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Self-Publishing Boot Camp Guide for Authors, 4th Edition
There are all kinds of ways for authors to publish today. You can upload your book directly to Amazon and the other major online bookstores or use a distributor to reach hundreds of stores. The trouble is, most authors publish too early, before doing any market research, before asking for feedback from early readers, and without professional editing and design.
Authors who want to make a career of writing and publishing need to realize there are standards and steps to follow. Those who realize there are no shortcuts are going to succeed when they adhere to those standards and take the necessary steps to publishing professionally.
The Self-Publishing Boot Camp Guide for Authors offers the advice on marketing, editing, design, book production, and business authors need. It's meant for authors willing to do the work to create a readership and make real money from their books. It's meant for authors who want to do it all themselves and for those who want to hire out all or part of the tasks toward publishing. Authors who wish to set up business as a small press will also benefit from the processes spelled out here.
From beta publishing to distribution to media relations, authors will learn how to set a foundation for success from the idea stage to a quality, finished book. The step-by-step process includes recommendations for self-publishing products, tools, and services from reputable companies that are proven and trusted to help authors succeed. Reader's updates keep authors abreast of new offerings and changes in the self-publishing industry.
Carla King has more than twenty years experience as a writer, self-publisher, web developer, and book consultant. She started self-publishing in 1995 as a technology and travel writer. In 2010 she founded the Self-Publishing Boot Camp series of books, workshops, and online courses. She has worked with self-publishing tools since they emerged in 2008, testing, reviewing, and writing about them for authors eager to reach readers in this new way.
Authors who want to make a career of writing and publishing need to realize there are standards and steps to follow. Those who realize there are no shortcuts are going to succeed when they adhere to those standards and take the necessary steps to publishing professionally.
The Self-Publishing Boot Camp Guide for Authors offers the advice on marketing, editing, design, book production, and business authors need. It's meant for authors willing to do the work to create a readership and make real money from their books. It's meant for authors who want to do it all themselves and for those who want to hire out all or part of the tasks toward publishing. Authors who wish to set up business as a small press will also benefit from the processes spelled out here.
From beta publishing to distribution to media relations, authors will learn how to set a foundation for success from the idea stage to a quality, finished book. The step-by-step process includes recommendations for self-publishing products, tools, and services from reputable companies that are proven and trusted to help authors succeed. Reader's updates keep authors abreast of new offerings and changes in the self-publishing industry.
Carla King has more than twenty years experience as a writer, self-publisher, web developer, and book consultant. She started self-publishing in 1995 as a technology and travel writer. In 2010 she founded the Self-Publishing Boot Camp series of books, workshops, and online courses. She has worked with self-publishing tools since they emerged in 2008, testing, reviewing, and writing about them for authors eager to reach readers in this new way.
- GenresNonfiction
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 13, 2011
10 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Carla King
29 books69 followersCarla King is an adventure travel writer and author who has captivated readers with her vivid storytelling and pioneering spirit. Best known for her solo motorcycle journeys, Carla has explored the world on two and three wheels, turning her adventures into unforgettable memoirs and travel blogs.
In 1995, Carla blazed a trail in the digital world as one of the first to share real-time travel stories online, creating what we now recognize as travel blogging.
Her groundbreaking work began with a 10,000-mile solo journey around the United States on a Russian Ural sidecar motorcycle, chronicled in her memoir American Borders. This book showcases Carla’s fearless approach to adventure, her ability to find humor in adversity, and her deep connection with the people and places she encounters.
Carla King is also a publishing coach dedicated to helping authors transform their stories into polished, professional books.
In 1995, Carla blazed a trail in the digital world as one of the first to share real-time travel stories online, creating what we now recognize as travel blogging.
Her groundbreaking work began with a 10,000-mile solo journey around the United States on a Russian Ural sidecar motorcycle, chronicled in her memoir American Borders. This book showcases Carla’s fearless approach to adventure, her ability to find humor in adversity, and her deep connection with the people and places she encounters.
Carla King is also a publishing coach dedicated to helping authors transform their stories into polished, professional books.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 1, 2019
This guide for self-publishers is one of a kind. It offers so much practical advice—how to find a cover designer; how to connect with potential readers; how to beta publish (and what that means); what is metadata; how to use ads and promotional tools; what is the difference between a copy editor and a content editor; how to organize a successful book launch … and much much more.
The guide is amazingly comprehensive, but more than that, the author’s style is inclusive and chatty, so that reading it feels as though you’re having coffee with your (very knowledgeable) friend. A guide like this could feel overwhelming, but it does not. As I read it, I felt that I was in the hands of an expert teacher who believed in me.
Even if you don’t need to know everything in this guide for your project, it’s a great reference guide. And both the experienced and newbie self-publisher will learn something new and useful. If you are thinking of publishing your work, this will save you a lot of money and time—and headaches, as King shows you how to avoid common pitfalls.
It’s a must-have!
The guide is amazingly comprehensive, but more than that, the author’s style is inclusive and chatty, so that reading it feels as though you’re having coffee with your (very knowledgeable) friend. A guide like this could feel overwhelming, but it does not. As I read it, I felt that I was in the hands of an expert teacher who believed in me.
Even if you don’t need to know everything in this guide for your project, it’s a great reference guide. And both the experienced and newbie self-publisher will learn something new and useful. If you are thinking of publishing your work, this will save you a lot of money and time—and headaches, as King shows you how to avoid common pitfalls.
It’s a must-have!
February 1, 2019
I've been using Carla King's Self-Publishing Boot Camp Guides for Authors since they were first published, and have just used it to publish my third book. Carla walks you through everything you need to know in a methodical and makes what could be an overwhelming process organized and manageable. Even the way she presents it is calming and inspiring! You know the resources are vetted and credible - and the Guide is full of them. A must for indie authors of any genre.
August 24, 2015
Carla King’s Self-Publishing Boot Camp Guide for Authors is a wild ride. Ms. King’s vast expertise is evident in this highly accessible and comprehensive account of everything, and I do mean everything, you need to know about the ins and outs and dos and don’ts of going indie. At the end, I felt empowered with more than enough of the right information and tools to confidently and successfully self-publish. Ms. King has saved us all a lot of time and money by thoroughly researching all of these products, companies, and methods so that we may avoid the pitfalls that others have endured. Indeed, a most useful resource!
January 3, 2012
I've just launched my first self-published book. The Self-Pub Boot camp for Authors was never out of sight. It's full of valuable information, presented in a methodical, easy to understand style.
Self-publishing carries a steep learning curve and it's hard to know where to turn for advice. Now I know to turn to this guide and I highly recommend it, and her website, for others.
Self-publishing carries a steep learning curve and it's hard to know where to turn for advice. Now I know to turn to this guide and I highly recommend it, and her website, for others.
June 15, 2012
very succinct and easy to use road map...
February 4, 2019
I already owned King's 3rd edition of Self-Publishing Boot Camp Guide for Independent Authors, but so much has changed in the world of self-publishing since the last publication (even in the last year!), that I knew I needed the update. King does not disappoint. [I should note that I was a beta reader for King's 4th Edition, which not only gave me an early preview, but taught me a lot about the process of using beta readers in the self-publishing process, so that was a plus!)
Oh, and a LOT has been revamped. King does not tweak a few links, as some authors might have done. She even maintains a free resource list, accessible to readers, for all the many, many tools and services that change between editions!
King looks at all the possible categories of what a self-publisher in 2019 needs, but she starts with a thorough undergirding of self-publishing foundational concepts, including identifying your readers and knowing how to connect with them for everything from research to attracting beta readers. I like that King covers all aspects of the self-publishing process, from editing to creating your "business" (to keep things legal) to developing a realistic budget. Sales, marketing, and distribution? She covers it from all the angles. How to sell to libraries? She shares the steps. Social media marketing and building your web platform for your book? King's there. Protecting your intellectual property rights? Yup. The steps for a successful book launch? She's got a detailed, timeline-based checklist.
However, where King's newest editing really shines is her way of explaining the essential technology. For my purposes, her walk-through of print and ebook formatting styles and how to achieve an error-free, uploadable manuscript is worth the price of admission. Her coverage of developing the metadata for your book and for your website makes the concepts simple, repeatable, and unstressful.
Finally, as alluded to above, her Consumers Guide (part of the book, but constantly updated for free for subscribers) hits on all of the resources you will need to know and use (or, if she advises, avoid). From book sales tracking to distribution services, editing tools to professional associations for authors, copywriting services to marketing tools, King anticipates the disparate categories writers needs to know about and fills each with detailed lists and wise advice.
Content aside, King has a casual, breezy, conversational writing style. There's no stuffiness here. You'll find that you feel like you're reading well-researched blog posts, or perhaps an email from a friendly mentor who knows way more about the self-publishing industry than you do. Also, note that in the resources section, where some services or software does more than one thing, the item may be listed in more than one category, and in all likelihood, the descriptive information in that section will be a repeat of what you may have already read in a different category. But, that makes sense, because a reader may only need that particular category.
Finally, for my purposes, I'd be inclined to get the paperback version and fill it with sticky tape flags and highlight it like a textbook. Because, basically, that's what this is, a textbook for the entire self-publishing process. Personally, I'm a bit too ancient to love navigating an ebook, but to each his or her own. But do get the book if you actually hope to make the self-publishing experience a reality and you want to avoid the many pitfalls one can make without this kind of guide.
Oh, and a LOT has been revamped. King does not tweak a few links, as some authors might have done. She even maintains a free resource list, accessible to readers, for all the many, many tools and services that change between editions!
King looks at all the possible categories of what a self-publisher in 2019 needs, but she starts with a thorough undergirding of self-publishing foundational concepts, including identifying your readers and knowing how to connect with them for everything from research to attracting beta readers. I like that King covers all aspects of the self-publishing process, from editing to creating your "business" (to keep things legal) to developing a realistic budget. Sales, marketing, and distribution? She covers it from all the angles. How to sell to libraries? She shares the steps. Social media marketing and building your web platform for your book? King's there. Protecting your intellectual property rights? Yup. The steps for a successful book launch? She's got a detailed, timeline-based checklist.
However, where King's newest editing really shines is her way of explaining the essential technology. For my purposes, her walk-through of print and ebook formatting styles and how to achieve an error-free, uploadable manuscript is worth the price of admission. Her coverage of developing the metadata for your book and for your website makes the concepts simple, repeatable, and unstressful.
Finally, as alluded to above, her Consumers Guide (part of the book, but constantly updated for free for subscribers) hits on all of the resources you will need to know and use (or, if she advises, avoid). From book sales tracking to distribution services, editing tools to professional associations for authors, copywriting services to marketing tools, King anticipates the disparate categories writers needs to know about and fills each with detailed lists and wise advice.
Content aside, King has a casual, breezy, conversational writing style. There's no stuffiness here. You'll find that you feel like you're reading well-researched blog posts, or perhaps an email from a friendly mentor who knows way more about the self-publishing industry than you do. Also, note that in the resources section, where some services or software does more than one thing, the item may be listed in more than one category, and in all likelihood, the descriptive information in that section will be a repeat of what you may have already read in a different category. But, that makes sense, because a reader may only need that particular category.
Finally, for my purposes, I'd be inclined to get the paperback version and fill it with sticky tape flags and highlight it like a textbook. Because, basically, that's what this is, a textbook for the entire self-publishing process. Personally, I'm a bit too ancient to love navigating an ebook, but to each his or her own. But do get the book if you actually hope to make the self-publishing experience a reality and you want to avoid the many pitfalls one can make without this kind of guide.
February 2, 2019
"Self-Publishing Boot Camp Guide For Authors" is a total all-encompassing title of what this book contains. It is a formidable arsenal of tools and information for every author who wants to be credible, honest and do everything the right way in the appropriate order. This is not for those who want to rush the process, or aren't willing to invest the time and money in themselves and their product. It is a book for those who want to self-publish, traditionally publish, or a little of both.
Carla King is the founder of Self-Pub Boot Camp, an educational series of books, workshops, and online courses to help authors self-publish successfully. She is also an adventure travel writer, web expert, and pro-blogger who has been self-publishing since 1995.
Carla doesn't leave anything out for you to guess at. All of your questions-the who, why, what, where, and how are answered including links to learn or subscribe for more information, tools, and help. For instance, how to figure out which Amazon category, themes, and keywords similar books are shelved in. When to know that you have enough drafts. Why a writing group can help? Who do you want to write for? What are your goals?
One of my favorite parts that really brings it all together is, "The Book Launch Checklist." Authors are taken by the hand and told what to do from the six months before they publish their book, the steps they need to be taking each month, to the last month, then down to the week of the launch and afterward. Using this guide is like looking at the top of the mountain and then learning how to get there with step-by-step instruction until you have accomplished your journey.
If you are a writer and are looking for advice, this is the book that will take care of all your needs. The tools and resources provided at the end of the book are 100x worth the price. I highly recommend this! Choose your format and press the "Buy Now With One Click Button."
You will find it to be an invaluable resource...
Carla King is the founder of Self-Pub Boot Camp, an educational series of books, workshops, and online courses to help authors self-publish successfully. She is also an adventure travel writer, web expert, and pro-blogger who has been self-publishing since 1995.
Carla doesn't leave anything out for you to guess at. All of your questions-the who, why, what, where, and how are answered including links to learn or subscribe for more information, tools, and help. For instance, how to figure out which Amazon category, themes, and keywords similar books are shelved in. When to know that you have enough drafts. Why a writing group can help? Who do you want to write for? What are your goals?
One of my favorite parts that really brings it all together is, "The Book Launch Checklist." Authors are taken by the hand and told what to do from the six months before they publish their book, the steps they need to be taking each month, to the last month, then down to the week of the launch and afterward. Using this guide is like looking at the top of the mountain and then learning how to get there with step-by-step instruction until you have accomplished your journey.
If you are a writer and are looking for advice, this is the book that will take care of all your needs. The tools and resources provided at the end of the book are 100x worth the price. I highly recommend this! Choose your format and press the "Buy Now With One Click Button."
You will find it to be an invaluable resource...
February 2, 2019
This book is packed with resources and options for self-publishers. I have heard Ms. King speak several times at the San Francisco Writers Conference and have absolutely no doubt that she knows her stuff.
Early in the book, there is a prompt for authors to consider whether they are prepared to support their book (financially), or whether they're actually hoping it will support them. I particularly liked this. The list of costs and business "necessities" is a little daunting, but it's better to be aware of the likely costs of publishing in advance, rather than during the process!
Ideally, I would have tried some of the new-to-me vendors suggested in this book before reviewing it: I haven't had chance to do so, but am more than happy with my long list of options to investigate. It would be my personal preference that the author not be an affiliate for some of the services she recommends, but I do understand that's a necessity of making a living online these days.
For authors outside the USA, know that most of the content will apply and be useful to you, however, there are necessarily a few parts which may not. In my opinion, you'll still get plenty of value from this book.
I received a free e-book in return for my honest review. Due to the e-book format, there were a few places where I would have loved some flowcharts, tables or other visual guidance, but I assume this was not possible in this format. Another reviewer made a useful point that "boot camp" might imply a structured process, whereas this book does lean more to laying out your options and then leaving you to discern and decide what is best for your individual situation and publishing goals.
Overall, this is an excellent resource. If you are considering self-publishing (or have already self-published but would like to improve your knowledge), I warmly recommend it.
Early in the book, there is a prompt for authors to consider whether they are prepared to support their book (financially), or whether they're actually hoping it will support them. I particularly liked this. The list of costs and business "necessities" is a little daunting, but it's better to be aware of the likely costs of publishing in advance, rather than during the process!
Ideally, I would have tried some of the new-to-me vendors suggested in this book before reviewing it: I haven't had chance to do so, but am more than happy with my long list of options to investigate. It would be my personal preference that the author not be an affiliate for some of the services she recommends, but I do understand that's a necessity of making a living online these days.
For authors outside the USA, know that most of the content will apply and be useful to you, however, there are necessarily a few parts which may not. In my opinion, you'll still get plenty of value from this book.
I received a free e-book in return for my honest review. Due to the e-book format, there were a few places where I would have loved some flowcharts, tables or other visual guidance, but I assume this was not possible in this format. Another reviewer made a useful point that "boot camp" might imply a structured process, whereas this book does lean more to laying out your options and then leaving you to discern and decide what is best for your individual situation and publishing goals.
Overall, this is an excellent resource. If you are considering self-publishing (or have already self-published but would like to improve your knowledge), I warmly recommend it.
July 14, 2020
King's guide is an excellent and well-written overview of self publishing with these standouts: the specific recommendations for various tools and services, the honest evaluations of services (and warnings about some), and the brief but heartfelt suggestions for how to go about self publishing, and particularly marketing. I found the discussions light on detail, particularly on how-to, though there are lots of links to more detailed analyses and books and websites. It's really more of a travel guide to the subject than a detailed how-to book. That said, I've used far worse travel guides. It also has a bias toward non-fiction; a lot of the material only applies to that genre, and it really needs to discuss the differences between fiction and non-fiction self publishing in the separate sections. Finally, it is very light on strategy, particularly marketing strategy: a lot of lists of things like "plan your strategy" but no detail on what works and what doesn't for unique kinds of publications. The book and its accompanying website are a must-read for self publishers, but expect to explore further on your own once the plane lands and you figure out the roads and trails.
January 31, 2019
I’ve been using Carla King’s Self-Publishing Bootcamp books since her first edition eight years ago. She covers everything from the importance of producing quality material all the way through publishing, distribution, and marketing. She provides an annotated list of resources for every step of the way and free updates if you provide your email.
Especially with the demise of CreateSpace, this new edition is a critical addition to my library as I edit, format, and guide other authors through self-publication. I’ll be re-reading the sections on distribution and marketing before my next book goes out.
If you’re a first-timer, this book will help you avoid costly mistakes. If you’re an old hand at self-publishing, the updates will keep you current with minimal effort.
Full disclosure: I volunteered as a beta reader for this edition, in exchange for a free early copy. There were a few glitches, which she corrected after getting feedback – just as she advises us to do.
Especially with the demise of CreateSpace, this new edition is a critical addition to my library as I edit, format, and guide other authors through self-publication. I’ll be re-reading the sections on distribution and marketing before my next book goes out.
If you’re a first-timer, this book will help you avoid costly mistakes. If you’re an old hand at self-publishing, the updates will keep you current with minimal effort.
Full disclosure: I volunteered as a beta reader for this edition, in exchange for a free early copy. There were a few glitches, which she corrected after getting feedback – just as she advises us to do.
February 1, 2019
I was privileged to be a beta reader for Carla King’s Self-Publishing Boot Camp Guide for Authors. I have some experience with self-publishing, having published novels myself, so when I agreed to be an early reader, I thought I was doing Carla a favor. Turns out I was doing myself a favor. I learned so much in reading her book. Carla covers the gamut on self-publishing—book formatting, marketing, social media, publishing services, reviewers, and so much more. The information she provides is invaluable for both new and experienced authors. The book is well-organized, and easily accessible with numerous links to online sites. I am thrilled to have Carla’s book as a reference and know that I will return to it again and again.
September 7, 2018
Scared me off
I'm actually grateful to this book and Ms. King for writing it. It helped me come to a firm decision about whether or not to pursue self-publishing.
No. Way. In. Hades.
This book left me feeling more perplexed and mystified by the process than I was when I started...and I was already plenty perplexed. Seems like way too much work, time, and money for far too little reward (and regardless, you're STILL responsible for doing all the marketing for your book!). Jeez. No thanks. It's traditional publishing for me or bust, now.
I'm actually grateful to this book and Ms. King for writing it. It helped me come to a firm decision about whether or not to pursue self-publishing.
No. Way. In. Hades.
This book left me feeling more perplexed and mystified by the process than I was when I started...and I was already plenty perplexed. Seems like way too much work, time, and money for far too little reward (and regardless, you're STILL responsible for doing all the marketing for your book!). Jeez. No thanks. It's traditional publishing for me or bust, now.
September 1, 2017
A great book that changed my life. I now own a small publishing company and have also become an author - I still read more than I write though.
April 15, 2019
Helpful
Helpful but a lot of the links don’t work anymore. It would also be nice if the newest version was available as an ebook.
Helpful but a lot of the links don’t work anymore. It would also be nice if the newest version was available as an ebook.
April 14, 2015
While flying across country, I had the chance to finally read several ebooks that have been queued on my Kindle for months, and this one by Carla King was my favorite. Although I've read quite a few self-publishing books, this one was comprehensive without being "too long." Carla does a great job of talking about the terminology, different resources for authors, as well as the pros and cons of going DIY vs. outsourcing, in a balanced way and without making you feel like an idiot because you aren't familiar with the lingo.
The book is fairly repetitive, but in a good way. Carla refers back to different sections at various points, so if you are the type to look at the table of contents and skip to the section you are most interested in, you won't miss out on topics discussed earlier in the book. Each chapter includes an intro with a list of subtopics and a summary, so it's also easy to skim.
The chapters are Your Author Toolset (focused on software/online options for writing and formatting your book); Your Publishing Path (exploring different self-publishing and hybrid options), Trusted Vendors (sharing information about vendors who are affordable - not "cheap" - and work well with author-publishers), Your Publishing Business (examining the business end of being a self-published author), Your Author Brand, Websites and Blogs, Marketing and Promotion, Social Media Marketing, Editing and Proofreading, Book Design, Meta Data and Discovery, Ebooks, and Print Books.
If you've read a few books or blogs (or listened to or watched podcasts) on self-publishing, you'll probably be familiar with some of the things Carla explains, but I learned about several new-to-me resources and appreciated how Carla organized and shared the information. In particular, the Meta Data and Discovery chapter covered a lot of detail I haven't seen often discussed elsewhere. If you know you want to write a book but aren't quite sure how to get it out into the world, this book will definitely be a helpful guide!
The book is fairly repetitive, but in a good way. Carla refers back to different sections at various points, so if you are the type to look at the table of contents and skip to the section you are most interested in, you won't miss out on topics discussed earlier in the book. Each chapter includes an intro with a list of subtopics and a summary, so it's also easy to skim.
The chapters are Your Author Toolset (focused on software/online options for writing and formatting your book); Your Publishing Path (exploring different self-publishing and hybrid options), Trusted Vendors (sharing information about vendors who are affordable - not "cheap" - and work well with author-publishers), Your Publishing Business (examining the business end of being a self-published author), Your Author Brand, Websites and Blogs, Marketing and Promotion, Social Media Marketing, Editing and Proofreading, Book Design, Meta Data and Discovery, Ebooks, and Print Books.
If you've read a few books or blogs (or listened to or watched podcasts) on self-publishing, you'll probably be familiar with some of the things Carla explains, but I learned about several new-to-me resources and appreciated how Carla organized and shared the information. In particular, the Meta Data and Discovery chapter covered a lot of detail I haven't seen often discussed elsewhere. If you know you want to write a book but aren't quite sure how to get it out into the world, this book will definitely be a helpful guide!
June 3, 2019
This book is a comprehensive guide for authors interested in self-publishing their work. It seems like a daunting task, but Carla King takes each necessary step of the process and explains what to do clearly and simply. The consumer’s guide gives options for help in producing a self-published book. Let Carla guide you on your journey of self-publishing. That’s my plan and I will update this post to show my progress.
February 19, 2015
A really useful, informative book! It was a dry read, simply because there was so much information packed into a relatively small space, but even though I have no immediate plans to self-publish, I found the chapters on building a social platform and author websites very helpful! I have no doubt that I will be referring to this book again in the future.
January 12, 2023
Lots of solid, detailed information. Her picks for favored vendors include many of my own recommendations, but I did wonder about others. The bane of heavy affiliate marketing is the strain it puts on credibility. Mostly Carla King stays on terra firma.
April 13, 2015
A good book with solid and detailed information about self-publishing.
January 24, 2016
One of the best e-books I've run across providing a good overview of how to self-publish a book, with space for all the stages. Highly recommended.
February 1, 2019
If you are entering the writing and publishing world this book is a must read! Carla King provides a treasure chest of information and the simple steps to follow in order to reach your goals of publishing and marketing your book. I can't thank her enough for all the guidance she has provided via the Self-Publishing Boot Camp Guide for Authors.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews