ADVERTISEMENT
How to Publish a Book: Key Differences Between Publishing and Self Publishing by Joni Hamilton
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 Idea to Book to
Success 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.
About The
Author
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.
— ◊ —
ADVERTISEMENT