musings & other notable tid-bits from an indie author

Brian Smith - http://briansmithpld.com 1

Musings & Other Notable Tid-Bits

From an Indie Author

Brian Smith - http://briansmithpld.com 2

Why Write a Book?

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Who are you writing it for?

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How is Your Book Unique?

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What’s The Title?

Confessions of a Reformed Control Freak

The Top Ten Sins Most Managers Make & How to Avoid Them

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Table of Contents Copyright © Dedication Introduction Chapters – How many? What titles? Sub-Titles – How many? What titles? Acknowledgements Index, Notes and References About the Author

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Layout & Book Size

Choose font size, style and layout of the pages Visit your local book store and check out other books

related to your subject matter and to see what size of book they used. Adopt a “Best Practice” mind set.

I wanted a book that you could read on a plane and carry in your briefcase or purse. Settled on 6 by 9

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Start Writing Decide on a schedule.Write to the title and stay on topic Write – print out – editRe-write – print out – editI write – print out – edit – and write again

until it flows off my tongue without stumbling over the words.

I read out loud – drives my cats crazy – but it has to sound right to me or it isn’t right

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Editing

Convert word document into a PDF – the way it will look in the book

Make final changes Save completed chapter as a PDF file

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Editing & More Editing After all the chapters have been written and

converted to a PDF in the books format I print out a number of copies and give a copy to people who’s opinion I respect and who will be honest with me when giving feedback.

Make revisions based on the feedback. Print out one final copy and give it one last

look over.

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Final Editing

Letting go is the hardest part for me because I’m always tweaking what I write but, you have to learn to let go and give it up.

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Does Your Cover Grab You?

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Back Cover

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ISBN & Bar Code

The Canadian ISBN Service System (CISS) – Library and Archives Canada

Created an account and listed myself – Brinley Publishing as the publisher of record. You can get up to 6 ISBN numbers at no charge. You will need an ISBN number for each edition. (hard cover, paperback and ebook)

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File Conversion Formatting for Smashwords – ebook Formatting for Amazon KDP – paperback and

ebook Conversions cost $60.00 US eachePUB and PDF formats Conversion done by Ebook Launch – Comox

BChttps://www.facebook.com/

YellowDog.ePublishershttp://www.freelancer.comhttp://www.elance.com

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Publisher Options Brinley Publishing – Owning your own ISBN

allows you to be listed as the Publisher. Createspace - http://www.createspace.comCreatespace - ebook store Smashwords – http://www.smashwords.com Lulu Publishing – http://www.lulu.comiUniversal Publishing –

http://www.iuniversal.comAmazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

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Createspace – Printed Edition http://www.createspace.comDivision of Amazon Book listed on Amazon Book web page They handle the sales on a 70/30 split You decide retail price and retain all rights You can order copies to sell at your book

signings, workshops and on your website

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Smashwords – Ebook http://www.smashwords.comIf you have any questions you can find

answers on their FAQ page: https://www.smashwords.com/about/supportfaq

Gets your ebook edition on Kindle, Kobo, Sony, Apple, Diesel, Libraries, UK and Europe

Web page for your ebook They handle the sales on a 70/30 split You set retail price and retain all rights

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Printer Options Createspace – Paperback USA Edition First Class Press – Paperback Canadian

EditionLocal printer for inventory to sell at book

signings, workshops and online Small independent book stores will carry

your book on consignment. Print on demand saves you carrying

inventory. Same price per book for 1 or 100 First Class Press – Contact Larry Cavanaugh

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Marketing Twitter: http://twitter.com/briansmithpld Linkedin:

http://ca.linkedin.com/in/briansmithpldGoogle:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/+BrianSmithpld25 Free Services to Help You Promote

Your Book http://dpc123.comSusan Kendrick - From Back Cover to

Bestseller http://www.WriteToYourMarket.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/briansmithpld

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Create a Buzz Book SigningsInterviews Book Reviews Articles Blogging Kobo ebook (Chapters)Nook ebook (Barnes & Noble)Kindle KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)

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Facebook Page

http://www.facebook.com/reformedcontrolfreak

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Wordpress Blog

http://briansmithpld.com/brian-smith-pld/blog

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You Need a Web Site Web Site: http://briansmithpld.comWordpress: http://www.wordpress.comWebmaster: Barbara Munshaw –

themunshawgroup@gmail.com Graphic Designs: Kimb Tiboni Manson –

kimbmanson@shaw.caBook Cover Photo: Josh Jefferies

Photography www.joshjefferies.com

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Projects on The Go Workbook to compliment my first book –

Confessions of a Reformed Control Freak. “Leadership Lessons from a Reformed Control Freak – The Art of Managing and Leading in the 21st Century”

One of 20 authors collaborating on a “Global” leadership development project. “Energize Your Leadership – A New Beginning for Tired, Stuck or Discouraged Leaders”

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Which Title?

Confessions of a Reformed Control Freak Musings and Other Notable Short Comings

or

Get a Grip! You Can Live a Deliberate Life

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Thank You

Questions and Answers?

Thank you for being here and participating in today’s discussion. I wish you continued

success.

Brian Smith – briansmithpld@gmail.com