In self-publishing, you are boss. You get to choose cover, style, layout, message, even format (eBook or Print Book). Since you are one enthused about it, you will be able to capitalize and can promote far better than many publishers.

In self-publishing, who do you think can sell your book best? You, passionate author in love with his or her book, or rookie publisher's employee in charge of publicizing your book?

On Print Books--Print on Demand Two Ways

1. Hire Publisher/Printer yourself to just print your book from your word file. Companies like Deharts.com (ph: 408-982-9118) or Alexander.com will put it into Portable Document Format (PDF) to sell on your web site or another site you choose to sell your books. A complete explanation of these opportunities are included in "How to Write your eBook or Other Short Book--Fast!"

In Print Quantity Needed (similar to POD) you keep all of your book's rights. This method helps you make much more profit from your effort and you will get your book out to buyers so much faster, making faster profits. The turnaround is around 6-8 weeks, so it pays to plan ahead. A $15 book may cost $4 to print for a small of around 100 run using "print on demand" (POD) or "print quantity demand," (PQN). If you sell it at back of room or on your own web site you will make $11 each book. When you order 500 books, price drastically drops.

2. Hire Full-Service Print on Demand Publisher/Printers who each charge you an up front fee to set up. They too take your word files and put into Portable Document Format.

The Upside of this choice? Some will list you with Ingraham, one of largest book distributors in U.S., linked to most bookstores. For a fee from $400-$600, these companies will give you an ISBN number if you plan to sell your book on someone else's web site. They will list you in BooksinPrint.com, and some will format your book. These companies offer you their Web site to sell your book.

The downside? Check to see if you need these services. You don't need an ISBN # if you sell from your own web site. You probably won't sell your book in a brick and mortar book store.

Think about your book and where your best market is. Opinions from Dan Poynter, John Kremer, and myself say, "Bookstores are a lousy place to sell books." Walk ins are not looking for an unknown author's book.