Self-Publishing
Textbooks and Instructional Materials
by Franklin H. Silverman
Atlantic Path Publishing, Gloucester,
MA, 2004
208 pp. Paper, $32.95
ISBN: 0-9728164-3-7.
Nisar Keshvani
Leonardo Electronic Almanac
407A, #24-17
Fernvale Road
Singapore 791407
nisarh@keshvani.com
The success of any book depends heavily
on the authors ability to address
its readers needs. Franklin Silvermans
book "Self-Publishing: Textbooks
and Instructional Materials" hits
this mark, spot on.
This 208-page booka 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 isnt
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 ones 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, Id
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instructional materials are outdated even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.