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This is a free e-mail bulletin for subscribers only, sent from
"U-Publish.com," the website named for the revolutionary guide
to new methods for publishing and promoting books by Dan Poynter
and Danny O. Snow. Order the new 2002 edition, just released!
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*** 2002-2003 Edition Released!
The NEW edition of "U-Publish.com" is finally out in paperback,
with the e-Book to follow. If you liked the first or second
edition, you will LOVE the new one! It includes expanded info
on selling books directly to readers for better earnings, new
tips and tricks for online promotion, extensive lists of con-
tacts that will be updated regularly on the Web, and a summary
of Dan Poynter's "New Book Model" for independent publishers.
For those subscribers who placed advance orders, we have now
deposited your checks and shipped books to you by "Media Mail."
(Allow 7-10 days for delivery.) Others may order from major
bookstores and leading online booksellers such as BN.com and
Amazon.com -- or contact us by e-mail to order directly with
free shipping.
At the risk of making a loud sales pitch (something we try to
avoid here) this is a substantially updated version, because
new publishing technologies changed greatly since June 2000.
We encourage readers of earlier editions to consider getting
the new version, for the latest information.
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*** Get Published in Chicken Soup
Lilly Walters wants stories for "Chicken Soup for the CELTIC
Soul" (r) as discussed below:
"We are ALMOST done with gathering stories for Chicken Soup
for the CELTIC Soul (r). HOWEVER! We do need a few more
stories ... and yes, you get paid and receive incredible
exposure by having your story in one of the Chicken Soup
books ..."
Contact: AboutNews@aol.com
Please mention that you were referred by Poynter & Snow from
the "U-Publish.com" web site.
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*** Reminder: Postage Rises June 30
Rates are going up June 30. Mail your books and promotional
materials beforehand!
See http://www.usps.gov/news/2002/press/pr02_022.htm for the
future of postage rates.
TIP: depending on paper grade, a 250 pp 6x9 paperback usually
weighs less than one pound. "Media Mail" will run just $1.42
for the first pound but you must provide your own envelope.
FREEBIE: try using a free Priority Mail envelope, but turn it
inside out before stuffing and mailing at Media Mail rate.
Sounds odd, but could save you .30 (cost of envelope) or more
per book. If you order our book by e-mail with free shipping,
it will be sent this way.
To end on a lighter note, we quote Mary Westheimer of BookZone:
"OK, all of you who sell e-Books can quit snickering."
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Please feel free to forward copies of this bulletin to your
fellow authors and publishers. This is a free service that is
available to all publishing professionals on request.
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*** What is the "Perfect" Book ???
Content, of course, is the most important factor in publishing
a good book. However, physical factors can make a difference
in keeping production costs low, allowing the independent pub-
lisher more flexibility for printing. Design elements can also
help in marketing a book more effectively.
Poynter & Snow do *not* suggest letting production specs dic-
tate what you write, but below are some technical features that
could provide advantages if compatible with the content.
In terms of printing and marketing, the "perfect book" ...
-- Uses the back cover to show readers the benefits of buying
it, including positive reviews and endorsements if possible.
Put your picture on the inside, and use valuable back cover
"real estate" to sell the book to readers.
-- Is 144 pages long, allowing interior pages to be printed in
signatures of 48, 24, 12, 8, 4 or 2 pages so that different
printers can produce it with a minimum of changes.
-- Is designed in an industry standard trim size such as 5x8"
or 6x9" for easier printing. 5x8" books are the least costly
to print, while 6x9" books can contain more words per page, for
a lower page count.
-- Has a "perfect" (softcover) or "case" (hardcover) binding,
but does not require special binding, inserts, foiling, die
cutting, dust jackets, embossing or other custom manufacturing
features that drive production costs up -- unless it is clear
that extra features will significantly improve revenues.
-- Has a spine that consumers can read vertically, when it is
shelved beside other books.
-- Uses body type with a size of at least 11 points, generous
leading (space between lines) and margins, so it is easy on
the reader's eyes and not cramped in appearance; some experts
say that a serif typeface like Times Roman is better for body
type than a sans serif face like Helvetica or "Arial."
-- Is professional in appearance, inside and out. Achieving
a truly professional appearance using a word processor (like
Word or WordPerfect) isn't impossible, but is very rare.
A "do it yourself" book design is often glaringly obvious to
reviewers, retailers and readers -- and will hurt sales. Getting
professional help with book design is often the best strategy.
Again, the content of the book is most important, but books
that follow the general description above will be easier,
faster and more inexpensive to produce.
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*** Important Note for Subscribers
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address is included in your address book. We apologize for
any inconvenience, and appreciate your help. More info:
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*** Quotation of the Month:
"This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly.
It should be thrown with great force."
-- Dorothy Parker
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The fine print:
This is a free e-mail bulletin from U-Publish.com, the web site
named for the book by Dan Poynter and Danny O. Snow.
We do not endorse specific products or services, and we do not
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Please visit http://www.u-publish.com at least once each month,
for periodic updates of interest to writers and publishers.
Please feel free to forward copies of this message to fellow
writers and publishers. This is a free service, available to
to all upon request. You may subscribe or unsubscribe at any
time. Simply notify us by e-mail at: subs@u-publish.com
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