{"title":"Publish It Yourself!","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Publish It Yourself! Series guides writers on their journey to self-publishing. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublishing today is both the same and completely new compared with just a few years ago. As with many other areas of our lives, new inventions and their consequences have opened up publishing to just about anyone. Self-publishing is possible and potentially profitable for people driven to write, as soon as they can learn the basics and get off on the right foot. Our \u003cem\u003ePublish It Yourself!\u003c\/em\u003e Series emphasizes practical and cost-effective solutions for making the time and money decisions required of writers publishing their own works. Get your basic and advanced training, classes and coaching from the Touchwood Press Publish It Yourself! resources.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"ready-set-publish","title":"Ready, Set, Publish!","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMost people who want to publish a book already have the talent. They get stuck because no one explained what publishing involves. Ready, Set, Publish! is the basic training that fixes that — clearly, calmly, and hype-free.\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eThinking about publishing a book but not sure where to begin? You're in the right place.\u003c\/span\u003e\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. \u003cem\u003eReady, Set, Publish!\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eStraightforward explanations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\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\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eGet 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\"\u003eTraditional, independent, and self-publishing — what each actually involves, and which method fits your goals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eEditing, cover design, and formatting — what to expect, what it costs, where to spend\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eThe major self-publishing platforms (Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, IngramSpark, Lulu, and others) with honest pros and cons\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003ePrint-on-demand explained, including the real royalty math with real numbers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eDistribution strategy: when to go \"narrow\" with one channel and when to go \"wide\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eBuilding an author brand without becoming a marketing robot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eEmail lists, social media, and an online presence that fit your goals, not someone else's playbook\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eAudiobooks, merchandise, and revenue streams beyond the printed page\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eWriter's block, negative reviews, and the human side of writing for an audience\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eCopyright, contracts, ISBNs, taxes, and trademarks — the business stuff no one warns you about\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eWhat AI, international markets, and the next wave of technology mean for indie authors\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003ePractical tools you'll actually use:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"a-unordered-list a-vertical\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eA marketing and promotion checklist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eSample publishing and distribution timelines.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e50+ frequently asked questions, answered honestly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eA glossary of 130+ publishing terms so you can speak the language with confidence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eThis book is for you if you:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"a-unordered-list a-vertical\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003ehave a manuscript (or an idea for one) and don't know what comes next.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003ewatched a YouTube video on KDP and felt more confused, not less.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eare considering self-publishing and want the honest picture before investing time and money.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eare a subject-matter expert, memoirist, novelist, or hobbyist who wants to publish without being taken for a ride.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eIt isn't for you if \u003c\/span\u003eyou are 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\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold a-text-italic\"\u003eReady, Set, Publish! \u003c\/span\u003eis \u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eBook 1 in the Publish It Yourself! Series,\u003c\/span\u003e is 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\/p\u003e","brand":"Touchwood Press","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":50333348561153,"sku":"P26001P-1","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ebook","offer_id":50333352329473,"sku":"P26001P-2","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Digital download","offer_id":50333348659457,"sku":"P26001P-4","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0837\/3652\/7105\/files\/PIY1-FRONTCOVER-26.5_1200x1700-e1786476616482.jpg?v=1787236060"},{"product_id":"publish-it-yourself-step-by-step-to-your-self-published-book","title":"Publish It Yourself!: Step-by-Step to Your Self-Published Book","description":"You can learn to publish your own books and show them in the world's largest bookstore. How does that sound?\nYou have a manuscript, and 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.\u003ch5\u003eA Step-by-Step Guide to the KDP System\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePublish It Yourself! \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eis a hands-on field guide to turn a finished manuscript into a published paperback, ebook, or hardcover using Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) system. In days, your finished manuscript can be available worldwide, for sale in the world's largest bookstore.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis 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.\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eWhy this book, in a world already drowning in self-publishing advice?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\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 class=\"yoast-text-mark\"\u003e\u0026gt;Instead, it does what a good classroom does: walks you through the work, in the right order, maintaining realistic expectations and a teacher’s patience.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery step in the KDP system. Every decision. Every field. Plus the context—editing, design, formatting, pricing, marketing—you need to make those decisions well.\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eWhat you’ll learn\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003cul class=\"a-unordered-list a-vertical\"\u003e \t\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eThe Seven Steps to Self-Publishing—milestones from finished manuscript to live book.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eHow to think about your role as author, publisher, and entrepreneur.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eHow to prepare your manuscript using standard manuscript format conventions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eEditing essentials and the four kinds of editors. How to hire one.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eCover and interior design fundamentals, with three paths for every budget.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eA three-part, screen-by-screen walkthrough of Amazon KDP.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eCategories, keywords, and the Amazon search algorithm that will help shoppers find your books.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003ePricing strategy, royalty math, and the KDP Select decision.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eA complete marketing framework with Four Cs, Four Ps, and ten promotion tactics that actually work.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eHow to track royalties, scale your publishing, and decide what comes after Book One.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch5\u003eGet Whole Story in the Publish It Yourself Series\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003ePublish It Yourself! is part of a series built to grow with you. Each book stands alone, and 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\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIncludes a self-publishing checklist, book specification sheet template, curated resources, and structured exercises that move your project forward.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eIf you have been telling yourself, “someday I’m going to write a book,” but it isn't happening, then this is your sign.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eSomeday is today.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Publish It Yourself!","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50207291867393,"sku":"P26002P","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0837\/3652\/7105\/files\/PIY2-FRONTCOVER-26.1.jpg?v=1787236063"},{"product_id":"artificially-intelligent-ai-for-self-publishers","title":"Artificially Intelligent: AI for Self-Publishers","description":"Learn to work with your new publishing assistant.\nBook 3 in the Publish It Yourself Series, \u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eArtificially Intelligent \u003c\/span\u003etakes authors where many fear to tread — into the world of AI and its usefulness for writing and publishing their books.\u003ch5\u003eIt's a Great Time for Self-publishers\u003c\/h5\u003eSelf-publishers can benefit from using AI tools better than most. From research to writing and from publishing to marketing, AI can make you more productive and re-capture time for the main thing, writing!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTraditional publishers have committees, legal reviews, institutional inertia, and sunk investments in existing workflows. They move slowly and deliberately, like any corporate organization. You don't have to. You can adopt a new tool this afternoon, integrate it into your process immediately, and start producing better work before a traditional publisher has finished its first editorial meeting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWritten by a publishing professional with over 30 years experience, this book co-developed this book with AI. Artificially Intelligent is a stage-by-stage playbook for integrating ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot into every part of the self-publishing process: concept development, outlining, first-draft writing, revision, book packaging, cover strategy, Amazon KDP optimization, and marketing.\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003efeatures that make this guide unlike others\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\u003cul class=\"a-unordered-list a-vertical\"\u003e \t\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eAddresses the whole publishing process —\u003c\/span\u003e not just writing but the complete self-publishing workflow, for fiction and nonfiction, from blank page to published book.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eThe Master Prompt Library \u003c\/span\u003econtains dozens of ready-to-use, stage-specific prompts. Stop wondering how to ask. Start asking.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eIt was created the way it teaches.\u003c\/span\u003e This book was co-developed with Claude and ChatGPT, then extensively revised and shaped by a human author. The workflow isn't theoretical — it's documented from the inside.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eIt takes your fears seriously, then moves past them.\u003c\/span\u003e Ethics, legality, voice, originality — the book addresses every concern directly, gives you what you need to make an informed decision, and gets on with the practical work.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e \t\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eIt's written for non-technical people.\u003c\/span\u003e If you can write an email, you can use these tools. No code. No jargon. No certification required.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch5\u003eFacilitates Your Whole Process\u003c\/h5\u003eThe self-publisher who integrates AI thoughtfully into their process can write more books, write them more efficiently, market them more effectively, and maintain a more consistent presence with their audience — all without sacrificing the qualities that make their work worth reading.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat is the promise of this book: \u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eArtificially Intelligent — Book 3 in the Publish It Yourself! Series from Touchwood Press.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Publish It Yourself!","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50207291965697,"sku":"P26003P","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0837\/3652\/7105\/files\/PIY3-FRONTCOVER-26.13.jpg?v=1787236066"},{"product_id":"ai-prompts-for-self-publishers","title":"AI Prompts for Self-Publishers: Collaborating with Your New Publishing Assistant","description":"\u003cp\u003eAdd an AI assistant to your self-publishing team. This is the copy-paste prompt toolkit that turns any AI tool including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot into your publishing assistant. This book is for authors who want to get started today with AI. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eKey topics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"a-unordered-list a-vertical\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eSetting up your AI sessions for a consistent voice.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eConcept, outline, and drafting (fiction and nonfiction).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eTitles, descriptions, and marketing copy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eEmail, social, podcasts, and repurposing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003eEditing and refinement plus a quick-reference guide.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlain-English, fill-in-the-blank prompts for every milestone of the self-publishing journey. If you can write an email, you can use these. The perfect companion to our foundational book on AI for self-publishing, \u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eArtificially Intelligent\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBook 4 in the \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePublish It Yourself! Series\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e from Touchwood Press, \u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAI Prompts for Self-Publishers\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis an AI toolkit for authors and self-publishers. Use the Quick Reference Guide to find topics of interest and check out the related prompts. The prompts should be copied, customized, and used immediately in your favorite AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, or any other conversational system. They are written in plain language - no technical jargon, no complicated syntax. For background and much more information about choosing and using the AI platform that will benefit you the most as a writer and self-publisher, read our book \u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-italic\"\u003eArtificially Intelligent: AI for Self-Publishers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, Book 3 in the Publish It Yourself! Series.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Touchwood Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50207292096769,"sku":"P26004P","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0837\/3652\/7105\/files\/PIY4-FRONTCOVER-26.53.jpg?v=1787236068"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0837\/3652\/7105\/collections\/PIY2-FRONTCOVER-26.1_1529e94d-f293-4a5a-bdbe-2afeefb0ae74.jpg?v=1787499189","url":"https:\/\/touchwoodbooks.store\/collections\/publish-it-yourself.oembed","provider":"Touchwood Press Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}