True self-publishing facts
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Please  note for your privacy concerns: 
You will never be asked for any personal information on this website.
 
 
Further note:  I don't sell products of any kind on this site. Any of my books can be purchased  on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or any other online bookstore. 
 
Please be  aware; I  don't publish books. 
This website is left up  as a resource for authors.

Important: everything you need to know about publishing can be found on this website. The expanded version of this site with more detailed information is in print form in my book, "Get Published Without Getting Ripped off."

And  now,  back  to basic  information you  will need  for  publishing your book...

 
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"My manuscript is finished.
 
Do I self-publish or go for a book deal?"

Getting your book published is easy if
you understand two simple facts:
 
1. You can self-publish a quality book
that meets modern publishing industry standards... 
without signing a contract.
 
(Check out the page.)
 
or...
2. On this site you can learn the proper steps to secure
a literary agent who will help you land
a book deal with a traditional publisher...
 at no cost to you. 
(Under the GO FOR THE GOLD menu)

or...
3. You can self-publish first and, if your book sells, you may well be contacted by an agent or publisher.  
You can still go for a contract with a traditional 
       publisher after you self-publish. 
       There is no down-side to self-publishing.
 
(Check out the First Things First menu to get started)
 
NOTE: Landing a book deal is a major challenge. Your chances are slim as an unknown author. Consider self-publishing. If your self-published book sells well, you may get a surprise contact from a traditional publisher without the help of a literary agent (it happened to a friend of mine). Don't be afraid to self-publish.
 
Understand from the outset...
 
You don't need to sign a contract
to self-publish your book...ever.
 
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You can stop vanity publishers in their tracks
and eliminate any need to sign a contract. How?
 
Buy your own ISBN...
 
directly from R.R. Bowker, the official distributor
of ISBNs in the United States.
 
*Bottom line Bonus: Buying and using your own ISBN means you will own the publishing rights to your book and you can print for up to 50% less at the same printer used by publishers like Author House, Xlibris, Iuniverse, Xulon Press and most others.
 
Don't forfeit your publishing rights:
 
Red Flag: You forfeit your publishing rights when you buy a vanity publisher's package with a "unique ISBN." Don't fall for the package deal. That unique ISBN won't be yours and it will cost you dearly.
 
Big red flag: No distributor will touch your book if you don't own the ISBN. You will be on your own.
 
There's no such thing as a "Free ISBN."
 
Note: A vanity publisher's profit hinges on convincing you to use their so-called free, "assigned" ISBN.  Don't do it. It's not free. Its cost is hidden in that rip off package deal. Buy your own ISBNs and save a bundle.
 
 
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"OK, listen up publisher guy. I'm using my own ISBN...period. 
I'm buying my ISBNs straight from Bowker.
I won't be using your "assigned" ISBN.
Are we clear on that?" 
 
How do you identify a vanity publisher? He won't let you use your own ISBN, and will give you some bogus reasons why you should use his "assigned" ISBN. Run for the closest exit. "Assigned ISBN" means one thing—the vanity publisher wins and you lose.
 
 Any author who wants to self-publish a book can buy ISBNs directly from Bowker, the official dispenser of ISBNs in the U.S. (You don't need to buy the barcode; your cover designer will provide the barcode).

Updated February 11, 2026