Self-Printed Splash (With Prizes!!!)

I’ve written in the past about how I’m a huge fan of Catherine Ryan Howard’s book, SELF-PRINTED. And like many other writers, I’m also a fan of her blog. I wish I could say I found her on my own but that would be untrue.

I had spent some time shopping my novel A GUILTY MIND to agents and while I got some very nice feedback from some agents I respect, my manuscript was still unrepresented. Although I would be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t disappointed, I also understood. The publishing business is hard, but so are most things that are worthwhile. Then a friend sent me an article about self-publishing. I did a little research and was intrigued–but not sold. Fast forward a couple of months and on Christmas morning 2011, my eldest daughter gave me a copy of the first edition of Self-Printed. I read every word as soon as I could.

It’s not often you can say you love a reference book, but in this case, I can and here’s why:

• Catherine has an amazing sense of humor and it shines through even the driest of explanations.
• The book is filled with truly useful & practical advice. Some of it is big-picture but a great deal of it is step-by-step.
• She recognizes that publishing is filled with choices and none is better than the other if it works for you. (Her NO gatekeepers rule!)

Today, Catherine is hosting her #selfprintedsplash as she releases her THIRD edition of this popular book. She is also giving away prizes including a deal with ebookpartnership valued at $299 (see details here).

In preparation for her release, she asked some of her readers to ask a burning question she would answer. She had recently written a post on why Facebook is dead as a social media tool. While I agreed with her, I wondered what she would include in her new edition about using social media today.

Here’s the exchange:
Kellie:  I am a big fan of the first edition as my teenage daughter bought it for me when I was considering self-publishing. My burning question is more about social media and how it is important in self-publishing. FB is dead (I agree with you on this) and I’m not sure how relevant some of the other media outlets are to driving sales. What can we expect to read about this in the latest edition?

Catherine:  If we take “social media” to include blogging, Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads and things like blog tours, book blogger reviews, giveaways and virtual launches as social media strategies, then it’s still ALL important. How else are you going to sell your books? I’m stumped if I know. Books sell by word of mouth, and social media is the only way self-publishers can, realistically, get that going, unless you’re lucky enough to attract the attention of everyone on the Amazon store just by your dazzling cover, intriguing product description and irresistible price. In this new edition, I do recommend ditching Facebook, but I’m as in love as ever with Twitter and I expand greatly on Goodreads giveaways. You can read more about it on my blog:

If you doubt this writer’s ability to navigate social media, search #selfprintedsplash on twitter today. You will find that many others are helping her promote her book today. Doesn’t that tell you something?

Happy Splash Day to Catherine!

More about Catherine: