Anyone who has ever tried to get a book published or who has had anything to do with the book publishing industry knows that this is one large lumbering industry that has changed little in the past hundred years. Now, however, technology, with new ideas such as electronic books and print-on-demand is giving the book industry a big shove into the modern world.
I, personally, have had several experiences with the world of book publishing. My first book, How to Have a Meaningful Relationship with Your Computer, was published by a small publisher. In the tradition of self-publication, my husband and I took on much of the financial responsibility for the publication and did most of the promotion ourselves. We expended a lot of energy in marketing efforts, made little money, and had moderate success in distributing the book. My second book, Your Official Grown-ups Guide to AOL and the Internet, was an AOL imprint published by IDG Books, one of the largest publishers of computer-related books. It was a traditional arrangement with an up-front fee and a very small royalty (traditionally 3-5% of the net amount of the sale) paid per book. This time all of the marketing was handled by AOL and IDG. The book was very successful, but AOL and IDG reaped most of the benefits.
My new book, Sandy Berger’s Cyber Savers: Tips and Tricks for Today’s Drowning Computer Users, is a most exciting project for me because with its introduction, I am moving into a whole new world of technology in book publishing. The book is being published as a POD (Print-on-Demand) offering. This is a relatively new technology that allows a complete book to be printed and bound in a matter of minutes. When you order a copy of Cyber Savers, it is printed exclusively for you and delivered to your doorstep. The book will also be available as an electronic book to download to your computer. Another option is to order the book in bookstores.
Upon investigation of these new methods of publishing and delivery, I became so enthused about the whole POD concept that I actually developed my own imprint, CK Books. This will help other authors to produce their books in the same way. With CK Books, writers avoid the disappointment of rejection slips. An author is assured of being published. The cost of publishing a book is $199, which includes registration in the Library of Congress, cover art, and the first bound copy of the book. The author receives royalties of 20% of the retail price of the book. What a joy! People can now write the book that they have always wanted to write. They can produce a novel, a book of their family history, a children’s book, an employee handbook, or a cookbook of cherished recipes. These books can be printed on demand, in any quantity, rapidly and economically. Imagine how nice it would be to have all of your grandmother’s recipes in a bound book. How wonderful it would be to have a family history book or to read the personal thoughts of your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. This new method of printing and publication will enable us to leave written legacies for our children.
I am thrilled about my new Cyber Savers book because it is filled with great computer tips and tricks that will make computing more fun for everyone. I am even more excited to announce that new technology is in place that will allow all of you to join me as published authors. So start your minds-a-churning and start your fingers-a-typing. The exciting new world of publishing will help you create a masterpiece of your own.
To order Sandy Berger’s Cyber Savers book, click here:
