cover image Title to Come

Title to Come

Kevin E. Spall. Motor City, $22.95 (120p) ISBN 978-1-943290-85-7

The biggest takeaway from Spall’s introductory but less than comprehensive guide to publishing—the title of which should not be mistaken for a misprint—is that the DIY road still requires help from experts and a substantial amount of upfront money. Spall, CEO of Thomson-Shore, a book manufacturer and independent publishing company, is an enthusiastic cheerleader for writers (“This is an awesome accomplishment and an incredible journey”). He lays out the various options for authors with a completed manuscript, but no clear plan for getting it into readers’ hands. Spall effectively outlines the different possible avenues for the aspiring author: self-, independent, and hybrid publishing, as well as traditional publishing. He also explains different types of printing, paper, and binding. No matter what path one takes, though, Spall emphasizes that “You are C.M.O.” (chief marketing officer). However, he offers few concrete suggestions of how to be so. He emphasizes having a social media platform, but doesn’t give advice on how to develop a strong following. Mostly, Spall recommends hiring experts from various fields, such as editors/proofreaders, designers, and distributors. A glossary and bullet point summaries of his conclusions would have been helpful for readers seeking to use this book as a guide. Spall’s book will be a good first step for writers looking to publish, if not the end point. [em](BookLife) [/em]