Presentation by Oscar Duggan of The Manuscript Publisher at sixth annual SiarScéal Festival in Roscommon, March 2012. This presentation looks at the challenges and opportunities for authors and writers who might be considering the self-publishing route. The aim is to help foster an understanding, not just of self-publishing, but of the publishing world in general, both past and present. An edited text of the talk that accompanied this presentation is available upon request. Please e-mail oscar@themanuscriptpublisher.com

1. The
Manuscript
Publisher
Publishing Solutions for the Digital Age

2. A Philosophy of
Self-Publishing

3. Presentation by:
Oscar Duggan
on behalf of
The Manuscript Publisher
Publishing Solutions for the Digital Age
www.TheManuscriptPublisher.com

4. Self-Publishing
vs
Traditional Publishing

5. Risk Publishing
The publisher is the person or entity who underwrites the
risk factor - stands to loose if the book fails to sell in
sufficient quantities
With Self-Publishing ...
Author = Publisher
So the risk factor remains

6. Why Publishing Fails
Not enough consideration given, at an early enough stage
to the Publishing Process, especially marketing
considerations
Not entirely a question of literary merit but ...
Who is going to want to read this book?
What makes the author uniquely qualified to tell the story
or narrate the account?

7. The Stages of Publishing
Manuscript Preparation (Pre-Press)
Editing, proof-reading, typesetting, page design and layout, etc
Deciding on a Publishing Platform(s) -
Printed
E-Publishing
Both (they're not mutually exclusive!)
Administrative and Legal Considerations
ISBN, Legal Deposit, Copyright Protection
Libel, Slander, ... Blasphemy!
Sales and Marketing
Often a grey area for the would-be self-publisher

8. Manuscript Preparation
Editing
Proof-reading
Page Design and Layout
Cover Design
etc
Key Question:
DIY vs Paid Professional Approach
Nothing wrong with the DIY approach as long as it produces work of
a professional standard.
If you're not sure ... get advice

9. Printing
Not the sum total of the publishing process ... not even
close
Is e-publishing an alternative? or complimentary to?
An area where first-time authors/publishers get caught out
Make sure you are not paying more than you should for
services and add-ons you don't need

10. Legal and Administrative considerations
ISBN (Nielsens) registration
Legal Deposit Requirements
Copyright and reproduction issues
Libel, Slander .... Blasphemy!

11. Sales and Marketing
Traditional and Online Channels
online is growing; traditional channels probably in decline but
tipping point has not been reached yet.
If Publishing was a marathon you would now be at the halfway stage
You can never spend enough money (provided it is well-spent)
Thought and Planning are the key ingredients
"You can't just dress a guy up in a viking costume and slap him
across the face with a fish without a lot of thought and planning."
- Michael Palin, (Monty Python)
Skill is in the Execution

12. The Publishing Process
How it first presents itself

13. The Publishing Process
How it presents itself to a first-time publisher

14. The Publishing Process
An Informed View (based on experience)

15. E-Books and E-Publishing
Options are many and varied
Amazon has emerged as a market leader in recent times
Easy to enter the market. The publishing platforms are largely free
and easy to utilise but ...
Quality is becoming an issue
Marketing of e-books presents its own challenges
Consider publishing outside the main platforms
(Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple)

17. Summary and Conclusions

18. Key to Self-Publishing Success
Write a Good Book
Publish it to a Professional Standard
Market it Effectively

19. Strategic Considerations
Minimise your exposure and risk
Retain ownership and control
Stay Focussed on Your Aims
Keep an open mind
Be alive and alert to future trends
and the changes they herald

20. Thank You

21. For More Information:
Visit our Website:
www.The M anuscript Publisher.com
Publishing Solutions for the Digital Age
Phone: 01 8569566 or 087 7604547
E-mail: enquiries@themanuscriptpublisher.com

22. Resources and Further Reading
Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2012
The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing: Everything You Need to
Know to Write, Publish, Promote and Sell Your Own Book by
Marilyn Ross and Sue Collier
How I Sold 1 Million eBooks in 5 Months by John Locke
The Irish Writers Authors and Poets Handbook by Oscar Duggan and
David Jones
Just My Type: A Book About Fonts by Simon Garfield

23. Our Portfolio
Also available to Buy Online
(click on the images to browse the online editions)

24. SiarScéal Anthology 2012: Roscommon in Reflection

25. A Woeful Tale by Derrick Cranpole

26. John Toland: Ireland's Forgotten Philosopher, Charles, the Maiden and the Ogre
Scholar ... and Heretic by Sorcha Duggan
by J.N. Duggan

27. Other Titles
Limited availability
- click on the images for more information -

29. The Dhampire
by Lana Lundy