What do you recommend regarding publishing?

[Sandy]

Is going the self-publishing route a viable option as opposed to sending your manuscript to a publisher and waiting for a response? Or would you consider E-books a good option? I have a manuscript that I do consider to be worthy of publishing, but want to go the best route to get it out there, read and make the most profit in so doing. Your comments are appreciated!

Thx,
Sandy

[Dennis AuBuchon]

While traditional publishing is a good option it is difficult to get published through a traditional publisher. The success of your book depends upon you and not the publisher. You need to create an approach that makes your book stand out from others like it. Though you did not indicate whether your book is fiction or non-fiction it does not make a difference. Fiction can be harder to promote than non-fiction but it is not impossible. The success of your book depends upon the content and how you approach your marketing efforts related to it.

Today publishers do little if any in the way of marketing all the books they publish. They have limited funds. My current book Integrity: Do You Have It? 2nd edtion is through a self-publisher. Self-publishing offers more control of your book and it never goes out of print. E-books are great also but many people prefer hard copies. There is a market for e-books as I have purchased several. I would suggest using both the print version and the ebook version. This would provide an option for those who purchase your book.

Choosing a publisher whatever type can be difficult as there are many who will take your money and not live up to the promises they make. There are many fine publishers who produce quality books and provide good service to their authors. I have a free download on my web site of my publishing experiences and it offers some tips for choosing a publisher. Creating a topic on this forum is also a great way to get input from others. We need to help each other with answers to questions if we have them. We can learn from each other. Another great site is www.writersweekly.com which has a forum which is free you only need to set up an account. There is a wealth of information and expertise from those who use this forum.

I personally like the self-publishing route with the control.

[Roger Ellerton]

Hello Sandy,

Here is a link to a website http://www.shared-self-publishing.com/lessons-learned-from-a-self-p... that has a great deal of discussion about self-publishing.

Best wishes.

Roger

[Peter N. Jones]

It depends on your goals. If you really want large-scale distribution and national exposure, I'd work on getting a traditional publisher to pick you up. If you are ready to take on all of the challenges associated with self-publishing (typesetting, layout, cover, marketing, etc.), then this route can be very fulfilling and profitable. I would not go the ebook route first. Do print first, you can always then republish the work as an ebook (or publish both at the same time, but you would need two different ISBNs).

Do you want to spend more time publishing or writing - that is what it really comes down to.

______________________________________________
Director: Bauu Institute and Press
Publisher: Great New Books Reviewed
Editor: Indigenous Peoples Issues Today
Editor: Indigenous Peoples Issues & Resources

[martha tucker]

That's a sign that they have further interest in reading to make a more in-depth judgment.

The best with the news.

Martha Tucker

[Mike Tyrell]

I think Dennis AuBuchon in the first post have covered every thing and agree with him. If this is your first book I suggest you go to the traditional rout first explore learn. Publishing these days is as hard work as writing the story it self
take care and good luck with your project

[martha tucker]

Hi Sandy,

I have to agree that both avenues can be fulfilling. If you are already a big name, have discovered a 5000 year old skeleton, a celebrity doing something different, or just a celebrity writing a fiction book, something like that, I think mainstream might be more lucrative. If you're a good writer who has the confidence to do what you must do anyhow, market your book, then I suggest you self-publish and build a presence on the worldwide web and make some staggering money while you're keeping at least 50% of hard-earned income. Stash that cash until you have mainstream publicity campaign money--around $25,000-$50,000. Then, you can consider mainstream publishing. Then if they don't publicize your book, you can do it yourself.

I see danger in mainstream publishers purchasing novels when they don't intend to publicize them. If they don't promote your book and it doesn't resonate with readers right away, your book is going to be tossed into the remainder bin. After that, you'll have a hard time getting another publishing deal. On the other hand, if mainstream publishes your book, and you find they're not going to promote it, then you have enough money to promote it yourself. In a year, you'll have a fan base and Big Boy publishers will come looking for you.

Yes, I believe Self-Publishing is a win-win situation for those who are willing to work very hard, like a job, and are not afraid to believe they can do it.

I teach an online workshop on the subject of where the money is hidden in self-publishing. I'll give you a hint...usually, it begins to show up about 90 days from the beginning of a huge online campaign. It grows from there. Stay out of the crowd, use think-out-of-the-box marketing.

Please visit my site to find the tools and resources every writer needs, especially the self-published writer.
www.newimagewriters.com
www.blog.newimagewriters.com

the best,
Martha Tucker

[martha tucker]

the best with your submission.

Martha Tucker

[Lisa Marie Crisp]

To be honest, when it comes right down to it, go with whoever will take it. I tried all kinds of publishing routes, and in the end when someone made a real offer, I wasn't going to turn it down just because it didn't come with the advance of my dreams.

[Lisa Logan]

I disagree that a book's success depends only on the author, not the publisher. A good publisher makes a big difference. And I heartily do NOT recommend "going with whoever will take it." Far too many writer disaster stories have started with that in mind.

One problem with self pub--and some small pub--is no distribution. This translates to out-of-your-trunk sales, signings ad nauseum at the few places allowing self pub authors--some charge for the favor--and maybe a shop or two who will let you sell on consignment. If you're a crack salesperson, that may sound right up your alley! But good distribution through a publisher with a sound marketing department and built-in readership can bolster this sales potential a tremendous amount, making the return on your personal efforts that much greater. So why bust your hump for lower returns?

If you're talking thee most money for your book, get an agent who can hopefully get you in the door with one of the big houses. If you're talking the most profit for the least investment of money and travel, consider ebook with a big, reputable epub.

Many feel self pub is the easier road to publication, a way around not knowing enough about the biz, dealing with rejections, or earning high profits. Don't be fooled. Having a successful self-pubbed book is much harder than finding a publisher, and you'll have a greater outlay of money to do it. Plus, you still have to become an expert in the biz overnight, to avoid getting burned by vanity press.

As for epub, a house with no distribution, poor marketing, and no readership can be about as disastrous as paying for vanity pub and not getting the investment back. That said, I DO believe in epub, for reasons outside fabulous wealth. Though some still thumb their noses, ebook sales are on a massive enough rise that even big NY houses are opening their own ebook divisions. Distribution is now a possibility, too. And some ebook authors earn more in a year than I've earned in my entire career.

Advantages to ebook that appeals to some authors:
1. "greener" for the environment
2. Much larger royalty percentages-- 40-50%, as opposed to 10-15% with print
3. The potential for no-cost promotion...other than time
4. No need to travel around, wasting gas hitting booksignings, vendor fairs, etc.
5. Potential of getting in the door of a big house without an agent

Wow, I hadn't intended to take such a long journey on my reply LOL! Self pub has its place, but I've seen far too many friends and fellow writers wind up bitterly disappointed because they went that route with the wrong expectations.

Good luck with your book.