Customer Reviews

Unlocking the Secrets of Publishing: Simplified Guide to Independent Publishing

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a good basic introduction to the exciting world of self-publishing. The author covers forming your publishing company, copyright, prepress, printing and selling. Since she worked in the production department of a large commercial printer, her advice on printing is particularly good.

Sylvia serves as an officer in both writing and publishing organizations and she is a consultant to the publishing industry. She generously shares her experience and wisdom.

The 38 pages of resources and the glossary of terms alone are worth the price of the book.

As a publisher, author of 28 Books, 109 revised editions, six translations and over 500 magazine articles as well as a consultant to the book publishing industry, I recommend this book to both authors and publishers....

For any writer considering publishing independently, Sylvia Hemmerly's Unlocking the Secrets of Publishing is not only a simplified guide to independent publishing; it is a friendly introduction to the process.

Books that describe an industry often seem to be written in a secret code that frightens newcomers away, but Sylvia Hemmerly's book invites you in and introduces you to the world of self-publishing in an encouraging way. Her information is well organized and attractively presented. This book is filled with solid basic information and helpful hints.

If you are ready to take the leap and get your work into print, this should be your first guide. If you have a friend or family member who is an aspiring author, this book would be a perfect gift!

This book will show you the basics of publishing, with an emphasis on how to produce the final product. Whether you are self-publishing, or need to communicate intelligently with your publisher, this book will be of great use.

Its strengths are in explaining the editorial, production and design process. It is less strong in explaining marketing. It contains a glossary which is very good, and directions which will help you continue to educate yourself.

The Romans had an expression ----ultum in parvo---much in little.
Hemmerly's slim volume fits that description. A publishing pro first and self-publisher second, she has assembled much useful
information---some of it unique---in {\it Unlocking the Secrets of Publishing}. Topics covered include book packagers, (she is one), forming a publishing company, prepress, printing and binding, CIP etc., BISAC codes, bound galleys, press kits and dealing with reviewers. The appendices are helpful without being overwhelming in length, and include coverage of professional contacts, early reviewers, media contacts in some major markets, and finally a useful glossary that is heavy on printing technology terms.

The book itself is a good advertisement for her work, unlike some
others we have reviewed. And by its utility we are reminded of another compact but extremely useful book, David Li's All by Yourself Self-Publishing which after seven years in print remains one of the truly valuable contributions to the self-publishers bookshelf.

In short Hemmerly has assembled the necessary facts in sufficient
detail without wasting much paper, ink or reader's time. The more we browse in it the higher it ranks on our personal publishing bookshelf.

In Unlocking The Secrets Of Publishing: Simplified Guide To Independent Publishing, author Sylvia Hemmerly offers the novice writer an informative tour of the complicated world of publishing and along the way explains clearly and definitively how to form a publishing company, as well as how to produce an attractive, marketable book. Hemmerly explains the critical importance of editing, cover and interior designs, how to work with designers, printing and binding, adjusting page counts for pricing purposes, and binding methods. A vitally important section is devoted to reviews -- how to get them and what to do with them once you have them. Indeed what Hemmerly has to say about book promotion, publicity and marketing will prove indispensable for any aspiring small press publisher or self-published author seeking to operate at a profit. Enhanced with appendices of publishing resource contact information, including reviewers and media, it is an invaluable addition to any "how to" reference collection on publishing in today's competitive and rapidly evolving marketplace, Unlocking The Secrets Of Publishing will save money, time, and aggravation for those new to the small press publishing field.