Book reviewer gives advice to self-publishers

Publishing is a learning process. With every win
and loss you get better at playing the game.

There’s a lot of similar information available for writers researching their self-publishing options. Jim Cox, Editor-in-Chief and founder of the Midwest Review of Books, has compiled a list of what turns him off when he’s asked to review a self-published book.

• Sub-standard covers 
• Interior flaws (typos, grammatical errors and *gulp* ugly, hard-to-read fonts) 
• Content categories that are flooded in the marketplace 

To overcome these potential pitfalls, Jim says it’s important for self-published authors to appear and act as maturely and professionally in every aspect of contact with reviewers, booksellers and everyone else in the publishing industry they encounter, solicit or market to. And, he says, the book has to speak for itself. It has to be flawless inside and out to compete in the marketplace.

The best piece of advice Jim gives authors is, “Don’t expect to make a profit, or even recoup your initial investment.” Your book represents a foot in the publishing industry’s door. “Expect to learn new (and hone existing) publishing and book marketing tips, tricks and techniques,” and prepare for the long haul. Publishing is a learning process. With every win and loss you get better at playing the game.

For more information about the Midwest Review of Books, click here. For more information about how Sudden Publishing can help you get your book in print, contact us.