As head of the Hillcrest Media Group, Inc., Mark Levine guides a number of affiliated Minnesota companies that offer eBook and traditional book printing, formatting, editing, and distribution services. Mark Levine is the author of "The Fine Print of Self-Publishing", which he originally published in 2003. Now in its fifth edition, the fourth edition earned “Best Business Book” distinction from The Midwest Book Awards in 2011 and the current edition was a finalist in two categories in 2015.
Over the years, the book has established a reputation as an essential primer for writers who want to self-publish their work successfully. All aspects of self-publishing are covered, including printing costs, distribution, and marketing considerations. A 2014 review in The Independent Publishing Magazine notes that the latest edition moves away from a publishing professional’s perspective and toward that of “an industry insider batting on the side” of the author who decides to self-publish. Levine offers detailed business insights into the differences between self-publishing and working with a traditional publisher, such as the ability to set one’s own retail price and calculating printing mark-ups. He also delves into the complex matters of royalty splits between authors and publishers and the marketing expectations of publishers in today’s Internet-driven marketplace.
Over the years, the book has established a reputation as an essential primer for writers who want to self-publish their work successfully. All aspects of self-publishing are covered, including printing costs, distribution, and marketing considerations. A 2014 review in The Independent Publishing Magazine notes that the latest edition moves away from a publishing professional’s perspective and toward that of “an industry insider batting on the side” of the author who decides to self-publish. Levine offers detailed business insights into the differences between self-publishing and working with a traditional publisher, such as the ability to set one’s own retail price and calculating printing mark-ups. He also delves into the complex matters of royalty splits between authors and publishers and the marketing expectations of publishers in today’s Internet-driven marketplace.