| v> | | | | best, is more rewarding and far more profitable. |
| Publishing Your BookWhat Way is Best For | | | | Why Self-Publishing? |
| You? - Part 1 | | | | In self-publishing, you are the boss. You get to |
| Judy Cullins c 2004 All Rights Reserved | | | | choose the cover, the style, the layout, the |
| Your print or ebook is nearly finished. You wonder | | | | message, even the format (eBook or Print Book). |
| if you should try to get an agent to represent | | | | Since you are the one enthused about it, you will |
| you to the publisher. Maybe you've already sent | | | | be able to capitalize and can promote far better |
| out your query letter to some agents. You dream | | | | than many publishers. |
| how great it would be to be taken under the | | | | In self-publishing, who do you think can sell your |
| publisher's wings. | | | | book the best? You, the passionate author in love |
| What's wrong with this picture? Even if an agent | | | | with his or her book, or the rookie publisher's |
| has given you the go and asks for a book | | | | employee in charge of publicizing your book? |
| proposal that has specific marketing information in | | | | On Print Books--Print on Demand Two Ways |
| it (takes three-seven months to write), you still | | | | 1. Hire the Publisher/Printer yourself to just print |
| have to face reality. FACT: Like Oprah, publishers | | | | your book from your word file. Companies like |
| and agents choose only 1-2% of proposals | | | | (ph: 408-982-9118) or will put it into Portable |
| submitted. | | | | Document Format (PDF) to sell on your web site |
| Let's say for now, you are chosen. The point is, | | | | or another site you choose to sell your books. A |
| are you fortunate to be chosen? | | | | complete explanation of these opportunities are |
| Are you willing to wait on the traditional publishing | | | | included in the "How to Write your eBook or |
| process 12 months more? Are you willing to | | | | Other Short Book--Fast!" |
| accept around 2-5% of the profits? Do you | | | | In Print Quantity Needed (similar to POD) you |
| realize that after a few months of one initial book | | | | keep all of your book's rights. This method helps |
| tour (of which you must pay all costs from your | | | | you make much more profit from your effort |
| book sales), you are on your own? And, it you | | | | and you will get your book out to the buyers so |
| don't put a lot of time into promotion, your book | | | | much faster, making faster profits. The |
| will fade away within 2 months from the brick and | | | | turnaround is around 6-8 weeks, so it pays to |
| mortar book store shelves. All unsold and | | | | plan ahead. A $15 book may cost $4 to print for |
| coffee-stained books left will be returned, and the | | | | a small of around 100 run using "print on demand" |
| cost is deducted from the author's royalties. | | | | (POD) or "print quantity demand," (PQN). If you |
| Unless you are a favored celebrity or famous | | | | sell it at the back of the room or on your own |
| author, publishers put little time or money into | | | | web site you will make $11 each book. When you |
| your book's promotion. | | | | order 500 books, the price drastically drops. |
| Get the Right Help the Right Way | | | | 2. Hire Full-Service Print on Demand Publisher |
| Who says you can't publish the book yourself? It | | | | Printers who each charge you an up front fee to |
| will certainly cost you less than you imagine, even | | | | set up. They too take your word files and put |
| under $1000. It will bring you all the profits. It will | | | | into Portable Document Format. |
| put you in charge to make suitable and favorable | | | | The Upside of this choice? Some will list you with |
| writing, publishing and promotion decisions. | | | | Ingraham, one of the largest book distributors in |
| With a little help from professionals! These | | | | the U.S., linked to most bookstores. For a fee |
| entrepreneurial experts such as book coaches, | | | | from $400-$600, these companies will give you |
| book designers, and eBook specialists can guide | | | | an ISBN number if you plan to sell your book on |
| you through publishing success. These people may | | | | someone else's web site. They will list you in |
| give teleclasses, small group coaching experiences, | | | | BooksinPrint.com, and some will format your book. |
| inexpensive ways to learn the ropes. These pros | | | | These companies offer you their Web site to sell |
| will shorten your learning curve too, so you get | | | | your book. |
| the right help right away to write the right book | | | | The downside? Check to see if you need these |
| right away. | | | | services. You don't need an ISBN # if you sell |
| When you think you still have to promote your | | | | from your own web site. You probably won't sell |
| books, even with a publisher, why not keep most | | | | your book in a brick and mortar book store. |
| of the profits and do some of the work yourself? | | | | Think about your book and where your best |
| Learn from your coach's experiences, "Do What | | | | market is. Opinions from Dan Poynter, John |
| You Do Bestand Hire the Rest!" (That doesn't | | | | Kremer, and myself say, "Bookstores are a lousy |
| mean you can't barter for services). Check out | | | | place to sell books." Walk ins are not looking for |
| the methods below and see which one suits you | | | | an unknown author's book. |