Book Review of How to Self-Publish by Lora Cantele

Book Review from Lora Cantele, RA, CMAIA, CSRT of How to Self-Publish: The Author-preneur’s Guide to Publishing.

I have attended many workshops given by author, naturopath and aromatherapist Jennifer Jefferies in which she had repeatedly said “get published.” She would take us step by step through the general process of putting together a book. Begin with writing your case studies. Your case studies collectively become a case series. Many case series’ become chapters that eventually become a book. Start with a small ebook and build up to a larger hard copy. Put in those terms, she made it sound actually doable.

I had been writing and saving recipes for an eventual book on cooking with essential oils for more than 10 years. One day Robert Tisserand told me to get off my butt and actually begin writing it or it may never get done. Sure, but now that I have a collection of recipes, where do I begin? Enter Kayla Fioravanti’s new book How to Self-Publish-The Author-preneur’s Guide to Publishing.

It is one of the few books I ever picked up and read cover to cover right away. Kayla is inspiring! Within the pages, Kayla share her own experience with writing and publishing her books. In addition, she provides advice throughout the process with inspiration to get through the parts where most people get stuck. The entire time I was reading the book I was envisioning myself actually going through the process of writing my cookbook with Kayla cheering me on and giving me her tutelage along the way.

Your road map begins right away in Chapter One guiding you through this new “small business” you are about to establish. She invites you to take stock of what you already have to share with your readers. She clearly discusses that various forms of publishing today as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each, including the “numbers.” Included are Kayla’s top 10 tips for writing a book including how to organize your time and navigating the pitfalls of the process. It is full of suggestions for promoting and marketing your book prior to its release, and in fact while you are writing it, all of which enhance your skills as a writer! Even if you never write a book, the information is valuable to anyone who blogs, tweets or writes a newsletter for their business, including the fundamental of working with Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Goodreads and other social media groups including Author Central on Amazon.com.

Extremely helpful is the “book skeleton” and how to format your book. Many details are discussed including font, headings, spacing, using quotes and copyrights. Chapter 12 is a step by step checklist of the process and how to schedule all the steps for On Demand Publishing. Once you’ve accomplished that, the next chapter takes you and your finished work to the next step of getting your book out there for sale on Kindle. It doesn’t stop there! You’re published. You now have a new business and product to promote. With Kayla’s advice you’ll be doing book tours, radio shows and public speaking about your book to encourage sales.
This book simplifies the process of realizing the dream of becoming a published author and providing a residual income. It knocks down the walls and navigates the obstacle course in an easy to follow fashion while helping you to build your brand! I highly recommend this book.

Lora Cantele, RA, CMAIA, CSRT and Editor/Publisher of The International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapists