| Everyone thinks it is so easy to write a book. | | | | your book in paperback, then go with a |
| With so many people writing books these days, it | | | | print-on-demand publisher. Many writers use |
| is amazing there are enough people still buying | | | | (owned by Amazon) so their books appear in |
| books. In today's world, if you have any amazing | | | | Amazon as well as other major book stores. |
| life experience, suddenly publishers want you to | | | | Other self-publishing outlets include: |
| write a book about it. If it sells, then your | | | | 1) Many self-publishers use as a sales outlet to |
| experience was interesting enough to stimulate | | | | generate a steady stream of sales for their book. |
| interest from a large audience; and if not, no one | | | | Clickbank has one of the largest audiences of |
| really cared. | | | | affiliates who are ready to sell your book for a |
| This is why poker books fly off the shelves. Many | | | | commission. You will need to create your own |
| people have life experiences playing poker. Many | | | | website and sales page (also known as a "landing |
| people want to read about these poker-playing | | | | page") for your book and then sign up with |
| scenarios, including the players involved. There will | | | | Clickbank to use their ordering system. |
| come a time when the reading public will demand | | | | 2) can make your book in digital format and |
| more from its poker writers than in past years. | | | | paperback format. Once you submit your book |
| After all, there is only so many ways you can | | | | for publication, anyone can order your title, as a |
| cover the same game repeatedly when you are | | | | print-on-demand or as an ebook. Many popular |
| analyzing your own poker hands and games. This | | | | online book stores (especially ebook stores) order |
| is where you come in. | | | | from LightningSource. |
| As a writer, you can keep things in perspective. | | | | 3) 4) If you decide not to self-publish yourself, try |
| There will come a time when the poker players | | | | a reputable e-book publisher to handle everything |
| who write will run out of things to say if they are | | | | for you, including marketing. Many e-book |
| only covering their own play and games. Writers | | | | publishers will consider poker-related material. If |
| who are writers first and players second will have | | | | the e-book publisher decides to publish your |
| the opportunity to shine. | | | | ebook, they may also offer to place the book in |
| If you have a lot of talent writing about poker | | | | trade paperback. The publisher will offer more |
| and gaming, you can launch your own online | | | | royalties and sometimes a higher advance. |
| e-book store. If you choose to build a website | | | | BOOK WRITING SUCCESS |
| and place your e-books on the website for sale, | | | | If you choose to write your own books and |
| you will be branching into a new area of business | | | | e-books, then follow these tips: |
| you may not want to explore yet. While it can be | | | | TIP # 1: Know your market and know where you |
| profitable to run your own online e-book store, | | | | can gain the most readership. |
| you may prefer to write e-books for clients. | | | | TIP # 2: Remember, non-fiction sells in poker. |
| Clients often hire ghostwriters to pen e-books to | | | | Don't try to re-invent the wheel because it won't |
| sell at their websites. Poker players and poker | | | | work. |
| hobbyists who want to read about everything | | | | TIP # 3: Have your manuscript ready before you |
| about poker will purchase these books online for a | | | | approach a publisher for electronic submissions or |
| fee. The marketplace, which sells gambling and | | | | for trade submissions. |
| gaming e-books penned by ghostwriters, is a | | | | TIP # 4: As you are writing your manuscript, |
| good example of this. | | | | begin searching for markets where you will want |
| SELF-PUBLISHING FOR SUCCESS | | | | to submit your work. |
| Many writers who are not brand names in the | | | | TIP # 5: Buy a Writer's Market book so you can |
| poker industry choose to self-publish their books | | | | read over the markets and decide the best |
| and can still easily get their books sold at major | | | | market for your manuscript. |
| bookstores, online and offline, like and Barnes and | | | | TIP # 6: Avoid work-for-hire contracts from |
| Noble. Many writers choose to self-publish their | | | | publishers. Sure, what publisher wouldn't prefer to |
| books in digital format only because the process | | | | pay an up-front fee to a writer in lieu of |
| is quicker and less of a hassle. | | | | royalties? Go for the royalties and take a chance |
| Self-publishing has many advantages: | | | | on your own talents. |
| 1. You don't need a literary agent. | | | | TIP # 7: Know your poker. |
| 2. There is no submission or rejection process. | | | | If you want to attract your poker-reading |
| 3. You own the rights to your material. | | | | audience, writing books about strategies and |
| 4. Whatever money you make, you keep. | | | | systems can sell if it is based on a mathematical |
| 5. Royalties are much higher if you choose a | | | | advantage or a tried and tested theory. If you |
| print-on-demand publisher. | | | | aren't able to do this, no one is going to read |
| 6. The publishing and distribution process is a lot | | | | about going on your "gut" feelings or how poker |
| faster. For instance, if you use LuLu.com, you can | | | | players win more when the stars line up in their |
| make your book available in less than a day. | | | | favor. Fact-based theories and strategies will sell, |
| The disadvantage: you are responsible for | | | | and nothing else will in this corner of the market. |
| marketing your book and generating sales. This | | | | An excellent way to generate book ideas is to |
| may be a disadvantage or an advantage for you. | | | | attend poker events and tournaments and get |
| For me, I enjoy self-publishing because it gives | | | | close to the action. Go to these events armed |
| me control and creative freedom over every | | | | and ready to learn all you can. At the end of the |
| aspect of my book, including generating sales. I | | | | day you will have dozens of book ideas buzzing in |
| find self-publishing exciting. | | | | your head. Spend some time in casino poker |
| If you are going to self-publish, decide if you will | | | | rooms to find other topics. Talk and network with |
| publish your book in digital format or in paperback | | | | poker players and try to find out if they desire to |
| (plus digital format). I recommend you first publish | | | | write a book with the assistance of a ghostwriter |
| your book in digital format to test your book in | | | | or with you as a co-author. As a ghostwriter or |
| the marketplace. Most writers use LuLu.com, a | | | | co-author, an excellent way to gain business is to |
| digital publisher, because of the low cost, quick | | | | hand out your business cards at writing |
| turnaround, and your book will appear in its | | | | conventions, casinos, poker events and poker |
| marketplace. When you feel it is time to publish | | | | tournaments. |