If you've ever wanted to write your own book but didn't want to go through a publisher, you can now get published without the middleman. You can even sell your book without an agent with the help of these self-publishing websites.
www.fastpencil.com
There are a number of companies that provide self-publishing services to the public, but one company, fastpencil.com stands out for its easy-to-use platform. You can create a book from scratch or you can even turn your blog into a published book. All you do is click "import blog posts" and it uploads all your blog entries by just using your blog's URL. All of fastpencil's basic features are free, so if all you want to do is import and publish an ebook, you can do all of that for free. If you want to publish a hard copy version, that's when the fees kick in. Overall it's a great site for people interested in publishing a book without going through an agent or publishing company.
www.lulu.com
Lulu.com is so much more than just publishing written books. Here you can publish photo books, minibooks, ebooks and even create DVDs and calendars. On Lulu.com all you have to do is upload your copy, choose your binding type, pick a color, and publish your book. Lulu.com is meant to be more than just a place to create and publish your book, it's also meant as a place to sell and promote your book. You can use their market place to sell your book and you can shop in the online store for other people's publications. You can even create your own store front. It's like having your own book shop or story gallery. There's a feature to buy your own ISBN so that way you can sell your book in national bookstores as well.
www.goodreads.com
Goodreads.com is one of my personal favorites. It's basically a social networking site for book lovers. On goodreads.com, you can find friends with similar literary interests as you and also find friends you already know who might also be on goodreads.com. You can arrange a book swap, share a review, or build topics or book clubs with other goodreaders. The entire thing is free and its a great way to get to know like-minded people.
www.fastpencil.com
There are a number of companies that provide self-publishing services to the public, but one company, fastpencil.com stands out for its easy-to-use platform. You can create a book from scratch or you can even turn your blog into a published book. All you do is click "import blog posts" and it uploads all your blog entries by just using your blog's URL. All of fastpencil's basic features are free, so if all you want to do is import and publish an ebook, you can do all of that for free. If you want to publish a hard copy version, that's when the fees kick in. Overall it's a great site for people interested in publishing a book without going through an agent or publishing company.
www.lulu.com
Lulu.com is so much more than just publishing written books. Here you can publish photo books, minibooks, ebooks and even create DVDs and calendars. On Lulu.com all you have to do is upload your copy, choose your binding type, pick a color, and publish your book. Lulu.com is meant to be more than just a place to create and publish your book, it's also meant as a place to sell and promote your book. You can use their market place to sell your book and you can shop in the online store for other people's publications. You can even create your own store front. It's like having your own book shop or story gallery. There's a feature to buy your own ISBN so that way you can sell your book in national bookstores as well.
www.goodreads.com
Goodreads.com is one of my personal favorites. It's basically a social networking site for book lovers. On goodreads.com, you can find friends with similar literary interests as you and also find friends you already know who might also be on goodreads.com. You can arrange a book swap, share a review, or build topics or book clubs with other goodreaders. The entire thing is free and its a great way to get to know like-minded people.
