Pete Masterson advised I pick a publisher name, one I’d be doing business as (DBA) since my intention was to have a commercial publishing firm do the actual hands on printing and distribution work. This need was unexpected, but, I understand, relatively standard. Fortunately I’d learned of the need before my visit to the Livermore library. The Bowker volumes there offered a mind-boggling record of publishers whether or not a DBA firm. Easy enough so far, right?
Pete advised I not use the DBA name I’d used in my earlier consulting work. Also recommended I not use my actual name as part of the DBA name selected. After a few days trying to imagine something catchy, and without noticeable success, I narrowed the list of potential DBA names to about 50. The Bowker listing search cut that number to about twelve. My wife cut it down to 5. The ones we really found attractive were either already in use or had negative regional implications. A coin flip selected “Alamo Hills Press.” It’s now been approved and filed by the Contra Costa County registry as a legitimate (and taxable, I find) doing-business-as (fictitious) name.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
#2 - Is My Proposed Title Unique?
The self-publishing journey involved exploring relatively unknown realms and issues. Two key element of my story needed to be resolved. The first, was my intended title unique, or would I run the risk of controversy with some author who had chosen the same title? Thanks to the multiple search engines available on the web, that search took the better part of a day. It turned out my title was unique so far as the web was concerned. There were numerous references to “Dangerous Waters” but “In Dangerous Waters” had apparently not been claimed before.
The second stage of the same search involved searching Bowker’s international registry “Books in Print.” “Just check the library. They all have copies,” was the advice received from friends. Not so, in our area at least. Only the main library in downtown San Francisco, and the new library in Livermore were listed as having copies. Livermore was closer so problem solved. A simple search of the Bowker collection confirmed that no other author or publisher had duplicated my proposed title as of the 2008 edition, the latest published.
The second stage of the same search involved searching Bowker’s international registry “Books in Print.” “Just check the library. They all have copies,” was the advice received from friends. Not so, in our area at least. Only the main library in downtown San Francisco, and the new library in Livermore were listed as having copies. Livermore was closer so problem solved. A simple search of the Bowker collection confirmed that no other author or publisher had duplicated my proposed title as of the 2008 edition, the latest published.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Intro to Self Publishing - #1
Since my last posting you probably wondered if I’d forgotten all of you. Not so.
Earlier in the Spring I announced my intention to end the fruitless search for an agent for my novel “In Dangerous Waters.” The novel is complete. I think it’s a good story, and most of my critique group seem to agree.
Self-publishing (dealt with in several terms, I find) has become increasingly popular, even in the case of some big name authors. I took a short course on the topic and did some reading. If others can do that, why can’t I? I can, and will. Or more directly, as I post this, I have – begun the steps, that is. I’m not “published” yet but soon will be. I’d like to share some of that excursion with you.
Since the BLOG provides a convenient path to tell you of my experiences, I plan to post several times, usually as relevant events occur in the self-publishing process as I experience them. I welcome your questions on any related issue.
For starters, let’s look at my first active step. The class and reading proved some background, a place to pick up some of the terminology and an overall understanding of how the self-publishing process compared with the tradition path. They also convinced me I needed experienced help if I hoped for a book in hand, and eventually available in e-book format as well.
A member of the CWC Mt. Diablo Branch, through the “Back Fence”, recommended I contact Pete Masterson, himself a published author, who specializes in formatting content for authors as well as managing the entire process from raw draft to book in hand. Pete is well-regarded and past president of the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association (that may not be the exact title.) Pete and I hit if off right away with a phone call and a lengthy discussion. He appeared pleased I’d done much of my homework, would be a cooperative client, and had a good idea of what was ahead of me, but simply needed some experienced help.
So we began.
Earlier in the Spring I announced my intention to end the fruitless search for an agent for my novel “In Dangerous Waters.” The novel is complete. I think it’s a good story, and most of my critique group seem to agree.
Self-publishing (dealt with in several terms, I find) has become increasingly popular, even in the case of some big name authors. I took a short course on the topic and did some reading. If others can do that, why can’t I? I can, and will. Or more directly, as I post this, I have – begun the steps, that is. I’m not “published” yet but soon will be. I’d like to share some of that excursion with you.
Since the BLOG provides a convenient path to tell you of my experiences, I plan to post several times, usually as relevant events occur in the self-publishing process as I experience them. I welcome your questions on any related issue.
For starters, let’s look at my first active step. The class and reading proved some background, a place to pick up some of the terminology and an overall understanding of how the self-publishing process compared with the tradition path. They also convinced me I needed experienced help if I hoped for a book in hand, and eventually available in e-book format as well.
A member of the CWC Mt. Diablo Branch, through the “Back Fence”, recommended I contact Pete Masterson, himself a published author, who specializes in formatting content for authors as well as managing the entire process from raw draft to book in hand. Pete is well-regarded and past president of the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association (that may not be the exact title.) Pete and I hit if off right away with a phone call and a lengthy discussion. He appeared pleased I’d done much of my homework, would be a cooperative client, and had a good idea of what was ahead of me, but simply needed some experienced help.
So we began.
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