Tue, 01 May 2012 12:04:44 -0800WeeblyTue, 28 Feb 2012 08:33:49 -0800http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net/2/post/2012/02/when-to-use-a-pen-name.htmlQuestion: I bought your book (The Step by Step Guide to Self Publishing), which I am using to help me self publish my first book. My question: I have found someone who has self-published with the exact same full name as me, he even uses an initial for his middle name. I had a look inside his book, which was extremely poorly written so much so that it is embarrassing - every sign that it was self-published without spending a cent - a book I would never want anyone to connect to me. I really wish to use my real full name (without middle initial would be OK but would still create the same problem) and not a pen name. Any suggestions? If I have no choice but to use a pen name could this create problem with the IRS when declaring income/royalties? Or copyright laws? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Answer: I'm not an attorney, so I can't really give you any advice with regards to copyright, but I have used various pen names over the years (4, to be exact) and I've never had any issues at all. What you've described would be a huge concern for me-- I would not want my name to be associated with sub-par work, and with common names, it's a real possibility that buyers would get the two authors confused. Your last name is pretty common, and that's always an issue.

My solution has always been to use either a nick name, or another family name (such as my mother's maiden name) as a basis for my pen names. I also have used modified spelling in order to make my pen names more unique. This is especially important because I like to have a dedicated website domain for each pen name, and none of the domains for the more common names (like Joe Smith, for example) are available. With my most recent pen name, I checked to make sure I could get the Blogger address (for my blog), a g-mail account, and also a dedicated domain before I moved forward with the pen name. I just kept playing around with the spelling until I got something that was available. It just makes good business sense.
With regards to the IRS, there's really no issue when you declare your royalties-- the pen name acts just like a business name, and the royalties will be attributed to your Social Security Number (or ITIN or EIN, whichever applies). As long as you declare the income, the government could care less. My suggestion is to find a good pen name

]]>Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:20:28 -0800http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net/2/post/2012/02/using-lsi-and-createspace-whats-the-drawback.htmlQuestion: I am a self-pub author and about to use LSI.  I am hearing that Amazon is getting difficult in regard to stocking policies with LSI books. Do you know if authors have been having trouble with this issue with Amazon? Thank you for any assistance you can provide.

Answer: I know about the issue with Amazon, because I follow Aaron Shepard's blog. I currently use both LSI and Createspace, as well as the Kindle and Nook platforms, and I find that it gives me plenty of distribution. I would not use LSI or CreateSpace exclusively. Although I have used Createspace exclusively in the past, I would not do so now--there is very little up-front cost (in regards to title set-up, if you do it yourself) so there's really no reason to just use one company exclusively and risk having your book listed as "unavailable".

That's just my opinion, of course, but this method has been working well for me.I suggest that all self-published author use BOTH LSI and Createspace if they plan to publish a POD version of their book.
]]>Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:49:10 -0800http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net/2/post/2011/04/ten-tips-for-last-minute-tax-filers.htmlhe tax filing deadline is just around the corner! This year, it's April 18, 2011.  The IRS offers 10 tips for taxpayers still working on their tax returns:

1. File Electronically IRS e-file: It’s safe. It’s easy. It’s time. IRS e-file is now the norm; not the exception.
   
2. Check the Identification Numbers Carefully check identification numbers — usually Social Security numbers — for each person listed. This includes you, your spouse, dependents and persons listed in relation to claims for the Child and Dependent Care Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit. Missing, incorrect or illegible Social Security numbers can delay or reduce a tax refund.
3. Double-Check Your Figures If you are filing a paper return, you should double-check that you have correctly figured the refund or balance due.
4. Check the Tax Tables If you are filing using the Free File Fillable Forms or a paper return, double-check that you have used the right figure from the tax table.
5. Sign Your Form You must sign and date your return. Both spouses must sign a joint return, even if only one had income. Anyone paid to prepare a return must also sign it.
6. Mailing Your Return If you are mailing a return, find the correct mailing address at http://www.irs.gov.
   
7. Mailing a Payment People sending a payment should make the check payable to “United States Treasury” and should enclose it with, but not attach it to, the tax return or the Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher, if used. The check should include the Social Security number of the person listed first on the return, daytime phone number, the tax year and the type of form filed.
8. Electronic Payments Electronic payment options are convenient, safe and secure methods for paying taxes. You can authorize an electronic funds withdrawal, or use a credit or a debit card. For more information on electronic payment options, visithttp://www.irs.gov.
9. Extension to File By the April 18th due date, you should either file a return or request an extension of time to file. Remember, the extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay.
10. IRS.gov Forms, publications and helpful information on a variety of tax subjects are available at http://www.irs.gov.

]]>Tue, 22 Mar 2011 09:06:15 -0800http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net/2/post/2011/03/barry-eisler-walks-away-from-500k-to-self-publish.htmlThis is not a joke.

You can read the entire discussion here, on Joe Konrath's blog. 

This story is going to be shared a million times this week, and I don't doubt that the mainstream media picks this one up.
]]>Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:11:02 -0800http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net/2/post/2011/02/how-to-report-your-book-royalties.htmlQuestion: Can you help me figure out how to report my royalties?Do you need to pay self-employment tax for book royalties? What is the IRS code section refering to this? Do you report your royalties on Schedule E or Schedule C?


Answer: If you are a self-employed writer, then yes, you absolutely must pay self-employment tax on your earnings. Even though the reported earnings are "royalties" they are not considered passive income if the copyright is self-produced. Self-employed writers, artists, photographers, etc, should report their income on Schedule C, subject to self employment tax. You don't have to look to the Internal Revenue Code section, it's right in IRS Publication 17 (page 89)

"You generally report royalties in Part I of Schedule E (Form 1040). However, if you hold an operating oil, gas, or mineral interest or are in business as a self-employed writer, inventor, artist, etc., report your income and expenses on Schedule C (Form 1040)." (IRS PUBLICATION 17)

Now, if you had inherited a copyright (such as from a deceased relative) then the earnings would not be subject to self employment tax.

Hope this helps ]]>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 10:08:54 -0800http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net/2/post/2011/02/problems-with-createspaces-expanded-distribution-program.htmlI want to share a story about expanded book distribution.  I publish tax textbooks though CreateSpace and in 2010, I used their expanded distribution channel, which means that the books became available through LSI, too. I do a new edition every year, and I went into my CreateSpace account on January 31st to retire the old editions. The new editions will be released on March 1st.

I've contacted CreateSpace support 4 times-- by e-mail and by phone, but apparently, the customer service department can't help stop expanded distribution, even though it would probably just take a call to LSI to permanently retire the titles. I've even called LSI, and I was transferred to a dozen different people before someone finally hung up on me. Compared to Createspace, LSI's customer service is even worse.

My big problem is that LSI is still printing and releasing copies of the old edition, and I am powerless to stop it. A few of the books are still available on Amazon as new (not just through third party sellers) which means that copies are still being produced, even though I canceled expanded distribution over two weeks ago.

When I contacted CreateSpace the last time, the operator was sympathetic, but she told me that it would probably take six weeks. That's just not good-- because that means that the old edition will still be selling while the new edition is active.

I'm afraid that customers will buy the old edition by mistake, and in fact it has already happened, because I was contacted by one of my own customers about this very issue.

I'll find out for sure what is happening at the end of the month when the sales from my "expanded distribution" are reported. I think my fears will be confirmed, and I expect to have sales reported for every single title that I have retired.
CreateSpace needs to find a way to manage the expanded distribution channel better.

Since I am the Copyright holder, and I have essentially stopped my permissions for these titles, then no one should be producing any more copies. It's not like they have offset copies lying around-- LSI has to actually produce one every time there's a new order.

This little fiasco has confirmed my fears and this year, I am going to try and use both LSI and CreateSpace-- that will give me better control over my best-selling product ]]>Sun, 31 Oct 2010 11:53:24 -0800http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net/2/post/2010/10/createspace-will-offer-kindle-conversion.htmlCreateSpace, always ahead of the game, is now offering Kindle conversion for a low price of $69. 

Kindle-Ready File Conversion 
Broaden your readership by making your book available through the Amazon Kindle. eBooks are widely popular, especially since the launch of the Kindle. Our Kindle-Ready File Conversion service converts your trade paperback book into an eBook for the Amazon Kindle.

Price: $69.00*
* Books with complex formatting may require additional fees (e.g. mathematical formulas, tables, and heavy graphics). In rare cases we may be unable to convert your book.

I have used e-book Architects in the past with great results, but I must admit that I'm intrigued with this rock-bottom pricing. If it includes the links to for an index and the TOC, this price is a steal. But you know what they say, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is...

I'm going to call and get the details on Monday. It sounds incredible, but, I have to say I'm skeptical that this includes basic extras like TOC links and index links. I'll bet it's just a basic conversion with no internal linking, which is something that anyone can do, honestly. I'll post the response from CreateSpace when they respond.]]>Wed, 22 Sep 2010 19:00:47 -0800http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net/2/post/2010/09/joe-konrath-posts-his-sales-numbers-100k-e-books-and-counting.htmlA Newbies Guide to Publishing: Konrath Ebooks Sales Top 100k

Joe Konrath posts his sales numbers again; he's broken the 100,000 ebook mark. It's worth checking out. I think it's odd that the agents are ignoring Joe, but they are. I've only Konrath's name mentioned on Nathan Brandsford's blog.

I like Nathan, even though I'll probably never use an agent. He seems to take the "Jack Johnson" approach to publishing-- he's just going with the flow. And there will be a place for agents in the new publishing industry. As I've mentioned before, authors are a lazy bunch-- none of us like to deal with contracts, formatting, etc, etc. That's why we use intermediaries for that type of stuff.

Times are changing. The revolution isn't coming-- it's HERE. The rest of the publishing industry, (editors, agents, and authors) can come along, either kicking and screaming, or enjoying the ride.

Everything's changed.

By the way, everyone, I just set up my LSI account last night. I plan to publish with LSI and CS. We'll see how it affects my sales numbers. ]]>Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:01:36 -0800http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net/2/post/2010/07/lsi-vs-createspace.htmlQuestion: If you use LSI with Amazon, you also have to pay a shipping cost that you don't pay with CreateSpace when a customer buys one of your books from them?


Answer: The authors that I know who use CreateSpace and LSI at the same time usually use CreateSpace for their Amazon sales, and they don't enable EDC. Then they use LSI for any sales that are outside Amazon. 


Now, CreateSpace has some benefits, and so does LSI. But both companies charge almost the same for wholesale author's copies, although CS seems to be a little bit cheaper (by pennies). The shipping charges on the authors copies seems to be about the same between both companies, with LSI being a little cheaper. 


LSI tends to have a reputation for better print quality. 


Now, I have mentioned before that I think that when authors link to their CreateSpace store, it's a mistake. The CS link is terrible, non-searchable, and buyers have to pay for shipping. As you probably know, anything that costs over 25 bucks on Amazon gets free shipping, and customers really like that. 

That's all for now. I hope that answers your question.

]]>Sun, 18 Jul 2010 19:33:49 -0800http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net/2/post/2010/07/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit.htmlQuestion: Do you know anyone who is making a real living using POD?

Answer: Yes! I can give you plenty of examples of writers who are making a fine living self-publishing. I'm making a very good living using POD. I have one Kindle book in print.
 
Here are some other authors that are "making it" with POD or self-publishing on the Kindle:

1. Joe Konrath
2. Zoe Winters
3. Aaron Shepard
4. Dan Poynter
5. Morris Rosenthal
6. Nick Russell (Founder of the Gypsy Journal and my co-Author on the Step By Step Guide to Self-Publishing for Profit)

I have never been published by any traditional press, although I have had articles published in mainstream magazines.

My bestselling books are technical in nature and my potential buyer market is very small (about 10,000 people take a specialized tax exam every year, and I write a study guide for it). I started with nothing, and it took four years to get where I am now.

My point is that anyone can do this, as long as they are stubborn enough and have fairly good writing skills. I say "fairly good writing skills," because what most people don't realize is that this business is 90% stubbornness and 10% talent. You have to work hard, long, and have a thick skin.

You have to accept rejection, criticism, and still get up and write every day with no guarantee of sales or success. That takes a special type of crazy. If you can manage to ignore all the voices that tell you that you are "never going to make it," then you can make a living as a writer. ]]>