At SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) we heard from a member this week, who is trying to get out of her publishing contract and start fresh with her book. Why? Her POD “self-publishing” company put such a high price tag on her book that she is having trouble selling it and she has no profit leeway for working with bookstores. She doesn’t get much more than exposure when she reserves a booth at book festivals, either. By the time she pays the high price to purchase copies of her book, the price of renting a booth at the festival, gas, lunch and so forth, it often costs her for the experience.
So this author plans to end her partnership with the POD and self-publish her book. By this, I mean, she will establish her own publishing company. She’ll put up the money to have it printed, but now she can set her book price and she will get to keep all of the profits. She will now be able to afford to rent space at book festivals and deal with bookstores. Instead of paying something like $15.00 for each of around 1,000 books (when you figure the cost of producing the book through the POD company and the price she pays for each book), it will cost her around $5.00 each for the same number of books.
This is something you might want to think about before you choose your publishing option. While it seems nice and easy to have a company overseeing the production details of your book and one that will simply send you copies when you need them, think about the expense and the limitations. And beware of the publishing contract with a fee-based POD “self-publishing” company. Some of them tie you into the contract for months and years beyond what is ultimately comfortable. You might decide that you want more freedom with your book, but you have to wait out the contract with the POD before you can break away.
Be informed. Be aware. Know what you’re doing before you sign any publishing contract. Understand all of the innuendos and possible ramifications. You know this is good advice. This is exactly how you would behave if you were buying a car or a house. When you’re shopping for a new TV, computer or piece of expensive jewelry, you make certain that you understand the contract, that the contract doesn’t infringe upon your right to use the produce or wear it freely. You are clear about the item you are purchasing. Why is it that, in the world of publishing, so many authors go with their emotions instead of their heads?
One SPAWN member, a few weeks ago, was trying to get out of a contract with a distributor who had out and out lied to him when he signed on the dotted line. He believed them when they said they had a relationship with a particular agency and would be able to sell hundreds of copies of books to them. It wasn’t in the contract, but this is what they told the author. $3,000 later—that is, $3,000 out of the author’s pocket—the big deal the company spoke of did not occur and sales were dismal to say the least. This author contacted the agency in question and they said that they knew nothing about this distributor and had never heard a word from them.
If you are facing decisions related to your book project, STOP! Turn off the emotions (the desire to see your “baby” in print, the yearning to be a published author, the excitement of receiving royalty checks) and think.
• If you don’t understand the contract solicit a neutral party who can explain it.
• Do not believe any claims anyone tells you if it is not written into the contract.
• If the contract isn’t to your liking, negotiate for what you want.
• Don’t settle. Publishing is a big expense, responsibility and commitment.
If I have saved one author from making a big publishing mistake with this warning blog entry, I am a happy teacher.
Which publishing option is right for you and for your project? If you’re not sure, consult with someone who has been around the publishing block a few times. Read books like The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. If you have a copy of this book, sit down and read it today. If you haven’t ordered your copy, yet, do so NOW. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
If you have a book that isn’t doing well in the marketplace, perhaps I can help. Purchase my ebook, The Author’s Repair Kit. It is designed to help you breathe new life into your failing book. http://www.matilijapress.com/author_repairkit.html