The Complete Idiot's Guide to Self-Publishing

Book excerpt: A practical guide for a booming market. Every aspiring self-published author needs this guide, which covers everything from design to sales. It reveals all the tools they'll need, including worksheets for estimating costs, timing, and resources; up-to-date information on production and design; formats for many genres; strategies for publicity and sales; plus success stories from self- published authors. * Publishers Marketing Association estimates there are 73,000 small and self- publishers in the U.S., with 8,000-11,000 new ones each year * Of the approximately 2.8 million books in print, 78% of the titles come from small/self-publishers (PMA) * For small and self-publishers, sales increased 21% annually from 1997-2002; in 2002, these 73,000 publishers grossed $29.4 billion * 81% of the population feels they have a book inside them; 6 million have written a manuscript; and another 6 million have a manuscript making the rounds