1. The Publish-It-Yourself Workshop
Mike McCandless, Instructor
Harper College Continuing Education, Course LLA 0104
Spring 2016

2. Session 2: Author I Writing
Re-cap and homework
My questions
Your questions
On writing books
What is a book?
Introducing CreateSpace and KDP.
Project updates
Homework
LLA 0104

3. Re-cap and Homework To publish or not to publish.
Read front matter, and chapters 1-3 in APE.
Author?
Publisher?
Entrepreneur?
Select your tools:
Hardware
Word processor
Publishing services provider.
Make project progress.
Visit touchwoodpress.com/piy.
Prepare 1 or 2 questions to bring to class.
Read front matter, and chapters 1-3 in APE.
Get ready to use your tools of choice.
Hardware
Word processor – Is there anything you need to learn about your wp to get ready to finish your ms?
Publishing services provider
Write down the answers to the three questions.
Do some research.
touchwoodpress.com/piy. The password is
Check out the PIY Forum.
YouTube.com. “self-publishing”
Wikipedia
Amazon: get an account. Review
Bring a book
Bring a question for class.
LLA 0104

4. My Questions Are you clear on the platform you’re going to use?
Do you have your Amazon account?
Have you looked at CreateSpace and KDP?
Have you made progress on the plans for your project?
LLA 0104

5. Your Questions
How do I find and select the best tools for my project? There are so many to choose from.
What about copyrighting my work?
Where can I find an illustrator for my children’s book?
Can I embed videos into my book?
Where can I find artwork to use in my book?
Where can I get answers for grammar and usage questions? It’s been awhile since I took English.
For answers and information on these questions, see touchwoodpress.com/faqs.
LLA 0104

6. On Writing Books What’s your story? Getting organized
Authors on writing
So You Want To Write a Book
Authors on Self-Publishing
Forward…
LLA 0104

7. Scrivener
Organization and management tools for authors of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, songs, plays, or screen plays.
…back
LLA 0104

8. What is a book?
Traditionally published books include fundamental elements that make them stand out, including a thoroughly edited manuscript, a cover and interior that capture the book’s genre, and an eBook version to reach digital readers.
Ask class to show us the books they brought.
LLA 0104

9. Physical Elements
LLA 0104

10. Content Elements Back Matter Covers Text Bindings
Index
Sources, Notes
Further information
Advertising
Text
Simple, straight text
Headers, footers, page #’s
Parts, Sections, and Chapters
Art, Photos, Illustrations
Line art
Half-tones
Illustrations
Photographs
Color, grayscale
Covers
Front cover, or Cover 1
Back cover, or Cover 4
What about Covers 2 and 3?
Spine
Bindings
Hard cover
Soft cover: perfect
Other: spiral, comb, ring binder
Front Matter
Blurbs
Title page, Half-Title page
Copyright page
Acknowledgments, Foreword
Epigrams, Preface, Introduction
LLA 0104

11. Textbooks are the hardest to produce.
Math in Our World was the Number One K-12 math series in 1981.
The lower the grade, the more complex and expensive ($/pg) was the book.
An army of designers and illustrators worked to get these books out in a two-year cycle.
LLA 0104

12. Publishing in the 90s
Personal COBOL for Windows was a 350-page, 6x9, soft-cover book with a 3.5” diskette tucked in a plastic envelope adhered to the inside back cover.
Set up an early e-commerce website and starting selling them to students for $99.
LLA 0104

13. In the 2000s, BookSurge became CreateSpace.
LLA 0104

14. CreateSpace, for the self-publisher in everyone.
Independent Publishing with CreateSpace, An Amazon Company
Free and Easy Tools
Do-it-yourself and finish fast with tools like Interior Reviewer, Cover Creator, Preview, and Image Gallery.
Higher Royalties
Place more in your pocket with some of the best economics in the industry. View Earning Royalties video.
Comprehensive Book Services
Get the help you need to complete your book with our affordable design, editing, and marketing services.
Always Available
Your work is manufactured to meet demand, so your title is always in stock. There are no upfront costs and no need to carry inventory.
Wide Distribution Options
Reach readers for free. Make your book available through Amazon.com, Amazon Europe, your own eStore, Kindle, and Expanded Distribution options.
Help when you need it
Get answers fast over the phone, by  , or join our Community and discuss your ideas, questions, and more with folks just like you.
LLA 0104

15. LLA 0104

16. LLA 0104

17. LLA 0104

18. Project Updates Professional Manuals: Walt McDonald
Children’s Book: Nancy Everett
Cooking Book: Renee Collins
Memoir: Michael Nejman
Articles/Blog?: Diane Griseto
Medical memoir, how to for medical info searchers: Vanessa Urban, psychiatrist
Textbook/Scholarly Papers: Larisa Koval
How-to blog/book on marketing
LLA 0104

19. Homework Writing: Get to work!
Your favorite authors: What’s so special about their writing?
Get that Amazon account!
Sign up for CreateSpace. Self-tour.
Visit touchwoodpress.com/piy.
Bring 2-3 questions to class.
Bring something to show and tell.
LLA 0104