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 An interesting (and FREE) way to get your works read January 20, 2007 8:30 AM



I have been keeping an eye on a new program from Google for a while now, and two days ago I tossed all caution to the wind and jumped in with both feet. Google can make your book visible online to anyone who is searching for information related to your subject material. This is a godsend, as people spend millions of dollars every year in search of that elusive goal of "getting ranked #1 on google."

Now with a few clicks of your mouse (and no financial investment), you can jump past everyone else, no matter how much they spend - and even get above those annoying Pay Per Click search results ("Sponsored Links") and have your book sitting atop the google pyramid, ready to be perused by millions of people every year.

And it is all f-r-e-e. (We like 'free').

So... how does it work? The short version is that you upload an entire PDF of your [Copyrighted] work to google, using their special page to do so. This PDF should include a front and back cover. Then after verifying that you do indeed own the rights of copy and distribution, a portion of your text is available for view ala Amazon's "Search Inside" feature. If you really want to make some easy money, you can even sell "access" to your e-book on google for any price you choose.

So, let's put this together:

Let's say that I have a book on 64 1/2 - 67 Mustangs (like there are any other kind). My treatise covers all aspects of the car: a little bit of history and why some people prefer the various years over the others, what to look for when shopping for yours (or your third), how to restore them (and so on.)

I upload the PDF to google and tell them (google) that I will allow people to search through 20% of my book (which is what it seems people can search through on my books on Amazon). I am interested in allowing people to “see” and “read through” my book so they will click the link next to it that says “Hey, Get you own copy RIGHT NOW at Amazon B7N, and so on…”

Well, all goes well, and I get a few hundred readers every month, and 4 or 5 sales. This is all because google is doing all of the heavy lifting – they are promoting my book for me. But I decide I want more sales a month (and who wouldn’t) so I decide to make the book “available online” for the low, low price of 5 bucks. That means that people can read my PDF exclusively on google IF they pay me 5 bucks for the rights in perpetuity to do so (check with your lawyer for accuracy of any and all legal claims).

Now I still get retail sales, but I also might get an occasional e-book sale.

This all sounds like a great way to ad a buzz about the book, especially with the world’s number one search engine. But the whole project is still in beta, so if you decide that this is for you, do so at your risk (as I did) and read everything before you decide to do ANYTHING. I make no claims for google, nor am I endorsing this. I am simply putting my feet in the fire and trying it out with my latest release. I will keep you updated on how things go. Questions or comments are not just welcome – they are part and parcel of a healthy community, so please make sure to add your thoughts.

By the way... just some food for thought. Let's say that you had a manuscript that you wanted to see if people would be interested in BEFORE you went though all of the effort to pound out your 1,000(+) page novel, and you decided to upload the first 300 pages to google and allow people to read 100% of it - and had a little questionaire at the end asking them if they liked it. This idea is a bit rough, but, it could be the way of the future (in yeas to ome). remember, you heard it here first.


KEEP WRITING!!
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 February 13, 2007 12:37 AM

Okay, so in another topic I posted an update to this tactic. It is working (for me) and it is working so well for me that I can only assume that other authors have struck gold with ths as well. I cannot highly enough recommend that you submit your book(s) to google - or at least research it for yourself.

I have seen amazing results in under a month. I want everyone here to write and write and write, and then enjoy the success of people actually paying money to read what you have to say. So I will ccasionally update various ways that I have persoanlly tested, both for my own books, and for clients who pay me to promote theirs.

Actually doing the necessary steps is up to you.

Keep writing.


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Is this the same type of thing or........... February 24, 2007 2:30 PM

Book Publishing by Publish America

http://www.publishamerica.com/index.asp

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anonymous Donna February 25, 2007 12:22 AM

I do not know about them but I will take time and check them out if you like.  [report anonymous abuse]
 
 March 01, 2007 10:43 PM

It says they are free but it doesn't sound free.  [ send green star]
 
imho March 26, 2007 9:20 PM


Okay... I've had a look around the back of the shop and we're right out...!"

                                                                           - M. Python


Well... The site is not so much "professional" as it is busy, but that is no way to judge a company - so I headed straiht to their FAQ's, and thn th tstimonials. They seem to hav almost 300 pages of testimonials, each with 5-8 (or more) authors raving abou their experience.

Here is what I found:

1: They do NOT look at all like a vanity press. They look like a paper mill. They look as if they will take a chance on just about anyone, which in a way is very good for the future of humanity. Not everyone can write a book - but anyone who wants to should be able to see it in print. What they will do is put your words in print.

2: There was a little concern about the amount of editing they do. Best to have it professionally edited first - if yu can. [I left that typo on purpose to illustrate my point] **If nothing else,** run everything through MS Word spell check AND grammatical check (but never trust anything Microsoft and try to get an english teacher to read your work - if you have thick skin. Best to have several friends read your work with a highlighter before you do anything. This will prep you for what is to come when your book goes public.

3: Designing book covers is no easy task. I have been in marketing for most of my life, and I have seen thousands of book covers, but book cover design is still a mystery. That being said, their book covers are mediocre at best. But, as long as you don't have to pay them up front, then there is a point of consideration.

4: The real question is this: How will this book reflect on you - and - how many books do you want to sell? I checked out about 20 of their authors and none of them ranked better than one million - and thse were books published between 2004 and (February) 2007. Not a great sign. Remember that EVERY publisher WILL require you to do most (read "all") of the leg work, footwork, brain work, handiwork: if there is 'work' involved guess who will be doing it? This looks like a great way to say "Hey! i wrote a book!" and get out an start hammering away. They assign ISBN numbers (or else the books would not be on Amazon) and it looks like they may offer some publicity services, but it really is up to (you, me, us) the author(s) to attend seminars and buy books about book marketing - and go do those things. remember, there is a LOT of competition.

5: How much will they pay you? No... really? 10%? 15%? what about hardcover sales? Book club sales? serial excerpts? Find these things out.

look, they look 'legit' at first blush, and they probably serve a great need - but please don't get your hopes up. You will need to get outthere and work work work to get any sales at all. Is it worth it? Absolutely. It is worth everything. If you have a few extra coins (and you REALLY believe that you book (content - AND - title) are good enough, attend seminars, read books, and hire some professional help. Go sell books and have fun. Realize that until you sell a few thousand copies yourself, the chances of any publisher catering to your every (okay "any") needs is really pretty slim. But who needs them? Did you publisher help you writeyour book? You can DO this - especially if you keep at it, and share your experiences at places like this (here), in a supportive environment. If you want a more maverick approach, go with BookSurge (Amazon) Publishing, but you had better know what you want. You will get a biger push, but they are piece-meal. They provide publoicity packages that have nothing to do with book publishing (and EVERYHING to do with book marketing), and they are Amazon, so you know the quality, and the company. They also pay 25% (soft) and 15% hardcover. No advances - but you get paid every month (assuming book sales) which i personally like.

Best of all you don't get screwed (try THAT with any major publisher). but this is not a commercial for Amazon. Go with what you feel is best. This company looks okay, but ask them when and how much you get paid (bottom line - after any reserves they hold - and what about returns, delays in payments and/or shipping), length of contract, exclusivity, and whether they can help you with book marketing and/or publicity - even if you have to pay them.

If you have any questions - please keep postingthm. We cannot answer what is not asked.

NEVER STOP WRITING
(or I *will* find you)



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oops! March 26, 2007 9:21 PM

Sorry about the typos. I really need a new keyboard - grrr!

(and I call myself an author)
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 September 24, 2007 3:10 PM

Hi

I am new here.
I also just published a book " Beyond The Moment " with Publish America. Before doing so, I did my homework. I found websites dedicated to slamming these people. Very negative stuff, but closer scrutiny and more research revealed the sites were basically the same people on all of them.
Their main complaint was that they were not promoted as they desired. Publish America is a legit company serving a real need, and they never promise to do anything but publish your book , for FREE.
I found the experience with them to go very smoothly and professionally. I was kept up to date on every stage of its development and given full editing rites, including the cover artwork. One needs to be careful with the final edit, I did find some typo's, but I consider it to be my resposibility to maintain the books quality.
They are in a war - so to speak - with traditional publishers, and get bad press from them. Traditional publishers have their place, but are slow to realize that the industry is changing, and alot of their past control over us is slipping away.I have gone the traditional route on other books and it is an ordeal of demands I feel. Plus the first check is large, but most are now requiring us to pay for everything except their lunches.
Publish America is serving the new author in a way no-one else has, they take a chance on us, and pay for the publication.
I understood from the start that the promotion of my book would be my own.  They are a little on the expnsive side in the retail market also. I would say overall, you have nothing to loose with them. They are a new ship sailing in old waters with a new attiude.

Sincerely,

Darrell




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 September 25, 2007 4:45 AM

PS
Just to be clear, getting published through them did not cost me anything atall,  not a dime.
Peace to you all
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Hello! November 16, 2008 11:29 AM

I've been reading through all lot of topics on how to get published. As I said in another topic, I'm not a published author - yet. I'm a little confused about one point (actually more than one, but this will do for now) - how do I get my work copyrighted? I don't believe what people have been telling me about sending a copy to yourself through the mail. That's just too...?...
Could you please tell me the proper way to go about copyrighting my book?
Thanks from a first-timer,
Karen C.
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