MyBestSeller.com is an Alternative for First-time Authors “Personal Bestsellers”

Recently launched, this unique membership-based organisation publishes books written by ordinary people with extraordinary stories to tell.

According to some recent surveys, most of us really do have a story to tell. One set of statistics suggests that at least 81% of us believe we have a book inside of us, or so said Marvin D. Cloud, founder of mybestseller.com.

By taking advantage of the groups own internal expertise, mybestseller.com suggests it is the place to learn how to write a personal bestseller. The site offers information, inspiration, and assistance written in plain English, making it easier to use and understand. A free writer's workbook also helps the writer stop procrastinating and get started by walking them through the steps necessary to create a solid manuscript. Chapters are designed to motivate new writers to "get off the pot" by making a conscious and methodical decision to write their personal bestseller.

Why don’t potential writers simply go through the normal means of publishing their “masterpiece”?

It appears the real problem is not the amount of authors but that there are only a handful of major publishers and even then they are not overly interested in 'life stories' or novels by unproven authors.

Last year, nearly 10,000 new publishing companies were started, due in part to technological gains, which make the entry cost for publishing lower for individuals. However, most of these are self-publishers who underestimate the total investment needed to put out a first-class book.

The mybestseller.com site is challenging the criticism directed at untested writers who, with the advent of computers and desktop publishing software are taking advantage of these technologies that make it easier for them to get into print. Unfortunately, these new publishing methods are often cited as the very reason why industry insiders generally do not take these budding new authors seriously.

What are the major obstacles people, who choose to “go it alone”, face?

According to the mybestseller site there are three major complaints concerning self-publishing: substandard design, editing and printing.

It is suggested many self-publishing authors skimp because of the costs involved. This community-based approach is trying to offer an alternative, which they say, can combine exceptional quality with a unique membership-based model. To produce books without the need to go to the professional industries for help, the group tries to absorb many expenses by using other members who have expertise in particular specialist areas.

History has shown that many people have both the resources and talent to publish their own personal bestseller. Whilst some will have their hearts set on receiving a contract with a major publishing house, mybestseller.com is more looking to assist those people who have great stories, but don't know what to do next.

What sort of help can a budding author expect from this web site?

A budding author who joins up with mybestseller.com’s premium membership, can expect assistance with writing help, editing, ghost writing, book design, printing and distribution through the main web site and through its network of independent associates. Although it may seem more prestigious to have your book sold in a store, many believe it doesn't matter where it was purchased, just so long as “somebody” buys it.

By joining, members subscribe to the mybestseller book club and are automatically shipped a minimum of two books per month, written by other members. Although this reciprocal distribution plan guarantees sales, books and writers are also promoted through various online and off-line strategies, including reading clubs, writers' groups and seminars.

Given the average cost of a professionally designed book cover and manuscript editing alone can easily exceed 2-3 thousand dollars, if you’re lucky, some would say the annual membership alone can more than offset the costs of subscribing.

The site also provides a free Ezine. "Get Off The Pot Ezine," is the site's free, monthly e-mail newsletter that offers the latest tips and information needed to finish the story that has been on your heart and in your head for years. The workbook can be downloaded for free at http://www.mybestseller.com/html/workbook.html

Arthur Hissey
Computer Research & Technology
www.crt.net.au