Social media guru, Julie A. Gerber and award-winning author of forty-three best-selling, independently published books, Carole P. Roman, team up to travel the winding road of self-publishing, promoting, and marketing a book. Join these two self-help experts as they share their vast store of experience in an easy to read, comprehensive guide, complete with end of chapter checklists to keep an author on track. Learn the importance of a beta reader and the value of a good editor. Know what's needed when preparing a list for choosing an illustrator. Compare the many ways to promote your book. Find out what each step can cost and where you can save. This guide takes new independent authors from the first draft, through publication and the complicated world of marketing. Included is a directory of resources to help get there faster. Navigating Indieworld will end up being the ultimate travel guide for writers on their journey to published author. Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NavigatingIndieworld "Navigating Indieworld is a gem of a guide for beginner authors. It's not very long but it's chock-a-block with very useful information. Add it to your bucket list now!" - Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite ( Five Stars Review) "I have not seen a more thorough, specific, actionable guide for self-published authors than Navigating Indieworld. I have been recommending it to my indie clients." - Margaret Brown, publisher, Shelf Unbound, National Book Critics Circle Lifetime Member "I found Navigating Indieworld to be honest and forthcoming about the prospects of publishing for new and independent authors. This book does not offer false hopes and irrelevant advice just to sell copies- on the contrary, it is filled with down to earth, relevant as well as useful guidance for any aspiring author. Unlike other traditional publishing "how to" books in the publishing genre, Roman and Gerber's book takes into account today's publishing industry, enabling the writer to make the best use of social media as well as the internet in general." - Lemon Bee Blog "Gerber and Roman enthusiastically welcome writers to the world of DIY publishing with this slender book, which contains many useful pointers for authors trying to learn to effectively create and attract attention to their publications." - Booklife "Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of forty books. Julie A. Gerber is the founder of Away We Go Media, a social media management and consulting firm for authors. In "Navigating Indieworld: A Beginner's Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing Your Books" Roman and Gerber effectively collaborative to provide a complete course of step-by-step instructions for self-publishing authors on how to be financially successful and create/reach as large a customer base for their books as possible. Of special note is the inclusion of a Directory that features a listing of resources for Blogs & Websites; Book Tours; Book Trailers; Communities & Social Media; Covers; Formatting Services & Tutorials; Illustrators & Agencies; Marketing Services; Photo Editing; Publications; Radio; Reference Books; Voice Artists. It should be noted that the Midwest Book Review is twice cited resource. The information is as sound as it is practical, the tone is thoroughly 'user friendly', the organization and presentation are excellent. Simply stated, "Navigating Indieworld" should be considered a 'must read' for anyone considering or already engaged in self-publishing." - Midwest Book Review FIVE Stars from FOREWORD Reviews "Ample and thoughtful advice will help those considering self-publishing to take the plunge without drowning, The beginning self-publisher will find useful tips and positive encouragement in Navigating Indieworld by Julie Gerber and Carole Roman. There are two integral parts to self-publishing, each of significant importance. One is writing and publishing a quality book, and the other is marketing it to the right audience. Gerber, a social media expert, and Roman, a best-selling indie author, are an ideal tag team to discuss both sides of the self-publishing coin in chapters written individually and collectively. Most aspects of writing, producing, and marketing self-published books are covered in these thirty-three breezy, informally written chapters, complete with "To Do" lists at the end of each. The flow of the book is logical; it moves from idea generation and writing, through the prepublication quality control process and production. Then, importantly, the many aspects of marketing are discussed, including obtaining reviews, setting up online author pages, creating a website, writing press releases, and using social media. Perhaps one of the most telling pieces of advice the authors share is that self-publishing doesn't have to mean going it alone. They recommend engaging other professionals, including "beta readers," editors, and book cover designers to assist in the effort. But even for thos