Self-Publishing and Libraries: What Librarians and Self-Publishers Need to Know

As a librarian and to-be self-published author I found this book very interesting. In my work and also during my studies I learned that many working in the library world are prejudiced on the topic of self-publishing. Even today colleagues favor books from large and well known publishers.
I wish all working in libraries would read this book.

There are several things that I disliked about this book, but I'm giving it 4 stars because it's just 99 cents (at the moment).
If the book sells for $5, I'd give it 3 stars.

The book gets off to bad start. The author immediately reveals that she's self-published this book.
Although I appreciate the full disclosure, it would have been wiser to reveal that at the back of the book under a section called "About the Author."
I'm afraid that many librarians who could benefit from this book will instantly close it upon learning that a self-published author wrote this book.
It's a pity because there is plenty of good info.

PROS:
- Informative. It's verbose, but most authors (and librarians) will get something out this. I wish she wrote more tightly or had an editor hack it down 25%.
- I learned about Online Computer Library Center (OCLC).
- I knew about the LCCN, but didn't know about the PCN, which is open to self-publishers.
- She reveals how traditional "respected" reviews have mostly become paid reviewers (e.g., Kirkus) and that authors and libraries ought to be more skeptical about them.
- Foreward and Publishers Weekly and the SLJ all have ways for indie authors to get reviewed, but they are longshots.

CONS:
- The author says in Loc 1765 that "... You'll almost never find a negative review from an Amazon top reviewer. I'd like to think that's because they have the sense to not purchase or read bad books. But that's unlikely..."

Has the author never read a bad book?
Who likes to buy/read bad books?
Yet we all have.
Yes, even a Top Amazon Reviewer like me.

And top reviewers do give negative feedback more than "almost never."
Check out my 2-star review (it was originally 1-star):
[[ASIN:B073QPRJ7G Tile - Key Finder. Phone Finder. Anything Finder - 2-pack, Tile Sport (Graphite)]]
It got over 230 helpful votes.

I read a study somewhere that compared the average Vine Reviewer rating with the average Amazon customer rating. I can't remember the exact numbers, but Vine Reviewers were slightly higher than regular reviewers (something like 3.8 vs. 3.5 - but don't quote me on that).

So the author is right that Vine/Top Reviewers are more positive than "normal" reviewers, but not as much as she might think.

- Verbose. The author goes off on tangents too much and takes too long to get make points. I was often thinking as I read this, "I can imagine many librarians saying, 'See! This is exactly why we shouldn't buy self-published books! Look at this book!'"

CONCLUSION: Publishing is a fast-changing industry. This book will need an update by 2020.

DISCLOSURE: I received an ebook copy to do a review.

I'm not ready to self-publish yet, so I haven't acted on the knowledge I gained from this book -- but I believe that this book has prepared me for doing it when I am ready. Clearly written and informative, I enjoyed this book.