Release Your Writing:
Book Publishing Your Way

-NEW-
Articles on editing
Articles on the Internet

Review by By Patricia Fry

Helen Gallagher’s expertise is in the area of computers. Her first book, Computer Ease, was published in 2005. Gallagher has been teaching and solving computer problems through her company, Computer Clarity since 1996. She also writes on business, technology and travel.

In her introduction, Gallagher states that this book, Release Your Writing, is designed to walk readers through the whole process of publishing. The book is fairly well organized. She starts by describing the publishing industry and the changes that have taken place in recent years. She explains the world of traditional publishing and she also describes the processes of self-publishing and fee-based POD publishing. I especially like the diagram she designed showing clearly what you can expect from each of these three publishing options. She lists such features as: whether the ISBN is in the publisher’s name, life of book, marketing support and sales potential. In another chart, she rates ten POD firms on rates, author discount and royalties.

This book includes a section on the writing process and offers a lot of tips and techniques related to computer use for writers. Again, this author includes charts, diagrams and examples to help readers understand the concepts and make good choices. She also provides resources to back up her message and where readers can get additional information. The resources appear throughout the book and also in a separate section toward the back of the book. And she includes a couple of chapters on book marketing. I especially found her information on website strategies interesting and useful.

Gallagher’s book isn’t all that new and different, but the material, information and resources are solid and should be required reading for anyone who is contemplating entering into the publishing field.

Oh yes, and it has an index. Don’t you know that makes this reviewer happy?

–Patricia Fry is President of SPAWN and author of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell your Book and How to Write a Successful Book Proposal in 8 Days or Less. Her web site is http://www.matilijapress.com/.