Pocket Guide to Publishing: 100 Things Authors Should Know
By John L. Koehler and Joe Coccaro
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About this ebook
Publisher John Koehler and executive editor Joe Coccaro share 100 golden nuggets of wisdom that help answer the many reoccurring questions that authors have.
How collaborative should the process be with a publisher? What is a decent royalty percentage? How is the price of your book determined? Do you need to have an atto
John L. Koehler
John Köehler is the publisher at Koehler Books. He is an award-winning graphics designer, and the author of seven books. He earned a BFA in Communications Arts and Design from Virginia Commonwealth University. John made an international splash in 1991 by winning the Boomerang World Championship in Perth, Australia. John works and lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
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Pocket Guide to Publishing - John L. Koehler
Praise for
Köehler & Coccaro’s
POCKET GUIDE TO PUBLISHING
"Pocket Guide represents a huge shortcut for emerging writers. Becoming an author requires full understanding of everything John and Joe have offered here, and rest assured, this is state-of-the-art wisdom."
—Bud Ramey, author of five non-fiction books, including The Familiar Physician and No Bullies
This pocket guide is essential for anyone who wants to write a book, and will help new writers fulfill their dreams with a good dose of reality. An excellent resource for aspiring writers!
—Angela Correll, author of Grounded and Guarded
"It’s hard to learn the details of publishing. I know because I’ve been studying it for years. Pocket Guide to Publishing is a concise, straightforward primer for every author. John Koehler and Joe Coccaro have worked with hundreds of authors and know their craft. I highly recommend this book."
—W. Terry Whalin, acquisitions editor and author of more than sixty books including Book Proposals That $ell
"Pocket Guide to Publishing is a must-have for anyone thinking about publishing a book."
—Heather Weidner, author of Secret Lives and Private Eyes
"What should every aspiring and experienced author know about publishing? Koehler & Coccaro’s Pocket Guide to Publishing lays it all out with love, care and respect for writers seeking publishing deals, the readers they strive to indulge, and the publishers and agents they aim to wow! A most timely and relevant set of professional insights that’s sure to endure as an industry classic.
—Nora Firestone, journalist and acquisitions editor
"John Koehler and Joe Coccaro know what they are talking about! More importantly, having gone through the publishing process with them on my first book, these guys do what they say they are going to do, which is hard to find in today’s business world. The Pocket Guide to Publishing explains in layman’s terms all that you need to know to be a successful author."
—Christopher Bowron, author of Devil in the Grass
"Publishing a book is not for the faint of heart, but if you know what to expect and what is expected of you as a writer, success can be yours. I wish Pocket Guide to Publishing had been available when I started out."
—Betsy Ashton, author of The Mad Max Mysteries, president of the Virginia Writers Club
Writing is easy, well—sort of. Publishing, well, that is another thing. If you want your writing to reflect your best and the end result—the book—to both look good and sell, you need help.
—Al Sikes, author of Culture Leads, Leaders Follow
An invaluable companion for authors on every stage of the publishing journey. The collective wisdom of Koehler and Coccaro brings a cutting edge take on the dos and don’ts that every author needs for success in today’s complex world of publishing options.
—Margaret Philbrick, author of A Minor
"Pocket Guide to Publishing: 100 Things Authors Should Know by Köehler and Coccaro delivers the basics of the publishing industry in clear, brisk, and fun-to-read prose. All but the most seasoned of pros will benefit from owning a copy. The information is up-to-date and accurate. This little primer will stand virtually alone at the top of its genre."
—Larry Rogers, MD, author of M. Gazi Yasargil: Father of Modern Neurosurgery
"As a recently-published author, I was guided through the publishing process by John and Joe using email and the telephone. As well as that worked, it would have worked better in conjunction with the Pocket Guide to Publishing. Having just read the pocket guide, I now understand better what I was doing and why. I will keep this book on my shelf for reference."
—Richard J. Smith, author of Life After 80, Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin, Madison.
"The Pocket Guide to Publishing is a comprehensive and concise guide, explaining the many questions an emerging author might ask. I highly recommend reading it before embarking on the journey to becoming a published author. "
—Bruce T. Jones, author of The Lost Reflection and Invierea
A real no-nonsense guide for authors that cuts to the chase about publishing. This guide is indispensable for the self-published or published author with its insights and lessons.
—William Hazelgrove, best-selling author of The Pitcher and twelve other books
Before you venture into publishing, be sure to read this book. It will save you a few sleepless nights wondering if there is something you are missing. It’s all here … from one of the best in the business.
—Ed Tracy, editor of Fearful Odds and other books, Roxbury Road Creative
Climbing a mountain without a guide book can be full of surprises and adventures. But a bit of advice and direction may keep you from falling off a cliff. Koehler and Coccaro now provide a splendid explanation and perspective for authors up front— stuff I learned from them bit by bit while writing four books. They’ve done it very well. I recommend it!
—Lloyd Philip Johnson, MD, author of Where’s Frank? and three other books
I would recommend this book to any writer—new or seasoned—who intends to see a book in print.
—Dean Robertson, author of Looking for Lydia; Looking for God
For those who are in the early trenches of buying into a career in publishing this guide will serve as an indispensable set of instructions sure to increase their chances of success. For those more seasoned authors who are a bit deeper in the trenches this will be a great refresher course now and in the years to come. Regardless of what kind of author you are, you’ll never want to leave home without this gem of a book.
—Leticia Gomez, CEO & Founder, Savvy Literary Services
Yes. Just say yes and select Koehler Books, especially if you are a new author. They helped me publish my first book, bringing experience, direction and leadership to a process I didn’t know anything about.
—John Wagner, author of Perfect: Sacred Stories From the Heart of a Dad
Here is the handiest little volume that one can take to a desert island, or on a blind date, and find useful treasures. Here is a team that tells us how they do it.
—Terry Lindvall, author of A Mirror for Fools, and C. S. Lewis Professor of Communication and Christian Thought at Virginia Wesleyan College
"Koehler & Coccaro’s Pocket Guide to Publishing is a must-have guide for anyone who plans to become a published author. Invaluable insights and recommendations are presented in a simple and easy to understand manner. This pocket guide is a treasure that will be by my side for each book I write."
—Melanie Bragg, author of Crosstown Park
A clever and candid look under the hood of today’s publishing vehicle, with useful and seldom-shared insider tips on everything from publishing options to contracts, the publishing process, editing, book distribution, author marketing and more.
—Shari Stauch, CEO and creator of Where Writers Win
Pocket Guide to Publishing:
100 Things Authors Should Know
by John Köehler & Joe Coccaro
© Copyright 2016 John Köehler & Joe Coccaro
ISBN 978-1-63393-323-1
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the author.
Cover designed by Kellie Emery
Published by
3705 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
800-435-4811
www.koehlerbooks.com
GUIDE TO PUBLISHING
100 Things
Authors Should Know
Köehler & Coccaro
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Publishing Evolution, Revolution
Publishing Options
Traditional Model
Hybrid Model
Self-Publishing
Our Primary Model: Emerging Authors Program
Author Relations
Contracts, Royalties, and