Comments on: The Simple Dollar Book: Where Do I Go Now? http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/ Financial talk for the rest of us Sat, 16 Feb 2013 01:14:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Bridawg http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-176080 Bridawg Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:40:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-176080 Listening to people like JC Hutchins and Scott Sigler I have another idea.

You could read and podcast the book. That way it gets out but you retain the print rights. They’ve podcast their novels, generated interest from publishers but retained the written copyright so as to keep their work valuable to agents and publishers.

It’s also really interesting to hear the author read his own work.

Brian

]]> By: Michael http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-167132 Michael Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:44:18 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-167132 I should add that though I think you should publish a paper book and sell it in stores, I would not buy it as I buy used. I just think an e-book is a bad idea.

]]> By: Tordr http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-167112 Tordr Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:23:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-167112 Whichever way you publish you book, try to keep the copyrights to it. Then when the sales have died down and the books are gathering dust, dump the whole thing as a pdf on your site.

]]> By: erbe http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166547 erbe Tue, 29 Jan 2008 02:19:53 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166547 Try the traditional route first. This would be a learning experience for you if nothing else. If that doesn’t work, then look at other options. I personally look forward to seeing your name on the shelves of my local bookstore.

]]> By: tuck http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166434 tuck Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:15:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166434 trent — if you want to reach the widest audience, go with a publisher/traditional route. This is the best way for you to get into libraries, where a lot of cost-conscious people are going to start looking.

I also think the traditonal publisher will do most of the heavy lifting for you, after all, this is their business, so you have a ready made distribution system. No matter how popular your website is, the book industry can reach out to places you never will, simply due to the scope of their business (no knock on the site). Plus, letting them handle the details frees you up to spend time with the family, work on the next book, whatever you want! Good luck whichever path you choose…

]]> By: Rachel http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166399 Rachel Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:22:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166399 Congrats on finishing your first book! I vote that you publish it the old fashioned way.

This is my first comment to you. I am a new subscriber and you have really inspired me to improve my personal finance.

I’m looking forward to seeing you at a book signing soon!

]]> By: Ari http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166382 Ari Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:52:00 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166382 Trent, congratulations, this is quite an accomplishment. If I were to write a book, I will most likely self-published. Look at http://www.johntreed.com on how to self publish a non-fiction book.

]]> By: Fran http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166316 Fran Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:42:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166316 Trent,

Right now I’d think that the market would be hot for your take on financial sanity–I’d first try to get an agent. If that didn’t work, then try the ebook or self-publish option.
If you try self publishing, be aware that distribution is a challenge. Many distributors won’t talk to you if you do a small press run. I tried it with a novel and really learned a lot about the industry.
I look forward to your booksigning.

]]> By: Susan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166269 Susan Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:41:16 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166269 Since I start every morning with The Simple Dollar, the thought of haveing a book written by you is something to look forward to. I will be one of the first in line to buy it. Traditional or self-publishing would be good.. I don’t do well with e-books. I hope it’s a hold-in-your-hands book but whatever you decide….I will read it.

]]> By: Madame X http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166254 Madame X Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:13:19 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166254 Trent, I think you’re a great writer and wish you the best whatever path you choose. I work in publishing, so here are my thoughts on option #1: as others have pointed out, a major publishing house won’t always put a lot of marketing behind your book. They will give you credibility, however, that self-publishing can’t. A publishing house will put more behind you if you have a great proposal/sample chapters, if you’re mediagenic and well-connected, and if you have a platform of your own that will help promote the book. Have you done public speaking, or been asked to comment on personal finance in the media already? Do you know any authors who would blurb your book? You might want to build up your profile in these ways before you try to publish a book (though of course it is a vicious circle and having a book might help you do those things!) This blog has a loyal and large readership, but that alone is almost never enough to make your book a BIG book. I think you’ve got great things to say so I’d hate to see you publish a book that was below the radar and didn’t sell. You might make a few thousand dollars from something like that, which is fine, but if you really have the ambition to do bigger things, you should think about all those other factors and give it your best shot! I think the book world is ready for a new face beyond Kiyosaki/Orman/Cramer and why shouldn’t it be you!

]]> By: Natasha http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166191 Natasha Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:34:01 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166191 I would go the traditional (first option) route. I think doing the kind of self-promotion that would be necessary to get your book to a different and wider audience would mean basically dropping your day job and doing that full time, with little to no immediate results, and posting it on your blog is something you could do in conjunction with publication (I’m thinking of the way Lifehacker blogged big chunks of the basic idea of their book, chapter by chapter). I think traditional publication would get your book in bookstores everywhere where you might not have time to promote and in the long run would be the most lucrative option, both money-wise and culling-new-readers-wise.

Good luck!

]]> By: KMunoz http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166175 KMunoz Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:00:54 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166175 I think the traditional way would be the best way to reach a wider audience. Also, this is my own personal thing, but I don’t know if I’d purchase a self-published book. It just seems a little shady not having a professional publishing house behind it (though I’m sure many self-published books are fine). If you ever wanted to write a second book, it would be easier as well.

If you did go the traditional route, what you might consider is doing a little PR and marketing for yourself while you search for an agent/publisher. Build a little buzz for yourself, maybe on local radio/TV, and that might be helpful while searching for publishers.

]]> By: Michael http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166156 Michael Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:26:41 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166156 If you chose the third route, I would think less of your book. You need to get it on real shelves in stores.

]]> By: LC http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166155 LC Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:25:17 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166155 In response to DJ who says there may not be a market for this book: The rags to riches stories can be inspiring but a lot of people think they can’t make it that far because it takes a lot of work and/or luck, so they just give up. Trent’s book isn’t about becoming a millionaire (at least not quickly) but about becoming financially stable, getting on your feet, and most importantly changing your attitude to take a few steps in the right direction. I think it would have a big audience.

]]> By: JE http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166146 JE Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:07:46 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166146 I work for a publisher (not in the U.S.). You want to publish it the old fashioned way. Self-publishing and e-publishing gives you zero credibility, and is often substantially more difficult than it sounds up front. And if you ever want to publish a second book, you’ll still be considered a first-time author by major publishers. You don’t necessarily need an agent, but an agent will do some of the hard work for you. Additionally, there are publishers who don’t work directly with authors; they only work with agencts.

Best of luck.

]]> By: Amanda http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166134 Amanda Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:55:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166134 If you truly want to reach as many people as possible, I think that publishing it the traditional way will be the best bet. It may take longer, but you’ll get a wider distribution and be more likely for your book to end up in libraries nation wide. That right there will insure that many people who may not be able to or inclined to buy books will be able to read it. And not everyone who needs help in this situation will be online to buy the ebook. Just my two cents. Good luck with whatever you decide.

]]> By: Sam http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166133 Sam Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:54:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166133 Congratulations on getting this far with your book. I’m really looking forward to reading a book actually written by you instead of book reviews by you.

Whichever option you pick as a distribution model I’ll be supporting you and spreading the word to friends and family.

And I too have heard good things about Lulu.

]]> By: Steven http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166103 Steven Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:31:07 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166103 Hey! Congratulations on the book. I will definitely will purchase a copy. I hope you publish it the traditional way.

I don’t watch Oprah, but please let us know when we’ll being seeing you. I will tune in (ha ha).

Looks like 2008 is going to be the year of the simple dollar.

]]> By: Carrie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166090 Carrie Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:21:01 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166090 Hello,
I felt a need to jump in and point out that if you go the literary agent way it would put you in the channel of becoming an ‘expert’ on the subject, with the potential to appear as a speaker etc..

As I reader I much prefer easily accessable books as well, and would rather buy it from a bookstore.

]]> By: Carol http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166071 Carol Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:05:00 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/01/27/the-simple-dollar-book-where-do-i-go-now/#comment-166071 As a pretty avid reader, I would like to see the book in the good old fashioned “book” version. I like to hold the material in my hands.
Also, I am very excited that you are using autobiographical information in it!! I learn so much MORE when people’s experiences are included rather than just suggestions or instructions. I am very excited about your book and I would definitely purchase it!!
Good luck!

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