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The Basics

• Self-Publishing FAQ -- If you're new to self-publishing, read this first.
• Yahoo Self-Publishing Group -- Search the archives of this group for answers to your specific questions, or post a new one.
• The Well-Fed Self-Publisher -- This book provides an excellent overview of the business of self-publishing.
• Aiming at Amazon -- You need to understand how to maximize sales of your book on Amazon.com. This excellent book will teach you how.

Printing
Unless you're creating an e-book, your book will need to be printed. Swordfish recommends:

• Lightning Source -- The best print-on-demand (POD) book printer.
• United Graphics -- The best offset book printer.
• Blurb -- If you want to print a small batch of glossy coffee table books, check out Blurb.

Key Ingredients
Your book will need a cover design, an ISBN, a bar code on the back, and you should get a PCN.

• Klinginsmith & Company -- Swordfish strongly recommends Cheryl Klinginsmith, an outstanding book cover designer.
• Bowker -- Bowker issues ISBNs.
• Create a bar code online for $10.
• Library of Congress -- Though not required, all self-published books should have a preassigned control number (PCN) issued by the LOC. It's free and easy to get one.

Distribution

• Quality Books, Inc. -- Distributes books exclusively to the library market.
• PayLoadz.com -- The best way to sell an e-book online through your own website.
• Amazon Advantage -- Lightning Source will distribute your books automatically to Amazon.com. But if you're not using Lightning Source, you need to get your book on Amazon using Advantage.