No Guts, No Glory
by Dr. Joseph Koob
(Lansdale, PA, USA)
Guide for a Better Life
Self-published books: 11 (see below for list)
I have been writing my whole life and though I have won a variety of writing contests, never could seem to quite connect with a major publisher/agent. Finally I decided to publish on my own.
Unfortunately, or fortunately as the case might be, I published my first book(s), "A Perfect Day: Guide for a Better Life," (and others) before web-publishing was available. Basically I wrote the book, formatted it for printing on the computer and hired someone for the cover design and then found a local printer. Overall the experience was positive but costly.
IMPORTANT! For all of you considering self-publishing -- get a group of readers together and have your book reviewed at every stage -- many times. For my first book I neglected a final run-through before sending to the printer and found I had pasted a good version with a previous version and ended up with some typos that I could have avoided. I now use five or more readers for every book.
Years later, after writing twelve more books for my new business -- Difficultpeople.org -- "Understanding and Working with Difficult People," I discovered web-publishing and hooked up with Infinity Publishers (Conshohocken, PA).
The process is well-defined and the cost is quite manageable. It is still a fair amount of work on your part to get everything in good shape to send in. I have published most of my books through web-publishing (see below for a listing) over the last three years and it takes me about two months to get a completed book re-revised and formatted/edited and through the publishing process.
My publisher provides a detailed guidebook on how to get your work prepared. They even provide editing services if you don't have your own set up. I have been very happy with the whole process.
Marketing: I am totally uninterested in marketing, so I essentially don't do any. Web-publishers worth their salt automatically hook you into getting your book listed with major on-line retailers. I have always chosen these types of marketing options. HOWEVER! I have never bought into the paying for Posters, Postcards, etc. Unless you really like doing your own legwork, and I don't, it isn't worth the cost.
My marketing is mostly through giving speeches and workshops. I can sell several dozen to a hundred copies of my books at a large workshop. For me, marketing is getting more and better gigs. From there it is word of mouth.
If you are reading this, you have probably been as frustrated as I have with the publishing game and IF I ever make it to the big time, it will probably be because something I have self-published has taken off or been noticed.
My recommendation is publish yourself because you love to write and because you believe in what you have to say and what you have written. Enjoy the process; because the process is what most of it is about. I often give many copies of my books away -- my purpose is to be of service to others.
You are more than welcome to ask me questions about my experiences with self-publishing. Use responses2@difficultpeople.org or go to our website for our most up-to-date e-mails.
Best,
Joe Koob
Visit Difficult People.
Self-published Books by Dr. Joseph Koob"Understanding and Working with Difficult People," Infinity Publishing
"ME! A Difficult Person?" Infinity Publishing
"Caring for Difficult Patients: A Guide for Nursing Professionals," Infinity Publishing
Business Trilogy: Succeeding At Work"Succeeding with Difficult Coworkers," Infinity Publishing
"Succeeding with Difficult Bosses," Infinity Publishing
"Managing Difficult Employees," Infinity Publishing
"Honoring Work and Life: 99 Words for Leaders to Live By," Infinity Publishing
"Leaders Managing Change," Infinity Publishing
"A Perfect Day: Guide for a Better Life," NEJS Publications -- Winner Best Book Non-fiction, Oklahoma Writers Federation; Writer's Digest Merit Award
"The Tonal Application of Finger-Patterns to Violin Scale Technique," NEJS Publications
"The Tonal Application of Finger-Patterns to Viola Scale Technique," NEJS Publications
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