e-book "Before You Publish"

The new ebook will soon be out on csnbooks.com that will answer most your questions about publishing. This will include information on publishing, writing, proofing, cover design and printing. The book even help determines if a ghostwriter is what you need. Look out for the new free ebook "Before You Publish".

If You Are a Christian Author...

The area of publishing, especially Christian publishing, is one that demands careful investigation by an author when writing his/her manuscript. I have noticed that many self-publishers do not understand the Chistian terminology, so they fail to know the proper punctuation for pronouns such as "Him" or "His" when they refer to Jesus or God. Another case is how to write "the body of Christ." I've seen it all sorts of ways. If you are interested in getting it right, and want to self-publish or look into subsidy publishing, always ask the question, "Are you a Christian publisher?" if your manuscript needs that special touch.

Dr. Mike

Search before You Decide

Publishing in the Christian marketplace is always a challenge. No matter how great the writing, editing and proofing are on on your book, it is no guarantee that your book will be published. Thank God for self-publishing and subsibdy publishing companies that give us authors another avenue over than the traditional publisher. The publishing company I recommend is CSN Books. They have been in business for over two decades, and treat their customers with dignity.

Thanks,

Dr. Mike

The Right Choice

It’s not everyday that God gives you an assignment and if he does like publishing a book than you better do your homework. There are so many things to consider, editing, cover design you may even need a ghost writer. I recommend CSN Books for all your needs, they can help the self-publisher with all of there needs and they have an understanding of Christian writing and proofing.

Please Be Careful

Publishing is difficult - period.
So many publishing companies out there, even Christian ones, make blatant promises to authors concerning the marketing and distribution of their books that they know they cannot honor.
What is an author to do?
First, investigate the claims and learn if they are feesible. If a company promises to "put you in 25,000 bookstores," and you are only printing 100 copies, then something is wrong.
Second, self-publishing, or subsidy publishing through a publisher, is great, depending upon the contract. If there is a rule of thumb for self publishers, it is, "The more you invest, the more profits you are likely to receive. The more the publisher invests, the less you will receive back for your efforts."
In other words, to receive the highest profit, seriously consider subsidy publishing, where you invest to make the book happen.

Thanks,

Dr. Mike Wourms

Please Be Careful

Publishing is difficult - period.
So many publishing companies out there, even Christian ones, make blatant promises to authors concerning the marketing and distribution of their books that they know they cannot honor.
What is an author to do?
First, investigate the claims and learn if they are feesible. If a company promises to "put you in 25,000 bookstores," and you are only printing 100 copies, then something is wrong.
Second, self-publishing, or subsidy publishing through a publisher, is great, depending upon the contract. If there is a rule of thumb for self publishers, it is, "The more you invest, the more profits you are likely to receive. The more the publisher invests, the less you will receive back for your efforts.

Thanks,

Dr. Mike Wourms

Beware of Print Ready

The biggest caution I can offer to authors before you publish is to be aware of companies that ask for print ready material. How can an author possibly know what print ready means and what the industry standards are for distributors? Shouldn't the publisher (the expert) be incharge of such important part of publishing a book? If a publisher ask you to provide orint ready material, run don't walk away from that company or all you will be printing is paper weights that distributors will laugh at.

Horror Stories

Sometimes small things can mean a lot. How many times have you seen books published without an ISBN number? Or, books printed without simple headers for the chapter titles? Or, books published with no price attached? All of these things are warning signs to the bookstores that your book was not professionally prepared. It is important that in the publishing industry, or in the Christian publishing industry, that you make sure that all the little things have been taken care of. Use a good cover design artist, a capable typesetter, and make sure you have your book professionally edited and proofed. No matter how capable you might be, there is always room for improvement.

Thanks,

Mike Wourms

How Do You Promote Your Books?

Over the last 26 years, I've written 83 books as an author, yet am still learning new wrinkles about the publishing industry. Question: What are the best methods you have found to promote your book?

Thanks,

Mike

Join the Revolution

I honestly believe there's a publishing revolution going on. Independent authors are now joining with "Partnership Publishers" to publish and market their books across the nation, and the world. What makes this combination unique, and evolutionary, is that the author enjoys the reputation of a national publisher (as opposed to self-publishing) but he/she still pockets the profits.

Have you tried "partnership publishing"? If so, could you give us your feedback?

Thanks,

Mike

Publisher or Printer?

When an author is getting ready to publish or print his/her book, and if they are going to pay for the publication, they tend to look for the lowest price. That's a mistake! A printer offers nothing in the way of extra marketing or promotional services - they just print. Many publishers who are called subsidy publishers or partnership publishers will work with someone who intends to self-publish, and they may charge a bit more than a printer. But, epending upon the company, they can offer more after the book is printed in terms of promotions. Don't make the mistake of thinking the least expensive is the best. In this case, you could end up with 500 or 1000 paper weights in your garage instead of books being sold.

Dr. Mike Wourms, President, CSN Books

Why Are Authors Giving Away Money?

I have been in the publishing industry now for over two decades, and am still amazed at how authors strive so hard to get into bookstores and become "published" through standard publishers, yet are literally giving away thousands of dollars in money by taking the least profitable publishing route. When will authors catch on? In a "partnership publisher" such as CSN Books, there is an up-front cost, but the potential profits are amazing. For example, 1000 books sold with a retail value of $10 through a bookstore may produce a royalty author with an income of between $250 and $500. In the same senario with a Partnership Publisher, the author could pocket $8,000 to $10,000!

I'm confused. When will authors get it?

Dr. Mike Wourms, President, CSN Books