5 Reasons to Use a Self-Publishing Company in 2012

In my previous article, I mentioned that self-publishing requires creativity, effort and innovation in order to tell your story. Simply putting pen to paper is not enough – the final product should be personable as well as professional.

Ironic, isn’t it?

So most of us can write a memoir easily – one that can impress upon everyone that can relate to our story. But don’t forget – a self-publishing book should be as professional as a book from a publishing house.

Why does it matter? Simply put – readers have standards! No one would like to buy a book with an unprofessional cover, or a book with a poorly formatted interior. When you use a self-publishing company, you don’t have to worry about these “issues”. Why not? Here are the top reasons:

  • You don’t have to design your books yourself. We have designed and produced thousands of books, and you can benefit from this experience.
  • We provide you with necessary guidance to make sure your end product is unique and fits requirements.
  • You don’t have to worry about publishing and dealing with different agents for each task. We can do it all for you.
  • We make self-publishing affordable with different packages.
  • You can find your own voice. Instead of traditional publishing houses that want you to produce information that works for them, we suggest you to publish what works for you.

Self-publishing companies can provide a decisive edge to your final product.

Have you set a resolution to publish your own book in 2012? Let’s talk…

Featured Book-of-the-Week: Final Harvest-The Rapture-The Jews by Charles Thomas

Here’s this week’s Featured Book-of-the-Week available now on Amazon.com!

Final Harvest-The Rapture-The Jews

by Charles Thomas

Price: $14.95

All of us must make a decision about what is presented in this book. This could change your life!

Please note that product prices and availability are subject to change. Prices and availability were accurate at the time of this posting; however, they may differ from those you see when you visit Amazon.com.© Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.All rights reserved.
Amazon, Amazon.com, the Amazon.com logo, and 1-Click are registered trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Amazon.com, 410 Terry Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109-5210.

Top 10 Book Marketing Options for November 2011

Outskirts Press is an industry leader in providing post-publication support, products, and services to its growing family of published authors. Because we know how confusing it can be to pick the right marketing solution for your book, we publish our list of Top 10 Book Marketing Options each month to help you prioritize your book marketing efforts.

The top-ranking options are determined by how many self-published authors sign up for them. Many of these products and services are even available to authors who did not publish with Outskirts Press. Visit our Marketing Solutions page to view the growing list of available book marketing options.

These are the marketing products and services determined to be most popular by our authors for November 2011 — listed below in alphabetical order:

Amazon-branded featured book-of-the-week This option helps you to get your book featured in an email sent directly to over 6,000 of our published writers. The book is also featured exclusively in a posting on our Outskirts Press blog as the featured Book-of-the-Week with an call-to-action Amazon order page.
Amazon Extreme Package This is a package deal that lets you save 25% on three amazing marketing tactics centered around Amazon: The Amazon Kindle Edition, Search Inside the Book, and the Keyword Search Submission Service. Plus a free copy of the Amazon best selling book, Sell Your Book on Amazon.
Amazon Kindle Edition The Amazon Kindle is a revolutionary wireless reading device that allows its owners to instantly download books and newspapers. This is the new way that people are buying books. However, only books that have been submitted to the Amazon Kindle via the required process and in the required format are available for Kindle readers to purchase and enjoy.
Amazon Search Inside the Book This service allows your potential buyer to browse your book online just as they would in a “traditional” bookstore. This alleviates a lot of the the anxiety associated with purchasing books online.
Barnes & Noble NOOK Edition This option will allow you to join 2 MILLION other books at Barnes & Noble NOOK store, showcasing your books in an untapped, and growing market of readers.
Barnes & Noble See Inside This option will allow you to turn Barnes&Noble browsers into buyers by allowing online shoppers to view select pages of your book digitally from the BN.com website.
Book Blast This package includes five of our most popular (and most effective) marketing services, making for very well-rounded book marketing solution. Every Book Blast comes with: a Custom Press Release, PR Publicist Campaign, Book Review Submission Service, Book Video Trailer, and 5 hours with a Personal Marketing Assistant for one price.
Custom Press Release Have our professional press release writer compose an original, unique press release for your book, submitted to you for your review/approval, and then distributed to our news wire service on your behalf.
Personal Marketing Assistant With this option, you can get help on developing a marketing plan, establishing your author platform, book signings as well as assistance with marketing campaigns lead follow-up.
Readers Views Literary Award By ordering this marketing package, you get a chance to become eligible to enter and win a Literary Award. As part of this package, you will also receive expert marketing assistance from renowned marketing experts.
Outskirts Press authors who are interested in any of these options can find further details and ordering information by clicking on the name (or image) of the option above. Information about either of these solutions can be found on the Marketing Options page of your Publishing Center. Authors who published elsewhere can visit our Marketing Solutions page to get more information about any of the marketing options available to order.

.

Is it time to get published and start receiving book marketing services like this?

Start Publishing

Self-Publishing Virtual Book Tour: Jarred Into Being by Pat Lawrence

As an author in this economy, you have to come up with creative ways to market a self-published book. While book tours are a great way to connect with your readers, they aren’t the most affordable method of promotion. However, technology has made it possible for an alternative.

Take note from self-publishing Outskirts Press author, Pat Lawrence, who is taking his latest book, Jarred Into Being, on tour – a virtual book tour, that is. He will be featured on several blogs over the weeks and months ahead so keep your eyes peeled to learn more about him and his book.


Luckily for us, Pat was kind enough to answer a few questions as the tour was getting started so that we can give you a sneak peek into the mind of the creator of Jarred Into Being.

Jarred Into Being book cover

OP: Tell us a little bit about Jarred Into Being. What is it about?

PL: After the tragic death of her parents, Eva Lange must battle for her freedom; indeed, her very life. Fleeing her aunt’s abuser, she falls prey to a murderous drug lord and his wife in their luxurious lair of lust. Using her wits, beauty, and sexuality to save herself and break the bonds of captivity and degradation, Eva struggles against corruption and powerful political forces to reclaim her independence and save the life of the man she loves.

OP: Why did you decide to write this story?

PL: We wanted to write the type of novel that we ourselves enjoy reading: a taut, suspense-filled, roller coaster of a read that keeps you turning pages until you reach The End.

OP: What types of readers would be interested in this story?

PL: Anyone who enjoys fast paced, exciting fiction with a strong protagonist and convincing, fully drawn supporting characters will enjoy this book.

OP: What is special about your book?  What differentiates it from other books in the same category?

PL: Our main character’s physical beauty is both a curse to her and her ultimate salvation. Eva is preyed upon because of her desirability, and she learns to use that same attribute unapologetically to free herself and assert her total independence.

OP: Have you published any other books? Do you plan to publish more?

PL: We do plan to publish more novels; in fact, our second one is already underway. We have previously penned Murder Mysteries and a two act comedy play, Squirrels In The Attic.

OP: Thanks for your time, Pat! We look forward to learning more about you as you visit other bloggers!

Jarred Into Being Author Pat LawrenceABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Pat Lawrence is a Wisconsin author who has previously penned Murder Mysteries and stage plays.

.

.

For more information or to contact the author, visit www.outskirtspress.com/jarredintobeing

This author purchased the Virtual Book Tour marketing option, which allows self-publishing authors to connect with bloggers and harness the power of the blogosphere by taking their book on the “virtual road”.  Learn more about this service by visiting your Publishing Center and reviewing the available marketing options.

Are you an author looking for help to market your self-published book?

Start Publishing

Outskirts Press Announces Winner of the free Amazon Kindle in Their 25 Days of Christmas Contest

Outskirts Press, America’s fastest growing self-publishing and book marketing company, announced today the results of its drawing from the among its thousands of Facebook fans.  Jerry Weaver of Panama City Beach, FL will be going “Ho, ho, ho” all the way to his mailbox to pick up his new Amazon Kindle e-Reader.

“We hope Jerry will have many hours of reading pleasure from the new Kindle e-Reader,” said Outskirts Press CEO Brent Sampson.  “Our authors and our fans all love the written word, and it’s our pleasure to present Jerry with this Christmas gift and to thank all of our enthusiastic fans for “liking” us on Facebook.  Happy holidays to all!”

The new Amazon Kindle e-Reader is a high tech treasure for any 21st century reader.  Millions of books, newspapers, magazines, games and documents can be downloaded with this handy device, and one has access, as well, to the archives of the many libraries that now lend out their volumes to be read on e-Readers.  Amazon even has its own lending library now, where readers have access to thousands of books, including more than a hundred current and former New York Times bestsellers.  Those readers who might sometimes be forgetful will incur no past due fees from the Amazon library either.

For lovers of the world’s greatest literature, there are free downloads of pre-1923 out-of-copyright classics such as Pride and Prejudice and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.  The Open Library, Project Gutenberg and ManyBooks.net offer more than a million other titles ready for free download to a Kindle e-Reader, as well.

The new Kindle is lighter and more compact than ever.  It weighs just six ounces and fits handily in any pocket or small purse.  It holds fourteen hundred books at a time – one’s own personal library – and the new E Ink screen reads as easily as real paper.  There is no glare, and one can read as clearly outside under a bright sun as in the muted light of one’s own living room.

A single charge of the batteries keeps readers turning pages for up to a month – made all the easier with Kindle’s faster new page turner function — and there is always free WI FI access at AT&T hotspots across the country.  One can also connect to WI FI hotspots at home or on the road.  One can also e-mail personal documents or PDF’s direct to a Kindle for viewing and annotation while away from one’s pc.

For all authors wishing their books were available on the Amazon Kindle, Outskirts Press also offers an Amazon Kindle edition service, available conveniently at this link, just in time to start 2012 off right: http://outskirtspress.com/p/kindle.

Congratulations to the winner of the free Amazon Kindle!

Thank you to all our Facebook friends who joined us during the 25 Days of Christmas for a chance to win a free e-book reading device.  We surpassed 4,000 fans, and it’s all thanks to you!  And congratulations specifically to Jerry Weaver of Panama City Beach, Florida, who won a FREE AMAZON KINDLE yesterday.  We notified Jerry of the good news on Christmas day  and will be shipping his Kindle out to him. Congrats, Jerry!

And here’s some great news even if you didn’t win. Since we got so close to the 5,000 fans needed to “unlock” the free Barnes & Noble NOOK drawing, we are going to keep the promotion going into the New Year. Once we reach 5,000 “likes” on our Outskirts Press Facebook page, we will hold the drawing for your chance to win a free Barnes & Noble NOOK. So stay connected, keep writing, keeping publishing, and keep promoting your book with the help of Outskirts Press!

In fact, 2012 is the best year ever to stay connected with Outskirts Press and stay friends with us on Facebook. In January we will announce your opportunity to get published for free in our next Facebook Anthology, Fandemonium Volume 2 — exclusively for our Facebook friends.

And in February, just in time for Valentine’s Day, comes our exciting “Share the Love” event and your chance to win a free Apple iPad 2! Stayed tuned for the details. You’re going to love it.

Speaking of Kindles, Nooks, and iPads, did you know Outskirts Press makes it easier than ever to publish your book on these 3 leading e-book devices? And it doesn’t matter where (or if) you have published. We take care of all the conversions, submissions, and details – and you keep 100% of the profits. It’s that simple!  Click on the links below for more details or to order now:

Merry Christmas From Outskirts Press

From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Standing: Elise, Deni, Shirley, Ellen, Jenny, Patrick, Donna, Cindy, Tony, Lonni, Brent
Sitting: Jeanine, Lora, Lynn

If you don’t see all your Production Team members, don’t worry. Only about 20% of us are in the photograph above, but we ALL wish every one of our published, in-progress, and soon-to-be-published authors a happy, safe, and wonderful holiday season! And from all of us, thank you for choosing Outskirts Press to help you meet your book publishing and marketing goals.

 

Top 25 Self-Published Christmas Books For 2011

Since Christmas is such a popular subject in books and falls on the 25th of December, we thought we would recognize the Top 25 Christmas Books in self-publishing this season. In alphabetical order, the top 25 self-published Christmas books at Outskirts Press are:

All these books, and other Outskirts Press titles, are available from all major online retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powells, Books A Million, and others, plus conveniently from the Outskirts Press bookstore at http://outskirtspress.com/bookstore (or in quantities of 10 or more for full wholesale trade discounts at Outskirts Press Direct (where the retailer saves money and the author still get their full royalty): http://outskirtspress.com/buybooks

Are you ready to publish your Christmas or Christian book?

Start Publishing

Featured Book-of-the-Week: Dusk: God’s Chosen Donkey by Carolyn Budd-Goertzen

Here’s this week’s Featured Book-of-the-Week available now on Amazon.com!

Dusk: God’s Chosen Donkey

by Carolyn Budd-Goertzen

 (1 Customer Review)

Price: $24.95

From a dream to the real world of hope……

Please note that product prices and availability are subject to change. Prices and availability were accurate at the time of this posting; however, they may differ from those you see when you visit Amazon.com.© Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.All rights reserved.
Amazon, Amazon.com, the Amazon.com logo, and 1-Click are registered trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Amazon.com, 410 Terry Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109-5210.

Self-Publishing is Entrepreneurship

The majority of us spend large portions of our life working for someone – whether that is in a big office or a coffee shop. There are others who are stay-at-home parents and part-time workers who contribute to cultivating strong family values while maintaining financial stability.

Both of these sets of people, and all those that have not been mentioned, are entrepreneurs.

What are my dreams? What are my ambitions?

I will tell you why.

Ask children what they want to do when they grow up. Some want to be firemen, some want to be a princess, and some want to be in the army.

All of us have dreams, ambitions, and a unique life story. All of us have a tale to tell, a tale that allows a reader or a listener to experience our life through our words. All of us have this inherent, self-motivated, entrepreneurial attitude that allows us to connect with others and tell them our story; and people pay attention, not because it is ours, but it is different than their story.

 

Self-publishing is very similar.

The books that we pen are rooted in experiences – physical, emotional, and spiritual. By telling our story (everything we write is a story), we are giving courage to the entrepreneur within us. This entrepreneur always existed somewhere deep down in our psyche but couldn’t get out due to time restraints, financial commitments or family issues.

Self-publishing is the lifting of the final veil of our life experiment.

Whatever we have been through comes out on paper, and it is there for everyone to see. In this, self-publishers are no different than entrepreneurs, who risk everything to innovate and tell their story. The only difference, perhaps, is that most innovators start early; and most self-publishers finish late.

So, are you ready to become an entrepreneur?