I got the question again at the SDSU Writers’ Conference over the weekend: “What’s the best publishing option?†Authors are never happy to hear what they must be told, “It depends on the book and it depends on you.â€
There’s nothing about the task of producing or marketing a book that is easy or straightforward. There are many decisions to make during the writing phase of your book—how to handle dialogue, which research material to include, whether or not to kill off the heroine and when to end the book, for example. These are mechanical, technical and creative decisions. Once you decide to publish your book, your decisions become pure business. You must decide:
• Who are you writing the book for? Is this audience large enough to support another book on this topic/genre?
• How can you make your book more valuable to a segment of readers?
• What can you add to make your book more marketable?
When the book is completed, you will be required to make new decisions. One of your first questions should be, “What is the best publishing option for me and my book?†Use the guide below to help you find your best publishing option.
Perhaps you should seek out a traditional royalty publisher if:
• Your book is well defined and of interest to a large segment of people in the mainstream.
• Your book would do well in bookstores and is appropriate for libraries.
• You thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a traditional royalty publisher.
• You completely understand your responsibilities as a published author.
• You’ve written a complete book proposal (for fiction or nonfiction).
• You’re willing to turn over control of your project to a publisher. (They will most likely change your title, edit out your favorite parts of the book and create a cover way outside your expectations.)
• You don’t mind waiting months for your book to be produced.
• You have established a platform—your way of attracting readers.
• You are ready and willing to spend most of your time promoting your book for months and maybe years after it is published.
You may be a candidate for self-publishing (establishing your own publishing company) if:
• Your book is designed to fill a niche—your audience is clearly defined.
• You are in a hurry to bring your book out.
• It would do better if hand-sold through personal appearances, your website and/or through specialty stores.
• You want to run the show rather than sell out to a publisher.
• You write a complete book proposal—your business plan for your book.
• You understand your responsibilities as a publisher and author.
• You are willing to take on the full responsibility of book promotion.
• You have a platform—a way of attracting readers.
Consider a fee-based POD publisher if:
• You do not have a business head or any desire to run your own company.
• You want only a few copies of your book printed so you can give them to friends and sell them to a few colleagues and acquaintences.
• You want to bring out a book within weeks instead of months.
• You have studied the concept of fee-based POD publishing services: you’ve read and understand the contract. You have no concerns or questions.
• You have a platform—a way of attracting readers.
• You are willing to do whatever promotion is necessary to meet your sales goals.
When it comes to publishing a book, there are no maps to follow. There are no one-size-fits-all charted courses for authors. But there are books to help you make the best decisions you can on behalf of your project. I recommend that you check out books by the experts: Dan Poynter and Marilyn Ross (Self-Publishing), Brian Jud and John Kremer (Book Marketing), Mark Levine and Dehanna Bailee (fee-based POD Publishing), Jeff Herman and Patricia Fry (Book Proposals).
If you only purchase one book this year, make it The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book by Patricia Fry. This book covers all of the above and then some. Use the companion Author’s Workbook to further increase your chances of achieving publishing success. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Contact me at plfry620@yahoo.com