I am trying to figure out the best way to break into freelance writing on travel, wine, culture etc. - but having difficulty because I've never been published before. Is Scribd a good way to get exposure? And possibly earnings?
posted by suzanneo on Jun 22, 2009 - 6 answers

Is there an application that will automatically take my ready-to-publish podcasts from my local PC, and upload them to a website and publish their links to an RSS feed? [more inside]
posted by thankyoumuchly on May 27, 2009 - 4 answers

I know there are many Mefi references to self-publishing, but this question is a little different. Let me explain the background: [more inside]
posted by mateuslee on Apr 27, 2009 - 7 answers

Inspired by the Tweetbook I've decided to use Lulu to make a print version of my high school-era livejournal. How do I easily turn the XML file with all of of my entries, comments, and associated metadata into something I can print? [more inside]
posted by Newbornstranger on Apr 8, 2009 - 1 answer

Wordpress: After I hit Publish, a new blog posting is created, and eventually is saved as a draft. How can I change this behaviour so that the post I've just created is published, but that the post I just published is open, instead of a new post? [more inside]
posted by Solomon on Nov 6, 2008 - 6 answers

I've been asked to contribute to a collection of op-ed/essays/creative nonfiction type stories, to be published together as a book. I have no idea how this stuff works, but I know the release form says I won't get paid. Anybody have any experience with this kind of thing? Is this a normal clause for a first-time author who barely even counts as an author? [more inside]
posted by ultraultraboomerang on Sep 29, 2008 - 6 answers

Is there a self publishing service kind of like lulu.com but which lets you "brand" the storefront with your own stylesheet and logo? One that lets customer buy electronic copies as well as printed versions? One that you've had good experiences with? [more inside]
posted by tomwheeler on Aug 20, 2008 - 6 answers

I sometimes see announcements in the newspaper praising saints and listing prayers or novenas with instructions to publish the same ad in a future edition of the paper if the prayers work for you. Who places these ads? What purpose do they serve? What's the deal?
posted by lysistrata on Jul 14, 2008 - 8 answers

What are some places online where I can go to self-publish a book. I'm aware of lulu.com, but I'm wondering if there are some alternatives out there.
posted by Proginoskes on Mar 23, 2008 - 14 answers

I've been offered a ghostwriting gig. Help me with my expectations, please. [more inside]
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur on Feb 28, 2008 - 4 answers

Microsoft Word 2007 allows users to publish directly from Word to their blog account. I've read you can even have multiple accounts. If so, how do I set it up? [more inside]
posted by JaySunSee on Dec 31, 2007 - 1 answer

What book writing software exists for Max OSX? [more inside]
posted by Chuck Cheeze on Nov 28, 2007 - 6 answers

How can I make an rss-like feed that is publishable by the public? Maybe there's a better way to do this, but here's what I'd like the end result to look like [more inside]
posted by itchi23 on Aug 5, 2007 - 3 answers

How do you get a book published by a (semi) major publisher as a first time author? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 8, 2007 - 13 answers

I'm currently making recordings to a DVD and am interested in inexpensive software to edit and compress the recording with the intent to publish it to the web. An easy system to learn and that is relatively fast would be best. Thanks in advance for your suggestions...Orlin
posted by orlin on Apr 27, 2007 - 4 answers

I want to publish a cookbook and need some advice. [more inside]
posted by magikker on Feb 27, 2007 - 15 answers

Once I've made my sci-fi novel available via Lulu.com, will it still be viable to shop around to agents and editors for potential mass-market publication? Are there factors that influence it? For example, if it sells a lot, is it considered a good buy by a publisher, or has it basically had its first run?
posted by JWright on Dec 8, 2006 - 9 answers

Where should I search in order to generate a list of all/most books published (in English, for the past 20 years or so) about a particular topic? I have a feeling that using Amazon plus my local library isn't giving me comprehensive results. Is there some kind of all-libraries database? Or all books that have been issued ISBN numbers?
posted by xo on Dec 2, 2006 - 6 answers

Help us get an original (and awesome) board game published [more inside]
posted by spiderskull on Nov 9, 2006 - 14 answers

A friend asked me to create a Wordpress-powered site on her newly-acquired domain, and wanted me to import all of her Blogger entries that are hosted on Blogspot. No problem! Except... [more inside]
posted by davidmsc on Oct 23, 2006 - 4 answers

Why does Blogspot's "Blogthis" work fine when I click on the example link at blogspot.com 's help section, but not when placed as a link in my favorites folder? [more inside]
posted by jak68 on May 23, 2006 - 2 answers

I want to produce some books. I've read some previous questions in the archives but I'm after some more opinions, and have a few questions relating to ISBN numbers, publishing and other book-type things... [more inside]
posted by gaby on Mar 3, 2006 - 5 answers

Scenario: Linda, an author, is at a party. Linda says that she is writing a book about near-death experiences. Sarah, a guest at the party, says, "Oh, I had one!" and proceeds to recount her experience to the assembled guests. Linda finishes writing her book and includes Sarah's story in it, using Sarah's real first name and some details from Sarah's life (profession, husband's first name and profession, Sarah's religious background). Is Linda legally allowed to do this without changing Sarah's name in the published book? Did Sarah waive her right to privacy by telling the story at a party? What about Sarah's personal details, which were not revealed at the party, but known to the author because of their shared social circle? Legal citations are appreciated.
posted by xo on Jan 7, 2006 - 25 answers

How can I write a book online? [more inside]
posted by atchafalaya on Nov 26, 2005 - 25 answers

Suppose I were able to write a publishable novel. How much money would I get, as a first-time author as soon as it was picked up? How much would I make over all? Assume This an action sci-fi/cyberpunk type book (think William Gibson). [more inside]
posted by delmoi on Oct 19, 2005 - 25 answers

Quick-n-dirty way to put a "teaser" latest blog entry on my homepage? [more inside]
posted by electric_counterpoint on Sep 19, 2005 - 6 answers

What is the best way to obtain an agent for a non-fiction book (a collection of unorthodox and engrossing interviews with innovators on the political Left, with many a-listers)? [more inside]
posted by By The Grace of God on Aug 17, 2005 - 7 answers

iCal and WebDav and a PC, How Can I make them play nice? [more inside]
posted by Freen on Jul 1, 2005 - 1 answer

ObfuscationFilter: I know putting a unobfuscated email address on your website is a bad idea these days, mmmkay. So I was wondering how can I put my email address on my website without being spammed to hell and back.
posted by keswick on Aug 15, 2004 - 15 answers

How hard is it to publish and produce your own book? Do you know of any small run press situations where you can vouch for the quality? Someone suggested CafePress, but it seems dubious and probably not much better than a copy center like Kinkos.
posted by agregoli on Dec 17, 2003 - 13 answers

I need to find a way to automatically post my IP address somewhere. The address changes periodically and I have to consistently reach services on a particular machine. The trouble is that the machine is behind a broadband router, and it's the router's address that's I need to publish. Anyone know of a tool or trick for this? I'm running WinXP Pro.
posted by Songdog on Dec 15, 2003 - 15 answers