Richard Curtis (2) (1937–)

Elementary, My Dear Watson!

In the last several months, I have borrowed and read just about every book on traditional, print, and self-publishing that I could find at my local library. Being a self-published author and freelance writer (read: starving artist), I prefer to check out a book for free before actually shelling out money for it. As of yet, I STILL haven't found a publishing book that's actually worth purchasing. Not only are most poorly written and out-of-date, but none of those carried by my library focused on ePublishing, my main area of interest.

Needless to say, I was ecstatic to find one (one!) ePublishing book on my library's shelves after months of looking. After reading "How to Get Your eBook Published," my elation turned to disappointment. While the authors' writing is more mature and organized than many of their peer's, the content in "How to Get Your eBook Published" leaves much to be desired.

Curtis and Quick's main error is in trying to cover EVERY aspect of ePublishing, from the basics of the Internet to promoting eBooks. The book's text runs about 260 pages, and the content is divided into 49 (yes, you heard me right - FORTY-NINE!) chapters. Consequently, each topic garners between two to six pages of coverage. Although the authors do manage to broach a number of subjects, each is discussed only superficially. Those with any modicum of experience in publishing, promotions, marketing, or the Internet will find the material rudimentary. Only those who are complete newbies to the `Net and/or publishing will find this book even remotely helpful.

For those who expect more in-depth information, the authors point you towards other resources that you can consult. Many of these are books, which I find somewhat insulting. Why purchase a book that 1) doesn't give you any helpful information, even though it promises you it will; and instead 2) tells you to buy a number of OTHER books? You may as well just browse through Amazon and consult the reader reviews (for free!) to find relevant resources - no need to pay for this service! Also, Curtis and Quick include a number of URLs, but most are just different pages on the same web site! In fact, they lift entire articles off of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers' web site, rather than summarizing the info in their own words (or, God forbid, doing additional research and including facts and opinions from a number of sources!).

Finally, the authors waste so many pages explaining what the Internet is, how it was developed, how to go about getting Internet service and a web site, etc., that they devote very little space to actual ePublishing. For example, in regards to promoting your eBook, they suggest setting up a web site and then making liberal use of email signatures in newsgroups. Period. No, really, that's it! That's the extent of their wisdom, I swear!

You'd be much better off buying Marilyn & Tom Ross's "Complete Guide to Self-Publishing" and/or "Jump Start Your Book Sales." Even though neither concerns self-publishing specifically, many of the strategies are applicable to ePublishers in addition to "regular" print publishers. Their writing style can be extremely grating, but at least you get your money's worth with the Ross's.

"How to Get Your eBook Published" is elementary, my dear readers, elementary. The only way you'll benefit from this book is if you think that pressing "Tab" on your keyboard will magically produce a nice refreshing beverage, a la Homer Simpson. In other words, this book will prove helpful only if you have absolutely no Internet experience whatsoever. A definite pass for anyone who has had Internet access for more than a week.

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