The Fine Print of Self-Publishing

Mark Levine

Review by Alyce Wilson

Not too long ago, a prospective author had only two options for getting a book into print: going through a traditional publisher, or paying a so-called "vanity press" to produce a limited run. Of course, this prevented many authors from pursuing their dreams, because the overhead for self-publishing was so high. In addition, the author had to handle all storage, marketing and distribution.

Those days are long gone. Publishing options abound. Print on Demand (POD) and other independent publishers flourish. So how can one wade through all these choices to select one that suits specific needs?

Enter Mark Levine's book, "The Fine Print of Self-Publishing.". He rates self-publishing companies on their services, with criteria rooted firmly in his legal background. He evaluates the quality of the services rendered and the nature of the contracts offered to writers. Many of these publishers offer other services, such as marketing and distribution, and he Levine describes the different services and explains the nature of the self-publishing world. Levine also offers free author resources on his Web site. The third edition of the book is available there as a paperback of ebook.

This book provides an exhaustive look at the strengths and weaknesses of the publishers listed, with both recommendations and warnings. As such, The Fine Print of Self-Publishing is an invaluable tool to those considering self-publishing.

Rating: **** (Must Read)

Click Industries, 2006: ISBN 978-1-933538-56-3