Resources for Independent Publishing
U.S. ISBN Agency: The Place that assign’s your book’s Social Security Number
The US ISBN Agency is actually owned by R.R. Bowker. Bowker holds exclusive rights to all your ISBN needs. Bowker allows Publishers who qualify a way to fill out and pay for their application online. The process is pretty painless.
www.isbn.org/standards/home/index.asp
The US Copyright Office wants you to have a completed manuscript before you send it to them. I use the Short Form TX but make sure this is right for you. You can download and print the copyright forms from their website. The fees are not that large but currently they are proposing new changes to the fees so stay tuned.
Library of Congress Card Number: Your book’s LCCN
The LCCN of your book will appear on the copyright page. Your book will need one of these babies for a number of good reasons. There is no cost for a LCCN but you will have to apply to see if you are eligible for the programs (not all publishers are). Upon publication you are required to send the Library a copy of the book published (for free of course). Failure to do so could kick you out the program. You can apply for your LCCN online.
http://pcn.loc.gov/pcn006.html
EAN Scanning Symbol: Book Barcodes
I used Bowker’s service for this but there are a number of different vendors you can shop from. I didn’t put a set price anywhere on my book. The barcode has the price encoded within it and tells anyone who scans it what the current price is. I like that because it allows me to change my price according to demand or lack there of. Here is the link I used.
Literary Market Place: LMP the online authority of the book publishing industry
Independent Publishers must create an account to view the plethora of resources you will find about the book publishing industry. I found my book designer under the publsihing resources.
The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing by Tom & Marilyn Ross:I know it can be painful to spend money on “how to” books but this one is worth it. After all you don’t want to re-invent the wheel and Tom & Marilyn do a fabulous job of showing you how to do it right! There are a ton of helpful web resources within the book.
www.communicationcreativity.com/g/
I had a photo taken for the cover of my book and Chris was the photographer who shot the photo session. He is wonderful! Aside from taking amazing “in the moment” photos he listened to what I asked for and was able to deliver. He is very calm and relaxed while he takes the photos which makes his subjects feel very comfortable. Check out his website it’s great!
www.chrishumphreyphotographer.com/
Michael Tucker- Graphic Design
Very talented graphic artist with a lot of experience and diverse portfolio.
Arrow Graphics Inc: Book Production Services
I worked with Alvart and it truly was a pleasure. They were so pleasant to work with, very patient and thorough with all my requests and specifications. I ended up with exactly what I was looking for and they even were kind enough to give me a Christmas present. I highly recommend them.
BookSense: The authority on Indie Book Reviews
If you can manage it try to get your book reviewed by BookSense it really is a cool publication. They get a lot of requests to review books so don’t feel discouraged if they turn your book down but if you have come this far in the writing or publishing industry you are used to rejection by now.
