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A Book Inside, How to Write, Publish, and Sell Your Story

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It seems that every season there are more and more 'how to' books being published for aspiring writers yearning to be published. One of the latest is also one of the best. "A Book Inside: How To Write, Publish, And Sell Your Story" is a succinct 104-page compendium packed from cover to cover with practical, real-world information, strategies and techniques dealing with the necessity for completing a saleable manuscript, compiling its pages into book form, identifying and selecting an appropriate publishing option, selling the book in traditional and non-traditional markets, and publicizing, promoting, and marketing the book without significant capital expense. Carol Denbow writes with a particular, experienced-based expertise as the author of three books and the editor of nine websites including 'A Book Inside' online. Especially appropriate for, and recommended to, the novice author needing to master the 'learning curve' for become a successfully published author in today's highly competitive marketplace, "A Book Inside" is a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal and professional Writing/Publishing reference shelves.

Written by:
Peter N. Jones, Ph.D.
Publisher: Great New Books Reviewed newgreatbooks.blogspot.com


I consider myself to be fairly involved in the publishing world. I'm a writer, publisher, and book marketing expert. I make my living by either being published, or through publishing myself. As a result, I have a really good grasp on the ins and outs of the publishing world. One of the more frequent questions asked from writers or those interested in becoming an author is how to get published. What is involved? How does the publishing process work? Are agents involved, or does one go the route of self-publishing these days?

The questions are many, and there is no one way to answer them all. It really depends on what you - the author or writer - is looking for and expecting to get out of the publishing process that will dictate the answers to these questions. Therefore, I was quite thrilled when I got a copy of Carol Denbow's book, A Book Inside, How to Write, Publish, and Sell Your Story in the mail for review. Could this book help answer all of the questions I get on a regular basis. It would be much easier, and more beneficial for everyone involved, if I could point them in the direction of a really honest, comprehensive, and useful resource. Although not perfect, I'm glad to say that Carol's book is one of the best I've seen on introducing the writer to the publishing process.

Composed of eight solid chapters, A Book Inside starts at the beginning and walks you through the entire process. Beginning with writing your story, the book covers the basics of book writing - from copyright law to research, cover art, and professional editing - and delves into the differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing. Although these sections are well done, and important for any writer or book author to understand, what I really liked about A Book Inside is that two other chapters were also included: Book Promotion and Selling Your Book.
Often overlooked by most writers and authors, the process of actually getting your book into the hands of readers is almost more important then the actual writing of the book was. If no one is reading your book, what was the point of writing it? Carol offers up a series of sage advice on getting your book into the hands of readers, publicists, bookstores, libraries, and online outlets. Finally, A Book Inside also includes a ton of resources for successfully navigating the writing and publishing process.

Although not exhaustive, A Book Inside is a good place to start for those who are interested in becoming authors. Alternatively, if you are simply looking for a comprehensive book on how to publish your family history or memoirs, or to self-publish your own story, A Book Inside takes you through each step. Either way, along with Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing Manual, 16th Edition: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book (Self Publishing Manual), Aaron Shepard's Aiming at Amazon: The NEW Business of Self Publishing, or How to Publish Your Books with Print on Demand and Online Book Marketing on Amazon.com , and the annual Writer's Market, Carol's book should be on most writers and authors shelves. I've been in the publishing business for over a decade - as both an author and a publisher - and I'm keeping my copy of A Book Inside on my shelf for easy reference. You should too.

Carol Denbow has written an easy to read reference that guides you through the publishing process. There are several internet links given that are extremely valuable when you need to get copyright, ISBN numbers, and other details that you might not know you even need. I recommend visiting her website for even more information.

I was disappointed in this book. First off, it was insubstantial and didn't really tell me anything I hadn't already learned from basic research at the library. It was a waste of money.

This book helped me stay focused. I already had a story and a book but selling was difficult until I read this recommended book. I still look through it every once in awhile to get that fire back. All who are thinking of writing a book should invest.

This is the perfect book for a writer. Especially the beginning to intermediate writer who needs to learn the ins and outs of the business and who intends to publish or self-publish one day. This gem of a book is easy to read, simple, concise and gets right to the point. One does not have to muddle through like so many other writing books on the market. A small paperback with 104 pages, it is chuck full of vital information. Because it was published in 2008...with technology and information changing and growing every day, I made notes and jotted in a few 2010 updates to the Resources section. Carol Denbow needs to be praised for making this book available to the writer.

Carol, thanking you personally for my signed copy.

Sincerely,
Lora Mitchell
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