Fern Reiss

The Publishing Game: Publish a Book in 30 Days is one of a large number of self-publishing how to books by Fern Reiss. I should preface my review by saying I have no immediate desire to self publish but am not opposed to the practice. I do however, feel that the advice given in this book is completely back to front.

Rather than focus on the book or even the topic of the book, The Publishing Game begins with setting up the personal publishing house first. There are long chapters on getting ISBNs, distributors and markets before even thinking about to actually write about! In this regard the book has the same slimy feel that most "internet marketing" and "social networking life coach" sites have.

From my own limited experience with writers (and self publishers) most write for a self-driven passion. They have to write. Those who have books that don't quite fit a niche will sometimes end up self-publishing until they do build an audience. To me, this seems like the sensible way to do things and the passion for the craft will show in the final product (the book).

The ones who have self-published just to make money are pretty obvious (Rich Brother, Rich Sister comes immediately to mind). The books that result from a drive to make money quickly are just as bad a read as The Publishing Game is.

Let me put to you another way... If you want to bake a pie, do you build the pie factory first? Probably not.… (mehr)