| p>So you have finished your memoir or are | | | | audience--weather it be your family, community, |
| nearing its completion, congratulations! | | | | or the whole nation--will help you determine how |
| Now, your task is to prepare for the distribution | | | | much marketing is required for your book. |
| of your book. As you begin this process, there | | | | 6) Make a list of every individual you know who |
| are several questions to answer and also some | | | | should buy your book. (That's your pre-publication |
| important factors to consider. | | | | mailing list!) |
| 1) Do you want to reach a larger audience than | | | | 7) What community groups will celebrate your |
| family and friends? If so, a "real book" will be | | | | accomplishment (perhaps even want to plan a |
| necessary. For some books, a simple binding such | | | | publication party!) and be thrilled to make your |
| as a three-ring bender or other store-bought | | | | book known and available to their members? |
| binding will be adequate. For a more widely | | | | 8) Establish a preliminary timeline. Is there an |
| distributed book, a more professional binding will | | | | anniversary, family reunion, convention or holiday |
| be required. | | | | in the next three to five months that is your |
| 2) Inquire locally about printing, photocopy and | | | | obvious publication date? (Of course, you may |
| binding options. Request estimates also from large, | | | | need to readjust as you go.) |
| regional book printing firms. | | | | 9) Have your manuscript edited and proofread so |
| 3) Read several books on self-publishing to | | | | that it is truly as good as it can be. Many new |
| familiarize yourself with the work that goes into | | | | authors are so eager to finish their projects that |
| preparing and printing a book. Whether you act as | | | | they short-sightedly omit working with an |
| your own publishing contractor or hire a | | | | editor--a final chance to be sure that the text |
| professional, knowledge is power! | | | | conveys all the meaning you intend. A good editor |
| 4) Make a preliminary budget (both of time and | | | | will not alter your voice. Rather, he will ensure that |
| money) you can/want to invest in this project. | | | | you communicate clearly in that voice and will find |
| This will help you determine the scope of your | | | | discrepancies you can't see any more. |
| publication and your book's distribution. | | | | If you answer these questions in your favor and |
| 5) Who should read your memoir? Every story | | | | heed this advice, you will be well on your way to |
| has a natural audience just waiting to know it | | | | holding your finished book! |
| exists. Who is yours? Identifying your | | | | Good luck publishing! |