First of all, when choosing a company to publish your book for you, you need to be sure you’re dealing with a reputable firm. Check with the Better Business Bureau, ask for and confirm references, and don’t be afraid to ask for more information about the company before you hand any money over.

Second, find out what you’re paying for. Does the price include services you don’t need, and if so, can you have that cost deducted from your total? Also, check to confirm you will get everything you need for the fee.

Will the company ship the books to you? Or if they sell them directly to the readers, will they include a shipping cost that changes the price of your book?

I think self-publishing is a great way to get your books out into the market, but you have to remember to use your head while you’re looking for a publisher, and not forget to be cautious when you’re the one paying for a job to be done.

Do you have questions and need help with writing and marketing your self-published book? For additional resources, please visit http://www.jexbo.com.

One way to do this is using the free social media outlets online such as Twitter and Facebook to generate some buzz for your book. If you haven’t already opened an account on these sites, now’s a great time to start.

Once you’ve set up your account, use it to mention your books as often as possible, especially mentioning the gift giving season and how your book would be the perfect present to give someone.

Another thing you might try is asking around at local bookstores and community centers to find out if you could do a reading from your book during the holidays, then after the reading have already gift-wrapped copies of your books ready to sell. Having already done the wrapping will make your book stand out from the rest as an easy gift for the buyer to give.

It’s a great time to get ready for the holidays, and starting now will put you ahead of the rest.

Do you have questions and need help with writing and marketing your self-published book? Please contact me here or at http://www.jexbo.com.

Tell us about your self-published book.

I am certified in Health and Nutrition, and devoted my life towards helping people to improve their lifestyle. When I first began, I would present healthy lifestyle information on a TV program that I produced which included a cooking section. Later, a friend suggested that I put the recipes in a cookbook and I did.

Having a cookbook really helped people so I began to do health seminars within the community and the book did really well as a sales tool with healthy benefits. My self-published book is called, “Effortless Vegetarian Cooking.” It is available at http://www.mvpmedia1.com/effortlesscooking and Amazon.com.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I decided to self publish after having a very bad experience with a small publisher that did another book. That experience left me with a garage full of books and I quickly had to learn to liquidate them. That bad situation turned into a good thing, because it taught me how to sell books and caused me to learn about the publishing industry.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?

My biggest challenge was finding my niche. It takes a long time for most people to be able to find their niche. It is a lot of trial an error. Some things work, others do not, but you have to keep pressing until you find that niche.

How did you overcome that challenge?

I just kept telling people about the book, putting the information in front of as many people as I could and stayed active with every way that I could think of to promote the book. Eventually, I was given an opportunity to expand my television outreach and I found my target market upon that expansion.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?

Control and not having to be subjected to a royalty. I was very satisfied with the results of my book activity and did not feel the need to find another source to help me with the books.

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?

Learn as much as you can about the industry and be prepared to do marketing on a regular basis if you want results. Writing the book is the easy part, marketing is the hard part. It can also get expensive, so you should never spend beyond your means.

You also have to identify what your true motive is for writing the book. If you want to write to get rich quickly, you may be in for a rude awakening. If you write because you enjoy the craft, then more than likely your book will become profitable.

Having a pure money motive will not sustain you for the time it will take to fully develop your marketing and PR. Once you begin marketing and PR, it really becomes a part of your lifestyle.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

My experience with the small publisher taught me to learn and it encouraged me to help others. I would not want to see anyone go through what I went through so I started Book Marketing Professionals at http://www.bookmarketingprofessionals.com. We help authors with their book publication and marketing efforts. Our motto is we assist from manuscript to marketing. I really enjoy working with authors and they can contact me at Book Marketing Professionals.

Thanks for your insights and information Linda. Good luck with more books sales!

And if you have questions about self-publishing, please contact me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. Thanks!

Tell us about your self-published books.

I have four self published books:

Frank Yerby: A Victim’s Guilt [2007 IPPY Bronze Medal winner]
Blood And Brotherhood: A Novel Of Love In A Time Of Hate
The Idumean Covenant: A Novel Of The Fall Of Jerusalem
Cassandra’s Curse: A Black Life In A Police State

My books are historical fictions written in the genre of Frank Yerby’s costume novels and are intended not only to entertain but to debunk historical myths.

The books are available on my website, http://www.eugenestovall.com. And also at Amazon.com, Eloquent Books [eBook], Kindle Books [Amazon Electronic Reader] and Borders Books.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I could not interest any publisher, distributor or agent in representing my work.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?

In the beginning, my challenge was to believe that I had something to say… something important. But the major obstacle I faced, not only in the past, but even now, is the question frequently posed by friends and family: “Who will buy a book that you’ve written?”

Frank Yerby put it another way. He said that all writers must overcome the obstacle of believing that their writing is an aspect of hubris or arrogance.

Even after deciding to write, I had to face the simple fact that I needed to do a lot of work before I could focus my thoughts, research my facts and develop the literary style expected of an accomplished writer. So I spent a great deal of time writing before I could overcome the skepticism of either my friends and family… or myself.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?

By working at my craft for almost ten years now, my writing style as a costume novelist continues to develop. I have learned to make my readers laugh and cry … and end my novels in a way that makes the reader gasp because the ending was unexpected.

I have received a number of excellent reviews, both online as well as in literary magazines, which tells me that I am on the right track. At the same time, my understanding of the business of publishing and selling books is resulting in a number of solid opportunities. Thus, the best part of what I do is that I grow not only as a writer, but also as a business person.

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?

The most important advice I can offer any writer, whether self publishing or not, is to read.
I have always read for my own enjoyment, but once I became serious about writing, I realized how important it was to study the various literary styles and discover the right one for me. Each writer must make this same discovery, if that writer hopes to discover the road to success.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I believe my recent trip to China to participate in the 2010 Beijing International Book Fair was successful. Several Chinese publishers are currently reading my books. One has even inquired about my financial requirements. So I am very excited about the prospect of selling the rights to my books to a Chinese publication house.

That’s great news Eugene! We wish you all the best!

How about you? Do you have questions about writing and selling a self-published book? Please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Tell us about your self-published book and where it is available.

Patients who had come to see me for counseling for over 25 years who had lost a parent or grandparent motivated me to write “Letters to Ethan.” They said that while they may have been left a house, a car, or some other material possessions, what really would have been meaningful and helpful to them would have been to leave a letter or note from their loved one containing some affirmation of love or advice that they would have treasured as a legacy.

When my son was born, I began writing him “legacy letters” on his birthday, recounting the experiences we shared during the year and telling him how much I loved him and what faith I had in him. Then when my grandson, Ethan, was born those letters turned into a book which has been endorsed by Coach Lou Holtz, Dick Vitale at ESPN, Rudy Ruettiger (inspiration for the movie, Rudy) and others.

The book is available at http://www.legacynationusa.com, http://www.letterstoethan.com, and as of November 1st, at http://www.amazon.com as well as other retail outlets.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I decided to self-publish because I wanted control over my work. I also wanted to keep 100% of the royalties and use them to help fund projects associated with our not-for-profit, American Family Foundation, Inc.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?

My biggest challenge was developing an effective marketing and PR plan. To respond to that challenge I sought endorsements from recognizable public figures that I thought would complement the theme of the book. I was actually surprised at the people who were willing to reach out and help after they had read the manuscript.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?

The best part of self-publishing has been the ability to control the outcome of the final product and maintain both the integrity and the intent of the theme of the book. To me, this was the tipping point when the decision needed to be made as to whether or not to accept the offer of a publisher or to do it myself.

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?

My advice is that if you have a clear vision of what your book project needs to look like, and you have the drive and ambition to make that happen, then by all means self-publish. In addition, you have to be willing to partner with editors, cover designers, typesetters and others who may not always share your vision or who, in fact, may have a better idea for getting your message out. Collaboration and cooperation is the key, and writers have to be of that mind set to be successful with self-publishing.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Sometimes I think that authors aren’t aware of the tremendous power and potential that they have to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Being an author isn’t a job or a career…. it’s a vocation…and while the calling that we have is a special gift, it also carries with it a tremendous responsibility to contribute to the common good. Thanks for the opportunity to share these thoughts….

Your book sounds very interesting Tom. Thanks for your inspiration, and we wish you all the best!

How about you?

Do you have some inspiring information to share with other, self-published authors? Please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Instead of spending a fortune on a big agency or service, you can do your own public relations with this simple and inexpensive book. Here’s what Melanie had to say:

Tell us about your self-published book and where it is available.

After spending years helping entrepreneurs who wasted time and money on public relations agencies and SEO scams, I decided to create a simple guide to help them do their own public relations. It’s called, “Simple Publicity – How to do your own public relations to boost sales, awareness and credibility fast… without spending a lot of money.”

Inside, you’ll learn the number one way to get press easily, what never to say or do during a media interview, the four big myths about getting publicity, and a lot more. There are easy guidelines for creating a press release, preparing a media kit, optimizing your site for the search engines, and more.

In a matter of hours, you’ll be able to start generating media attention for your book, business or organization – for less than $25.00!

“Simple Publicity” is available on my site at http://www.rembrandtwrites.com, on jexbo at http://www.jexbo.com/items/211 and on Amazon at http://amzn.to/simplepublicity.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I wanted to share my simple, publicity tips with entrepreneurs as soon as possible. And self-publishing allowed me to get my message out fast.

In a matter of weeks, I was able to share the book with new buyers and my established audience (via my free newsletter and various blogs at StartupNation, PINK, Smallbiz America, and others).

By self-publishing “Simple Publicity,” I have complete control over the entire process including creative, editing, marketing, sales, and promotion.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?

The entire, self-publishing process, including the writing, editing, research, and marketing, takes a lot of hard work. The biggest challenge was finding the time to finish the book while continuing to run my public relations and SEO copywriting business. To overcome this challenge, I got up in the wee hours of morning to finish my “to do” list for the book. This process worked out well, and I was able to work on the self-publishing process before starting my “regular” workday.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?

The best part about the self-publishing process was being able to provide struggling entrepreneurs with the information they needed quickly to start publicizing their businesses.
All of the PR and marketing data out there can be overwhelming. And it was a real joy to simplify the publicity process and distribute the information to those who needed it as fast as possible. Now, instead of being overwhelmed and broke, entrepreneurs can learn how to do their own PR for the book cost of $19.99!

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their books?

Write down your goals, conduct research on the services available to help you with the process, set a schedule for writing and marketing, and then, stick to your schedule. By working on your book a little each day, you’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish in a few weeks, and your book will be done before you know it.

Plus, there is a lot of great information available to help you succeed at http://www.jexbo.com, http://www.selfpublishing.com/, http://www.copyright.gov/, http://www.bookmarket.com/ and more.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Writing a book and self-publishing are a lot of work. But you will enjoy complete control and the satisfaction of selling your book when, where and how you want! Go for it, and don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done!

And if you want some free information on how to build buzz for your books, please check out my site at http://www.rembrandtwrites.com. I offer a free, weekly newsletter, reports, blog entries and a lot more.

Thanks for your inspiration and tips, Melanie. All the best with “Simple Publicity.”

How about you? Do you need help selling your books online? Please let me know here, or visit http://www.jexbo.com to post your book for free and get some valuable information on self-publishing.

Tell us about your self-published book and where it is available.

My self pubished book is: “Six Great Short Stories” and it’s available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other, online bookstores.

Why did you self-publish your book?

I chose to self-publish because of the time factor. I wanted to get my work out there uninterrupted and within a timeframe that was suitable for me.
I also wanted to have my work published as a manuscript, without the editing and formatting of mass produced literature so that people would actually be able to read the work that I have done, as if I were speaking the way I usually do.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?

My biggest challenge was to learn how to use the tools that self-published authors face… learning the techniques and how to develop them. Also, I wanted to get my art work on the cover of the book, sometimes tracking down the artists who created them and getting their permission. Although, I do most of my art work myself, as I am an abstract artist and love to paint.
The best part of self-publishing was the feeling that I was in control all the way through. I didn’t have to meet deadlines, and I could feel free to to back and change what I thought was necessary, and also embellish later the things that I left out.

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?

My advice to those who want to go the self-publish route is not to be afraid to get creative. After all, think of it as a project that will reward you and others later on. Before you decide that the work you have created is what you want others to see, have some people you know read it and critique, then go at it and get it done. Don’t put yourself on a time table, take it easy all the way through.
In addition, take a look at what others have accomplished. You’ll be surprised how much you get out of it and how it will assist you in making decisions. Also, think of your creation as a work of art, after all that’s what it is.

Great insights Robert! Thanks! All the best with your self-published book.

How about you? Do need assistance marketing and selling your self-published book online? Check out the free marketing we offer self-published authors at http://www.jexbo.com or send me a note. I can help!

Tell us about your self-published book.

Our book is “A New Brain for Business: Leadership Practices that Unleash the Very Best from Your People and Your Business.” We wrote the book to capture the work we had been doing with our clients, because they were asking for it (you may want to watch our video on our site to hear more about this)!

We published it in May of this year, and it is now available in three formats: a hard copy is available directly from our website at http://www.newbrainforbusiness.com and both a paperback copy and a Kindle version of the book are available at http://www.Amazon.com.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

We submitted eight or nine proposals to publishers or agents and ultimately spoke with five of them. In every case where we had a conversation, they were all interested in our completing an “author’s marketing plan” that would convince them that we would do what it takes to sell books.

At the time, that felt like it was taking us in a direction that would pull us away from our work with our clients, which is where our hearts are. In addition, a good friend had self-published a book and was very pleased with the results, so we decided to take that route.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why? How did you overcome that challenge?

We started with website providers who published “on-demand.” The company we started with turned out to be extremely unresponsive and unhelpful with technical problems (we work exclusively with Apple products, and that company only wanted Microsoft output).

We struggled with that for several weeks, finally got the book to “proof” and were very dissatisfied with the output. The big learning, however, was that “on-demand publishing” meant that if a client wanted to order a book, it could take literally weeks to receive a copy.

Once we realized that, it became pretty easy to shift gears. We then found a printer and a fulfillment house and got on with the process of publishing the book for sale on our website. (It was inexpensive and easy to then get a Kindle version on Amazon. We just made a paperback version available, too, and that was remarkably easy and fast!)

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?

We were able to do it quickly and “control” the process and output. We got the book out and are able to use it in our business.

Getting it published has had a huge impact on our approach to our business and our future, a real milestone for us. So, there have been many “best” parts of self-publishing our book!

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?

Clarify your intentions and expectations. Are you hoping for a best seller? Are you hoping to make much money? Are you wanting to have a book available for any specific reason, such as supporting other work you do? Will you be satisfied if no one buys the book but you got it published? Are you willing to spend some money to get it published – although most self-publishing efforts are extremely inexpensive, they also do not get you much return.

Self-publishing is hard because of the potential “false” promises it holds – thinking through the promises you think self-publishing holds for you and asking questions to find out if they are real is the best advice we can give!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

If you want a “professional looking” book, get an editor to read and help you at least get the language and syntax correct. Get an illustrator for pictures and layout, and a great cover.

Think through every aspect of the book, and don’t accept your proof just because you are tired of the entire process! You’ve made it this far (written the book) but you are not done. Bring it home.

Fantastic advice Diane! For more information about Diane and Richard’s book, “A New Brain For Business,” and how to use your new brain for business success, visit http://www.newbrainforbusiness.com.

And if you have questions about selling your book online, please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Tell us about your self-published book.

“How To Stylishly Fall From Grace” is the journey of Zoe Chapman, a fashion-forward maven with a penchant for Broadway plays (and a collection of shoes to-die-for) who gets to answer the question: why would a woman who has it all, walk away from it all?

Synopsis: Zoe Chapman is a bit of a snob when it comes to zip codes, food and personal hygiene. Making no apologies, she prances through life as a fashion-forward, independent gal with a penchant for Broadway plays.

It’s at one of her Broadway play excursions that she meets a charming guy. Beau Sampson is instantly drawn to Zoe, and a year-long, long-distance relationship blossoms. He woos her with weekend “play dates” and whirlwind reservations for two, which eventually sweeps Zoe off her feet. Or so she thinks, until she relocates her life, wardrobe and shoes to New York City to live with him…

“How to Stylishly Fall From Grace” details a young woman’s life-transforming journey, going from thriving in the city that never sleeps, to barely surviving in a sleepy city obsessed with naps. Even with a background of management credentials and model looks, Zoe is forced to find the true meaning of her worth – Because “shoes to die for” should never be part of a woman’s epitaph.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

Blame it on my Type A personality. Also, the publishing industry seems to be enamored by celebrity scandal, so I did not want to get lost in the mountain of writers looking for that one publishing company to take notice. I believe in myself, so it only made sense to make it happen.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?

Being a writer, the challenge of technically creating the book made for many frustrating days. My laptop was powered by Linux, but the POD company required Word document formatting. After several attempts from well-meaning spirits, I finally found Earth Angel/Graphic Designer Robyn York who converted the formatting for me.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?

The unbelievable power of sisterhood throughout the ‘sphere! From shoe designers to sister bloggers, they stepped up to make the nine-month delay of the book’s release a worthwhile wait!

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?

Patience is the key. Your plans in the release may not be the best-laid, so accept the unexpected delays as “false labor.” Through the frustration, nausea – and yes, tears – the birth of your book is the most amazing thing to experience!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Never take advice from anyone who has never done what you are attempting. And keep plenty of Kleenex on hand, for the tears of joy and pain!

That’s great advice Felicia. Thanks so much for sharing! If you’d like to read Felicia’s book, it is available It is available at http://www.amazon.com/How-Stylishly-Fall-Grace-Perfectly-Flawed/dp/1448658683/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1250558385&sr=8-1 and https://www.createspace.com/3393284.

And if you have questions about self-publishing, or want your book featured on this blog, please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’m here to help! Thanks!

Tell us about your self-published book.

The purpose of my fiction novel is to acknowledge the small, daily miracles in our lives that most of us write off as coincidences. In the Foreword, I give several accounts of these in my own life, which I now believe were actually divine interventions. In the winter of 2008, I had a cardiac arrest out in the desert of Arizona, miles from nowhere, and survived. I detail the several, unbelievable coincidences that had to come together in those critical minutes for me to be alive today. As only about eight percent of cardiac arrests outside of a hospital survive, it was pretty miraculous.

About a month after being discharged from the hospital with a new pacemaker/defibrillator implanted in my chest, I had a very vivid dream. This was memorable as I am one of those people who never remember my dreams, but this one, I did. When I got up, I immediately wrote four pages of notes on a legal sized notepad. The dream had every chapter, the names of the characters and the name of the book. Those notes became my novel.

This may sound unbelievable, and I may sound like a religious zealot, but I’m not. Although I would describe myself as spiritual, I’m not religious. I’ve probably been to church three or four times in the past forty years. I wasn’t a writer, but the story was so inspirational, it had to be written. I was driven.

The novel, “When The Angels Cry-The Story of Arielle,” is about a very special little girl, who comes into the life of Rebecca. Rebecca had a wonderful life; a brand new, beautiful baby boy, a loving husband and a great job as an ER nurse. She had it all. She enjoyed an existence most people only dreamed about—until early one morning it all came crashing down. She found her son dead in his crib from S.I.D.S. She cursed God, the heavens and all who resided there. How could He do this to her? Her depression so engulfed her, there seemed no end to her sorrow. After months of begging Rebecca to see a doctor or therapist, her husband left her.

A year after her son’s death, she apologized to God and asked for His forgiveness. Her life was forever changed. Then, she finds an infant, Arielle, on her doorstep, but possessing something so mysterious she can’t bring herself to believe.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I decided to self-publish after sending out dozens of query letters to agents and receiving the standard, “It’s not what we are looking for” response. I knew from research that it was almost impossible for new authors, especially older ones, to get published through conventional means.

When I looked at the statistics of percentage of queries that are accepted by agents (1-2%), multiply the percentage of books agents accepted that they sell (25%?), then the percentage of those books published by mainstream publishers that sell over five thousand books (13-14%), it doesn’t take long to figure out first-time authors are better off publishing and marketing their work by themselves. At least you are in charge of your own fate.

After speaking to some first-time, traditionally published authors and doing more research, I also found that most of them didn’t make much, if any, money on their hard work. The publishers didn’t put any money or effort into marketing, and they were very upset at the contracts they had to sign. There was no control, no money, no recognition, and lots of frustration.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?

My biggest challenge was the editing process. Each time I thought the book was ready for printing, I would find several more mistakes, typos, or problems with continuity. It was very time consuming but definitely worth the time and effort to put forth a quality product.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?
I would probably have to say the educational process I had to undergo to learn how the publishing industry works, and at the same time, the most frustrating. I spent a lot of time just learning about the differences between “self-publishing” and “subsidy” or “vanity” businesses and the costs. I wanted to find the best place to have a superior product printed at the most competitive price. I understand companies making money on the processes of making a book; I refuse to keep paying them down the road for each copy I order.

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?

Do your homework first. There is a lot of information to digest, but it will be to your advantage in the end. Position yourself to make as much money as you can from the sales of your book. Learn marketing, as it will be your biggest challenge after your book is published.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

My book has been out almost a week, and I’ve pretty much gone through my first two orders of 135 books. I am placing my third today. That will make two hundred books that I hope will be gone by next week after two, book signings. Our new publishing company, Sangre de Cristo Publishing, Inc., will have another book out soon, “The Contest,” a mystery/suspense novel. If anyone would like to contact me about our publishing company or for information on self-publishing, contact me at sangredecristopb@aol.com. More information about my book can be seen along with a sample chapter at http://www.whentheangelscry.com.

Thanks so much Timothy. Your novel sounds very interesting.

How about you? Do you have questions about self-publishing and selling books online? Please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’m here to help! Thanks!

Tell us about your self-published book.

My book is a fiction novel entitled “Mirrored Minds” and was written under the pen name of Terri Lee (my first and middle names). The book is currently available in independently owned bookstores in Grand Rapids and on my website at http://www.mirroredminds.com. It will soon be available at Borders, Waldenbooks and more through my distributor, Partners Book Distributing Inc., Holt Michigan.

The book’s main character is Madelyn Grayson who has lost her family as well as her memory in a tragic accident. Madelyn’s struggle with her unknown past ultimately forces her to make a choice – should she continue trying to recapture her former self or forge ahead with a new beginning? Her life unfolds within the text culminating in an unpredictable twist.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

My decision to self-publish came about through conversations with other writers on social networking sites and from reading blogs and articles appearing on the Internet. Furthermore, I felt the time it would take to query numerous agents would further delay getting my book out in the market, and I was anxious to place it in the hands of readers.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?

I thought my biggest challenge came in educating myself in the processes of the publishing world, establishing resources I could trust to edit, provide cover art/photography, graphic design and print manufacturing while keeping my costs reasonable. Now, I believe my biggest challenge exists in changing the minds of the public who still seem to view self-published novels as a grade below books distributed through traditional publishing companies.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?

The best part of self-publishing has been the gratification I felt when I finally saw my words in print in an actual perfect bound book with my title, my name and artwork that I chose held in my hands.

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?

Don’t cut corners just to get your book out there. Producing a quality book will bring about a greater satisfaction to both you and your readers.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I’d like to suggest to my peers a caution that I also remind myself of everyday as I move forward in the writing world. Have patience! It takes time for a book to take hold. Take pleasure in the small successes that come from the positive comments you receive from the readers that enjoy your book. Persevere!

Thanks so much for your inspirational words Terri, and good luck with your book sales!

Do need assistance marketing and selling your self-published book online? Check out the free marketing we offer self-published authors at http://www.jexbo.com or send me a note. I can help! Thanks!

Tell us about your self-published book.

I have three relationship recovery books that are self-published. This interview will cover “Moving Forward.”

“Moving Forward” is a love relationship and divorce recovery handbook. Its intent is to act as a guide on how not to repeat past relationship mistakes. It defines the difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship.

The book discusses family dynamics, and how they play into our unhealthy love relationships. It gives one an insight on how destructive parenting relationships have set us up for being eternal caregivers. The book shares the warning signs of unhealthy relationships such as the addictive relationship and the abusive relationship. Its goal is to help you examine “perpetual cycles” you play out.

The book could be considered a measurement of where one is and if they are in a healthy relationship. “Moving Forward” gives us the tools to understand what a healthy love relationship is and how to exist in one.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I decided to self-publish in lieu of waiting for a publisher because that could be a very long waiting game.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?

The biggest challenge I had to overcome in self-publishing my book was building my website: http://www.booksonrelationships.net. I had little to no html experience. I constructed a profile on My Space simply to gain a higher understanding of how templates worked. Once I got my domain, I sat in front of the computer for about three weeks before the light finally came on. Thank goodness. After that, everything came naturally. It took me about a month-and-a-half to build the entire website.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?

Through affiliations in self-publishing, I have also had the opportunity to utilize my facilitator skills by conducting workshops. Recent ones have included: Working Out Writer’s Block, Healthy Boundaries and Finding Time to Write, and Overcoming Social Anxiety and Public Speaking.

I was given my own radio show, “Reading, Writing and Relationships,” by the folks at Motown Writers Network on Blog Talk Radio which I really enjoy hosting. I have met some wonderful people through the MWN.

In addition, I have become both a national and local writer writing on divorce recovery and pets for Examiner.com.

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?

Self-publishing is a long process but so is seeking out a publisher. Why not do both? While you are waiting to hear from a publisher, build your own website, download your books and try to sell them from there.

Don’t get discouraged. Everything takes time.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Make sure to have your work copyrighted through the National Library of Congress. Talk to others about computer tips and tricks as you go along. Learn how to use publishing tools by getting out there and writing or blogging.

Keep writing and try other genres, too.

What great advice Corinne! Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your self-publishing experience. We wish you all the best with your books and future engagements!

How about you? Do need assistance marketing and selling your self-published book online? Check out the free marketing we offer self-published authors at http://www.jexbo.com/ or send me a note. I can help! Thanks!

Tell us about your self-published book Adrienne.

My book, “Go Ahead, Talk to Strangers: The Modern Girl’s Guide to Fearless Networking” is available on my website http://www.goaheadtalktostrangers.com. The book was written to serve as a guide to women who are introverted, shy and unsure of their networking abilities. I drew from personal experiences in writing this book, which is a blend of personal experiences, anecdotes, advice and cautionary tales. It shows women how they can shed their shyness and blossom as a strategic networker.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I self-published mainly because I wanted to circumvent the traditional publishers and get my book out on the market in a timely manner without the hassle of third-party interference or restrictions.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?

The biggest challenge I faced was being secure in my abilities to not just finish the book, but also to bring it to market. I heard the many stories of people pouring their heart and soul into their books only to have them rejected by traditional publishers. Once I understood the self-publishing landscape, it was easier for me to get over my initial fears.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?

Control. I love the fact that I can write “unedited” and not have to worry about someone coming in and changing concepts, direction or tone of my book. And I didn’t have to commit to buying a large quantity of copies of the book. I used a publishing-on-demand service.

What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?

I would tell them to always market. When you self-publish, you are responsible for marketing and selling your book. With social media, the marketing process is easier than it was years ago. But just because we have social media, it doesn’t mean that the author can afford to slack on marketing. Also, if you can afford it, hire a publicist who specializes in authors. They can identify media opportunities on your behalf. I’d also recommend that they create a website for the book in addition to promoting it on their primary website.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Self-publishing doesn’t have to be a scary process. Even before the book is complete, you need to create a marketing and distribution strategy. It’s best to start promoting the book well before the release. You can use blogging as a great platform to release information about the book. Also, schedule book readings. These can be done locally or virtually. When I released my book, I hosted a webcast book reading complete with a Q & A session and it was very well received.

Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your self-publishing experience, Adrienne. We wish you all the best with the sale of your book!

How about you? Do you need assistance marketing and selling your self-published book online? Please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I can help!

Tell us about your self-published book and where it is available.

Raincloud is a mystery thriller that examines the juxtaposition between two Ontario communities: the dedicated First Nations settlement Sky Lake and a mainstream town called Scanlon Creek.

When First Nations youths begin turning up murdered in remote areas between the two communities, tensions rise to terrifying proportions within the violent criminal underworld of police corruption, drug dealing, and depravity. Hank Gillespie, a nightmare-ridden, mixed-race detective from Scanlon Creek, finds in own life in jeopardy as he attempts to find the murderer.

Raincloud is available online at Amazon, B&N, Chapters-Indigo, and through my website at http://www.richard-todd.com. It’s also available at select bookstores in Toronto.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

Like many first-time Canadian authors, I was becoming stonewalled by the ever-evolving publishing industry. It’s hard to get a big company to gamble on a relative unknown. I understand that it’s a business. But I also believed in my story and decided that if the traditional publishers weren’t interested I’d have to do it myself, lest my book sit on my hard drive, untouched by eyes other than my own. I did my research and found the best package for me.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?

Being self-published, especially in fiction, carries a certain stigma to it. There’s an industry attitude that the writer can’t be any good if they had to self-publish. The unfortunate thing is that in many cases it’s true and you’re guilty by association.

Plus, retail bookshelves are getting smaller, catering more to the blockbusters than the potentially great unknowns. It’s the same with large media book reviewers; they rarely cover a self-published book with the wealth of traditionally-published books they could cover.

Fortunately, we live in a digital age where authors can be more self-reliant. It’s a lot of work to get noticed, but the rewards are as big as what you put in. Except that I won’t be buying a swimming pool with the revenue anytime soon.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?

Getting new readers, hearing great things from current readers and receiving glowing reviews from indie book reviewers. I booked a whole Chapters-Indigo tour in the Toronto area and appeared at various book festivals. I speak at schools and writers’ groups. I’ve met so many supportive people I wouldn’t have otherwise.

And I can honestly say I did it all myself. I made it happen. And when people tell me they are awaiting my next novel, The Orphans of the Creek, to be available, it makes all the effort worthwhile. And I’ve been able to give back too. I wrote a ten-part series called “Adventures in Self-Publishing” on my blog at raincloudbook.wordpress.com. I also interviewed other indie authors to help give them exposure. It’s great to be part of a community.

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?
Invest in pre-production editing. If you go with one of the self-publishing firms (as opposed to doing literally everything yourself) either go in with edited work or purchase their editing services. It sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many self-published authors skip this crucial step. And avoid the marketing packages these companies offer. They are ridiculously expensive and offer next to nothing in return. You can do much better on your own and for pennies in comparison.

Lastly, if you’ve worked hard on a manuscript, your dream is to get it on people’s bookshelves. Self-publishing companies know this, especially if you’re a first-timer. Live your dreams but don’t let them cloud your thoughts. Choose wisely.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Like indie movies and record labels, it only seems logical that self-published books will be more prevalent as time progresses. And it’s great that big business is starting to lose control over what we read. There are so many unheard voices out there that will hopefully be available to us all.

Thanks for your great insights and tips Richard! We wish you all the best with your current and future books!

Do you need help marketing and selling your self-published book? Please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I can help!

Tell us about your self-published book and where it is available.

My book is called, “The Diaper Chronicles.” It’s a stay at home Dad’s quest for raising great kids and it is available on my site at http://www.baracklevin.com.

The book is my personal story on how and why I decided to become a stay/work-at-home Dad. It describes my 12 months with my son and my successes and failures in raising him. The book is full of tips and advice to other parents on how to raise great, independent kids while busting some common parenting myths along the way

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I wanted to publish my book with a publisher but had several things going against me. First, the economy. I figured that in this economy less people buy booksm and publishers will not queue up to publish my book. Secondly, I am a first-time author, and as such, the chances of landing a deal with a publisher are very low. Thirdly, I am a man writing about subjects that are usually covered by women. Fourth, it takes time for a publisher to review the book, make changes and committ to it. I simply did not have the time to wait. And lastly, I like to be in charge of things. I thought it would give me more control over the marketing and promoting of the book.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?

To my surprise, the actual self-publishing was a breeze. Within four weeks of submission, I had freshly printed copies in my hand. Furthermore, even now, it takes my publisher about one week to send me new copies. The process itself was painless, fully automated and simple.

The most challenging aspect of self publishing by far has to be the marketing and promotion. I self promote the book, and it took small strides to get to the big guns to cover my story. I started submitting queries to small web sites, volunteered contact and articles, and soon enough, bigger and more recognizable media outlets started to be interested in the book and the story, but it does take a lot of patience.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?

The best part is that I control my destiny. I make all the decisions (good and bad) and learn from my mistakes as I go along. The most rewarding feeling is when a piece or an article is published about me and the book, and it contains compliments and recommendations to buy the book. Surprisingly enough, I am more excited about this part than the actual book sale since I never dreamed anyone would be interested in my personal story, but I guess I managed to touch on many feelings.

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?

Try, try and keep on trying. There is a saying: If God closes a door, he opens a window. This phrase is right. Do not be upset at negative or no responses. Keep on sending queries, keep on using your network, and keep on contacting the media.

With time, you will get to the right person who would love your story… which leads me to the second thing you need – patience and lots of it. Self-promoting your book takes a lot of time, and people do not put you on their priority list, so just keep on trying and be patient. If your story has a hook to it, someone will catch it.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I never knew what I was getting myself into when I decided to write my book. I thought that it would only be for my own archives, apparently not. The story is everything. If you have no story, you have nothing.Make sure your book is appealing to your targeted audience. Try to figure out what will cause them to buy this book. If you were in their shoes and saw your book, would it interest you? If not, then change it so it is more appealing.

Thanks for your great tips Barack, and we wish you all the best!

Do you need help marketing and selling your self-published book? Please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I can help!

Tell us about your self-published book and where it is available.

“Unflappable,” is currently available online at http://www.unflappable-book.com and documents the first 40 years of my life as a Gary, Indiana-native. Born into a family already seasoned with age and older children, I introduce readers into my “coming of age” story in an honest and sometimes humorous way. In childhood, I was prepared for life’s twists and turns, including mortality between my parents when both faced battles with cancer.

As a somewhat rebellious teenager, I highlight the various tests of discipline, respect and focus demanded from the late John Oliver Mosby, Sr., my retired father and my mother, the late Indiana State Senator Carolyn Brown Mosby, whose workaholic background passed down to her daughter. “Unflappable” also reveals the benefits and the angst of sometimes living in my mother’s shadow and fighting to become my own person.

Along with her strengths, “Unflappable” also follows my own challenges and opportunities, including working with notable individuals such as the late Rev. Charles Williams (no relation), president of Indiana Black Expo, Inc., a man I called mentor and friend. With exposure to media, celebrity and corporate America, I express how I unknowingly built a wall of protection around myself until an outsider told me that my foundation was crumbling. Readers will go on the journey and learn of the necessary decisions that changed my life and allowed me to rebuild. The journey also includes a look inside the family’s connections with Black and American history over the generations.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I decided to self publish because large, publishing houses rarely accept unsolicited manuscripts. In addition, as a publicist I had represented many authors who also self-published and was aware of some of the benefits as well as the pitfalls to take care of. I found a self-publisher that approached things a little differently. Instead of publishing any and every manuscript that came to them if the author was willing to pay, this self publisher only selected up to 12 books a year, and they actually read the manuscript to determine if they thought it was a good story. I still paid for everything, but they were the objective voice that you don’t always get when self-publishing.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book and why?

My biggest challenge was finding the right self publisher. I wanted to make sure I had a quality product even though I didn’t have a big publishing house behind me.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book and why?

The best part of self-publishing is that I am in complete control – creatively and from a marketing and PR perspective. I have a strong background in marketing and PR, and I have represented other authors. In addition, I don’t have to share the proceeds from the sale of the books.

What advice do you have for other writers who are self-publishing their book?

Research all of your options. Make sure you have a story that others will find interesting – not just you. Have it professionally edited, and if you can afford it, hire someone to help with PR and marketing

Thanks for your great insights on your autobiographical, self-published book Carolyn!

Do you need help marketing and selling your self-published book? Please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I can help!

Tell us about your self-published book.

My novel, “Life on the Line,” is a murder mystery that I wrote while working for Chrysler. I was a management trainee who spent a lot of time working in various factories. I’ve always loved to write and tell stories.

I would tell friends and family stories about different people I encountered while at work, and they really seemed to love these real-life accounts of what had become just another day at the plant. I begin journaling about my day. Every time something funny happened, or something happened to make me mad, I would just write it down. At one point, my notebook seemed to just be a big book of rants!

I worked 13 to 14 1/2 hours every day, six and seven days a week, at one of the largest stamping plants in the world and was exposed to so much that I’d never really expected to exist in a work environment.

When the notebook was filled, I thought, “I should write a book with all of this stuff,” so I did. The book can be found at http://www.jexbo.com/items/48.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I self-published not wanting to wait to follow traditional means to get my book out there. I loved my story and wanted to share it with others. Every time someone reads it and comments about something I specifically did, like writing a certain way or using a certain voice, I am so flattered, not only because they read and enjoyed the story, but because it’s like they also “got the story.”

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?

I really didn’t find any obstacles in self-publishing. I hated my job as a manager in the auto industry, but I love to write, so for me, it was a matter of doing something I loved and working hard to complete it. I said I was working a lot of hours when I wrote the book. Well, putting the work into publish it was often on top of the 80 plus hours a week I was putting in at work. But it never drained me.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?

I was excited to do it and very excited to find all the options out there available to someone who wants to publish their work.

What advice do you have for other, potential writers and self-published authors?

I would advise anyone who would want to follow the same path to make sure they do their research. I am happy with the company I chose to help me self-publish (Xlibris) but they might not be the best choice for all situations or all books. There were things about that company I liked for my book, but maybe not for my second, like they didn’t design the cover. And though I am creative, I am not a visual artist, so I struggled with this decision.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Finally, I would like to add, that I first read about jexbo in the “Detroit Free Press” a few years ago and loved the idea of this website. I wish the founder of it the best of luck and I direct all my friends to it.

Thanks for your kind words and great insights Kennebrew!

Do you have an idea for a book or need help marketing your self-published book? Please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Tell us about your self-published book.

My self-published book is titled, “Stretching A Dollar To Save And Make Thousands: An Entrepreneur’s Guide To Doing More With Less.” In my book, I share many of the money-saving tips that I used in my own business to do more with less. It is currently available on Amazon.com and other online book retailer’s websites.

Why did you decide to self-publish?
I decided to self-published because I wanted to have complete control over the project and wanted to make it available to readers faster than with traditional publishing.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?
The biggest challenge that I’ve had to overcome in self-publishing my book is coming up with creative, low-cost marketing techniques to get the word out about my book to my target audience.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?
The best part about self-publishing my book is that it has created many new opportunities that were once not available to me. For example, I’ve done numerous Internet radio shows and even created my own Internet radio show on Blogtalkradio called “Stretching A Dollar For Entrepreneurs” (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stretchingadollar).

What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?
Although it can seem like a lot of work to self-publish your own book, it is definitely worth it. There is no greater satisfaction than to hold your finished book in your hands, and see it appear on various, online book retailer’s websites. It is a great sense of accomplishment. No matter how hard it seems, never give up on your dream. Learn from other great writers, and use social media tools such as Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin to learn valuable writing techniques.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
For more information about me or my book, visit http://www.stretchingyourcash.com or follow me on http://www.twitter.com/bizmoneysaver.

Thanks Lisa. We’ll check out your money-saving, entrepreneurial tips! Do you have a self-published book you’d like to tell others about? How about questions on how to sell books online and self-publishing? Please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you and give you some free publicity! Thanks!

Tell us about your self-published books.
I actually have three books self-published with jexbo under the pen name of “WOLF” at http://www.jexbo.com/items;search?query=wolf.

They are in order of publication:

The first book- “Pins and Tickles,” is a series of 18 short stories. The first 12 stories and the last two are pure fiction and take place in various countries that I have lived and worked in. Two of the stories are actual construction stories of two unusual projects in Thailand. One story is a documentation of life in Nigeria and another is a true case in court.

The second book- “…And I Approve This Message,” is narrated by a bottle opener (Me, I came back in my second life as a bottle opener). The bottle opener is bought, sold, stolen, loaned and finds its way around the world following the path of my real life (i.e.: Oklahoma, Indiana, New Jersey, Germany, Thailand, Viet Nam etc.). At each stop, the bottle opener rails against various, pet peeves that I had in my real life. The stops included my thoughts on lawyers, lobbyists, the media, cell phones, commissioners, the wars in Iraq, and other problems. Being dead, I have no fear in writing what I think. Actually, I cover lawyers a few times.

The third book- “Pins, Needles and Thorns,” is fiction and basically covers cheating wives and stupid husbands. The writer has a mental pain that becomes physical as he tries to find out why his life took the path it took. He covers about thirteen or fourteen cases of stupid husbands, and as he remembers his past, the thoughts become his “pins, needles and thorns.” As in the first two books, the end to this story has a twist.

Why did you decide to self publish?
This is easy to answer. Being a new writer, it was difficult to get a publisher to read my manuscripts. Sending an outline of my books did not help since my writing is a little “different”. Even though I had successfully sold a story years ago to “Penthouse, Europe,” it was not enough to consider me as a published author. Self-publishing was my answer.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?
The cost of self-publishing, in my case, was difficult. I bought 100 copies of “Pinks and Tickles” and still have about 40 of them.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?
Being told by many people that they love the books, the humor in them. I try to write about almost everything with humor and love it when people call me names for tricking them at the end.

What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?
I believe that I am too new at it to give much advice and I just love to write. Local newspapers don’t like me too much because I write very often “Letters of the Day.” In fact, the fourth book is underway, and one story in it is copies of all of my “Letters…”

Interesting, Bob. Thanks for your insights and sharing your love for writing. To discover more about Bob’s books, visit http://www.jexbo.com/items;search?query=wolf.

Do you have questions on how to sell books online and self-publishing? Please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you! Thanks!

Tell us about your self-published book.

My book is called “In the Company of Elves.” The story begins three months after Melissa’s grandmother has passed away and 25 year-old Melissa and her family inherit her grandmother’s old, English style home built in Silverado Canyon, California.

The house has magical properties, especially in the garden. One day, Melissa goes out into the garden to pick a few vegetables for a sandwich she is making when she comes across a hidden door obscured by vines that have grown over the cobblestone wall in the backyard.

Curiosity gets the best of her, and she begins to tear away some of the vines from the door. She discovers that the lock is unhinged so she opens the door. To her horror, she is sucked through the door and ends up on the other side, in a world unlike her own. A world full of elves, faeries, sorcerers, and a dark, menacing evil bent on destroying the innocent creatures that live in the land of Agartha.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I have always wanted to self-publish since the early 1990s. But at the time, I didn’t have the funds to invest in publishing my book/books. I self-published with Instantpublisher.com, and they provided easy templates to work with and excellent book covers. I have no complaints or regrets about self-publishing my book. It works for me.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?

Like many other self-published authors, I felt that promoting and selling can be a bit of a challenge.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?

The best part is the sense of accomplishment and fulfillment in doing what I have always wanted to do in life and that is to write and publish my book.

What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?

Be sure that you go over your work as many times as you can before publishing it. If you’re on your own editing your work like I was, then update your software and go over your work until you’re satisfied with what you’ve got. It never hurts to be absolutely sure that what you wrote is what you want everyone to read.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes, you can read excerpts from the book on my website at http://www.companyofelves.bravehost.com.

Thanks for your great insights Cecile, and your book sounds really interesting!

Do you have questions about marketing your self-published book and selling books online? Please contact us here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Tell us about your self-published book.
My book is called “What’s In Your Water?” In the book, I talk about some of the challenges with bottled water and municipal tap water. I also discuss the pros and cons of the various water purification methods available to consumers. In addition, 10% of the royalties are being donated to WaterAid, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help poor countries in African and Asia secure safe drinking water and sanitation.

Why did I decide to self-publish?
I decided to self-publish my book because I wanted to retain creative control over my material, I wanted to establish my expertise in the water purification industry and I wanted to be able to dictate how soon the book would be available for sale. Also, my profit margins would be higher self-publishing a book as opposed to going to a traditional publishing house.

What was your biggest challenge in self-publishing your book?The biggest challenge for me was figuring out a cost effective way to implement an online distribution system that would allow me to focus my efforts on promoting the book.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?The best part about self-publishing my book is that it has opened up so many opportunities for me to receive paid speaking engagements, to spread consumer awareness about the importance of clean water and to help raise money to help WaterAid fulfill its mission. And it helped me generate more sales of water-filtration systems.

What advice would you give to other potential writers and self-published authors?The advice I would give to potential writers and self-published authors is:

- Block off time to write each day – Start building relationships with key people using social media to promote your book BEFORE it comes out for sale – Develop a comprehensive book marketing plan

Is there anything else you would like to add?Yes. I just partnered with Willie Crawford, who is also a self-published author, to create a home study course to assist aspiring authors in their dream of getting their book published in record time. The title of the course is “How to Become a Self-Published Author in 4 Months or Less on a Shoe String Budget.” I use myself as the case study, and we provide people with a comprehensive book marketing plan.

For more information on the course, visit http://www.WhyPublishYourBook.com

Great tips and information John. Thanks!

Do you have questions about marketing your self-published book and selling books online? Please contact us here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Tell us about your self-published book and where we can find it on jexbo.

My wife and I self-published a cookbook in 2005 titled “Conquering Healthier Recipes and Beyond.”
There are over 300 quick, easy and delicious recipes on the light side. It has a spiral binding which makes it easy to use.

We didn’t want to just have pages of compiled recipes, so I wrote short stories about several food experiences introducing the twelve categories. Also included are inspirational quotes and a six-week menu cycle.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

We decided to self-publish because we thought the traditional ways were too costly and didn’t feel we would have the control needed for marketing.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?

We feel the biggest challenge was and still is MARKETING. We have had several compliments about the recipes in our cookbook, which makes the two-year effort well invested time. But we are always looking for ways to market.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?

The best part about self-publishing is the rewarding feeling we have for creating something that is helping others.

What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?

If there is any advice we think is important, it would be taking the time to do your market research.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The only other thing I would like to say is, I did not and could not have completed this project without the endless encouragement from my loving wife Suzanne and during many early morning hours working on my book I knew God was with me.

Thanks for your tips Nick!

Do you have questions about marketing your self-published book and selling books online? Please contact me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Here are Paul’s responses:

Tell us about your self-published book.

My book is about the cycles in life. Life in itself is a cycle, and within that cycle, we have continuously new things happening, one after another, ones within others. Each cycle has twenty-two stages that inexorably are fulfilled.

Through the narration of a personal experience with alcohol, I am demonstrating how these stages are fulfilled to be able to prepare, anticipate and get benefit to the different situations and to live a life with joy, abundance, peace, love and tranquility.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I decide to self publish because I wanted to personally take care of my book.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?

My biggest challenge is the distribution and sales.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?

The best part of self-publishing my book is that the result I wanted Is what I have.

What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?

My advice for other, self-published authors is to think of exactly what you want and what you expect about your book, and then decide if you want to do it by yourself or with a publishing company.

Thanks for your insights Paul! Now, if you have questions like Paul about marketing your self-published book and selling books online, please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’m here to help!

Here’s what Beth had to say about self-publishing:

Tell us about your self-published book.

My book is called “Rachel and the Magic Beads.” It is a story based on a real girl by the name of Rachel who has a condition called Down Syndrome. I wrote the story with Rachel’s brother, Johnny Buchanan. It is a story of Rachel feeling sad when her parents go away on a trip without her. They return with a present of “magic beads.”

Every book comes with a set of “magic beads,” and a proceed of our book is donated to The Belle Center in Chicago that supports children with disabilities & their families.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

My illustrator, Virginia Bosak, and I found wonderful graphic designers by the name of Karen McDiarmid and Greg Dunn who pointed us in the direction of Friesens, a self published company in Canada. We wanted to be able to sell our books at a reasonable price, and if you publish with a big company, they take a portion of the proceeds.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?

Finding a good company you can trust that is not too expensive.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?

Being able to be in charge and set your own price.

What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?

To make sure that you do your homework prior to publishing. I also feel that it is important to work with a graphic designer who knows how to publish.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

If you would like your book to be placed in libraries, you want to make sure that it is bonded with the name and authors name on the bonded end, so that it is library ready. That is a huge accomplishment to be placed in a library!

Thanks for your insights Beth!

Do you have questions about marketing your self-published book and selling books online? Please contact us here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Tell us about your self-published book.

My title, “101 Helpful Painting Hints,” is in a question and answer format in order to make it easy for everyone to get the information they need quickly about their projects.

It covers 101 basic questions do-it-yourselfers have about preparing and painting on their homes. And to help them decide if painting is right for them. Also included is information for those wishing to hire a contractor but don’t know where to start.

It also includes information about what to expect and advice on how to get the work done right and on time. “101 Helpful Painting Hints” is designed to be a “go-to-guide” again and again as folks tackle different projects around their home.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I choose to self-publish because it allowed me total literary freedom to include the information I felt important to make the title a true value.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?

My biggest challenge was deciding the structure of the content to present it in a manner with the reader in mind.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?

The best part has been providing a title that has met my expectations of meeting the needs of the first-time, do-it-yourselfers with real and useful information.

What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?

My advice would be to work hard, and listen to folks like Jill Exler and Melanie Rembrandt who provide information to self-published authors via jexbo.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would like to add, don’t judge the success of a title in dollars and cents. Rather, judge in the fact that you, the writer, had the courage and self-determination to blaze your own path.

Thanks for your great words of inspiration Chris! Are you in the process of writing your self-published book? If you have questions about selling books online and self-publishing, please contact us here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Tell us about your self-published book and where we can find it on jexbo.

“Forced Mate” is a gentle spoof of traditional abduction romances (also known as bodice rippers). It has been called the ultimate, beauty-and-the-beast story. It is also a futuristic take on the Greek myth of the abduction of Persephone by the dark god of the Underworld.In this case, the abductor is a self styled god from outer space.

All my books end happily. I loathe unhappy endings, and I never mess with a happy ending in a sequel. That’s why my books are novels of character, not plot-driven. I’m not interested in the “Will he/Won’t he?” If the spine says “Romance” which is does, then it’s a given that the hero will find happiness with the heroine.

In “Forced Mate,” the hero has a great deal of physical experience, but he is absolutely lost when it comes to the emotions. In his world, he is a god, an emperor’s heir, extremely wealthy, and no one has ever said “No” to him. Then, he meets a young woman who has no idea who he is, and for the first time in his sexually active life, he is told that his bedside manners are abominable.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I decided to self-publish because the original publisher of the electronic version of “Forced Mate” went out of business. I got my rights back, and I wanted to make sure that my vision of the perfect “Tarrant-Arragon” stayed in circulation. That may sound incredibly superficial of me. On the other hand, if you share my taste in men, you might see my point.

I’d written my first draft of “Forced Mate” by 1993 and was at the stage of entering chapters of it in contests, and honing my writing. Physically, the hero, Tarrant-Arragon, was a composite of four gentlemen whom I’d known, and I never expected to glance at a magazine cover or movie and see my imaginary ultimate hero staring back at me.

That’s what happened in November 1994 when I saw Mitchel Gray’s photograph of Matthew Twiggs on the cover of “Men’s Health Magazine.” I vowed there and then that that photograph was going to be on the cover of “Forced Mate” if I ever got it published. So, I made contact with the photographer, and we made a gentleman’s agreement.

Ten years later, I called Mitchel Gray, and bought the rights to use that photograph, and I wrote it into my contract with NBI that they would use my photograph on my cover. Dorchester Publishing, which bought the print rights at about the same time, declined my cover.

Given my financial and emotional investment in the cover-art, the costs of reformatting the NBI manuscript (not the same as the paperback) and buying my own ISBN were not a deterrent.

Since then, I’ve kept all my e-rights (except in the case of “Mating Net,” where I licensed the e-rights to New Concepts Publishing and retained the print and POD rights.)

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?

Well, my challenges were different from those faced by an author who has to start from scratch. My exceptionally talented Web master, Mike Weiss of Image Weaver Studios, revised the cover art.

My intellectual properties attorney helped me with the reversion-of-rights paperwork, and with buying the ISBNs from Bowker. (In those days, a self-publisher had to buy a batch of ten ISBNs. Now, you can buy just one.)

Working with the Library of Congress on copyright registration is not particularly difficult, but it takes longer and longer – up to twenty months.

One challenge was (and remains) the book-keeping part of sales. I’ve only recently started with jexbo. I also have a semi-exclusive arrangement with EBookIsle. Ebookisle sells the e-book for $6.00, of which I get $3.60 per sale. They take care of sales taxes, advertising, delivery, and all the paperwork, and send me a quarterly check. As I understand it, all I have to do is declare that income, and pay my own state and federal taxes.

That’s relatively hassle-free. However, EBookisle only sells a few copies a year, and e-book theft and illegal “file-sharing” is a problem.

I’d hoped that if I sold Forced Mate for closer to the price that e-book thieves say is a fair price for an e-book, the illegal “sharing” might stop. But it doesn’t, and I’ll probably never recoup what it cost me to buy the cover art, the ISBNs and produce the e-book. (NBI didn’t pay me a cent before they went out of business.)

However, if I sell “Forced Mate” on jexbo.com for $1.50, I am responsible for my own book keeping, and for Michigan internet sales tax, as well as for my state and federal income taxes.

Moreover, if I’m sent $1.50 via Paypal, Paypal takes $0.34 off the top as their fee. Of course, I shall also owe jexbo 5% of the original $1.50. For those who might be outraged at my reference to illegal file “sharing”, e-books have a special copyright. The author has the sole right to control the REPRODUCTION and DISTRIBUTION of her ebook. If you “share” an ebook with someone else, you have to create at least four copies (that’s reproduction) that did not exist before, and then you send the copy to someone else over the internet (and that is distribution.) The First Sale doctrine does not apply to e-books.

Apart from the pirates, who might be the biggest challenge for self-published authors who don’t have publishers and agents to take care of the Take Down Notices, self-published authors may have to worry about some of the big fish, too.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?

The best part has been keeping my cover and being able to include scenes, words and phrases that I liked (even if one editor or another didn’t)! Honestly, in my opinion, there’s not a lot to recommend self-publishing, if you have an option.

Most authors are shocked (even those with a major New York publishing house) at how much else they have to do, apart from writing the next book…. But, you didn’t ask about the monster Architeuthis (giant squid) beneath the sparkling surface of self-publishing.

What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?

Follow your dream with your eyes open. Your best friends are authors a rung or two above you on the career ladder. Follow them, don’t try to clamber over them or knock them out of your way. Look to the example of NASCAR and aerodynamics: leader and follower both go faster when they work together.

Contracts are written to favor whoever wrote that contract (publisher, printer, online bookseller, website designer etc). Read every word. Understand what the contract says before you sign it. Get help from EPIC or SFWA or Authors Guild, or Preditors-and-Editors.

Most contracts can be negotiated. No one will think less of you for asking, as long as you are polite and professional about it. Be honest with your agent, your editor, your reader, and anyone else with whom you do business. Including the IRS!

Be aware that others won’t be honest with you. Once you register a copyright or trademark or domain name, you will receive all sorts of documents that look like invoices. You will also be offered awards and listings in catalogues of “distinguished” or “famous” people… if you purchase your listing.

Keep records of all your expenses, all your contracts, all your promises, all your sales, all the prizes you promised to give away. Follow through. Never defame anyone. Never write a bad review. Never write a good review of a book you did not enjoy. Never infringe on anyone else’s copyright (artist’s, model’s, photographer’s, etc). Never “cheat” your reader or potential reader. Never assume that someone will want to read your book simply because “you” wrote it, or because “you” say they will enjoy you.

Secure your domain name before you become published. If you wait, a spammer might squat on it. You don’t want your Web site to be: http://theofficialmynameauthor.com
Keep doing what you love for as long as it makes you happy, and as long as your pursuit doesn’t hurt or cause you to neglect those you love.
Do the very best you can, every day.

Thanks for your great tips and personal insights Rowena! To discover more about self-publishing and selling your books online, please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. Thanks!

Tell us about your self-published book.

I currently have two books. The first one is available in print and electronic form. It is titled, “Integrity: Do You Have It? 2nd edition.” It defines integrity and discusses the characteristics. It creates a common set of criteria to measure others and us. These criteria are then applied to various segments of society such as the news, education and politics among others. The book brings the subject of integrity down to the individual level through a chapter on personal integrity.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

Self publishing allows me to have control over the content of my book. In any situation, the success of a book is dependent upon the marketing activities of the author.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?

Getting exposure and creating marketing opportunities

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?

I have total control and it gave me exposure for my expertise on the topic

What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?

To never give up and to take advantage of all opportunities to develop exposure for your expertise.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Use networking opportunities and social networking sites to gain exposure and participate in the forums when you have something to add to the topic.

Thanks for your insights on self-publishing Dennis! To discover more about self-publishing and selling your books online, please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you.

Here are Dorothy’s insights:

Tell us about your self-published book and where we can find it on jexbo.

My self-published book titled, “When the Raven Knocks… Comforting Those Who Mourn,” was written for everyone who has ever lost a loved one or knows someone that has. It is filled with first-person stories, suggestions, prayers, poems, and advice from those who have been there. You can find it on jexbo listed under “Religious Books.”

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I decided to self-publish because I knew this would be the fastest way to get my message out to people in need of compassion, understanding and help.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?

The biggest challenge that I had to overcome in self-publishing this book was the nightmare of my publisher closing down in the middle of the night and going bankrupt on seventy of us self-publishing authors. This was worse than a nightmare because it was reality! The publication company was a member of the Better Business Bureau. I met with him several times before signing a contract; including upfront payments. He seemed honest and legitimate. What more could I have done?

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?

The best part about self-publishing my book was the fact that I got to meet so many wonderful people during book-signings, and promotional events. I was able to help so many people who were going through terrible tragedies in their lives. The word of my book spread far and wide.

The most memorable “thank you” came from an Amish grandmother who was gifted a copy of my book when her grand-daughter was killed in the horrid Amish school shooting in Pennsylvania. She felt like my book stood out above all the rest that she had received during the tragedy.

What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?

The advice that I would like to share with other writers and self-publishing authors is to never stop writing. Even while reading other articles or books consider it to be a writing-observation lesson. Write what comes from your heart putting your compassion into written words.

Gather as much information as you possibly can in choosing a publisher. Hopefully, you will never run into the scenario that I did with the publishing company going bankrupt.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Writing and self-publishing a book is much like preparing for a new child in the family. You nourish it for many months, your thoughts are on it continuously, you dream about it, share your excitement with others, and wait in expectation for the great event of a beautiful newly delivered gift. Seeing your name on the cover and reading through the finished product for the very first time is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Thanks for your great tips and inspiration Dorothy. To discover more about Dorothy’s book, visit http://www.jexbo.com/items/68. And if you have questions about self-publishing and selling your books online, please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’m happy to help.

Here is what M.J. had to say:

Tell us about your self-published books.

“The Devil’s Pawn” is the story of Robin Wilder, a novelist and creative writing instructor who struggles to heal from a tragedy that traumatized her life and compelled her to flee her hometown. She settles in the quaint town of Heritage, SC, and spends the next four years living the pretense of an ordinary life as a novelist and creative writing instructor. However, Robin’s facade unravels when someone murders her fiancé then begins threatening her life. After a student’s warning leads to the young woman’s murder, Robin realizes she must confront her past and find the killer before she, or someone else she cares about, becomes the next victim.

“The Palmetto Connection” is the story of Anne Corey, a Literature professor living under the Witness Security Program. After years of running, she decides to settle down only to discover the enemies she thought she’d eluded were close to finding her and killing the people she cares about. Moreover, when she sought aid she discovered the only person who could help her, the link between her former identity and her new, was dead. Anne Corey finds herself alone, unable to share her secret, and too frightened to trust anyone. Now she must either flee from the home and friends she loves, or confront her enemies; risking her life and the lives of those about whom she cares.

“A Cruel Legacy” is the story of Caressa Cruel, a television newscaster who returns to historic downtown Charleston, SC to comfort her dying father only to have him reveal a shocking secret. A confession that not only verifies her life is in danger, but also rouses agonizing memories of her troubled past. When her father dies before revealing a vital piece of information, he leaves Caressa to search for the answers that would reveal the identity of a killer. Caressa’s dilemma intensifies when she discovers the body of a loved one, murdered. Now she is left heartbroken and without answers. Will she be able to decipher the details of her father’s confession? Can she uncover the truth and expose the killer before he catches her?

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I decided to self-publish because I felt the traditional method was taking too long. Also, I knew with self-publishing I would not only maintain the rights to the novels, but I’d have full control over the writing and publishing process.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?

I felt the biggest challenge I had to overcome in self-publishing was figuring out a marketing plan, which by way of the Internet, has turned out to be more rewarding than a challenge. I’ve also created a blog at http://m-j-macie.blogspot.com.

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?

The best part about self-publishing my novels is the ease of publishing and the instant availability of the books to the public. I chose the POD (print-on-demand) method, and as soon as the novel is uploaded to the publishing site, it is available for me to check over a first draft. Once I approve the draft, customers can begin purchasing the books. The internet and book sellers such as jexbo.com make that possible.

What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?

The advice I would give to other potential writers and self-published authors is to take the editing process seriously. We have self-published authors who haven’t put the time and energy into editing their books properly, or having a professional edit them, and the outcome is a self-published book that gives the industry a bad reputation.
Is there anything else you would like to add?

Finally, I’d like to add that all self-published authors should be active on the Internet marketing and promoting their novels. The Internet provides many wonderful avenues for promoting novels. Websites, blogs, and agent and author sites offer great advice to published and aspiring authors and answer many writers’ questions. They also provide contests and other promotions to help get the word out on new authors or an author’s current novel.

Thanks for your great tips and insights M.J.! To find out more about M.J.’s novels, visit http://www.jexbo.com/categories/150/subcategories/176 or http://www.mj-macie-mysterybooks.com.

And for help with self-publishing and selling your books online, please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you! Thanks!

Tell us a little about your background and why you decided to write.

I was born and raised in the western suburbs of Detroit. I lived for several years in northern Michigan, where I developed a deep love for the natural beauty of the region, which is reflected in the novel. Better job opportunities lured me back to the metropolitan Detroit area where I became an “on-and-off denizen of cubeville.” I worked for several major training and marketing firms, producing scores of industrial videos and training programs. After my last lay-off, I devoted my time to creative writing, resulting in “Northern Cross,” a second book, “Headwind,” three screenplays, and several short stories.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?

After several years of trying to find a publisher for my book, I finally stumbled onto a print-on-demand (POD) publisher who was interested in my manuscript. They were honest and forthcoming about their business and there were no upfront costs, so I signed with them. Nice people. Good editors. And the end product was great … I generally get good reviews from everyone who has read it.

So what’s the problem here, you’re asking? Well, they told me when I signed that they depended on the author to help with marketing. I knew that marketing was not my strong suit, but I figured I could do a few things, so I had no problem with that. But what I didn’t understand was that, other than creating a listing on Amazon, there would be absolutely no marketing on their end … no advance copies to reviewers, no press releases … zip, zero, zilch. ALL marketing efforts were left to me.

I guess I didn’t really understand that POD is just another name for self-publishing … and when you self-publish; you are on your own … totally and utterly. That may not be a problem for people who are naturally inclined to market themselves and their stuff, but I’m not one of them. In fact, I may be the world’s worst self-promoter. It’s not that I haven’t tried. I’ve sent out several web-based press releases … I created a website (http://www.northerncrossonline), I’ve done some book signings, and I’ve listed NC with all the search tools I can find.

What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?

Now, I didn’t expect to set the world on fire with my first novel, but I must admit that I was looking for a little more recognition. Of course, I can’t blame the POD publisher. They never made any promises, but I didn’t really understand that by “helping with marketing” they meant “You sell it … period.” With this experience, I’ve now schooled myself on the process. I bought a couple of books on self-publishing and did research on the Net.

But in the end, there is really no great mystery. If you want to get your product noticed, you better not be shy. You’ve got to pound the pavement, seek publicity, and not be sensitive to rejection … ‘cause there will be plenty of that.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

With what I’ve learned, would I self-publish again? Probably, because in the end, it was the only avenue open to me, and I’m proud of the book. But at least now I’d know what to expect. And that is, if you don’t promote it, it ain’t gonna be promoted.

Thanks for your personal insights and tips Christopher! To read more about his book, “Northern Cross,” please visit http://www.jexbo.com/items/58.

And if you need help marketing and promoting your self-published book, please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’m here to help! Thanks!

Tell us about your self-published book.
The book relives my various dating and sexual misadventures as a touring comedian, sharing what I learned as advice after each story.

Why did you decide to self-publish?
I decided to go in with one guy because I’d have more control. I had a few big publishers who were interested but wanted to turn it into a “pick-up” manual. That wasn’t my goal and directly conflicted with the book’s message. Considering it landed me a gig answering questions for “Lifetime” in a column called, “Ask A Guy,” I’d say I made the right move.

What was your biggest challenge to overcome in self-publishing your book?
Finding a third-party publisher who would give us books for cost. It’s crazy that many printers want to charge you full-price or only 30% off for your own books. You have to give many away for reviews, etc. Are they crazy?! That tells me they don’t believe in their books or authors; they just want to make money off them, as opposed to book sales. We wanted to be on bookshelves because then we would get more media. Media members don’t like to have you on the news, etc, if their viewers can’t by your book at the bookstore, understandably. And to do that, you have to be listed with Ingram. You have to have 10+ books under your imprint to be listed with Ingram, so we used a POD provider who met the qualification. It was our imprint (just one book) but their reputation that enabled us to get listed with Ingram.)

What has been the best part about self-publishing your book?
Control over content and greater profit per book.

What advice do you have for other potential writers and self-published authors?
Do your research. Find what matches with you best. If you use a POD, etc, as a printer for online orders or to get listed with Ingram, get one who charges cost for your books. (WingSpan is the only one I’ve found to date.)

You have to look past all the other “specials” they offer, recognizing them as gimmicks. You have to MARKET, MARKET, MARKET, whether you self-publish or go with another publisher. When you self-publish, you accrue all the marketing costs. If you can’t afford to buy your books to give away for free to reviewers and the media, you can’t market. It literally baffles me why anyone would use a printer or POD publisher who charges more than cost per book.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
MARKET, MARKET, MARKET. If you’re not willing to market, don’t be an author. Authors who don’t market don’t sell. And they make a bad name for the rest of us. The number one problem authors have approaching publishers is getting them to believe they will market because many authors say they will, but don’t. Marketing is hard, continuous, often tedious work that never ends. NEVER.

Thanks for your valuable tips and advice Ian. If you’d like some help on how to market, sell and publicize your book, please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Here’s what Andrew has to say about self-publishing:

Tell us about your book.

“Activate Your Weight Loss” will empower you to:

Get a clearer understanding of why you are the way you are and why you have created your current body and life.

Address and remove the dis-EASE that causes mental, emotional and physical stress in all areas of your body and life.

Get clarity on what your ideal body and a life of EASE would be like for you.

Understand why some people can never follow through to having their ideal body or life of EASE.

Create your ideal body and life of EASE with ten EASY steps which form the basis of the Activate Your Weight Loss Program.
Activate Your Weight Loss is a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual overhaul – a book that will transform every aspect of your life.
The tools, ideas and solutions you will learn are just as useful and important whether your goal is to fit into a size 8 dress, improve your fitness, overcome cravings and addictions, climb Mount Everest, find a new or improve your current relationship or start your own business.

You have been given a gift. It is called life. And with this gift you have been given all of the talents, all of the knowledge and all of the power to create whatever it is you want to create on this Earth. Regardless of what shape or form this gift comes in for you, you owe it to yourself to go out there and become the best person you can possibly be, doing whatever it is that you want to do and use your gift to see what an amazing life you can create for yourself.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

One reason was return on investment. Another was so I would not lose my creative license.
What I mean by that is I can get my books typeset, printed, edited, etc. (at my expense) and then make all of the profits through my website and other sales platforms. As a published author I only receive 10%, and the publisher can change the content if they wish, which was non negotiable in my case as I don’t feel that a publisher can represent my message as well as I can.

Another big issue was if the first six weeks of marketing is ineffective, they can pull the book forever. Whereas, if one angle of marketing does not work for me, I can then create another one and another one and another one…forever, if I choose to.

A drawback I guess is that I have to do everything in creating and marketing my book. But the intangible benefit from this is that it has now allowed me to write another book and create an entirely new business around teaching others how to Start, Grow and Automate their business, based on their passions, talents and expertise, so they can live a life of EASE. And I guess that is the main reason I love self publishing. It allows me to create unlimited income streams from my message which ultimately allows me to get my message out to support so many more people in the world.

What has been your biggest reward in self-publishing your book?

Getting more clarity on who I am as a person. Publishing a book /message is a great way to get laser-like clarity on how you as an author like to operate. For me, it made me realize my flow is not to be an author but a messenger/creator (in many different forms, from speaking, writing, interviewing, coaching, teaching, etc.)

What has been the most challenging part of self-publishing your book?

The ongoing marketing of the books to the media (eg. trying to keep coming up with different angles) and also pre-purchasing the books for the distributor and bookshops and them only receiving a third of the income (but after expenses this is even less – eg. break even). And then not getting paid this income until 12 months after they first go into the shops.

Seems like an old school way of doing business to me, compared to doing it through my websites, etc. and then making 100% of the profit (I say this because today I have to make the decision again to go through this process for my new book called “Activate Your Weight Loss.” Should I spend $2000-$4000 to get 400 books for the Australian bookshops that I know I will only break even on my investment, but not for 12 months – with the only real benefit being the increased awareness of my message to the people that buy my book? Or, is it better to spend $2000-$4000 on Google AdWords to people who are directly searching for my book and its topic – rather than being one of 500 of the same books on a shelf in an actual location in the world, and then having to do PR to get people to that bookshop – Hmmmm…I guess what I am really saying is the Internet is so much easier and the return on investment is so much higher for a lot less effort).

What advice do you have for other self-published authors?

Make sure you have a Website that supports your book, and then from that, make sure you create different forms of products/services to leverage off your book. (Eg. coaching, workshops, newsletters, membership programs, article marketing, audios, videos, etc.) Unless you become world famous for your first book (somehow), you are going to need other income streams to support your message development until enough people see you as their trusted advisor on your chosen topic/field of expertise. And once this happens, things will become easier. (Eg. people will come to you rather than you trying to get them to come to you.)

Is there anything else you would like to add?

From a personal growth and expansion point of view, I would recommend that you self-publish any day over using a publisher. (However I say this having never used a publisher) It will certainly reveal parts of you that you did not even know existed, but I guarantee you it will be worth it.

Thanks for your insights Andrew! We look forward to seeing your success grow!

Do you have questions on how to sell your book and the self-publishing process? Please let me know here, at http://www.jexbo.com, or at http://www.jexbo.blogspot.com/. I’m here to help! Thanks!

- Look at your immediate circle of friends and family to see if anyone has any special skills you can use. For example, if you’re going to set up an office, do you know anyone who has experience in this area? Maybe they can take you shopping for essentials or steer you away from impulse purchases you’ll never use?

- Do you know anyone who has started a business and knows what forms need to be filled out and where they should be submitted? Could they give you an hour or two of their time to walk you through the steps?

- Conduct a search online to see if you can find people to work with or mentor you as you get started. There are a lot of great sites to help you start a business and you’re bound to find some like-minded friends who might be great to work with.

- Put the word out that you’re looking. Let people know at the churches and organizations you belong to that you’re looking for help and the right people might start looking for you.

- Have everyone you know spread the word that you’re looking for help too. “Friend of a friend” can be another great way to meet people who can help you.

- Look for people you’ve worked with well in the past and see if they’re interested in working together again.

- Check out what’s offered in your local business bureau or city business organizations. Look to see if there’s a small group specializing in the field you’re going into. You might find the right person who is also looking for you.

There are many ways to find good people to help you start and grow your business. It’s up to you to spread the word that you are looking and conduct the appropriate research.

Do you have questions about starting a business and selling your self-published book? Please let me know here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Tell us about your self-published book.

“DUH! MARKETING” offers a humorous jaunt through the advertising and marketing jungle and is guaranteed to get readers to chuckle or gasp over positively on-point or miserably off-target marketing efforts by some of the most recognized companies worldwide.

“DUH! MARKETING” covers the essentials of marketing through analysis of humorous and not-so-hilarious real-life examples. It provides simple and foundational marketing guidelines following the premise that if readers can remember an outrageous story, they will never forget its lesson. Every DUH! Is followed by a parallel Ta Da! so that you learn what works and what doesn’t.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

After acquiring a very prestigious agent who also represented Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson, I discovered that interested publishers had a very different idea of the book than I had. It was either my vision or their vision-no compromise. Further, the book was already finished, and I couldn’t get the book published fast enough; it seemed to me that the sooner it was published, the sooner I could reap the rewards.

What has been your biggest reward in self-publishing your book?

A book is the best business card you will ever create! It moves your credibility beyond “knowledgeable” to “expert.” I used the book as my foundation to grow my speaking business exponentially. I also learned that publishing your book isn’t news (unless it is about a wizard named Harry Potter!), but you can use your book as an opportunity to bombard the media.

I appeared on hundreds of radio and TV stations talking about Brittney Spears, Super Bowl commercials, networking, and the best ways to market. It is the ultimate springboard for publicity.

What has been the most challenging part of self-publishing your book?

The devil is in the details. Just because you are a subject-area expert, doesn’t mean you understand the intricacies of publishing. Getting an ISBN number, filing for copyright, designing the cover, and getting your book up on Amazon, for example, makes for tedious work best delegated to others as I discovered later in the game.

What advice do you have for other self-published authors?

Two key pieces of advice:

Delegate certain tasks; you cannot, for example, proof your own book. Similarly, find someone who can handle the book publishing details so that they are accurate.

Find a coach who will keep you on track. Without a publisher, it’s easy to make your book into a “some day” project. With a coach seeking accountability and responsibility, I guarantee that you will progress, hit deadlines, and ultimately get your book to market.

Excellent information Liz! Thanks for your insights.

Do you have questions on how to sell your book and the self-publishing process? Please let me know here, at http://www.jexbo.com, or at http://www.jexbo.blogspot.com/. I’m here to help! Thanks!

Tell us about your book.

”Creating Your Own Destiny” was originally self-published in July of 2001 as a 10 chapter, 140 pages soft cover book. Today, nine years later, I have published nine consecutive editions of the book with new content. As a result, today it is hard cover, 320 pages, and 16 chapters. The book has been featured as a cover story in USA TODAY, has sold over 150,000 copies, has been translated into five languages and is now an international, best-seller. Recently, John Wiley and Sons have purchased the rights of this book (via a two book deal) and will republish the book in spring of 2010.

Why did you decide to self publish?

I made this decision because I had no other choice. After 300 volunteer speaking engagements between 18-26 years old, I knew that if I was ever to turn my passions for speaking into a business, I knew that I needed publish as book so that I could successfully market myself as a professional speaker.

After getting some early rejections from both agents and publishers, I realized that self publishing was my only option.

What has been your biggest reward as a result of self-publishing?

I have two that are both equally big:

1. My book has allowed me to become a highly paid, professional keynote speaker. Since 2001, I have been able to do 900 paid professional speaking engagements. This has allowed me to quit my day job five years ago and pursue this passion full time.

2. The success of my book has allowed me to become a publishing coach and help other speaker, coaches and entrepreneurs get published as well. As a result, I have helped over 150 entrepreneurs pursue their publishing dreams. And this has given me a lot of balance in life and allowed me to stay home more than many other speakers who have not developed additional streams of income.

4. What was the most challenging part of self-publishing?

Without question, the most challenging part has been the financial investment required to pursue this business. This is a very expensive business to get involved with, but if you do it correctly you can and will prosper. The other part of the challenge is to continue to believe in your self even when all others (including your family) tell you to give up on your business/book and go back and get a job.

What advice do you have for other self-published authors?

My best advice is to NEVER ever give up and spend at least one hour every day for the rest of your life promoting your book (I am talking about a 20-30 year book marketing campaign). Also, do everything you can to protect your seed money, day job income. This is an expensive business so definitely keep the day job until you are consistently making more from your book/speaking/coaching than from your day job. Again, I repeat NEVER give up!

Is there anything else you would like to add?
For more information on my book, “Creating Your Own Destiny,” visit http://www.CreateYourOwnDestiny.com. For more information on my unique self publishing coaching system including seeing covers and testimonials from actual clients, visit http://www.BestSellerPublishingCoaching.com.

Thanks for your inspiration and great tips Patrick!

Are you ready to sell your self-published books and have questions? Please let me know here, at http://www.jexbo.com, or at http://www.jexbo.blogspot.com/. I’m here to help! Thanks!

• Tell us about your self-published book.

It took me over two years to write Power Brainstorming®. During that time I was also doing keynotes, delivering seminars and facilitating power brainstorming® sessions for business clients so I had the advantage of trying out ideas and getting feedback while I was in the writing stage. It kept my thinking fresh. It also caused me to go back and do a number of rewrites. That was good.

• Why did you decide to self-publish?

When I submitted my book idea to the first publisher on my list, the response was that they wanted me to write something slightly different. By continuing on my own, I was able to write the book that was in my head and heart, not the one they had in their head. I also knew that some friends who had published with a publisher paid high prices for their own books when they needed them.

• What has been your biggest reward in self-publishing your book?

I worked with wonderful people for the illustrations, editing, internal design, and other essential parts. For example, I never met my internal designer, Joel Friedlander at Marin Bookworks in California. We were able to do everything by phone and email and he did a fantastic job.

• What has been the most challenging part of self-publishing your book?

There were so many details I didn’t know would be required when I started out. I thought you just write, edit, and design a cover and you’re good to go. There were dozens of choices and decisions to be made. Not every choice I made turned out to be the best. I learned a lot and hope that my next project (coming up soon) will be even smoother. Another challenge was making sure that I handled legal matters like copyrights, my own and quoted, correctly. There is always a nagging feeling that I might have missed something in that regard.

• What advice do you have for other self-published authors?

Get the whole first draft completed and then pull together a team of all the specialists you need. Get several different people to read and comment and edit. Make sure they have different perspectives so they will notice different things. Get several references on each outsourcing you will be doing.

• Is there anything else you would like to add?

When those first completed books arrive at your home or office, the feeling is fantastic. That feeling gets replicated every time you see your book in a book store or library or online store. One little story you might find interesting: When the first box of books arrived at my home, I wasn’t there, but my mother lives with me and she accepted the boxes. She told me she cried she was so happy and proud to see them.

Then, when she picked one up to read it, she realized her eyes were not good enough (she is 97 years old) and finally asked me to read it to her. Of course I did it with pleasure. Then I realized I could record it as I was reading it to her and make an audio version — a 5 CD set to be exact. I keep telling her she was the inspiration for the audio version.

That was true inspiration Hazel and I’m sure your advice will give other self-publishers some great guidance as they move forward.

How about you? Do you have questions on how to sell your book and the self-publishing process? Please let me know here, at http://www.jexbo.com, or at http://www.jexbo.blogspot.com/. I’m here to help!

• Tell us about your self-published book.
The name of my book is “No Limits: How I escaped the clutches of Corporate America to live the self-employed life of my dreams”. You can probably guess what it is about from the title, but it is not just a memoir. In fact, it is a cross between a business how to book and an inspirational self-help book.

I not only included my story on how I became self-employed, but to prepare for the book, I interviewed seven other people, who were also independent or small business owners. At the time I wrote the book, my experience was as an independent web consultant, but I wanted to represent other situations, such as small business owners with employees and from various industries. I think that makes the book well rounded and all the reviewers have agreed.

The book includes practical advice, but it also helps someone to decide if self-employment is even right for them. I spend a whole chapter discussing the kind of traits someone should possess. I also inform the reader of considerations, such as insurance, taxes, and creating a web presence. The one chapter everyone seems to love the most is the one on “Letting go.” I talk about letting go of the things that so often hold us back, like blaming other people for our problems or giving into a fear of failure.

• Why did you decide to self-publish?
This is not my first book. In fact, it is my seventh. The other six were published with traditional publishers, and they were technical in nature. I decided to self-publish this book for two main reasons. One, I knew the material was timely, and I also knew the publishers would slow the process down way too much. I was able to write and produce the book in only three months. No publisher could have done that.

The second reason I chose to self-publish is because I wanted to retain full control over what the book included and how it was marketed. These days, even if you use a publisher, the only way your book truly has a chance of succeeding is if you take on a lot of the responsibility for promoting it yourself. If I was going to do most of the work anyway, I wanted to get more than a tiny portion of the profits.

• What has been your biggest reward in self-publishing your book?
The control has been the best part. I hated having to give in to a publisher’s demands, when the decisions were based on what was good for business and not what was best for the book. Publishing is a business and the publishers do not care about you. It is nothing personal, but they don’t. They just care about making money. For me, this was about so much more than making money.

• What has been the most challenging part of self-publishing your book?
The hardest part has been the promotion. I am a web developer by profession and very left-brained. I have never been a social butterfly, but I have certainly emerged from my cocoon as a result of all this. I have learned how to be personable and interesting in order to get people to pay attention to me. It has been a huge challenge but a ton of fun. I am having the best time of my life and learning so much every day.

• What advice do you have for other self-published authors?
Never give up and write a good book. If your book is good and you dedicate yourself to it, you can succeed. You just need to hang in there and keep working your leads and changing your strategy, if necessary. Just do not give up, because too many people do and their books never succeed because of it.

• Is there anything else you would like to add?
I just want everyone to know that they are completely in control of their life, even if they don’t feel like it sometimes. Stay positive and believe in yourself, and there really are no limits in life. Just always remember to Work, Live and Have Fun.

Thanks for your inspiration Sara!

Do you have questions on how to sell your book and self-publishing? Please let me know here, at http://www.jexbo.com, or at http://www.jexbo.blogspot.com/. I’m here to help!

• Tell us about your self-published books.
“Government Marketing Best Practices” (Jan, 2005) is about marketing to the government. It is a book version of a seminar I developed in 2002. The seminar was on the road and delivered in over twelve cities around the U.S. over forty times. This book went through five printings and sold over 9,000 copies.

“Why Epiphanies Never Occur to Couch Potatoes” (Nov 2007) started as a lunch speech at a business conference. Originally titled, “Amtower’s Laws on Survival and Success,” one person who was at the original speech described it as “what happens when Stephen Covey meets Conan the Barbarian.” It is a straightforward look at the business and life rules I have developed and have chosen to live by.

• Why did you decide to self-publish your books?

The first book was self-published because I was in a hurry to get it out. The book was already written and ready to go, and the submission process seemed very slow. I also had little desire to be edited by anyone not familiar with the government market.

When I was ready for the second book, I had established relationships with my printer/publisher and again, decided I did not need editing.

• What have been the advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing?

Advantages are you completely control content. Disadvantages are you have to pay for everything.

• How have you marketed your self-published books successfully?
I generate lots of publicity for myself (quoted in over 200 publications since 1995; guest on over 50 radio stations around the country since 2006). I make certain key people in the press and on the web (bloggers, web radio hosts, etc) get copies of my books with a “one-sheet.” I also send copies to people I know who have large followings (enewsletter, social media, etc). For “Government Marketing Best Practices,” I also identified three bulk buyers (a conference, a government agency and a major government contractor.)

• What advice do you have for authors who are considering self-publishing their books?

First, make certain the book is really ready to go when you submit it. Have it edited by others for clarity, grammar, etc.

Second, be prepared and able to do your own publicity. If you publish it, no one will come unless they know it is there and there is a compelling reason to purchase it. Make certain all local press (local to you and pertinent to your title) get copies.

Third, start with a short run – no more than 2,500 copies. It is easier to print more than to pay for storage of too many copies.

Fourth, do not count on it being a profit center. Very few books generate serious income for authors, even if you are with a major publisher.

Fifth, select a printer that can do distribution as well. The printer needs to be able to support Amazon and the other online bookstores as well as any brick and mortar bookstores that want to carry your title.

Sixth, the title and the cover are the most important elements. Make certain your cover is designed to attract attention. Pay the cost and get it professionally done. For the title, take a pad of paper and go into a bookstore and start writing down the titles of books that get your attention. Look at the titles of books in your category that sell well. This is one area where emulation of others is a really good thing

• Is there anything else you would like to add?

If it is a business book, think of it as a great way to introduce yourself to prospective clients. If you want it to sell, be prepared to work hard – and smart- to get it out there.

Thanks for your excellent advice Mark!

Do you need help selling and promoting your self-published books? Please let me know here, at http://www.jexbo.com, or at http://www.jexbo.blogspot.com/. I’m here to help! Thanks!

1. Wrap all presents as soon as possible.
You’ll probably still have some last minute things to wrap, but if you can get the bulk of it done now, it will save a huge amount of time for you to do other things once the season begins.

2. Pre-order any specialty food items you’d like to be sure you have it.
If you’d like a crate of oranges, or a special cut of meat or turkey, there is often a discount for ordering it early.

3. Make your own wreath or table arrangement.
You don’t have to be particularly skilled at crafts to do this! Before it gets too snowy and cold, send the kids out with clippers and have them trim the bushes and put the clippings into bags.

You can either use some craft wire to attach the branches to a Styrofoam wreath base, or arrange the branches loosely around a candle on the table for a centerpiece.

4. If you’re hosting a meal for close friends or family, ask them to bring a course such as a salad or vegetable dish.

5. If you’re ordering something online for the holidays, check for hidden discounts before you actually purchase anything.

Using a search engine, type in the name of the store you’d like to buy from, and the word “discount” or “code” to find out if there’s a special offer that’s not available on the store’s site itself.

Hopefully, these quick tips will help you prepare for the holidays and save some time and money too!

And if you have any questions about selling your self-published book or finding that perfect, unique gift, please feel free to contact me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!

• Tell us about your self-published book.
I have six, self-published books. My first and lengthiest is “Split Second Selling,” a book based on the need to have a solid selling methodology since 92% of most sales professionals do not have one, and this creates losses in sales closure. In addition, I developed a proprietary sales methodology known as PRACTICE. I believe that athletes practice, as do physicians and attorneys; selling is a profession and they need to practice too.

I currently have three other books in the queue for self publishing they include:

“Split Second Selling Field Guide – Resources for the Selling Professional”

“Ultimate Business Bible – 12 Strategies for Ultimate Business Success”

“Little Book of Hope – Strategies to lead a Productive and Passionate Life”

• Why did you decide to self-publish?
Two reasons, 1) I am able to control the inventory and distribution and 2) cost. The cost of going through a large publisher and an agent were most costly and time-consuming. And commercially produced books do not seem to have the advantage of five to ten years ago.

• What has been your biggest reward in self-publishing your book?
The ability to see immediate results and cutting through much of the bureaucracy and foppishness of the commercial book industry.

• What has been the most challenging part of self-publishing your book?
Marketing and distribution. The hardest part is becoming a distributor and learning the variety of ways needed to get your book noticed. This is where commercial has an advantage. It is no difficult simply time consuming.

• What advice do you have for other self-published authors?
Three things:
1. Do not procrastinate, depending on the type of book at length one might actually produce a book in less than three months.
2. Get over the comfort zone of sitting around, one must be actively engaged marketing to get the book noticed.
3. Similar to the way Google works, create community, alliances are great methods to create distribution.

• Is there anything else you would like to add?
Listen to your markets for unmet needs. My new book is being written and titled three ways to help create interest in the niches I serve. And with the prowess of the internet marketers can create pillars based on the books. I have created audio, video and articles simply by repurposing information from my books One needs to think how to take the content to create allure.

Thanks for your great insights Drew!

Do you need help selling your self-published book? Please let me know here, http://www.jexbo.com or at http://www.jexbo.blogspot.com. I’d love to hear from you!

• Find The Right Web Developer.

If you are not a Web developer yourself, make sure the developer you hire is able to do the complex work required to get an e-commerce site started. This might mean contacting developers of sites you like, or advertising to find the right developer. But take the time to conduct the appropriate research. Otherwise, you can waste a lot of time and money without any results.

• Plan Ahead.
Before opening for business, research the competition and industry trends. Figure out what your business offers that is unique. Then, focus your marketing efforts around these unique benefits. Plan your marketing strategy and decide how you will reach new customers. Also, pay attention to your budget during the entire launch process to avoid any unnecessary surprises.

• Surround Yourself with Support.
Starting any kind of new venture takes courage and support. Try to avoid the naysayers. Stick to your plan, and surround yourself with positive people. There will always be negative influencers out there who want to see you fail. Don’t let them get to you.

Instead, find the organizations and services that offer cost-effective guidance for new entrepreneurs (like the Small Business Administration, http://www.sba.gov, and your local Chamber of Commerce.)

As a mother and entrepreneur pursuing her business dreams, I know how hard it can be to start an e-commerce site. If you need help, or want to sell your self-published books, just let me know here or at http://www.jexbo.com. Thanks, and I wish you all the best!

By self-publishing your book, you’ll experience many joys such as:

- Sharing your work with others; – Communicating directly with readers; – Making changes whenever applicable; – Paying to print only necessary books; – Conducting your own public relations efforts; and best of all – Controlling the marketing process.

In fact, I’ve talked to many professional consultants and speakers who make thousands of dollars more selling their own works that dealing with a publisher. Why?

They have complete control over how book packages are created and sold. Plus, they can create their own personal lists of customers to contact about future products, send newsletters, obtain feedback, and more. Plus, they can make changes at the last minute and cater their works to a specific audience, partner, sponsor, or affiliate as needed.

With this in mind, don’t get discouraged the next time you get a publisher’s rejection letter. Instead, think about all of the possibilities of being a self-published author!

For help with self-publishing, feel free to write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. And here are some other self-publishing resources: http://money.howstuffworks.com/self-publishing.htm, http://www.writerswrite.com/selfpublishing/links.htm, and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-publishing.

Talk to other business owners.
If they are successful, learn from them what they’ve done right. If they are unsuccessful, learn what you should do differently!

Turn to friends and family.
Everyone you know knows something you don’t know and they can help you in some way. And don’t forget people you’ve worked with in the past…they know how you work and can advise you on where your strengths lie.

Look into joining community business programs.
Check with your local area Chamber of Commerce, state and city government sites, and other industry groups to find out more about business programs, events and activities going on in your area.

You’ll get important information to help you with local business laws, taxes, employment issues, and more.

Check out websites set up to help new business owners.
There are many sites available that provide free information to entrepreneurs.

To start, check out http://www.score.gov, http://www.uschamber.com, http://www.startupnation.com, http://www.pinkmagazine.com, http://www.entrepreneur.com, http://www.inc.com, and http://www.fsb.com.

You’ll be able to communicate with other business owners and experts and get fast, current data on the entrepreneurial trends that are important to you.

Many new businesses fail. But if you get timely information from the right resources, you’ll be well on your way to success!

If you have questions about your business or self-publishing, please let me know here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’m happy to help!

But there is a secret to writing a book and finishing it…Schedule to write during your best time!

After all, everyone works differently, and it takes time to write a book. And the trick is finding what works best for you. If you are able to work in the morning, try getting up a little earlier than usual to write.

If you’re a night owl, find time to write later in the day. Something that works for me is to work ahead as much as possible, so I don’t have chores hanging over my head to distract me.

Once you find your ideal writing time and get into a regular schedule, you’ll have your book written in no time!

In the meantime, do you have questions about selling your books online? Please let me know here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Well, while you wait for that publishing house, editor or producer to call, here are a few tips to help you get through these trying times while being productive.

• Do freelance work.

You’ll want to continue to improve your skills… so keep writing. Check with your local newspaper, or find neighborhood organizations that pay for submissions to their newsletters or magazines.

Also, research online for groups that may be interested in what you’re writing, and offer to prepare an article specific to their needs. You’ll also find freelance work at sites like http://www.elance.com/, http://www.craigslist.org, http://www.guru.com/emp/index.aspx, and others.

• Consider teaching a class at a local adult education or community college program.

You might be able to set up an entire program yourself and teach something extremely focused in your area of expertise.

Or, you can branch out and discuss a topic you feel passionate about. You’ll be energized sharing your knowledge and increase your credibility as an author at the same time. Check with your local college, university or library to get started.

• Work as a volunteer somewhere that will help you promote your book.

For instance, if you’ve written a book about art, volunteer a couple hours a month at a local gallery. Perhaps you can develop a joint reading activity or event relative to your book that offers benefits for both parties?

To start, check out http://www.thevolunteerfamily.org/Volunteers/Default.aspx?gclid=CPD6zJ3igJsCFRYiagodFH66eQ, http://www.volunteermatch.org/ and your local phone book.

Now is the time to get out and promote yourself and your book. Don’t be shy. After all, you are your best cheerleader. And while you work on your skills, spread the word and generate interest for your book, your phone just may start ringing.

Do you need help selling your self-published books? Please contact me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you! Thanks.

For example, if you write a book about rose gardens in England, key words for your book may be “rose garden” and “England.” Then, when people enter these words on a search engine such as http://www.yahoo.com or http://www.google.com, a link to your Web site may come up.

And don’t worry. It’s not difficult.

Simply visit free sites like http://freekeywords.wordtracker.com/ and http://www.keyworddiscovery.com/search.html. Enter a keyword related to your book, and these services will produce a list of popular words that people search for related to these words.

Then, take these keywords and use them to write some articles on your Web site. Provide valuable information specific to your target market. After all, the search engines look for beneficial copy, not just keywords.

This is a start, and you’ll see an increase in site traffic in a matter of days. But for additional training and to improve your SEO results, check out sites like http://www.seomoz.org, or hire an SEO copywriter.

It’s well worth your time and effort. After all, if potential customers can’t find your books online, they’ll just buy something else to read!

Do you need help selling your self-published book? Feel free to write to me below or at http://www.jexbo.com. Thanks!

Obviously, I’ll recommend using my site, http://www.jexbo.com, as a place to sell your books first. There is no fee to list your book, you’ll be able to print off bookmarks that say, “Buy my book on http://www.jexbo.com,” and there’s just a 5% charge of whatever you’ve sold each month.

Also, consider printing business cards with information about your book and passing them out. It’s much easier to carry around a pocket full of cards than several copies of your book.

Check out local community centers that have bulletin boards where you can pin up a copy of your card so people know how to get in touch with you about buying your book.

A slightly more expensive idea is find a book publicist who would promote your book for you. Make sure you agree in advance about the details though and ask questions like:

Will the publicist receive a monthly fee or a percentage of the sales?
Will the publicist arrange interviews for you?
Will the publicist just do the publicity part, or will s/he also take care of selling the book for you?

Take the time to look at all the options available and your budget. Then, take action! When it all comes down to it, it’s going to be up to you to spread the word and sell your book!

For more tips and information on selling your self-published books, please write to me here or at http://www.jexbo.com. I’m here to help!

Then, you get sidetracked by your kids, a snack in the refrigerator, doing laundry, the phone, e-mails, etc. Basically, every activity can seem more important than your writing obligations when you have writer’s block. But I have a trick I use if this happens to you:

Write down anything that comes to mind!

That’s right. Just start writing down anything and everything that comes to mind. You’ll end up with a lot of gibberish on your page. But suddenly, your brain will kick into action and be ready to write your assignment.

It also helps if you have some kind of outline handy. This way, you can skip to a different area on your outline that may flow a little more freely from your brain. You can always come back to the portion you skipped on another day.

And if this doesn’t work, maybe you are just burned out. Perhaps you really do need to take a break from writing for a while.

If this is the case, try to take a quick nap (be sure to set an alarm) or spend some time in a quiet, outdoor setting. By taking a moment to yourself to recharge, you will be more likely to return to your keyboard or pen with fresh thoughts, ideas and energy.

For more helpful tips on overcoming writer’s block, take a look at these sites:

http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/block.html

http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/writingroadblocks/tp/block.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writer’s_Block

And if you have questions, comments or suggestions, feel free to contact me below or at http://www.jexbo.com. Thanks!

1. Never be afraid to ask questions about the publisher you choose.

If you are going to pay someone to print your book for you, you need to understand exactly what you’re paying for. Ask important questions up front:

Does the price include shipping the books to you?
Is there an editor who will proofread your book?
Will the publisher use your book in their advertising, and if so, will you be compensated for it, perhaps with a reduced rate?
Will the publisher help you market your book?

This way, there won’t be any surprises, and you you’ll know what to expect.

2. Never be shy about promoting your book.

Once you write your book and are ready to reach as many readers as possible, then you need to shout it from the rooftops! Tell everyone you meet about your book, send out a press release and try to secure media interviews.

Also, encourage friends, family and associates to help spread the word about your book. And if you’re too nervous to talk about it, have bookmarks, handouts, t-shirts, and other marketing materials printed to help advertise your book.

3. Never give up.

There will be disappointing times when you’re trying to sell your book, but you need to keep looking ahead. If you don’t believe in your book, why should anyone else?

You need to surround yourself with positive people who can encourage you during difficult days. For help, find a writing group online, or check with your local community center and join a group where you can meet face-to-face.

Patience Pays!

You spent many days away from family, friends and fun to complete your book. Now, before jumping on the marketing bandwagon, take the time to ask your publisher questions, prepare a promotional plan and get support. You’ll save time, money and stress in the process. Plus, you’ll end up selling a lot more books!

Need more help? Please contact me at http://www.jexbo.com. I’m here to help! Thanks!