Key Differences Between Publishing
and
Self Publishing
How to Publish a Book
By Ink Tree Ltd.
For many authors just starting out, it can be a confusing and
overwhelming decision whether to self publish a book or to seek
out a traditional publishing house. It is important to know that
the decision you make can have a huge impact on the success, or
the failure, of your book.
There are many factors to consider, and the right decision is
going to be different for every author and for every book.
Here are just a few key factors excerpted from Idea to Book to
Success to help you make the decision of exactly how to publish
a book:
Time:
When seeking a traditional publishing house to publish your book,
you will soon discover that the book will be published according
to the publisher's timeline. Publishing houses have a set production
mandate and books are scheduled for publication far in advance.
Often, books are signed on for publication one to three years
before they are actually published.
When you self publish, the only timeline restricting the publication
of your book is your own. You can take years to publish a book
if you so choose. Or, if you work incredibly hard, you can have
your book out on the market within months. You can take as much
or as little time as you want or need to publish your book.
Control:
If you sign your book on with a publishing house, you must understand
that it is now the publisher's book. As a new author you will
likely be conceding to the wishes of the publisher when it comes
to book title, design and cover. Also be aware that the responsibility
of promoting and marketing the book will fall on your shoulders
as well once the publisher has finished an initial, brief promotional
push.
When you self publish a book, YOU are the publisher. This means
you are solely responsible for coordinating the entire production
of the book. You must find an editor, a designer, a distributor,
a publicist, etc. When you self publish, you are forming your
own publishing house and you are now in the business of publishing.
You maintain all control and you publish the book the way you
want to publish it. Profit:
A publishing house signs books under the agreement of payment
by advance and royalties. You will be paid a small sum of money
up front as an advance on sales, and subsequently you will receive
royalties once sales grow over and above your advance. Royalties
are usually very small for new authors and are often as low as
5% of selling price.
Profit is definitely the biggest argument in favor of self publishing.
If you self publish, the profits from your book sales are 100%
yours. If you are willing to work hard to market and promote your
book, you will reap the benefits of the sales. If you research
carefully, plan properly and execute the right marketing strategy,
there is no limit to the profit you can earn from your book sales.
As with any other business, you must properly research and plan
to fully understand how to publish a book in order to be successful. If
you publish the right way, the potential for success and profit
is infinite.
©
Copyright 2004 Ink Tree Ltd.
About the Author
Ink Tree Ltd. helps authors publish, market and sell books. This article
is excerpted from the self publishing home study course Idea to Book to Success
— the fast, easy, simple way! Visit
Ink Tree Ltd. online at www.inktreemarketing.com.
11/23/04
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