Indie VS Self-Pub - Differences
I've been promising for a while that I would do a post looking at the differences between going with an Indie Press (small press that you don't pay to publish your book) versus Self-Publishing. So...here goes!
The benefits of going with an Indie Press are that you have help with editing (they often edit your work for no fee), so you have the benefit of someone else who probably has more editing experience than you reading over your work before it is sent out into the world. Also, they provide the cover art and pay for the publishing of the book. With all this you're getting a professional (usually, if the small press is good) presentation of your work that you receive royalties from.
You also benefit with a small press if they attend conferences and take books with them to sell. This gets you more exposure. Although, even with an Indie Press most of the marketing falls to you because they're low budget and can't afford to put ads up everywhere.
The benefits of going Self-Published are that you have complete control over your work. I know there are a lot of writers out there who want everything to be just the way they want it. They don't want some random person getting into their work and editing it (which only hurts the product in the long run, and also gives self-publishing a bad name). Those who do want their work polished, have to pay for an editor and they have to find one that will do a good job - most aren't worth what you pay them. Then, after your book is ready to see the light of day, you have to find cover art and have someone format the cover for you. Then you either have to have someone format your book for you, or do it yourself. After that, you either pay whatever place you're going through to publish it, or you get it out in the world for free, paying a nominal cut of royalties or a flat fee.
All in all, self-publishing isn't bad if you know how to do most of these things yourself. Otherwise, you could be paying hundreds of dollars just to have someone else get everything ready for you.
A plus (the major plus) is that you control the pricing of your book, where it is published, and you get to keep more of your royalties. But keep in mind ALL of the marketing is up to you. If you don't get your book out there in the public eye, no one will. You're going it COMPLETELY alone.
There are many places to showcase your work (Indie Presses and Self-Publishing), so you're not stuck with one choice or the other. *shrug* You can try both. But, I have to warn you that both are lacking in different ways.
Indie Press: You have to wait on their publishing schedule, you have no control over pricing or running sales to promote your book, you have to trust that they'll do your book justice (editing and presentation), and you have to wait for royalties which you share a percentage of with the press.
Self-Publishing: You still have to wait on royalties (the timing and amounts depend on what venue you use to publish), you have a harder time marketing because no one cares about your book except you, and you're putting more money into your book than you'll probably ever get back in sales.
With either option, you still have to market like crazy to get noticed, but at least you have someone else on your team if you go with a press of any size.
These are just some things to think about whatever route you decide to take. Heck, have fun and experiment with both (like I did) to see if everything works the way the hype says.
I've tried both and I'm going to be seeking an agent in the future, but I know that even then most of the marketing will be left to me.
Know your options, learn to market and promote yourself, and try everything to see what's the best fit for you. Good luck!
The benefits of going with an Indie Press are that you have help with editing (they often edit your work for no fee), so you have the benefit of someone else who probably has more editing experience than you reading over your work before it is sent out into the world. Also, they provide the cover art and pay for the publishing of the book. With all this you're getting a professional (usually, if the small press is good) presentation of your work that you receive royalties from.
You also benefit with a small press if they attend conferences and take books with them to sell. This gets you more exposure. Although, even with an Indie Press most of the marketing falls to you because they're low budget and can't afford to put ads up everywhere.
The benefits of going Self-Published are that you have complete control over your work. I know there are a lot of writers out there who want everything to be just the way they want it. They don't want some random person getting into their work and editing it (which only hurts the product in the long run, and also gives self-publishing a bad name). Those who do want their work polished, have to pay for an editor and they have to find one that will do a good job - most aren't worth what you pay them. Then, after your book is ready to see the light of day, you have to find cover art and have someone format the cover for you. Then you either have to have someone format your book for you, or do it yourself. After that, you either pay whatever place you're going through to publish it, or you get it out in the world for free, paying a nominal cut of royalties or a flat fee.
All in all, self-publishing isn't bad if you know how to do most of these things yourself. Otherwise, you could be paying hundreds of dollars just to have someone else get everything ready for you.
A plus (the major plus) is that you control the pricing of your book, where it is published, and you get to keep more of your royalties. But keep in mind ALL of the marketing is up to you. If you don't get your book out there in the public eye, no one will. You're going it COMPLETELY alone.
There are many places to showcase your work (Indie Presses and Self-Publishing), so you're not stuck with one choice or the other. *shrug* You can try both. But, I have to warn you that both are lacking in different ways.
Indie Press: You have to wait on their publishing schedule, you have no control over pricing or running sales to promote your book, you have to trust that they'll do your book justice (editing and presentation), and you have to wait for royalties which you share a percentage of with the press.
Self-Publishing: You still have to wait on royalties (the timing and amounts depend on what venue you use to publish), you have a harder time marketing because no one cares about your book except you, and you're putting more money into your book than you'll probably ever get back in sales.
With either option, you still have to market like crazy to get noticed, but at least you have someone else on your team if you go with a press of any size.
These are just some things to think about whatever route you decide to take. Heck, have fun and experiment with both (like I did) to see if everything works the way the hype says.
I've tried both and I'm going to be seeking an agent in the future, but I know that even then most of the marketing will be left to me.
Know your options, learn to market and promote yourself, and try everything to see what's the best fit for you. Good luck!
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