Publish Like the Pros: A Brief Guide to Quality Self-Publishing and an Insider's Look at a Misunderstood Industry by Michele DeFilippo

WHAT I THOUGHT: I want to tell anyone that is looking to self-publish: READ Publish Like the Pros: A Brief Guide to Quality Self-Publishing and an Insider's Look at a Misunderstood Industry by Michele DeFilippo. Seriously. It gives some great pointers, especially about things that vanity press leaves out. For example: Interior Layout...Most self-published books that I've seen never ever think about this aspect. It looks like they just copied and pasted it out of a Word document. In Publish Like the Pros, Michele gives advise on finding typesetting designers. There are so many great tips inside this little book. Do yourself a favor if you are planning on self-publishing, buy this book first and read it. You'll be glad that you did. Seriously glad.

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

Publish Like the Pros: A Brief Guide to Quality Self-Publishing is a must-read for new authors who want to get it right when self-publishing their books. Self-publishing is a perplexing and ever-shifting landscape; it's easy for authors to get taken in by self-publishing companies that promise the moon but don't deliver. In just 88 pages, Publish Like the Pros takes the confusion out of self-publishing and gives authors the six steps to publishing quality professional books that don't scream "I'm self-published!!" The self-publishing author will find everything he or she needs to get started, including cover design, book titles, typesetting, editing, and proofreading, and a special chapter on book distribution, pricing and marketing.

Written by a book designer with years of experience working with both first-time authors and seasoned publishers, Publish Like the Pros speaks directly to new authors who want to publish a book that they can feel proud of and that sells!

...Industry leaders praise "Publish Like the Pros":

DeFilippo has written a complete overview of the book industry and the publishing process that will allow both authors and self-publishers to make their way through the self-publishing process quickly and successfully. I was amazed at the up-to-date insights and money-saving advice in this book! Want to do it right? Want to avoid a lot of the mistakes that plague first time self-publishers? Read Publish Like the Pros and call 1106 Design.
—Amy Collins, owner of The Cadence Group and New Shelves Distribution, http://ww.thecadencegrp.com/distribution

Traditional self-publishing has been hijacked (I should know!). Authors who follow the “do-it-yourself” approach recommended by self-serving POD publishers soon discover that plain covers do not attract buyers. In Publish Like the Pros: A Brief Guide to Quality Self-Publishing, Michele DeFilippo explains how quality books have always been created—with an eye to the future. Armed with this advice, authors can take full advantage of today’s unprecedented opportunity to distribute and promote their books without middlemen, and successfully compete in the book publishing industry.
—Dan Poynter, author of The Self-Publishing Manual

As a book shepherd who turns unpublished writers into well-published authors, I'm constantly guiding authors away from cheap junk and toward choices that create a book that looks and sounds as good as or better than anything coming out of the big publishers. DeFilippo's pleas for professionalism will be very helpful in convincing my clients that it's much better to self-publish the right way—if you want to create a book that will sell copies and influence people.
—Shel Horowitz, book shepherd and book marketing specialist, http://shelhorowitz.com

Bronze Award!

I'm an award winning author! I received the Bronze award for Christian Fantasy-Sci-Fi from Reader's Favorite: http://readersfavorite.com/2012-award-contest-winners.htm

Here's the 5-Star Review:

Book Review

Reviewed by Linda W. for Readers Favorite

This is a fantasy tale of good versus evil through the eyes of a young teenage girl, Mellie. Running from her sisters’ taunts, she finds herself caught up in the world of the F.A.I.R.I.E.S, where she will learn the world of spiritual warfare against the I.M.P.S. as she attends the F.A.I.R.I.E.S. academy and learns of the One–the light who always overcomes the darkness.

The unbelievable characters become a part of your life, as you learn of their ways. The military academy is tough, yet most of the classes are enjoyable and instructive. Plenty of humor is there, though some is lost in interpretation! I enjoyed the characters of Mellie, Spike, Lizzy, GroBe, and many others. They are rich, descriptive and eccentric. They are truly fantastical beings! What a super delightful book with deep spiritual meaning. The spiritual aspect is what makes the book so great, as it pertains to each of the characters and to us as well. I loved it. Your kids will, too!

This would make one extra-special birthday, Christmas, or any special occasion gift for some young girl or boy! Your child(ren) will learn truths that are pertinent to their lives. Pick one up today! Superb, intricate writing. Christian fantasy at its best! I am rating this a 5 out of 5!

I’m so excited as I never used to like books like this, let alone loving this one! This should become a classic for years to come!