How do you get started publishing your own book? 

Without the Colorado Independent Publisher's Association DK's books would be still in her computer today.  This is a great peer group that can show you the ropes and keep you from making lots of mistakes!  There are other local groups across the country as well.  One national organization is PMA, the Independent Book Publishers Association.  Another is SPAN, Small Publishers Association of North America.  There are other options such as Print on Demand Publishers.  Some such as Outskirts Press will even offer packages to help you figure out all of the pieces that need to be in place when publishing your book.

Okay, so the book is done.  Now comes the hard part.  How do you start marketing it?

If you've written a book or you're thinking of writing a book and you want to know how to get valuable free publicity, you must check out this site. Joan Stewart, also known as The Publicity Hound®, teaches thousands of authors how to develop strong relationships with the print, broadcast and Internet media that, in turn, help them sell thousands of books. Click here for the Publicity Hound to take a look.  She has a great weekly E-Zine that has helped me numerous times.  Check out her other products as well.  Don't be like the thousands of other authors who can't park in their garages because they're filled with cardboard boxes of books they can't get rid of. Learn how to get thousands of dollars in powerful free publicity so that stories in newspapers, magazines, and on radio and TV help you sell, sell, sell. Joan Stewart, who worked in the newspaper business for 22 years, knows all the secrets of how to generate book publicity. She's a great resource.

Where do you find an illustrator?

Joining a  group again is a great idea.  You may find some at the publishing groups you check out.  DK belongs to a group known as the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.  They have discussion boards on all kinds of topics including one on illustrator's portfolios.  She hit the jackpot there.  DK has never met Brad Cornelius.  She met him on a discussion board and did all of the work through the internet.

How do you find a printer?

Again, joining a networking group is a great idea.  There will be plenty of people with experience to share.  Get 2-3 quotes comparing exactly the same thing.  You can always change the specs as you get closer to printing, but it will give you something to plan a budget with.  We're Having A Tuesday was printed by Friesens.  They are out of Canada and offered very competitive pricing on a full color print job.  Do check around though.

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