Product: The Right Way to Write, Publish, and Sell Your Book: Your Guide to Successful Authorship

Author: Patricia Fry

Reviewer: Beth Ann Erickson

Date of Purchase: July, 2006

Date of Review: August 21, 2006

Price: 19.95

What ‘cha get: Literally thousands of tips, techniques, information bites, and resources to guide you successfully through the publishing process. (This from the book cover.)

I’ve got to admit, I opened this book with a bit of trepidation. After all, with books by Dan Poynter, Tom and Marilyn Ross, and the newest by Peter Bowerman thoroughly covering the subject of self publishing, I wondered what Patricia Frey could add to this process that seems to have been already thoroughly covered.

However, as I cracked open this 300+ page thoroughly entertaining reference book, I soon discovered that I’d pretty much wiled away an entire (and I mean ENTIRE) day paging through page after page totally devouring everything Fry had to say.

An unexpected pleasure, this title doesn’t read like a reference book. It’s actually rides the fine line between entertainment and solid information.

She begins with a sobering slice of reality, outlining the “raw truth” of book publishing.

Chapter one covers everything you need to do before you even begin writing.

Chapter two is where Fry strays from Poynter, Ross, and Bowerman. She targets the publishing biz and provides strategic information you can use right now to decide what publisher will work best for your project.

Chapter three covers an utterly frank discussion of POD… every aspect of it including the history, costs, and whether the POD model is the right choice for you.

Following chapters cover proposals, studying your reading audience, and how to (and this is VERY important) build marketability into your book. Cool and useful information if you ask me….

Book organization, how to approach agents, the writing process, and even self publishing; Fry covers it all.

The book promotion basics (for the bold AND bashful) is an especially useful chapter as is reaching beyond the bookstore.

Whether she’s discussing bookkeeping or listing copious resources, Fry keeps it light.

This is an awesome reference book you’ll turn to again and again if you ever plan, or have already written your book. As a quick aside, many of these techniques will work for nonfiction as well as fiction. I found this refreshing considering many books focus only on nonfiction.

All in all, a definite five stars.

Wish List:

I wish Patricia had added information about self publishing using a POD printer (not publisher). It’s a great option for those who don’t want to store a gazillion books in their garage.

Final Verdict:

A solid five star book. Highly recommended.

Here’s the link to learn more: