Book Review: Zoe Winters' Smart Self-Publishing: Becoming an Indie Author

I wish I had stumbled upon Smart Self-Publishing: Becoming an Indie Author by Zoe Winters long before now. If you are researching publishing your own e-books, then this is a must-buy.  (It's less than five bucks if you own a Kindle.)

Zoe Winters writes an easy-to-read, exceptional overview of indie publishing that not only gives a great broad-based education of the whole process but also entertains you with personal tips and asides.

She's funny and informative - a great teacher, a good read.

My only negative: I wish she would write more on the subject, but I understand her announced need to focus on writing fiction. It's just too darn bad that we cannot anticipate a Smart Self-Publishing II.

Soon We Will Check Out Kindle Books From the Library. Good.

This is good news.  Amazon is recognizing the local public library, and "Kindle Library Lending" was debuted a couple of weeks ago by the Seattle-based company which makes the Kindle e-reader.  Before now, Kindles only read books that you purchased from Amazon (or downloaded, it's true that you can get loads of stuff for free from Amazon's Kindle selection).

Kindle Library Lending is going to launch later in 2011 -- I'm guessing late in the Fall.  Once it's up and running, those who own a Kindle e-reader will be able to borrow Kindle books from their local library (assuming that your local library is participating).  What's really happening is that Amazon is working with OverDrive to make its publications OverDrive-friendly. 

Cool thing:  you'll be able to highlight and note as you read, and even after the book goes back, your Kindle notes and highlights will remain for you to use.  That's nice.

Amazon's press release mentions "over 11,000 libraries in the United States" are on board.  Is that a lot? 

Will it include the San Antonio Public Library? Yes -- because the SAPL offers OverDrive publications - the SAPL branches are considered "digital branches" by OverDrive (go to the OverDrive site and input your zip code to learn if your library will be offering Kindle ebooks to you).