The Self-Publishing Roadmap

Solid guide for publishing your book through Amazon's print-on-demand process using Word for Windows. If you are a Mac user or if your book is heavy on graphics this book will be less useful.

A well-crafted guide to self-publishing. I feel like the task of publishing in and of itself is quite daunting, and self-publishing even more so. Though I'd say Hoffman's guide goes above and beyond just giving advice on publication. Hoffman starts where most authors start: the writing. Hoffman advises on different writing and brainstorming methods. One of which I started implementing myself and find it a miracle worker to organize my chaotic brain. Then Hoffman goes on to explaining formatting, an extensive how-to on publishing paperbacks or ebooks, and finishes with marketing advice. I feel like this is a thorough how-to guide to help out people like me who have googled the hell on the subject and became overwhelmed by the numerous results. This is the best and most comprehensive one-stop guide for aspiring authors.

The Self-Publishing Roadmap is a streamlined practical how-to guide to self publishing aimed at writers and potentially other creatives written and curated by Lois Hoffman. Released in 2014, it's 173 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is a step-by-step guide to the nuts and bolts of self publishing, written by an author who has experienced the process herself and was determined to facilitate other writers. The writing style is accessible and encouraging and the information is arranged thematically into chapters logically: beginning the process (why write), overview over the publishing industry, writing, editing, and polishing a manuscript, the publishing process, and (importantly) marketing.

None of the sections are inaccessible or written in a confusing manner. The information is understandable and will provide enough for readers to get started with the process. Most of the books I've seen and reviewed on self-publishing and writing have been either way too vague (and seem to be gleaned from dodgy how-to websites), or too complex and not relevant for the unknown author without a lot of resources. This does manage to travel a middle path between extremes. I doubt that this book would be enough alone to complete the entire process of writing, editing, and self publishing, but it will give readers enough info to get well on their way. I liked that the author gave specific information (including screenshots) of different self-publishing interfaces including KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing). She's also included information about other formats as well as the benefits and drawbacks to different platforms.

Four and a half stars. This would be a good choice for writing workshops, library acquisition, possibly classroom use, NaNoWriMo, or home use.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

NetGalley review.

This is a great introduction book to self-publishing that I wish I had known about or read a couple of years ago. Chocked full of resources, Hoffman dials down the entire self-publishing process from editing to formatting, to navigating Amazon's KDP process, and more.

Even if you're proficient in KDP, or Microsoft Word (her preferred software), there are tidbits that you can take away, and skim over the areas that you might not need. If you prefer not to use an outside resource for formatting you book for KDP this is a must read!

It was a quick read, informative, and a great resource to keep in your back pocket as an author.

So many authors are getting their start by self publishing their books and I was curious when I saw this book. Lois Hoffman does a great job explaining the how tos of self publishing by using a step by step approach. There is also a lot of resources listed.

I was granted access to The Self-Publishing Roadmap by Lois Hoffman by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.

The Self-Publishing Roadmap is an excellent one-stop-shop for all your self-publishing advise needs. Whether you've read any resources on the topic before, or this is your first foray into this topic of research, this book is definitely worth your time. The advise in this book is clear, easy to understand, and makes the daunting task of going from rough draft to selling your published book feel like a manageable, not-so-scary task.

Well, you've written a book and want to share it? But, looking at all the options, do you even know where to start? Hoffman offers the reader a steady hand to wade through all the possibilities ahead with the latest edition and updates on self-publishing.

I recommend that you start at the beginning of this "just enough and not overwhelming" book of information. Then go through the process and in the end, you'll have your title, publishing rights, and all the other how-tos settled. And a book in hand.

Highly recommended.