For many authors just starting out, it can be a confusing and
overwhelming decision whether to self publish a book or to seek out a
traditional publishing house. It is important to know that the
decision you make can have a huge impact on the success, or the
failure, of your book.There are many
factors to consider, and the right decision is going to be different
for every author and for every book.
Here are just a few key factors and publishing
tips excerpted from
The Essential Book Publishing
Guide
to help you make the decision of exactly how to publish a book:
Time:
When seeking a traditional publishing house to publish your book,
you will soon discover that the book will be published according to
the publisher's timeline. Publishing houses have a set production
mandate and books are scheduled for publication far in advance. Often,
books are signed on for publication one to three years before they are
actually published.
When you self publish, the only timeline restricting the
publication of your book is your own. You can take years to publish a
book if you so choose. Or, if you work incredibly hard, you can have
your book out on the market within months. You can take as much or as
little time as you want or need to publish your book.
Control:
If you sign your book on with a publishing house, you must
understand that it is now the publisher's book. As a new author you
will likely be conceding to the wishes of the publisher when it comes
to book title, design and cover. Also be aware that the responsibility
of promoting and marketing the book will fall on your shoulders as
well once the publisher has finished an initial, brief promotional
push.
When you self publish a book, YOU are the publisher. This means you
are solely responsible for coordinating the entire production of the
book. You must find an editor, a designer, a distributor, a publicist,
etc. When you self publish, you are forming your own publishing house
and you are now in the business of publishing. You maintain all
control and you publish the book the way you want to publish it.
Profit:
A publishing house signs books under the
agreement of payment by advance and royalties. You will be paid a
small sum of money up front as an advance on sales, and subsequently
you will receive royalties once sales grow over and above your
advance. Royalties are usually very small for new authors and are
often as low as 5% of selling price.
Profit is definitely the biggest argument in
favor of self publishing. If you self publish, the profits from
your book sales are 100% yours. If you are willing to work hard to
market and promote your book, you will reap the benefits of the sales.
If you research carefully, plan properly and execute the right
marketing strategy, there is no limit to the profit you can earn from
your book sales.
As with any other business, you must properly research and plan to fully understand how to publish a book in order to be successful. If you publish the
right way, the potential for success and profit is infinite.
© Copyright 2004 Ink Tree Ltd.
Ink Tree Ltd. helps authors publish, market and sell books.
We have all the tools you need to succeed in book publishing. Let us help you make your book a success. http://www.inktreemarketing.com
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and publishing tips to help you
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