Successful Self-Publishing: How to self-publish and market your book in ebook and print

This being part of Joanna Penn's own self-publishing marketing method in and of itself, "Successful Self-Publishing" serves as both an introduction to the considerations that independent authors and self-published authors must make (the two terms are differentiated within the book, as well), but also a practical demonstration of one step along the marketing funnel--being both free and a cursory examination of topics that Penn goes into more detail about in other books and in other information sources and services that she provides. That this is not a complete, comprehensive college textbook on the matter is by no means a bad thing. At around about 80 or so pages, provided for free, this is a darn-near perfect starting point for those who want to learn more about how to self-publish successfully and what additional considerations must be made if "financial success" is as important or more important to a given writer compared to simply releasing one's work into the world and being satisfied with that. The book covers the basics in a clear and easy-to-understand manner that allows one to learn about the subject without becoming overwhelmed, but provides web links to the author's other, more specific books and web-sources if one wishes to delve more deeply into it. This is both a boon to a newcomer (making it easier to get into the subject matter) and a marketing tactic for self-published authors to utilize, since it provides a free "sampler" and encourages the reader to look into the author's other content if they feel, after reading this free first book, the author is worth their time: a valuable way to become known in a saturated e-book market. Topics this volume covers include e-book self-publishing for fiction and non-fiction; self-publishing cheaply and efficiently in print; considerations for editing, cover design, and more in do-it-yourself methods and for the seeking of professional help to whatever extent you want it; how to market your book efficiently through both paid and unpaid methods, and the pros and cons of each; and more topics that do not immediately jump to my mind as I write this review. I feel that this book has been well worth my time and will be checking out Joanna Penn's other works as time and money allow. Since this volume is free, there isn't really any reason for you not to do the same yourself--unless you're just not interested in the subject matter, at which point I'll be surprised if you read this review to begin with.

I have read a few books on self publishing and all of them have come from a similar viewpoint regarding self publishing. For me, this book offers a slightly different take and makes the process less daunting. I like the info on marketing and the positive can-do voice she speaks with. She shares information about her own business of being an author. And yes, it is a business. But she is not a "mercenary" author simply writing and publishing non stop to make money. She is the rare blend of creative artist and savvy business woman. We really need more role models like this to show us the way forward in being an author first but also a marketer and a CEO of our book "business". If this sounds daunting to you, I suggest you read this book anyway as in this day and age, you have to be more involved in your books success than ever before. Publishers aren't marketing books like they used to so regardless of the way you publish your book, it is a good idea to educate yourself on the ins and outs of publishing and marketing. I would encourage you to add this book to your reference library on publishing. Best of luck to you!

This little book on how to become a successful self a published author is filled with lots of helpful advice on how to publish your own work of fiction or non-fiction. From font types to cover art, from creating e-books to paperbacks to audio books, from completed work to finished book, it's chock-full of informative tidbits on how to transform the book you wrote into a book you can sell and actually make some financial gains. Joanna Penn breaks down each step and provides links and tools on how to finally produce that novel you have stored in a thumb drive somewhere in your office. The book is split into two main parts: first, how to publish, then how to market. The marketing portion is shorter and not as in depth as the publishing part, as Penn has already written a longer book on how to market your self-published works. Really, with all the helpful information provided here, the publishing part of creating a book seems to be the easiest part. You can spend as little or as much money as you need or want, and there are many resources available to help with formatting, book covers, ISBN, etc. It's writing and marketing that entails long hours of work.

"Successful Self-Publishing: How to self-publish and market your book" by Joanna Penn is a veritable treasure trove of insights and practical advice for any budding author looking to navigate the expansive world of self-publishing. Penn's personal journey sets this book apart, which infuses each chapter with authenticity and relatability. Having self-published over 30 books herself, Penn doesn't just speak from a position of expertise; she empathizes with the reader, understanding the pitfalls and triumphs of the self-publishing journey. The book is beautifully structured, breaking down the self-publishing process into digestible sections. Whether you're curious about formatting ebooks, pondering the pros and cons of print-on-demand, or delving into the intricacies of audiobook production, Penn has you covered. Her advice is not just theoretical; it's steeped in her rich experience, making it practical and accessible. One of the most impressive aspects of Penn's book is her balanced approach. She doesn't shy away from discussing the costs involved in self-publishing or the realities of book marketing. Yet, her tone remains optimistic and encouraging, highlighting self-publishing's immense potential for those willing to put in the work. Her chapters on marketing fiction and non-fiction are particularly enlightening, offering tailored strategies for each genre. Moreover, the additional resources linked throughout the book are a goldmine, providing readers with tools to further their publishing journey beyond the pages of this book. Penn's conversational and warm writing style makes "Successful Self-Publishing" not just an educational read but an enjoyable one. It's like having a wise friend guiding you through the maze of self-publishing. Her emphasis on the importance of self-publishing ebooks, print books, and audiobooks in today's digital age is particularly valuable. In summary, Joanna Penn's "Successful Self-Publishing: How to self-publish and market your book" is an indispensable guide for anyone looking to make their mark in the world of self-publishing. It's a book that doesn't just inform but inspires, encouraging authors to take that brave step toward realizing their publishing dreams. This book is an essential addition to your library for anyone serious about self-publishing.

Joanna Penn explains the self-publishing process step by step with links to useful resources. Any new author - so proud of their first book - should follow the tips and tricks to get their work out in the world. Joanna makes it sound like an easy feat, however, there is a lot of work involved. Especially building an email list is more difficult these days than before. The part on content marketing really makes sense and connects with the writer's core competencies. After all, the writer has just written a book, so a blog post should be a walk in the park. I love the notion of social karma. The world doesn't have to be about competition only. Giving before receiving will make this place nicer and will confirm that there is plenty for everyone. The book is a good read and valuable reference guide.

I think this book is going to be the most useful for new authors deciding if they want to self-publish. It provides a good overview of how to do it, what’s involved, and some specifics on different methods and platforms. It covers ebooks, print books, and audiobooks with advice for both fiction and non-fiction. A lot of the information here can already be easily found online, but this is a good option for people that want everything in one easy-to-reference source. Personally, I didn’t gain much new knowledge from this as I’ve already done research on self-publishing. This is definitely better for authors just starting to look into the topic. I did like that the book presents traditional publishing as an equally good option, just with different pros and cons – I’ve seen too many self-publishing resources claim it’s the only way to go and disparage traditional publishing. However, there are a lot of links to other content by the author, mostly tutorials and articles on her website. There are also affiliate links to purchase items she mentions. This could be useful for people that like her style and want more from her, but it just feels out of place to me – I would prefer maybe one mention of her site, rather than links in every section to a related webpage.

I chose Joanna Penn because she has written a number of books on the subject of writing. Her knowledge of writing and creative entrepreneurship are undisputable, and probably that is the reason she has won the hearts of many aspiring writers. Self-publishing does not seem as difficult as most people tend to imagine, at least according to Penn. Personally, I found most of her ideas worthy and in-line with the expectations of most writers. The author offers some options and really ‘tackles’ the business aspect of writing; therefore, answering any pending questions for an aspiring self-publisher. Penn’s advice sounds genuine, meaning she is a caring person who wants to help other writers. If you are a newbie in self-publishing, you will probably come across thousands of books. I have not read other books myself, but I think Penn’s knowledge and information about the subject are satisfactory and convincing. The author has also cared to share a number of references (in the form of links) to try and give the reader a wider understanding of her sentiments. According to the author, self-publishing is a journey that has a final destination, but only if one takes the right steps. The book is certainly an eye opener with all its valuable information.

This book is helpful, especially if you’re new to self-publishing. It will teach you everything you need to get started! If you’ve been self-publishing for years already, like I have, you probably won’t learn anything new, but still a good refresher.