Customer Reviews

What You Need to Know to Be a Pro; The Business Start-Up Guide for Publishers

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I heard about this book on Inked-In, a social networking site for writers, artists, and musicians. My novel, The Benefactor (release date November 13, 2009), had just been picked up by a small press and I was intrigued by how the traditional model of publishing was evolving. Terena Scott's book is a guide on starting and running a publishing business for both traditional and self-publishers. However, it is also a wonderful guide for authors like me who need to market their books. In truth, I am amazed by the amount of great information in this concise, easy-to-read book. And for those with a dream and not much business experience, it's priceless.

As a small business owner since 1994, I know the work involved in starting a business, and Terena has succeeded in presenting this information in manageable chunks. She covers everything from naming your business and deciding on the structure of your company to writing a business plan and managing your office space.

With that in place, she moves on to the specifics of the publishing business: evaluating a project; working with authors; creating a book; launching a book; and keeping track of inventory, royalties, and taxes. There's even a chapter on planning the future of your business and figuring out how many projects you can realistically take on at one time.

As a soon-to-be-published author, I was especially interested in how to promote a book. It's no secret that publishers' budgets have shrunk, and authors must do their part to market books. Terena's book has tips on how to do this sprinkled throughout, and the Resources section offers recommendations on books and links to websites of the various experts quoted.

If you think you want to start a publishing company or self-publish your own book, the amount you spend on Terena's book may be the best money you ever spend. It'll get you up and running in no time. (It'll also be the best money you ever spend if you ultimately decide not to pursue publishing after reading the book, since it will have saved you wasted time and money, not to mention tons of mistakes made on the way to your decision.)

If you are an author who wants to understand the workings of a small press better, this is also the book for you.

When it comes to establishing a publishing enterprise, whether for single title self-published authors, or publishers aspiring to create a stable of authors under one imprint, there is no need to re-invent the wheel. Not when Terena Scott has written "What You Need To Know To Be A Pro: The Business Start-Up Guide For Publishers", a comprehensive but thoroughly accessible instruction manual covering all the elements of launching a publishing enterprise from choosing a name, to structuring the fledgling business enterprise, to creating a business plan, to such issues as licenses, financing, office space, and publishing project evaluation on a case by case basis. "What You Need To Know To Be A Pro" addresses working with authors from contracts to editing; the actual publishing of a book from editing to ISBN, to pricing. "What You Need To Know To Be A Pro" also has invaluable, 'real world' advice on launching a book; keeping track of inventory, royalties and taxes; and establishing how many book titles can be managed by the resources available to the publisher. Of special note are the insertions of practical advice from professional in the publishing industry -- including commentary by James A. Cox, the editor-in-chief of the Midwest Book Review and the author of this review. Enhanced with the inclusion of lists of 'Helpful Resources' including a list of 'how to' books, recommended publisher organizations, publisher oriented websites, "What You Need To Know To Be A Pro: The Business Start-Up Guide For Publishers" is particularly recommended to those new to the publishing field and will prove to be as practical and invaluable as it is insightful and instructional.

Although I am not in the publishing business, I am in the business of writing and getting published and it behooves me to know every aspect of publishing. Ms. Scott does a terrific job of providing the details big and small for anyone getting into the publishing business. A must read!

This slender, approachable volume will help many authors and others who are eager to launch a publishing career. Written by someone who is close enough to her own neophyte experience that she can remember the questions she had, this book brings together the basics in a quick, and easily digested format.

The most common problem I see in my consulting practice is the publisher who either is utterly unaware of many of the complexities of our industry or who is so overly aware of them that they're frozen in fear. Both will benefit no end from a book like this.

Ms. Scott has also brought in more experienced folks to point the way forward in each subject area. Each gives a quick paragrah or three of advice, chosen from a deep well.

In all, this book will help many micro presses survive long enough to take the next step, and what more can you ask?

Ms. Scott uses a great balance of witty and informative statements, making her book a fun read while being useful to the new publisher.