| When I meet with authors who are thinking about | | | | publisher? |
| self-publishing, I ask a lot of questions. I need to | | | | Are you genuinely excited about publishing your |
| find out what their goals are, and how they | | | | own book, or are you merely impatient to strut |
| expect to achieve them. This talk is very useful | | | | your stuff for some reason? Will that reason |
| for the rest of the project of getting their book | | | | really matter in six months or a year? |
| into print. | | | | 5. Can you identify or contact a niche group of |
| If you're thinking about self-publishing for the first | | | | people interested in your topic? |
| time, you can have a little "consulting call" with | | | | Nonfiction is easier to get started with if you |
| yourself. I've cooked down my talks with authors | | | | know your target audience. It's good if you're an |
| into nine questions that you can use to interview | | | | expert in your field, or you already have a public |
| yourself. Try to answer as if you and I were | | | | eager for your writings. This support is vital when |
| sitting across a table from each other at Peet's | | | | you're trying to get traction for your book. |
| Coffee in San Rafael. | | | | 6. Have you thought about what kind of |
| 9 Questions | | | | self-publisher you'll be? |
| 1. How do you feel about starting a business (or | | | | Are you a Do it yourself person, or will you hire |
| expanding your business, if you already have | | | | professionals to help your book compete? |
| one)? | | | | Remember, this is a business. These expenses |
| A big misconception about self-publishing is that it's | | | | are investments in a product with possibly a very |
| all about literary fulfillment or artistic expression. | | | | long shelf life. |
| Publishing is a business, you need to keep records, | | | | 7. Do you have a plan to learn the nuts and bolts |
| pay taxes, and organize a business structure. | | | | of publishing? |
| What's your attitude toward business? How do | | | | Your task will be easier if you plan to hire |
| you feel about marketing? Does it fill you with | | | | professionals the whole way. How will you learn |
| excitement, the thrill of the hunt? Or would you | | | | about discounts, shipping, print on demand, and all |
| rather hide under the covers? | | | | the other details of your new publishing business |
| 2. What would make you feel the publication of | | | | that are your responsibility? Consider doing some |
| your book was a "success?" | | | | research first with one of the comprehensive |
| Do you have realistic expectations for your book | | | | books on self-publishing. |
| and your publishing company? In your mind, is the | | | | 8. Are there other books, products or services |
| only measure of success a movie deal, a seat on | | | | you can sell once your book is established? |
| Oprah's couch, or your mug in People magazine? | | | | Most successful self-publishers quickly realize they |
| Those outcomes are pretty unlikely, no matter | | | | can multiply their efforts and gain profitability |
| who you are. Can you define what would make | | | | much faster by developing new products or |
| you feel successful? Books sold, or getting | | | | services. A series of books, a workbook to |
| reviewed in a particular publication? Or the | | | | accompany a text, a service based on the area |
| satisfaction of your friends? | | | | of expertise you've demonstrated by publishing |
| 3. Is it essential that you see your book on the | | | | your book-these are all good candidates for |
| bookshelf of retail bookstores? | | | | expanding your "product line." |
| Most self-publishers are publishing almost | | | | 9. Do you have a "fire in the belly"? |
| exclusively for online sales. Getting into | | | | Publishing a book yourself and trying to sell it can |
| bookstores is not feasible for most self-publishers, | | | | be a tough job. Be honest with yourself. Are you |
| with the exception of specialty bookstores, where | | | | excited about self-publishing? Are you just beside |
| it might be easier to get on the shelf. Getting | | | | yourself waiting to see your book in print? If so, |
| your book ready for bookstore distribution will | | | | great! You'll need that drive to see you through to |
| take longer and cost more, and you'll have to find | | | | your new life as a self-publishing author. |
| a willing distributor and build in their cost to your | | | | Take an honest assessment of yourself and your |
| price. | | | | skills before self-publishing. It can be revealing and |
| 4. Are you sure you don't want a traditional | | | | helpful in the long run. |