What People Are Saying

What Readers and Reviewers Have to Say about Self-Publishing Textbooks and Instructional Materials!!

QUOTES about Self-Publishing Textbooks and Instructional Materials FROM READERS AND REVIEWERS (updated June 8, 2006).

"Dr. Silverman opens this significant book with the necessary assertion that self-published books can be academically respectable, if carefully planned and executed. He, thereby, addresses one of the strongest biases against self- publishing. In his discourse he offers examples of how many academicians self- publish regularly, including the widely accepted practice of distributing conference papers or pre-prints. Silverman establishes that given the current, sometimes unreceptive, state of commercial publishing, self-publishing is often a necessary, expedient and highly desirable avenue for distributing reputable information.

This text provides an insider's look at the publishing world and the many financial and marketing hurdles encountered in traditional publishing arenas that may make self-publishing an attractive alternative for some authors. Silverman provides valuable insight into the benefits and risks of self- publishing. The discussion of benefits includes commentary on the form, length and longevity of the product – all critical issues that usually fall outside of the author's sphere of influence in traditional publishing agreements. Significant risks exist when one decides to self publish and these are discussed in detail as well. These potential perils include financial risks which arise from establishing a publishing company and funding printing and marketing costs; the time drain of production and publication tasks; and ultimately the potential risk of damaging your professional reputation if you self-publish substandard products. Fortunately, Silverman also offers antidotes to some of the most hazardous risks, including suggesting that self-published materials undergo meticulous peer review to avoid the danger of issuing a second-rate publication.

After having guided the reader through the decision of whether self- publishing is a viable option, the author proceeds to steer the reader step-by- step through the stages involved in producing an academically respectable publication and navigating the self-publishing process. Silverman delineates 11 tasks involved in the self-publishing process and dedicates one chapter to describing in full each of the tasks. His coverage is comprehensive and extends far beyond the expected guidelines for authoring such a publication to include adept descriptions of establishing an independent small press, designing book or media covers, obtaining copyrights, marketing, financial reporting and selling reprint rights.
Finally, in recognition that the tips contained within the book are likely to be beneficial for publications other than academic books, Silverman ends the book by including a chapter on self-publishing trade books for a general audience. In this discussion, he highlights the differences between publishing academic and trade books and offers tips for safely navigating self-publication of a successful trade book by an academic author.

Self-Publishing Textbooks and Instructional Materials is both a how- to guide and a publishing mentor in book form. Silverman ends each chapter with an abridged list of key factors, a checklist or a list of additional resources. This end-of-chapter précis is effective and provides access to an additional wealth of information for the self-publisher.
This book is a must-have handbook for any academician considering self- publishing. Not only will this serve as a useful guide for determining whether self-publishing is the right avenue for a potential author; but for those having decided to proceed with self-publishing a project, this guide will prove an invaluable resource from start to finish."

--Beronda Montgomery, Ph.D., Michigan State University for Education Review (http://edrev.asu.edu/brief/jan06.html#12)

"The success of any book depends heavily on the author’s ability to address its readers’ needs. Franklin Silverman’s book Self-Publishing: Textbooks and Instructional Materials hits this mark, spot on.

This 208-page book--a practical guide to respectable self-publishing begins by challenging the common perception in academe, that self-published books are either unworthy or not respectable. Silverman explains how, when, and why self-publishing is a respectable alternative in academe. He realistically analyzes the benefits and risks of self-publishing for academic authors and goes on to discuss print and electronic options and to explain precisely how to accomplish the various self-publishing tasks. He says:

(Many college faculty) tend to assume if you have to publish it yourself, there must be something wrong with it, and, consequently, the publication isn’t worthy to be considered academically respectable. If you tend to make such assumptions and are willing to read this chapter with an open mind, your beliefs about the respectability of at least some self-published textbooks may be challenged. (p. 1)

Aimed at academic and scholarly writers, college instructors, and curriculum developers, the book examines the details of scholarly publishing, provides an overview of entire publication process and discusses technical details (copyright issues, marketing, typesetting, financing and approaching publishers). For the adventurous, the book also presents how one can establish a publishing company. Of particular interest to me, were the sections on electronic publishing (electronic books), developing online resources, financial considerations and designing a marketing campaign to promote one’s book.

Silverman definitely practices what he preaches. His book is endorsed with forewords by Ronald Pynn, Executive Director of the Text and Academic Authors Association and John Vivian, President of the Society of Academic Authors.

If there were a sequel to this book, I’d recommend exploring publishing for the digital realm. These days textbooks and instructional materials are outdated even before they hit the stands. Trends in international publishing dictate that hybrid publishing, downloadable electronic books and materials associated with regularly updated websites or CD-ROMs are the way of the future."

-- Nisar Keshvani, Leonardo Electronic Almanac (MIT PRess), Email

"Dr. Silverman draws upon his many years of experience and expertise as a textbook author, college professor, and successful self-publisher in Self-Publishing Textbooks and Instructional Materials. While the emphasis is on academic and/or scholarly publishing, this practical instructional guide would prove invaluable reading for those engaged in writing, editing, or self-publishing for commercial or trade titles in any other field as well. From assessing a title for possible self-publication, to fundamentals of print and electronic publishing; to copyrighting and registering self-published books; to financial considerations; to marketing and distribution, Self-Publishing Textbooks and Instructional Materials is quite literally a complete instructional workshop seminar under a single cover. If you are considering self-publishing for the educational market (including classroom instructors and curriculum developers), then you urgently need to acquire a copy of Dr. Silverman's Self-Publishing Textbooks and Instructional Materials and give it a very careful reading from cover to cover."

-- Jim Cox, Midwest Book Review and Internet Bookwatch

"Written for academics, professionals, scholars and instructors who want to publish their own teaching materials. Chapters cover the respectability of academic self-publishing, potential risks and benefits, the self-publishing process, assessing the practicality of a project, writing it, print and electronic options, preparing the pages, copyrighting and registering a work, practical marketing approaches, financial considerations, selling subsidiary rights, selling to a publisher, and self-publishing trade books for the general public. A couple dozen lists and tables make the process easier."
- Freelance Writer's Report, May 2004

"As the publishing industry evolves and self-publishing becomes more common, many guides have sprung up to help authors through the process; Silverman aims his at fellow academics who are interested in self-publishing textbooks. In addition to general information (the benefits and risks of self-publishing, how it works, technical details, and marketing approaches), he address issues of burning and particular interest to scholars, such as whether self-publishing is academically respectable and whether peers will value a self-published work. Silverman, a speech pathologist, has conducted workshops on academic self-publishing since the 1980s."
- Jane Erskine, Book News Inc.

"Silverman provides not only useful but essential guidance to college faculty and other professionals interested in a respectable and increasingly popular alternative to commercial publishing houses. I recommend this book highly to any author who is interested in publishing his or her own material."
- John F. Wakefield, Professor of Education, University of North Alabama

"I wish this book had been available before I started self-publishing. It describes almost all the ins and outs of self-publishing that I have encountered, plus many more. With self-publishing becoming more popular and acceptable, it seems that any writer would benefit from the knowledge that is locked within the pages of Dr. Silverman's book."
- Jerome A. Halvorson, Professor of Communicative Disorders, University of Wisconsin-River Falls

"Using both his own and others' experiences, Dr. Silverman presents a practical, highly readable overview of the entire self-publishing process. The book is quite thorough and gives equal weight to the arguments for and against academic self-publishing. There are practical suggestions, cautions, and examples. Any academic author contemplating self-publishing should purchase this book and study it carefully."
- Robert D. Moulton, Graduate Dean, New Mexico State University

"I cannot think of anyone more qualified to write this book than Frank Silverman. He is a well respected, much published academic author.... His knowledge and experience in academic writing have been of immeasurable assistance to many a writer in the Text and Academic Authors Association, and he is an inspiration to all of us who know him. Dig into Frank's Self-Publishing Textbooks and Instructional Materials, and you will be rewarded with sound advice - solid gold!"
- Ronald E. Pynn, Executive Direction, Text and Academic Authors

"In this book Frank Silverman shares advice that works every time. It's an immensely valuable how-to book.... He was among the early experts on self-publishing technology, which allows writers to leapfrog vexatious publishers to reach readers. Not only does Frank know the ins and outs of self-publishing, he has done it, self-publishing book after book. Though a prolific self-publisher, Frank simultaneously issued books through traditional publishing channels and kept in touch with that side of authoring also."
- John Vivian, President, Society of Academic Authors

"This reference book by Frank Silverman is a fine testament to the feasibility and value of self-publishing, a subject dear to my heart. As the self-published author of The Self-Publishing Manual: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book, now in its 14th revised edition since 1979, I am always glad to see a self-published book succeed. Frank's new title is sure to be among those books, especially as he says my work inspired him to write it!"
- Dan Poynter, Author and Publisher, The Self-Publishing Manual