.
16. Index (non-fiction) - If your book requires an index, it is not necessary to add page reference numbers at this time. A publisher will do that for you or when self-publishing, add these just prior to printing. You might also choose to hire a professional indexer. As your manuscript is compiled into book form, the page numbers may change rendering your reference pages useless; therefore, it is advised to utilize the services of a professional indexer whenever possible.
Most of the books component titles begin on the right hand page. There are many explanations for this, the most common being that readers generally will thumb through a book with their eyes focused on the right side.
In your finished book, your page count starts at the very first page of your book but is only visible from the start of the first chapter page on. For instance, if your first chapter begins on the 15th page, that page should read “page 15” and all previous pages left blank of any page numbers.
Page numbers are best visible to the reader in the upper outside corners or the bottom center of each page. They should be in bold and one or two point sizes larger than the books text.
With the exception of the chapter title pages, and beginning on the second page of the first chapter, you should have a header with your books title and your name as author. The left hand pages should have the books title in italics placed just after the page number (if the page number has been placed on the top of each page). The right hand pages should have the authors name placed just before each page number.
When writing the necessary components to your book, utilize your best writing skills. These sections do matter in creating a winning script. For more related articles see;
9 Front Matter Components
7 Parts of the End of the Book
To receive this e-zine directly into your inbox twice a month, send an e-mail request to:
caroldenbow@gmail.com
E-zine author; Carol Denbow
Copyright © January 2008 by Plain & Simple Books, LLC
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
We are always happy to share the information provided in our e-zine as long as credits are included. For reprint permission please e-mail The Editor
Monday, February 11, 2008
Vol. 3 / Ducks in a Row - Creating an outline for your book
After you have decided on your books subject matter and chosen a prospective title and sub-title, it’s time to sit down and draw the outline for your book.
It is best to create your outline before you begin to write. Authors easily get off track and lose focus on their real objectives.
The benefits to outlining your story:
An outline can help the writer collect and keep information in proper order and prevent it from being repeated in a non-fiction script. With fiction writing, creating an outline helps you keep the plot in order and more easily develop your characters. Outlining your script creates an easy-to-follow roadmap to your finished and “complete” book project.
How to create a basic outline:
Every manuscript contains an introduction, information, and conclusion, in other words, a beginning, middle, and ending. To start, define each of these categories in relation to your book idea. For instance, a non-fiction book on stress relief may begin with “what is stress.” The middle text may explain “how to relieve stress.” The ending may finish with “now that you are stress free…”
The benefits to outlining your story:
An outline can help the writer collect and keep information in proper order and prevent it from being repeated in a non-fiction script. With fiction writing, creating an outline helps you keep the plot in order and more easily develop your characters. Outlining your script creates an easy-to-follow roadmap to your finished and “complete” book project.
How to create a basic outline:
Every manuscript contains an introduction, information, and conclusion, in other words, a beginning, middle, and ending. To start, define each of these categories in relation to your book idea. For instance, a non-fiction book on stress relief may begin with “what is stress.” The middle text may explain “how to relieve stress.” The ending may finish with “now that you are stress free…”
For a fiction book, the beginning may open by developing your characters and their place within your story. The middle is your story line or plot, and the ending is where your story concludes.
Once you have established these elements to your book, you can begin filling in the chapter titles according to the order of your stories events. Choose titles which are clear and define the content of that particular chapter; especially for non-fiction books. Compile your chapters and organize them in a logical order.
Once you have established these elements to your book, you can begin filling in the chapter titles according to the order of your stories events. Choose titles which are clear and define the content of that particular chapter; especially for non-fiction books. Compile your chapters and organize them in a logical order.
When your story goes in a new direction, form a new chapter or sub-chapter to avoid the sudden shift of information. Readers know when they come to a new chapter or sub-chapter; the information will evolve into something a little different. Remember, chapter tiles and sub-titles can be changed up until the time of book submission or production.
When your chapter list is complete, I suggest obtaining a large white poster board and drawing your outline on it. Leave space between the chapter titles for new sub-chapters and late add-ons. The board should be set up in your writing space. Having your outline continually in your sight will help keep you focused. As you compose your manuscript, refer to your outline often.
If you are submitting your manuscript to a traditional publishing house, they will most likely require a chapter by chapter outline of your story. The outline you build to write your manuscript will be helpful in creating a suitable outline for your publishers’ submission package. Your outline can be used to build your table of contents page as well.
Once you have a complete outline finished, it’s time to begin “filling in the blanks.” With a proper and orderly outline of your story, you can flow through your writing process with confidence and ease.
Recommended related information online;
Creating an Outline & Table of Contents
Steps to Creating a Well-Constructed Plot Outline
Carol Denbow, Visit Carol's Website
Author, *Are You Ready to Be Your Own Boss? (2006 Plain & Simple Books, LLC)
*Stress Relief for the Working Stiff (summer 2008 Publish America)
*A Book Inside, Writing, publishing, and selling your story
(Summer 2008 Plain & Simple Books, LLC))
Interested in contributing to our monthly e-zine? Please send your comments, stories, requests, and questions to
The Editor
Copyright © January 2008 by Plain & Simple Books, LLC
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
Copyright © January 2008 by Plain & Simple Books, LLC
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
We are always happy to share the information provided in our e-zine as long as credits are included. For reprint permission please send E-mail Request
Monday, January 28, 2008
Vol. 2 / Choosing the Right Title for Your Book
Titles:
Most might feel the need to write their book before deciding on a title. But it may be better to decide on at least a tentative title to help you, the writer, stay focused on the subject matter. A title can be changed at any time prior to publication.
If you self-publish your book, you must create a title yourself. If you are published through a traditional book publisher, they may help you choose one. But with traditional publishing houses, the final say-so of title choice will rest on them. Either way you publish, you should have a title reserved in advance.
Your title will decide whether your book sells or not. Your title should be directly related to your books subject. It should be “catchy” but subject related. For instance, if your book is about your dog spot, a title such as, “Spot on the Rug,” might make your reader believe your book’s about carpet cleaning. So make your title obvious to what the book is about.
Titles should be not more than 4 to 7 words and use your sub-title to explain what your book will include.
Sub-titles:
A sub-title is not required with a book, but if you have one, it should tell the reader more about what the book is about. For example, the book titled, “A Book Inside,” has the sub-title of, “A simple guide to writing, publishing, and selling your story” making it clear what information is included in the book. A sub-title can be as many as ten words, offering a good amount of information about the book.
After you’ve decided on a title and sub-title, research the name to be sure the title has not been previously published. There are several ways to accomplish this, including searching through Yahoo or Google search engines, Books in Print, or Amazon.com, or all three. Registering and adding your title to Books in Print will ensure the title now belongs to you.
There are about 195,000 new titles published in the U.S. each year. That’s not say all those books are selling. Seventy-five percent of new releases are self-published and sell an average of 200 copies. Knowing where the book market is strongest can help you write the book that will beat the odds; that begins with choosing the right title for your book.
SIT DOWN & WRITE
Suggested online reading;
6 Keys to Choosing Your Book Title
Titles
Search Amazon for Book Titles
CLICK HERE to request this FREE ezine twice monthly!
Ezine Author:
Carol Denbow
Author, Are You Ready to Be Your Own Boss? (2006 Plain & Simple Books, LLC)
Stress Relief for the Working Stiff (summer 2008 Publish America)
A Book Inside, Writing, publishing, and selling your story
(summer 2008 Plain & Simple Books, LLC))
Please visit our websites at:
Plain & Simple Books
Support the Arts
Author’s Den
Oregon Authors
Signed Copies
Author’s Den of Oregon
More Sites of Interest:
Writer 2 Writer
Aptly Spoken
The Art of Pete Bauer
Ezine Author:
Carol Denbow
Author, Are You Ready to Be Your Own Boss? (2006 Plain & Simple Books, LLC)
Stress Relief for the Working Stiff (summer 2008 Publish America)
A Book Inside, Writing, publishing, and selling your story
(summer 2008 Plain & Simple Books, LLC))
Please visit our websites at:
Plain & Simple Books
Support the Arts
Author’s Den
Oregon Authors
Signed Copies
Author’s Den of Oregon
More Sites of Interest:
Writer 2 Writer
Aptly Spoken
The Art of Pete Bauer
Your related website listed here (Bookstores welcome)! Send your information to Links Request
Interested in contributing to our ezine? Please send your comments, stories, requests, and questions to Contact
Copyright © January 2008 by Plain & Simple Books, LLC
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
Interested in contributing to our ezine? Please send your comments, stories, requests, and questions to Contact
Copyright © January 2008 by Plain & Simple Books, LLC
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
We are always happy to share the information provided in our ezine as long as credits are included. For reprint permission please e-mail Reprints
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Vol. 1 / Welcome! Who Can Write A Book?
A Book Inside
Ezine
Volume 1
Volume 1
Who Are We?
Plain & Simple Books, LLC is a small publishing house started by author Carol Denbow in 2005 in an attempt to self-publish her first book, Are You Ready to Be Your Own Boss? The plan was not only a publishing success for Denbow, but the company grew to represent and assist several other authors in promoting and selling their books. Today, after being twice self-published, and once traditionally published, Denbow shares her experience freely with new and upcoming authors from around the country.
Welcome!
Welcome to the first volume of our free monthly ezine. This and future newsletters will help you develop your writing skills while assisting you through the process of composing your book and selling your story. Expert contributors will share with you their writing and publishing knowledge and help you stay on the right track throughout. Our goal is to offer easy-to-comprehend information to the subscriber. If you would like to unsubscribe, click here and write “unsubscribe” in the message box, then send.
Who Can Write a Book?
Is there a book inside you? 81 percent of Americans say yes. With so many people having the desire to see their story in print, why does only a small percentage pick up the pen and write? Maybe it’s because writing and publishing a book seems like such an immeasurable task. But with proper direction, all writers have the ability to see their story in book form. A Book Inside monthly newsletter will guide you through the process of writing and formatting your story, the pros and cons of all types of publishing and how to go about the process, and show you the best and most unique ways to sell your book.
You’re not alone in this venture, there are about 195,000 new titles published in the U.S. each year-is yours next?
What to Write?
Do you have an expertise which may benefit others? Has your imagination run wild with thrilling mysteries others may enjoy reading about? Or do you simply have a story to tell? If you feel there is a book inside you, the first step to turning your idea into a book is of course, writing it.
First and foremost, write what you know. With experience comes knowledge, and you will enjoy writing more when you are familiar with your subject. Later, when you are promoting your book, you will need to be very familiar with the information included to be comfortable discussing your book with potential buyers and others.
When you choose your book, the subject matters. Check your resources (library or internet) to make sure the book market is not already saturated with similar books. It’s always good to look for a niche, something new that hasn’t been previously published or puts a new twist on a subject. Make yourself familiar with researching the library or internet; you will be spending many hours there, especially if your choice is to write non-fiction.
Avoid a book idea which requires the reader to make notes in the book. Libraries and some booksellers prefer not to carry books which include several work sheet pages because they lose value once written in.
Who’s Your Audience?
Before you decide exactly what to write, figure out who will be buying and reading your book. If you are writing a family history, for instance, your audience may be limited to your friends and family members, and book sales won’t be a concern to you. But if your plan is to sell your book and make profit, you need to research the market to determine what your audience will want to buy. People buy non-fiction books to learn about something; they purchase fiction books for the pleasure of reading. Consider non-fiction for your first book, they’re easier to write and considerably more non-fiction books are published than fiction. In fact, non-fiction generally outsells fiction by two to one.
Half of all books sold in 2006 were sold to people over age 45. Women buy 68 percent of all books sold, so it might be wise to consider targeting your book idea to include a more mature and primarily female audience as well.[1] The highest percentages of books sold were mass market paperbacks and college text books.
The following are statistics on what age groups purchase which type of books. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,001 adults, aged 18 and older.[2]
The following are statistics on what age groups purchase which type of books. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,001 adults, aged 18 and older.[2]
The top three for ages 18-29 were:
· 72% - Biographies or books about history
· 60% - Self-improvement books
· 58% - Thriller or suspense novels
For ages 30 – 49:
· 72% - Biographies or books about history
· 60% - Religion and theology
· 60% - Self-improvement books
For ages 50 – 64:
· 74% - Biographies or books about history
· 60% - Self-improvement books
· 59% - Current literary fiction
For ages 65 and over:
· 76% - Biographies and books about history
· 58% - Religion and theology
· 53% - Current events books and mystery novels
The balance of genre choices in the poll included business management and leadership books, classic literature, horror novels, personal finance books, science fiction and romance novels. All rated between 7 and 48 percent. For a complete list visit http://gallup.com/
How Do I Put it All Together?
Slow down and take writing one step at a time. It may seem like an impossible journey right now, but over time, and following the right cycle of things, you will eventually see your book in print. Stay subscribed to this newsletter and follow the suggested path. Each month, we’ll take you one step closer to your dream. But for now…
SIT DOWN & WRITE
January Suggested reading:
Choosing a Non-Fiction Book Topic
Choosing a Topic for Your Self-Published Book
Search Amazon for Book Titles
Website Author:
Carol Denbow
Author, Are You Ready to Be Your Own Boss? (2006 Plain & Simple Books, LLC)
Stress Relief for the Working Stiff (summer 2008 Publish America)
A Book Inside, Writing, publishing, and selling your story
(summer 2008 Plain & Simple Books, LLC))
Please visit our websites at:
Carol Denbow
Author, Are You Ready to Be Your Own Boss? (2006 Plain & Simple Books, LLC)
Stress Relief for the Working Stiff (summer 2008 Publish America)
A Book Inside, Writing, publishing, and selling your story
(summer 2008 Plain & Simple Books, LLC))
Please visit our websites at:
Plain & Simple Books
Support the Arts
Author’s Den
Oregon Authors
Signed Copies
Author’s Den of Oregon
More Sites of Interest:
Aptly Spoken
Your related website listed here! Send your information to cdenbow@plainandsimplebooks.com
Interested in contributing to our ezine? Please send your comments, stories, requests, and questions to cdenbow@plainandsimplebooks.com
Copyright © January 2008 by Plain & Simple Books, LLC
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
We are always happy to share the information provided in our ezine as long as credits are included. For reprint permission please e-mail cdenbow@plainandsimplebooks.com
Interested in contributing to our ezine? Please send your comments, stories, requests, and questions to cdenbow@plainandsimplebooks.com
Copyright © January 2008 by Plain & Simple Books, LLC
All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.
We are always happy to share the information provided in our ezine as long as credits are included. For reprint permission please e-mail cdenbow@plainandsimplebooks.com
[1] Lou Aronica, Publishers Weekly, March 22, 1999
[2] Gallop Poll, Do Reading Tastes Age?, February 4, 2003
BeTranslated offers professional French translation services for your business needs.
[2] Gallop Poll, Do Reading Tastes Age?, February 4, 2003
BeTranslated offers professional French translation services for your business needs.
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