Customer Reviews

The Publishing Game: Publish a Book in 30 Days

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I teach at over a dozen writers conferences a year. I write books for writers. I am on nine writer email discussion lists. In each area where I interact with writers I find those who want to have written a book. They don't make the time, don't do the research, and they don't have a plan. The Publishing Game: Publish a Book in 30 Days by Fern Reiss is a book I will recommend often because it is a plan complete with all the details needed to make the dream of finishing a book a reality.

The step-by-step approach is great for someone who has trouble staying on task. It's also perfect for anyone who wants the correct information in one place. It's obvious that Reiss knows the publishing business and aspiring authors would do wise to follow her lead.

This is an excellent guide for those who want to write a book and become their own publisher. The book assumes the reader knows how to write so it doesn't get into the actual writing of the book, This book also seems to be more geared to those writing non fiction. The book is more user-friendly than any book on self publishing I've come across. Reiss has done a wonderful job of pulling together information on every possible area of self publishing and anyone who is serious about the publishing game would be smart to run to the nearest outlet, online or brick and mortar, and buy a copy.

This is one of three books titled "The Publishing Game". Each of the books sets itself apart from the others by the subtitles "Publish a Book in 30 Days", "Finding an Agent in 30 Days", and "Bestseller in 30 Days". Taken together they are a comprehensive set of instructional resources for everything you might want to know to get your book published and marketed.

The areas covered in "Publish a Book in 30 Days" include deciding to self-publish, hot topics for publishing, choosing a title, setting a book's price, writing a business plan, choosing a company name, the legal structure of your company, getting an ISBN, filling out an ABI, discount schedules, planning for the future, creating a website, ordering a barcode, copyrighting, advance galleys, getting CIP data, book layout, printers, listing with publishing houses and listing with online bookstores.

There are several items that set this book apart from similar titles. One is the thoroughness of the information on how to create the impression that you are a large publisher and not a self-published author. In fact, it walks the reader through the process of becoming a publishing house from beginning to end. How detailed is the information? For example, the discussion on how to get an ISBN details not only how to apply and the cost, but also what each section of an ISBN number means and how that affects the impression your book makes. Buying a small block of just ten ISBNs makes you appear to be a small publisher of only two or three books (since hardcover and softcover, audio versions, and new editions all require their own ISBN). How will anyone know that you just purchased ten ISBN numbers? Actually the ISBN number gives that information. The second set of numbers in the ISBN is five, six, or seven digits long. If it is five then you purchased a thousand ISBN numbers. If it is six then you purchased a hundred ISBN numbers. If it is seven digits then you purchased ten ISBN numbers.

Another example of the way this book differs from similar titles is the tremendous amount of detailed, step-by-step information. This is a cookbook approach on how to become a publisher. As a result, you can feel confident that if you follow the directions you will get the same results every time. Unlike most other similar books, the author not only instructs you on what to do but also provides all the necessary details to actually complete the task. For example, when discussing Print-On-Demand options for printing your books Fern Reiss supplies the names and contact information for several reputable firms. This pattern is followed throughout the book and makes it well worth the price just for the detailed contact information.

This is one of the best books available on the subject of becoming an independent publisher. "The Publishing Game: Publish a Book in 30 Days" is a highly recommended resource for anyone looking to become an independent book publisher, publish their own titles, or just wanting an comprehensive inside look at the publishing market for the small press.

You know, I am very cautious of publishers reviewing publishers or people in the same industry complementing each other. That is why I wanted to submit this review as I am just an average Jane/Joe.
Regardless of whether you are thinking of WRITING a manuscript (you do not have it yet) or you have a manuscript - this book is a MUST for you. The book shows "naked truth" of publishing process, details that one would hardly consider.
I love discouraging books. This book will test your commitment to the idea of writing and self-publishing. Do you think of pregnancy difficulties, about changing diapers and not sleeping nights, about giving up your career before you get married? That's the precise comparison. Or, perhaps you think of roses, clean sheets and coffee in bed every morning? Here is the truth, right in this book: returns, dealing with inventory, fulfilling orders, dealing with bankruptcies of your buyers, low profit margins and much more.

It is NOT about how to write or how to promote your book. To learn how to promote, how to write letters or the book itself, or how to get your books reviewed, you should look somewhere else. The title here starts with "PUBLISH". The topic is narrow, the book is very informational.

Processes well in conjunction with Dan Poynter "Self-publishing manual".

Good luck.

The Publishing Game: Publish a Book in 30 Days is a must for aspiring self-publishers and for anybody who wants to understand how the publishing market works.

In her clear, step by step method, Fern Reiss explains everything an author needs to know to produce a book and establish his own publishing venture. What's really helpful about this book is it's structure; each day there's a specific set of goals to accomplish.

For example, in Week 1, you get to:

*Make sure you wanted to self publish
*Define your goals
*Zero-in on a hot subject
*Define your target audience
*Choose a title and subtitle for your book
*Write the cover copy
*Set the book's price
*Chose a publication date
*Create your financial plan
*Write your business plan

Subsequent topics discussed in Weeks 2, 3, and 4 include: Choosing your company name and financial software, getting ISNBs, Library of Congress CIPs, barcodes and copyrights, planning future titles, creating websites, finalizing cover copies, finding and dealing with wholesalers, distributors, and fulfillment houses, submitting galleys to review publications, laying out your book, finding the right printer, and much more. In short, everything you need to know to start your own small press. What's important about the book is that the goals are realistic, and that the author doesn't jump from one topic to the other, but sticks to a series of chronological steps. In addition, the book is filled with valuable resources (including website addresses and contact information). You'll find yourself highlighting and taking notes.

If your interest is in publishing children's picture books or other kinds of illustrated books, however, I recommend you buy the latest edition, as the author has added new sections to encompass these.

Reiss is a Harvard graduate and an award-winning author. This book is one of several in Reiss' The Publishing Game series. After reading this one, I can't wait to get my hands on her other titles.

If you've ever dreamed of becoming your own publisher, this is an essential book for your shelf. Not only does it get rid of the "myths," but makes the dream attainable. Highly recommended.

Be prepared to actually publish your book when you read this, because Fern Reiss will show you how with a powerfully simple, day by day, action plan. The Publishing Game: Publish a Book in 30 Days is an excellent resource for those considering self-publishing. We use Fern's action plan in our publishing company, Morgan James Publishing, for every title we publish.

End your confusion. This book gives a step-by-step, day-by-day schedule to follow for turning your manuscript into a book. It tells you what you need to do, and in what order. It's loaded with tips and tricks to help you turn out a respectable book. The 30-day schedule may be a little ambitious for some books, but nevertheless, you cannot go wrong letting Fern Reiss lead you through the process. You'll not only want to go by the book, you'll want to go BUY this book.

I bought this book not because I was planning to become an Independent Publisher, I thought it would help me plan an effort to use POD (Publishing on Demand).

Reiss DOES cover POD AND at the same time she opened my eyes to seeing how simple and straightforward it could be for me to become my own publisher.

She took away the mystery with her step-by-step, no nonsense "Peanut Butter and Jelly" approach. I am busy enough: I don't need extra fluff.

I appreciate this: facts, facts and just the facts and there are LOTS of resources for me to check out as well, more than enough.

Reiss' writing style is clear, friendly and not-guru-like at all.

In fact, I like it so much I am going to buy more of her books. She tells it simply, clearly and understandably.

Its not rocket science: didn't think it was.

It is something I will try now. Thank you, Fern Reiss.

Fern Reiss "Gets It!". As a new author it is clear to me that Miss Reiss gets it from start to finish. Every idea in her book is concise, doable and will get results.

You will not use every idea in her book, some just don't fit your market, but the ones you use will work...hands down...no question. I have done my research and I know that Miss Reiss has done hers. Buy it, use it, benefit from it!

Mick Hager, author of MONKEY BUSINESS
7 Laws of the Jungle for Becoming the Best of the Bunch!
A Short Tale of a Company That Gets It! Gibbs Smith Publisher, March 2007

In my consulting practice, I am constantly trying to help fledgling publishers get off the ground. Fern Reiss' books have become a valuable tool in that effort. The first thing I tell many would-be clients is to buy these books, and read them -- several times. This saves me time and effort, and them a great deal of money.

The books in this series (companion volumes include Find An Agent in 30 Days and Bestseller in 30 Days) are quickly becoming standard references because so many people agree about their quality. Each volume organizes the necessary tasks into 30 approachable bundles, with clear, concise instructions and explanations. There are no important details missed, and nothing extraneous to distract you. Ms. Reiss is not only knowledgeable, but also an inspiring writer and speaker.

This book is a must for the aspiring publisher.

When I started a new publishing house last year, I knew nothing about the industry. I desperately needed a guide to get me going but ran into too many choices with an Internet search. Then I signed up for a seminar by Fern Reiss at a writer's conference in Phoenix. I was so taken with her presentation I went out and bought this book at the first break. It was the best ten dollars I spent getting my business up and running. Reiss' down to earth, cookbook approach takes the mystery out of publishing and clearly points out potholes to avoid. I cannot recommend it too highly to those who wish to publish their own work.