Most unaware authors want an easy publishing option—a quick and painless way to produce the book of their dreams. And that’s where the pay-to-publish companies come in. Most of them have packages you can choose from, friendly representatives to work with you and/or easy-to-navigate do-it-yourself websites. Once he signs a contract with one of these companies, there’s little for an author to do but wait to hold his finished book in his eager hands.
When that day comes, and after the celebrations cease, he will, perhaps, build a website focusing on the theme of his book. He will email or visit friends and colleagues to tell them about his book, but he is confident that the “publisher” will spread the word through the promotional plan he signed up for. All he has to do now is wait for folks to start responding to the press releases and collect “royalties” from the books sold through online and regular bookstores. From his point of view and based on what the “publisher” told him, he is half way toward a comfortable retirement. And he goes to work on his next book.
Gosh, that sounds like heaven to a writer, doesn’t it? Of course, this author has paid thousands of dollars to the “publishing company,” but, on paper, he can see that money being recouped relatively quickly. His only concern now is which of those books that are dancing around in his imagination will he write next.
And that is the reason why over 76 percent of books today sell fewer than 100 copies.
This author’s book isn’t going to be sold through any brick and mortar bookstores, even though he may have paid as much as $800 for a return policy. The press release campaign will generate very little interest in his book. In fact, he may have to go back to work in order to continue paying his bills.
Such a shame—but it is, indeed, a story that is being told practically every day. How does an author bypass this trap? Here are my strong recommendations:
1. Study the publishing industry before getting involved. (Talk to other authors—lots of them, subscribe to publishing newsletters, attend conferences, join author discussion groups and networking organizations, and read books by professionals in the industry.) Learn ALL of your options, the possible consequences of your choices and become familiar with your responsibilities as a published author.
You may still decide to go with XYZ pay-to-publish company, but you will be doing so armed with knowledge and prepared to do your part to help your book succeed. Never, ever leave book promotion up to a company like this. Always take responsibility and action on behalf of your book.
2. Write a book proposal. This will teach you a lot about what you need in order to succeed as a published author and it will tell you whether you have a valid book project or not.
Start by reading my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book to help you better understand the world of publishing and book marketing. I am so sure of the value of this book to your publishing project that I am willing to send the ebook version to those of you who absolutely cannot afford to buy a print copy. Contact me here: PLFry620@yahoo.com.
Order the book here: http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Visit my websites at:
http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com