I am one of those people who are constantly setting goals for themselves. I am really nothing without a goal in front of me; I am a worker bee and I am happiest when I am working hard for something specific. When I was in college it was all about earning my undergraduate - and then my graduate - degree. Following my education, I was all about reaching objectives in my career. I worked steadily up the ladder to reach the positions that I knew would bring me a feeling of professional, as well as personal, accomplishment.

Because I work in psychology, one of my goals has always been to write a book about some of the studies that I have done with my patients. This is not something that I ventured to do early in my career; rather something that I always had in the back of my head and on which I kept an eye.

Now that I’m in the latter part of my career I felt that it was time to finally put to paper that which I have been working on throughout my professional life. That part – while it required many hours – was actually easy and quite enjoyable for me. When I was finished and had proofed and edited my work, I sent it to a professional editor who made their own changes. At that point I began to send it to industry specific book publishers that I thought may be interested in reading it. Before long I realized that going the route of traditional book publishing may not be the way to go. And that’s when self publishing found its way to my radar.

Self publishing was a way for me to reach my professional goals without having to sacrifice control to traditional book publishers. And even if those book publishers didn’t think my work was worthy of printing, I was still able to make the ultimate decision through self publishing.

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In the last post we talked about the many conveniences offered by the Internet and how it has opened up new worlds in a variety of industries, including book publishing. While the traditional book publishers to which we would normally appeal after writing a book would typically be the last and final say in terms of whether or not a book would be published, today, there are other choices afforded to writers who wish to carry on with or without a traditional book publishing house at their side. This option, of course, is that of self publishing – a process that is now easily accessed online and through which writers can determine the road to be traveled in terms of printing their work.

Through a self publishing service writers can essentially act as their own book publisher. They determine how many quantities they would like to print initially and can certainly choose to print more runs of the book at a later date if they so choose. Further, other details that are addressed through self publishing include the choice of cover art, the binding that is to be used on the finished book, the paper stock to be used, and the choice of ink and font used throughout the book.

Of course, self publishing is a process for which the writer pays out of their own pocket. But this in no way deters the finished product from making money if the writer is dedicated about marketing their own work and getting it into places where it will made available to the general public for sale. Many a popular and ultimately successful work started out in self publishing; it is only another option that can be explored by writers in addition to traditional book publishing. In fact, self publishing is something for which all writers can be grateful as it has offered yet another portal for writers to put their work in the hands of readers.

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Sometimes the processes on which we have come to rely just don’t cut it in the modern world. As computerized as we are, we are a society that turns more and more to the conveniences offered by our home computers and the Internet and those things that were once modern marvels in terms of convenience now appear antiquated in comparison. This is a world that moves swiftly and we are called upon to pay attention in order to keep pace. But in terms of options, the Internet has given us more choices than we could have ever thought possible and opened up a multitude of doors when it comes to pursuing our dreams.

Writers may think that the world of book publishing is one-dimensional, consisting of an all-knowing book publisher who sits in their chair and decides in one fell swoop which piece of work is worthy of being published and which is not. They are the occupants of the shiny glass buildings on notable city streets and they are the gatekeepers to publishing fame and fortune; their decision is obsolete, their judgment not be questioned.

This of course is a very sweeping and wholly inaccurate vision of the world of modern book publishing. Book publishers reside in towns and cities around the world and they typically specialize in genres of writing for which they choose the books that they feel will best suit their readers and will be a marketable piece of work that is able to make money for all involved. Nothing more, nothing less. But where does this leave the writer who does not fall under any particular umbrella and is not chosen by a book publisher? In the modern world of choice, where this leaves the writer is with the choice of putting the book aside for another time when it may better received by a publishing house, or going the route of self publishing whereby they themselves control the printing process; something we will discuss in the next post.

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Embarking on any new path in life – be it professional or personal – is no small undertaking, especially later on in life when we have gotten used to the groove of our regular routine – no matter how unsatisfying it may be to us personally. The expression “it’s never too late” applies to just these situations; and it couldn’t be truer as there is never a wrong time to change direction and start to explore something that makes you happy rather than just pays the bills.

Writers often find themselves in this position, having pursued something that was more stable and seemingly financially lucrative in their professional life. But if you are writer then you always have the bug to write. Of course, putting pen to paper or fingers to computer keys is only half the battle in terms of making a career of writing. There is also the process of book publishing; the very process that often deters new writers from taking the leap into this new way of life for fear of being stopped in their path before they even begin.

Book publishing, however, is not just one thing anymore; not represented only by those large book publishers that occupy those big city buildings. There are, in fact, other options for book publishing that can allow writers to see their work in print at their own demand. Self publishing allows for just this scenario – giving new as well as established writers the opportunity to finish the process of their work.

Through self publishing services – many of which can now be found online, making the process more convenient than ever – writers can upload their work and make the choices that will allow them to print the quantity of books they choose and in the aesthetic manner in which they choose.

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The New Year is upon us and in keeping with the grand tradition of making ourselves promises we may or may not keep, most of us will embark upon the selection of New Year’s Resolutions designed to put us back on track (albeit in the short term) of pursuing goals that we have allowed to slip through our fingers up until now. We will all make a lot of commitments to losing weight, exercising more, redecorating our homes, and pursuing a myriad of objectives personal and professional in nature. It is what we do during this time of year, plain and simple.

For frustrated writers everywhere – those who have to write like they have to breathe, those who write for living, those who write but have yet to see their name in print – the New Year marks a time in which we can begin to once again pursue those goals that may have, up until now, alluded us. For most writers, the goals have to do with book publishing in some way or another; recommitting to seeing that book they have written - or are writing – through to the end and getting it to book publishers that may or may not see the possibilities of success in printing such a piece.

Not all books are accepted by book publishers, however, and so it is more than likely that these same writers will see their dreams dashed of working with a publishing house – at least on this particular book. And they may think that all is lost and that they should just give up the cause. But there are other options to getting that book in print and seeing your dreams come to fruition.

Self publishing offers a viable way to get that book in print and allow it to see the light of day. Traditional book publishers do not offer the only solution; self publishing allows writers to make their own rules.

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In the last post we talked about how so much of what we do is for the benefit – financial and otherwise – of people other than ourselves. We work hard to accomplish goals that will ultimately earn someone else money, earn others recognition, and achieve the objectives of companies that are not our own. Some things we simply have to do in the name of earning a living. But when it comes to working hard to achieve something that is a culmination of our own personal dreams, it becomes difficult indeed to turn the reigns over to someone else.

Writing a book is a good example of this, as writers who pour their hearts and soul into crafting a story, creating characters, and essentially living and breathing this alternate world, are often called upon to give up control when they turn the finished piece over to book publishers.

Traditional book publishing companies will then turn a finished manuscript into something that is marketable – whether or not these changes are in keeping with what the author originally had in mind for the story or the characters. And money earned on the book – while the author will receive a percentage of profits – will largely go to the book publishing house.

But self publishing allows for an alternative for writers who want to see their book through to the end of the road. Through self publishing options writers can learn how to publish a book for themselves – choosing the final version of the story that will ultimately see the light of day in book form and printing the book according to their specifications. With self publishing websites, writers can weigh in on everything from cover art to quantities of books printed; and in the end they will have the pride of knowing that they never sacrificed anything in their quest for publication.

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So much of what we do as a culture is on behalf of someone else’s best interests. For most of us, our day to day career has us working as hard as we can in order to grow someone else’s business and earn someone else money. There is not enough time in the day it seems to pursue those things that simply make us happy; and if we are able to carve enough time out of our busy schedules it is likely that we will ultimately face the decision we so often face – to do it our way or do it in such a way that is befitting someone else’s particular needs.

Writing a book is very demonstrative of exactly this scenario. Writers – true writers – write for the love of the craft; because they have to write. Of course, finding time in our day to write on those subjects that most appeal to us is difficult at best but when we find the time it is pure heaven; especially if we are able to create something that we really like in the end. While not everything is written with book publishing in mind, there may come a time nevertheless when the writer explores whether their work might hold up through the process of making the rounds of book publishers.

This is the time when the writer will also undoubtedly face the decision about whether they want to publish a book for themselves or the public – to which they have a financial obligation to market the work. Book publishers are in it to make money; and for a book to be marketable it may have to become something other than what you initially intended.

Self publishing, however, offers another option – a way for a writer to learn how to publish a book just for themselves; something we will explore in the next post.

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One of the most difficult challenges during the holiday season is finding the perfect gift for someone who already has everything they truly need. If you think hard enough about the person’s interests you may be able to find the perfect gift, although it may not be easily found in the nearest shopping mall.

One of my closest and dearest family members, who is very successful in the financial world, has always wanted to step out of her New York City high rise office building to explore her cooking passion, not only for a learning experience, but as a way to explore the possibility of a career change.

Fortunately, more and more schools and local businesses are offering educational experiences geared for non-traditional students or non-professionals looking to learn more about one of their lifelong hobbies or passions. The classes offered throughout these institutions provide a learning vacation, an opportunity to enjoy uninterrupted time participating in a lifelong hobby, and a chance to spend time with others who enjoy the same types of hobbies. Various learning vacations include quilting retreats, fitness and weight loss retreats offered at various spas, painting retreats, wood working retreats, and culinary vacations.

For example the Culinary Institute of America offers a culinary boot camp for food enthusiasts. Individuals who enjoy cooking can spend the day learning to cook with professional master chefs. The institute provides cookware, bake ware, cutlery, and culinary tools as well as large, professional kitchens to provide authentic cooking experiences.

The institute publishes a manual for their for their many cooking getaways for their continuing education department in Hyde Park, New York. The manual is given to each student that attends the course and outlines the specific course information. When my family member attended the institute, after receiving a gift certificate to attend their culinary boot camp, she was given a manual that provided information on food politics, information on preserving fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as detailed information on specialty items such as cheese, meat, poultry, and fish.

Education institutions such as the Institute utilize book publishers, or decide to learn how to publish a book through self publishing. Book publishing is important for institutions needing to make educational texts and materials available to their students. Some institutions that provide continuing education classes publish and copyright their educational documents strictly for their students. After a long day of learning about the ins and outs of the culinary world, my family member not only walked away with a wonderful memory of her experience, but a manual documenting the entire day; a truly magnificent gift.

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How does one prepare personally and professionally to become a member of the elite field of book publishers? What is the background of the individuals that decide on which author to support, what format and direction to take with a specific book, how to clearly determine an appropriate design for a book, and how to prove successful in advertising, marketing, and selling the book to the proper target audience?

How do you teach the ability to have a gut instinct about an author, book topic, or someone who has a great story for a book? For a large publishing house, their employees consist of skilled editors, creative designers, lawyers, and advertising experts. Even small printing press companies may have at least one of these professionals on their team, but they may also contract out these services to other companies.

Publishing education is available through various universities as well as online resources. Internships through educational programs also may offer the opportunity to work within the publishing industry. This type of exposure is the key component in obtaining on the job training and hands on experience within a book publishing career.

Exploring, searching, and locating a job within a local, small publishing company can provide a positive first step into the publishing industry. By starting off in a smaller company, even in a positing that is considerate at the bottom of the proverbial corporate ladder, one can obtain the skills needed to succeed in book production and advertising.

Educating yourself through reading books focused on publishing careers can also lead you in the right direction for obtaining employment within the book publishing field. Online resources as well as career guidance books, as well as guides on self publishing may also offer important facts and key recommendations on locating and building a successful career in book publishing.

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Teacher’s have a challenging job preparing their students for the future and providing them with the basics needed to succeed in life. Regardless of the grade level, educational books are a useful tool for all educators in order to supplement and expand a positive learning environment. Educational book publishers offer printed materials, support materials, and textbooks geared toward helping teachers, students, and parents, as well as sometimes provide free online materials.

Book publishers that focus on printing educational materials have the responsibility of assuring developmentally appropriate resources and information geared to each specific grade level. Some book publishers focus on teaching skills such as math, language arts, reading programs, science, social studies, health, and music. Educational materials also include formal assessment resources and various resources for teachers looking to expand their professional development.

Book publishers may choose to focus on one certain type of educational material instead of an entire Kindergarten through twelve curriculum. For example, storytelling guides, folktales, fairy tales, picture books, handwriting skills, educational workbooks, craft books, activity and fun books. The educational books, depending on the book publisher, will print in hardcover, paperback, or in board book format.

Book publishers may also choose to print and develop books dealing with children’s emotions, fears, anxieties, or dealing with childhood or family members’ illnesses. Having books in print available to teachers and parents allows for greater success in helping children understand, cope, and strategize problem solving techniques.

In addition, in this ever expanding world of technology, children are now involved at an earlier age in learning about computers and other electronic resources of information. Book publishers may also expand their topics by focusing on education resources geared toward teaching computers or specific learning series available through computer programs.
By providing high-quality materials, book publishers are providing a solid foundation for future successes for teachers, students, and parents.

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