How to Get Your Book Published For Free

Imagine seeing your name on the front of a high quality, hardbound book. You've always thought about 'writing a book someday.' You've always dreamed about how it would feel to really make that dream come to pass. Well, now it is possible. You can literally get your book published for free.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A computer and Internet connection

1. Write something every day. A normal book, 6 x 9 trim size, 200 pages is going to have around 50,000 words in it. Several word processors such as MS Word or OpenOffice (this is the program I use; plus, its free at www.openoffice.org) have built in word counters. These are highly valuable to help you track your progress.
   
   My guess, by the time I finish writing this article, I will have written 300-400 words (care to count them? :) What does it take to get a book written? Christian author with dozens of books to his credit, Charles Swindoll says that he writes every day for 45 minutes to an hour. In doing so, he publishes 3-4 books per year. Writing is a hobby for him. You can easily write 200-300 words per day. Motivational speaker and success guru, Anthony Robbins wrote his now classic best seller, 'Awaken The Giant Within' in 30 days. If you've got something to say, just start writing. Then do a little every day.

2. As you begin to write, you will quite likely find chapters and thoughts coming together much easier than when you first thought of writing your book and getting it published. I found this to be an amazing phenomenon when I wrote my first book (I've since written three more). If you have some chapter titles, then, you can make an outline for your book. This is a great guide for writing and completing your book. Write chapter titles and allow your table of contents to be your outline.

3. As you are writing your book or when you feel that you're finished, go to a local college and ask for a meeting with the head of the English department. Ask the head of that department of she/he would assist you in finding possibly a student to edit your writing. It would likely be a third or fourth year student. I can guarantee that someone will jump at the chance to edit your writing.

4. Once your writing has been edited (and proofed by someone other than yourself), go to www.lulu.com. lulu.com is going to get your book in print. They have a free template for the layout of your book. You can find their templates (compatible with OpenOffice word processor) at http://www.lulu.com/en/help/book_formatting_faq#book_layout. You don't need to hire someone to layout your book. It really is quite simple.
   Lulu.com has several standard cover templates that you can use. To set up your book in Lulu.com and get it to the point of being ready to print is far easier than you'd think. Once your book is created, you can purchase one proof copy for yourself (even though you aren't required to). Also, Lulu.com will provide you a link to promote your book for others to purchase. They will take the credit card orders, print your book and ship it to the customer. Lulu.com pays you a very generous portion of around 30% or more. Most traditional publishers pay you 10-15%. Lulu.com pays me over $5 on my $15 book.

Tips & Warnings

• Anyone can publish their book for no cost to them at all. Anyone can sell their book with no out of pocket expense. If you don't like the standard cover templates in the Lulu cover gallery, go to www.elance.com or www.guru.com and hire someone to create the cover that you want. I got my first book cover created exactly like I wanted it for $75. An amazing bargain. Also, if you want a more professional edit of your book, these two sites will connect you with people who can help you. I spent $550 to have my first book edited. Still, a bargain.
• I don't work for Lulu.com or have any financial interest in them at all. In fact, I spend a few thousand dollars per month with them. I will warn you, if you go to other print on demand publishers, you will find that they will charge a lot of money for things you can easily get done, as well, at Lulu.com.

[alltrails]

on 11/16/2009 Nice article on Lulu.com. I didn't know about this - thanks for the advice!

[dachozn1]

on 11/16/2009 Very good information for future authors, I am working on my first book and based on the word count you stated, I have a long way to go. I intend on utilizing Lulu, I just happened to find out about them over the weekend. Thanks for this valuable insight! Great article. I gave u a 5* rating.

[jean1999]

on 9/8/2009 Good article for a person who is thinking of writing a book, thanks!