Amit's Book Update #3

In the coming week or two, I expect to receive ONE paperback proof copy of my book from the publisher as a final check. The publisher recommends this because until now, I have only been checking the typeset of the manuscript on my PC and laptop.

I have only one standard in everything that I do - professional excellence. This is my first book, with a second book (unrelated to this topic) sketched out to be written after this one is published.

I want to present professionalism from the outset with a stunning visual title page layout, the back cover ('blurb') and impressive interior chapters that do not tell readers what they already know, but enhance and add to their know-how.

Given that the paperback book is nearly 400 pages with a spine thickness of 22mm, I will read the book from cover to cover checking carefully for spelling and typo errors. This final proofreading will be the last chance to make any corrections before publication and going on sale to the public.

Assuming no corrections are required in the full paperback version, I can instruct the publisher to create a 'print file' to release to bookstores.

Read on for the #3 Newsletter.....

Some questions people asked by direct messages on LinkedIn to answer if I may:

1. What format will the book be in? I have elected to produce my book in a paperback format in the most popular size around 9" x 6" (234mm x 156mm). The publisher will also produce it as an eBook (available on Apple, Android and Kindle platforms). I have the option to produce a hardback version of the book. I am not inclined to produce a hardback version because a paperback is much easier to carry and a hardback book is more expensive to produce - it needs a plain hard front and back and a full sleeve cover in colour that has to be wrapped onto the hardcover.
2. In which countries will the book be available to purchase? The book will be a global launch. It will have a designated ISBN. An ISBN, or International Standard Book Number, is a unique number assigned to every published book. An ISBN identifies a book's edition, publisher, and physical properties like trim size, page count, and binding type. An ISBN allows purchasers, retailers, libraries, and distributors to easily and efficiently search for my book. Prospective purchasers can search for the ISBN on the internet and proceed to buy the book.
3. From which stores will I be able to purchase the book? Readers may purchase the book via Amazon, leading bookstores such as Barnes & Noble (prevalent in the USA), Waterstones (UK) and many other bookstores in their country of residence. All these bookstores sell books globally. I will give more details at the launch of the book. At its launch, readers can buy a physical paperback version of the book (which is always my preference) because it has sketches and diagrams that I have created to help explain different go-to-market models. Readers will also be able to buy an eBook (digital copy). Some readers prefer the digital format, others prefer the paperback version to read on business trips etc. And of course, some readers will elect to purchase a paper version and a digital eBook for ease of reference on their smartphone.
4. What will be the price of the book? The publisher will recommend a retail price for the book based on black-and-white print costs for the interior, colour print costs for the title and back cover and the total page count. The publisher will discuss it with me and we will arrive at a recommended retail price.
5. Will I be able to pre-purchase the book before its official launch availability? The short answer is YES. Buyers can pre-order the book up to 4 weeks before the official release date. I will let you know about this nearer the time.

Can you describe the audience that will find this book most appealing? The book will appeal to the following five audiences:

(a) Those currently successful in an international sales role - as a P&L holder/General Manager or International Sales Manager. It may highlight to them how to raise the bar higher to even more success by reviewing their current models and considering different models.

(b) Those currently in the role above but struggling to deliver their numbers and want to understand why delivering their numbers is proving so difficult versus the investment case they made to their senior Executive Board.

(c) Those who held an International Sales Role but struggled and have now been moved out into a staff role but yearn to understand where and why they went wrong. Just knowing why and where they went wrong will be a revelation for them before they step down and retire altogether.

(d) Those looking to move into an international sales role and want to or need to understand the challenges in such a role and how to design distributor models that can scale and deliver the numbers.

(e) Students, Undergraduates on International Business Degree courses and post-grad MBA students where there is very likely little availability of practical advice and materials on distributors and go-to-market models.

That's all for this Newsletter which covers some of the questions my readers have put to me that I have answered. As always, subscribe to this to be automatically included in future newsletters about my book. Feel free to comment and reshare among your networks and groups.

Not too long to go before the book's launch......

The wait will soon be over.