A Complete Guide To Selling Books for the Self-Published Author [Paperback]

Linda Coleman-Willis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2000

A Complete Guide To Selling Books is an invaluable reference guide for established and aspiring authors and publishers who want to sell more books. The "Complete Guide" provides a short cut for getting your book to buyers: from the marketing plan, to book stores, wholesalers and distributors, book tours, television and radio promotions, the Internet, trade shows, libraries and more. The Complete Guide is a "road map" for selling more books. It differs from other reference books for authors and publishers by its unique focus on SELLING. It's resource section is packed with information every author/publisher need to be successful in the publishing, marketing and selling of their books. It has 115 pages of power packed information that includes chapters from some of the industry's foremost experts on sales and self-publishing such as:

Dan Poynter -How To Promote Your Book;
Marilyn and Tom Ross - The Ross MarketingIdea Generator-26 Winning Strategies;
Joe Sabah-Top 10 Tips To MakeYour Radio Shows Pay Off Handsomely;
Mike Rounds-E-Commerce- Selling On The Net (Internet),
and many more.

This easy to read, easy to follow, step-by-step guide is a must for any author/publisher whose main focus is to sell more books, earn more money, and save time and energy. The author shares with you how she sold over 40,000 copies of her self-published book in less than 18 months getting the attention of two major publishers and gaining national exposure. She also shares information on how to get your book on best seller's list, book reviews, and articles in major newspapers. This one-of-a-kind reference/publishing guide can be used over and over again as you design your marketing plan and get ready sell more books.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The lure of electronic publishing is enticing more authors to try their hands at independence. And while a few are successful many are not. The emphasis on book marketing (vs. book selling) within the publishing industry is where many would be successful authors are missing the boat. They do not distinguish the difference between marketing and selling. Marketing tells people that your book is out there. Selling puts it in their hands. Marketing is exposing your product to a potential client, sales is having the client choose your product. Marketing is attempting to create a desired result, a sale is the desired result. I have found that many new authors spend a large percentage of their money on marketing and never get around to selling. That is why we published "A Complete Guide To Selling Books for the Self-Published Author" to address this area of need.

The Foreword is written by self-publishing guru, Dan Poynter. Dan's assessment is correct when he says that "Writing the book is the easy part-the tip of the iceberg... As an author, you have the responsibilities of a parent. Your book is a new member of your family. You are giving birth to it and now you must raise it. Books cannot flourish on their own. Fortunately, your book is not a 20-year commitment and you do not have to send it to college, but you do have to spend time and money to bring it up." Fortunately for you there is a "guide" to help you do it correctly.

From the Author

You have made tremendous sacrifices getting your book ready for publishing, researched the markets and investigated every promising outlet from retailers to book clubs to the Internet. It takes more than marketing savvy and showing up at a few book signings to sell your book. It takes the knowledge of people who have already successfully done it. The publishing field is full of wisdom on book writing, publishing and marketing, but falls short on advice on how to actually sell.

As a self-published author my biggest challenge was to find a book that focused primarily on selling. Some books were very thick, offering lots of good information, but overwhelming and intimidating. I found myself as I am sure many new authors do, suffering from a lack of direction.

Selling is more challenging than writing. Taking a proactive approach to selling is the best way to insure that your books will get off the shelf or out of the basement (or your living room) and into the hands of the consumer. Most authors believe the publisher will sell their book for them, but the best person to sell your book is YOU. The big question is How? The answer: "A Complete Guide To Selling for the Self-Published Author."

I am fortunate I spent fifteen years in sales. I utilized that experience to successfully market and sell my first self-published book, "Loving Yourself First." My efforts paid off in a big way.

I wrote "A Complete Guide To Selling" because I want to help other self-published authors (any author/publisher) sell more books, earn more money and avoid costly mistakes. I also solicited top industry experts in publishing marketing and sales, who were willing to lend their expertise to help make this one of the most complete guides to selling books available today.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: WLW Publishing (October 2000)
• ISBN-10: 1890368016
• ISBN-13: 978-1890368012
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,063,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, December 3, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Chino Hills, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Complete Guide To Selling Books for the Self-Published Author (Paperback)

Linda Coleman-Willis approaches the subject matter with a vengeance. She understands the needs of the novice author as well as those of seasoned individuals. She guides you through the process in easy cookbook style, making sure you understand the concepts and principles involved before taking you to the next step. Coleman-Willis has graciously given her readers every conceivable resource for making your book a success. She takes the mystery and stress out of the process of being self-published. Finally a tool arrives that has real utilitarian value for authors and publishers alike.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Work, Linda!, January 9, 2001

By 

Larry James (Scottsdale, AZ USA - Larry James - CelebrateLove.com) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Complete Guide To Selling Books for the Self-Published Author (Paperback)

A terrific resource covering all aspects of marketing and selling books. The "Resource Directory" contains addresses and phone numbers of people you need to know. Fully indexed. Chapter 5 includes my popular "book signing tips" from my website at CelebrateLove.com/authors.htm.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Answer To A Prayer, March 17, 2001

By 

Barbara Wright Sykes (Chino Hills, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Complete Guide To Selling Books for the Self-Published Author (Paperback)

Finally there is a comprehensive book in plain English that addresses how to sell books for the self-published author. Ms. Coleman-Willis' detailed reference guide will be a constant companion for those who desire to get their intellectual property into bookstores, libraries, book clubs and more. As an author, I was impressed with the volume of helpful information. I highly recommend this book to authors and publishers alike.