Overview

This is the first book of its kind. Written for authors and self-publishers, this pocket guide takes the worry out of hiring editors, book designers, and book-production freelancers who are true industry professionals--not wannabes. Author Mary E. Neighbour draws upon thirty years of experience to invitingly and convincingly introduce authors to the intricate world of pub­lishing. Chapters deftly cover: -Distinctions between wannabes and wizards -Terminology used by professionals -Publishing industry standards -Signs of a true professional -Sample questions to ask job candidates -Notes pages, so this guide also serves as a workbook Don't hire anyone until you read Wizard or Wannabe!

Full Product Details

9780996254144

Table of Contents

Reviews

"Authors who self-publish should hire freelance editors, designers, and consultants to spruce up their books, according to this primer. Neighbour, a book editor and ghost writer, warns readers that every manuscript requires much specialized effort to turn it into a readable, marketable work, and offers expert advice on finding reliable professionals who can do it. . . . Neighbour packs her slender, no-nonsense manual with lots of useful lore . . . and provides a trove of practical tips for vetting prospective freelancers. . . . Authors who are serious about making a mark with their books will find a wealth of information and insights here. A helpful, reassuring guide to putting together a publishing team. -Kirkus Reviews With a successful career over some 30 years in editing and design, and of helping authors become independent self-publishers, in Self-Publishing Wizard or Wannabe [Neighbour] draws upon her considerable and impressive expertise and experience to create an impressively informative, expertly organized, and thoroughly ""user friendly"" instructional reference, guide, and manual that effectively lives up to the promise of its subtitle, How to Hire the Best Editor, Designer, or Book Guide. Ideal for those who are new and unfamiliar with the publishing industry, Self-Publishing Wizard or Wannabe will instruct the aspiring self-published author with respect to choosing an appropriate editor, cover designer, interior designer, and book shepherd. Of special note is the explanation of publishing industry terminology, standards, and interview questions. Critique: This cannot be over-emphasized: Self-Publishing Wizard or Wannabe should be considered mandatory reading for any author considering self-publication--it will save time, money, and [help readers] avoid the frustrations of trial and error in the process of turning a manuscript into a book. Thoroughly ""user friendly"" in tone, commentary, and format, [this book] is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library writing/publishing instructional reference collections. -James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief, The Midwest Book Review This book should be required reading for authors entering the world of self-publishing. Neighbour succinctly lays out the landscape of what new authors will face to help them make good choices in publishing their books in a professional way. -Robin Cutler, Director of IngramSpark Self-Publishing Wizard or Wannabe will help you hire qualified editors, designers, producers, and book coaches. You'll learn enough about each process to have an intelligent conversation and make good decisions with your time and money. I especially liked the ""ask"" and ""listen for"" scripts at the end of each segment. Spend your money on the book and hire with confidence! -Carla King, author of Self-Publishing Boot Camp If you are planning to publish, read Self-Publishing Wizard or Wannabe and learn how to avoid expensive, time-wasting relationships with freelance editors and designers. Mary Neighbour provides concrete tips and interview questions that ensure those you hire will be true publishing professionals. -Brian Jud, Executive Director of the Association of Publishers for Special Sales (APSS) Mary Neighbour's smart, sophisticated how-to guide shows you the booby traps to avoid, and the specific questions to ask people before hiring them. . . . This valuable guide will help you avoid problems and keep you from going broke. -Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound"

Authors who self-publish should hire freelance editors, designers, and consultants to spruce up their books, according to this primer. Neighbour, a book editor and ghost writer, warns readers that every manuscript requires much specialized effort to turn it into a readable, marketable work, and offers expert advice on finding reliable professionals who can do it. . . . Neighbour packs her slender, no-nonsense manual with lots of useful lore . . . and provides a trove of practical tips for vetting prospective freelancers. . . . Authors who are serious about making a mark with their books will find a wealth of information and insights here. A helpful, reassuring guide to putting together a publishing team. -Kirkus Reviews With a successful career over some 30 years in editing and design, and of helping authors become independent self-publishers, in Self-Publishing Wizard or Wannabe [Neighbour] draws upon her considerable and impressive expertise and experience to create an impressively informative, expertly organized, and thoroughly user friendly instructional reference, guide, and manual that effectively lives up to the promise of its subtitle, How to Hire the Best Editor, Designer, or Book Guide. Ideal for those who are new and unfamiliar with the publishing industry, Self-Publishing Wizard or Wannabe will instruct the aspiring self-published author with respect to choosing an appropriate editor, cover designer, interior designer, and book shepherd. Of special note is the explanation of publishing industry terminology, standards, and interview questions. Critique This cannot be over-emphasized: Self-Publishing Wizard or Wannabe should be considered mandatory reading for any author considering self-publication--it will save time, money, and [help readers] avoid the frustrations of trial and error in the process of turning a manuscript into a book. Thoroughly user friendly in tone, commentary, and format, [this book] is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library writing/publishing instructional reference collections. -James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief, The Midwest Book Review This book should be required reading for authors entering the world of self-publishing. Neighbour succinctly lays out the landscape of what new authors will face to help them make good choices in publishing their books in a professional way. -Robin Cutler, Director of IngramSpark Self-Publishing Wizard or Wannabe will help you hire qualified editors, designers, producers, and book coaches. You'll learn enough about each process to have an intelligent conversation and make good decisions with your time and money. I especially liked the ask and listen for scripts at the end of each segment. Spend your money on the book and hire with confidence! -Carla King, author of Self-Publishing Boot Camp If you are planning to publish, read Self-Publishing Wizard or Wannabe and learn how to avoid expensive, time-wasting relationships with freelance editors and designers. Mary Neighbour provides concrete tips and interview questions that ensure those you hire will be true publishing professionals. -Brian Jud, Executive Director of the Association of Publishers for Special Sales (APSS) Mary Neighbour's smart, sophisticated how-to guide shows you the booby traps to avoid, and the specific questions to ask people before hiring them. . . . This valuable guide will help you avoid problems and keep you from going broke. -Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound

Author Information

"Some have called Mary E. Neighbour a ""book shepherd,"" though she wields a red pencil far more expertly than a herding rod. Since the dawn of the self-publishing revolution, she and her husband have provided publishing assistance to scores of writers through their company, MediaNeighbours. Passionate about helping authors become indie publishers and making their work shine in the world, with a combined professional expertise of over fifty years in editing and design, this family team has helped authors' books win notable awards like the Ben Franklin, Foreword Reviews IndieFab, Eric Hoffer and Montaigne Medal, IPPY, National Indie Excellence, Nautilus, and more. Mary is also the author of a work of historical fiction, Speak Right On: Conjuring the Slave Narrative of Dred Scott (Toby Press 2006; Upriver, Downriver Books 2015). Like Dorothy in Oz, Mary believes there's no place like home, and she does most of her work remotely, occasionally traveling into town to network with authors and book-loving folks from all spheres. In 2019 she organized Indie Author Day - Santa Fe. She is co-founder and past president of the Association of Publishers for Special Sales-Santa Fe and a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi). Her other memberships include the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), New Mexico Book Association (NMBA), and New Mexico Book Co-op."

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