The Naked Author - Exposing the Myths of Publishing [Perfect Paperback]

Katherine Kat Smith (Author), Carol Woods (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 2008

The Naked Author is an industry guidebook detailing who is responsible for what in publishing, while ultimately answering the question of who is responsible for an author's success; the author himself. The Naked Author exposes the myths of the industry and walks potential authors through each step of the process of taking a book to market. Smith, a broadcast professional, combines a little humor with a host of resources, career planning, helpful tips for working with the media, independent publishing and book marketing.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Review by Patricia Fry Anyone who has been involved in publishing for any length of time knows how important a good cover is to the success of his or her book. Here s a book that provides an excellent example. This cover will get your attention! The second thing that impresses me about this book is the volume of resources offered throughout. Yes, she mentions SPAWN under publishing organizations. (Thank you, Kat.) Nearly half of this book focuses on resources such as agents, distributors and such. She even tells you how to contact the program directors for Good Morning America, Live with Regis and Kelly and 20/20. She lists over 50 book reviewers and includes nearly 40 pages of contacts for events for authors book festivals and so forth. Along with each grouping of resources, Smith offers the nitty-gritty, as well. Yes, she tells you how to approach and work with an agent and publishers, how to write a query letter, tips for preparing a book proposal and even guidelines for promoting your book. I like this book because it is straightforward, reader-friendly and seems to be fairly complete. Smith even delves into territory where few authors venture the legalities of authorship and publishing. She gives a brief, yet comprehensive explanation of copyright and trademark, for example. Do you have questions about working with a printer? Smith seems to know what you need to know, and she has incorporated it into her book. And yes, she includes an index. Whether you want to self-publish, locate a traditional royalty publisher or use a publishing hybrid, Smith provides information and resources to start you on the process. Maybe you have a published book and you don t know how to promote it. Smith responds to this need, as well. I especially like her comment in the Preface. She says, Success requires the author to take part in the [publishing] process. Without his/her involvement, the results can be disastrous. And she has done her best to empower you the author no matter where you are in the publishing process. Patricia Fry is the president of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) and the author of 28 books. --SPAWN - Patricia Fry

Writer s Digest 16th Annual International Self-Published Book Award Category: Nonfiction Judge: 41 On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning poor and 5 meaning excellent : The Naked Author Ranks Structure and organization: 4 Grammar 4 Cover Design 4 Judge s Commentary: Smith s The Naked Author is a complete wealth of information covering every aspect of the book publishing business. If anyone is thinking about or attempting to publish a book and needs direction, this is the book that must be on the table next to the computer. Smith has a vast knowledge and her book is chock-full of ideas, tips and hints for the novice and established writer alike. The Extensive resource information contained in The Naked Author makes any other book on publishing unnecessary. This is the only book you need to break into the field of publishing. --Writers Digest Intl. Self Publishing Book Awards

The Naked Author-Exposing The Myths Of Publishing is a step-by-step simple, essential guide to Marketing your book. Katherine Kat Smith is a multipublished author who walks published authors through the process of successful Marketing. The Naked Author-Exposing The Myths Of Publishing clearly opens the Marketing door to success with valuable resources and references in a straightforward direction. Her book is detailed in every procedure each author will begin with in their journey through a writing career as it begins with research, and ends with target Marketing. Katherine includes the steps needed to complete your Marketing, and promotional plan. Her expertise and knowledge on successful Marketing is professionally written, and includes how to locate your reading audience. I highly recommend The Naked Author-Exposing The Myths Of Publishing; to every writer, seeking valuable information that will indeed help you to sell your books. This book is as valuable as Writer's Digest in providing powerful, step-by-step instruction, and is a refreshing succinct handbook. Katherine includes where to find the best places to expose your work, directing authors to publicity, and promotion. She shows the author how to sell books on the internet, and targets speciality advertising. This book is an essential tool for every author's resource shelf. The Naked Author-Exposing The Myths Of Publishing is organized, easy to read, and opens the door to a successful book Marketing campaign, packed with a tremendous amount of information page-after-page! Geraldine Ahearn, A.I.O.M. Author of 6 books Founding Member ABI Women's Review Board --Geri Ahearn's Book Reviews

About the Author

Katherine began seriously working on her writing career in 2003 after a four year syndicated morning radio show with ABC Radio Networks, Inc. after years of modeling and acting. Solid business experience paved the way for developing strong marketing skills and, in 2001 her entrepreneurial spirit led her in launching TomKat Productions, LLC. She has articles publish domestically and internationally for several magazine and newspapers and is the author of The Book Seller s List, Publishing Step by Step and Love the Vicious Cycle. Most recently, she has released, I m TALL, You re Not; So that makes us even and has several projects near completion. Kat maintain memberships with Writer's Block, Inc. writers group in Dallas, Writer s Guild of Texas and The Screen Actors Guild.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 215 pages
• Publisher: TomKat Productions; 1st edition (March 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971502447
• ISBN-13: 978-0971502444
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,941,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kat Smith is a member of The Screen Actors Guild and has been cast for many commercials, industrial films and a movie. This led to a four year syndicated morning radio show with ABC Radio Networks, Inc where she'd interviewed actors, musicians and authors including; Gospel greats like Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin, Entertainment legion Billy Dee Williams, actor Allan Payne, comedian Arnez J and LaValle Crawford and musicians like Miles J and Keith Sweat.
In Kat's career as a writer, she has had work published domestically and internationally for several magazine and newspapers. In 2001 she launched her publishing and game manufacturing company, TomKat Productions and has authored several books including The Naked Author-Exposing the Myths of Publishing, and I'm Tall You're Not So That Makes Us Even (A short book about TALL women).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Than Amazing, May 5, 2008

By 

K. Ducre (New Orleans) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Naked Author - Exposing the Myths of Publishing (Perfect Paperback)

I am new to the writing world and researched alot. I have traveled to conventions and sought information from monthly book club meetings as well. "The Naked Author" has been more helpful, thorough, well-organized, and thought provoking than all of my previous hours spent researching on my own or through an event. As a children's writer, I found the author's writing style very approachable and I am still amazed of the ways my marketing plan has grown into ways never thought before. This book is a definite MUST HAVE for today's needs of authors!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Art of War for writers, May 1, 2008

By 

TxAuthor "D'Ann" (Dallas, TX, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Naked Author - Exposing the Myths of Publishing (Perfect Paperback)

The Naked Author covers about every aspect that writers at all levels need. Ms. Smith is thorough and meticulous in her information and suggestions. She tells it like it is, without pulling any punches, but not in a way that scares newbies away.
This is a book, like "On Writing" and "Writing Down the Bones" that belongs on every writers book shelf.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Valuable Resource Step-By-Step Guide!, November 2, 2008

By 

Geraldine Ahearn "Author Geri Ahearn" (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Naked Author - Exposing the Myths of Publishing (Perfect Paperback)

"The Naked Author-Exposing The Myths Of Publishing" is a step-by-step
simple, essential guide to Marketing your book. Katherine Kat Smith
is a multipublished author who walks published authors through the
process of successful Marketing. "The Naked Author-Exposing The Myths Of
Publishing" clearly opens the Marketing door to success with valuable
resources and references in a straightforward direction. Her book is
detailed in every procedure each author will begin with in their journey
through a writing career as it begins with research, and ends with
tarket Marketing. Katherine includes the steps needed to complete
your Marketing, and promotional plan. Her expertise and knowledge
on successful Marketing is professionally written, and includes how
to locate your reading audience. I highly recommend "The Naked Author-
Exposing The Myths Of Publishing" to every writer, seeking valuable
information that will indeed help you sell your books. This book is as
valuable as "Writer's Digest" in providing powerful, step-by-step
instruction, and is a refreshing succinct handbook. Katherine includes
where to find the best places to expose your work, directing authors
to publicity, and promotion. She shows the author how to sell books
on the internet, and targets speciality advertising. This book is
an essential tool for every author's resource shelf. "The Naked Author-
Exposing The Myths Of Publishing" is organized, easy to read, and opens
the door to a successful book Marketing campaign, packed with a
tremendous amount of information page-after-page!



Geraldine Ahearn, A.I.O.M.
Author of 6 books
Founding Member ABI Women's Review Board