Book Review: “APE” by Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch
Please click the image to purchase on Amazon
Guy Kawasaki’s most recent book, “APE,” is a collaboration with Shawn Welch and a valuable reference tool on how to publish a book, from the traditional pathway to a exhaustive look at the three key components of self-publishing: Author, Publisher, and Entrepreneur. This is the standard guide for swimming with alligators.
“All writers think of what they do as an art. Smart writers understand that writing is also a business. Really smart writers see themselves also as entrepreneurs.” Barry Eisler
Reality sets in when you follow the book’s link to a funny video… “So You Want To Write A Book”
Guy and Shawn provide an invaluable resource for the capable artist who also strives to be a really smart writer. The APE book is a resource with more information than you may ever need; that’s what a good resource always provides. I expect to go back again and again to this book as I learn more about publishing and marketing.
The APE journey begins with an outline of the evolution of publishing, from traditional to eBooks. From there, we find out how to finance, edit, design, layout and put a book together. Distribution channels are discussed, and the value of author-services and print-on-demand companies addressed. The role of agents, editors, copyeditors, designers, and publicists are defined.
APE provides insight into working with major vendors, sellers and resources, including the world of Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Adobe, Createspace, crowdsourcing, Google +, social media, Lulu, Lightning Source, Kobo, Kindle Direct Publishing, Calibre, EPUB, direct sales, Smashwords, and many, many more.
The authors give us a glimpse of what the future holds for publishing, and how to scale the Empire State Building as a big APE – Author, Publisher and Entrepreneur!
You may already know that I have a thing for monkeys. I believe you’ll find this APE to be the sort of gorilla that you’ll want to swing from the rafters with, just like me!
