{"title":"Publish It Yourself! Series","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 6.0pt; line-height: 115%;\"\u003ePublish It Yourself! is a four-book series that takes you from wondering whether you could publish a book to actually holding one — with plain-English guidance, realistic expectations, and AI as a practical writing partner. No hype, no expensive course required, just a clear path from someone who has spent forty years in publishing and a decade teaching first-time authors.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"ready-set-publish","title":"Ready, Set, Publish!","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eThinking about publishing a book — but not sure where to begin? You’re in the right place.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost people who want to publish have all the talent and commitment they need. They get stuck because publishing is brand new to them, and no one has explained what it actually involves. Ready, Set, Publish! is the orientation no one gives you: a friendly, no-hype tour of how publishing really works, what decisions lie ahead, and why they matter — before you spend a dollar or pick a single tool.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrawing on many years in publishing and a decade teaching first-time authors, Mike McCandless explains editing, design, formatting, cover art, ISBNs, distribution, and marketing in plain English. You’ll move forward with steadier footing, realistic expectations, and the confidence that you aren’t missing something essential.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s honest basic training for the journey from “someday” to “it’s live.” Book 1 of the Publish It Yourself! Series.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eInside, you’ll get a working understanding of:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"a-unordered-list a-vertical\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTraditional, independent, and self-publishing — what each actually involves, and which fits your goals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEditing, cover design, and formatting — what to expect, what it costs, where to spend\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe major self-publishing platforms (Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, IngramSpark, Lulu, and others) with honest pros and cons\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrint-on-demand explained, including the real royalty math with real numbers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistribution strategy: when to go \"narrow\" with one channel and when to go \"wide\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuilding an author brand without becoming a marketing robot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEmail lists, social media, and online presence that fit your goals, not someone else’s playbook\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAudiobooks, merchandise, and revenue streams beyond the printed page\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWriter’s block, negative reviews, and the human side of writing for an audience\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCopyright, contracts, ISBNs, taxes, and trademarks — the business stuff no one warns you about\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat AI, international markets, and the next wave of technology mean for indie authors\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003ePlus practical tools you’ll actually use:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"a-unordered-list a-vertical\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA marketing and promotion checklist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSample publishing and distribution timelines\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e50+ frequently asked questions, answered honestly\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA glossary of 130+ publishing terms so you can speak the language with confidence\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eThis book is for you if:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"a-unordered-list a-vertical\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou have a manuscript (or an idea for one) and don’t know what comes next\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou’ve watched a YouTube video on KDP and felt more confused, not less\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou’re considering self-publishing and want the honest picture before investing time and money\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou’re a subject-matter expert, memoirist, novelist, or hobbyist who wants to publish without being taken for a ride\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eIt isn’t for you if\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eyou’re shopping for a \"publish a book by Friday, quit your job by Monday\" promise. There are plenty of those books. Put this one back.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold a-text-italic\"\u003eReady, Set, Publish!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eis \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eBook 1 in the Publish It Yourself! Series\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — a curriculum designed to carry first-time authors from orientation, through writing prompts, into hands-on KDP instruction, and on to AI-assisted workflows. Start here, and the rest of the series makes sense. Skip the hype. Build the foundation. Publish with confidence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Touchwood Ventures","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59603868188753,"sku":"P26001P","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0682\/8005\/7937\/files\/PIY1-READY_SET_PUBLISH-full-cover-26.13.jpg?v=1780489264"},{"product_id":"publish-it-yourself","title":"Publish It Yourself!","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou have a manuscript. You have a story to tell, expertise to share, or a message that won’t let you rest. What you don’t have, yet, is a published book. This is the book that gets you there.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003ePUBLISH IT YOURSELF!: Step-by-Step to Your Self-Published Book\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is the hands-on field guide that turns a finished manuscript into a published paperback, ebook, or hardcover available worldwide through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, on the world's largest bookstore that is Amazon around the globe. This is the second book in the Publish It Yourself! Series from Touchwood Press, and the product of nearly 20 years' experience publishing books on Amazon and teaching others how to do it, too.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eWhy this book, in a world already drowning in self-publishing advice?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSearch “self-publishing” on Amazon, YouTube, or Spotify and you’ll drown in podcasts, blogs, courses, and videos. Many promise quick success, push expensive services, or assume you already speak fluent publishing-industry jargon. This book does none of those things.\u003cbr\u003eInstead, it does what a good classroom does: walks you through the work, in the right order, maintaining realistic expectations and a teacher’s patience. Every step in the KDP system. Every decision. Every field. Plus the context—editing, design, formatting, pricing, marketing—you need to make those decisions well.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eWhat you’ll learn\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"a-unordered-list a-vertical\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Seven Steps to Self-Publishing—milestones from finished manuscript to live book.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow to think about your role as author, publisher, and entrepreneur.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow to prepare your manuscript using standard manuscript format conventions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEditing essentials—including the four kinds of editors and how to hire one.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCover and interior design fundamentals, with three paths for every budget.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA three-part, screen-by-screen walkthrough of Amazon KDP.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCategories, keywords, and the Amazon search algorithm—how shoppers actually find books.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePricing strategy, royalty math, and the KDP Select decision.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA complete marketing framework: the Four Cs, the Four Ps, and ten promotion tactics that actually work.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow to track royalties, scale your publishing, and decide what comes after Book One.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003ePart of a series built to grow with you. Each book stands alone. Together, they replace an expensive course and a shelf of conflicting advice with one coherent voice from someone who's deep in it and done it all.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIncludes a self-publishing checklist, book specification sheet template, curated resources, and structured exercises that move your project forward.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eIf you have been telling yourself “someday I’m going to write a book,” this is your sign.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eSomeday is today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Touchwood Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59603907215441,"sku":"P26002P","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0682\/8005\/7937\/files\/PIY4-FRONTCOVER-1000PX-26.4_edited.jpg?v=1780490237"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0682\/8005\/7937\/collections\/Screenshot_2026-06-03_084239.jpg?v=1780490783","url":"https:\/\/touchwoodinc.store\/collections\/publish-it-yourself-series.oembed","provider":"Touchwood Ventures","version":"1.0","type":"link"}