More Thoughts on Self-Publishing
Hello world.
One of the most startling things I realized when publishing my book and again something that never occurred to me, although I must admit all the signposts were there, is that what I was really doing was creating a business for myself.
I think this is yet another thing for aspiring authors to consider when they have their manuscript ready and taking that deep breath before making the decision to self-publish.
Self-publishing can be interpreted in many different ways... and there are many different ways to go about it. You could, for example, take your manuscript to a printer and simply have it printed up, it sounds simple enough but, it's not that easy. The interior would need to be formatted. You would have to find and hire someone to create a cover design. Or if you are savvy enough, you could create your own. You would also have to file for a copyright. You would also have to obtain an ISBN and LCCN. The list goes on. See what I mean?
Once you have your book, then what? Now it is completely up to you to figure out how to promote it, distribute it, and you would be solely responsible for the shipping of it to anybody who bought it. What if someone wanted to return it? Do you have space to store books? Where do you go about promoting it? Local bookstores? The Internet? Should you contract with someone to build a website? How will you get your website to attract attention? How do you get the word out in this very busy world where it is easy to get lost in the shuffle... all too easy. That's a lot to handle.
Guess what? You're creating a business for yourself and if you don't have a good amount of time to devote to it, it can be difficult to wrestle with all the ins and outs of it.
That's where self-publishers found their niche. In all reality, most of them are not what you might call self-publishers, the name is kind of a misnomer... they are really what's called "Author Services Providers." And that's the beauty of them.
Most of them, the reputable ones, will handle all of these details that quite frankly can be easily overlooked in the confusion of trying to get your book on the market. And the reputable ones know what they're doing. They have staff who are experienced and knowledgeable, have been around the block a few times, and the good ones will work with the author intimately, not just because they are getting paid and there is incentive for them to produce a good product because their company's name is on the book but, because they are professionals and they care about the product they are producing.
For me, as a beginning author, I found it much better to contract with an Author Services Provider or Self-Publishing company. I needed the guidance. I needed their professional skills and opinions. Quite frankly, I couldn't have done it alone. Well... that's not quite true, I'm sure I could have but, the time it would have taken me would have been astronomical and the road would have been a lot more bumpy.
But here's the deal. No matter if you go with a company or you completely go it alone, in the end, it's your business. You run the show. You have the decision power. When the book is finally "out there" then more likely than not, it's gonna be up to you to take the reins and do what you can to sustain what they helped you create.
Some companies help more than others. Some will dump you once they have their money and your book is on the market. A good company, in my opinion, will always be there for you to ask questions of, their role changing to more of a consultant, not the leader.
For me, I found that to be quite satisfying and I am eternally thankful that I spent the time doing as much research as I could until I decided on the company I contracted with. It paid off. They are still with me, still by my side as I drive the cart down the trail.
It just never occurred to me when I was writing my manuscript that I would not be merely a writer... but that I would have my very own business. It's kinda crazy when I think of it but, I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Goodnight world.
One of the most startling things I realized when publishing my book and again something that never occurred to me, although I must admit all the signposts were there, is that what I was really doing was creating a business for myself.
I think this is yet another thing for aspiring authors to consider when they have their manuscript ready and taking that deep breath before making the decision to self-publish.
Self-publishing can be interpreted in many different ways... and there are many different ways to go about it. You could, for example, take your manuscript to a printer and simply have it printed up, it sounds simple enough but, it's not that easy. The interior would need to be formatted. You would have to find and hire someone to create a cover design. Or if you are savvy enough, you could create your own. You would also have to file for a copyright. You would also have to obtain an ISBN and LCCN. The list goes on. See what I mean?
Once you have your book, then what? Now it is completely up to you to figure out how to promote it, distribute it, and you would be solely responsible for the shipping of it to anybody who bought it. What if someone wanted to return it? Do you have space to store books? Where do you go about promoting it? Local bookstores? The Internet? Should you contract with someone to build a website? How will you get your website to attract attention? How do you get the word out in this very busy world where it is easy to get lost in the shuffle... all too easy. That's a lot to handle.
Guess what? You're creating a business for yourself and if you don't have a good amount of time to devote to it, it can be difficult to wrestle with all the ins and outs of it.
That's where self-publishers found their niche. In all reality, most of them are not what you might call self-publishers, the name is kind of a misnomer... they are really what's called "Author Services Providers." And that's the beauty of them.
Most of them, the reputable ones, will handle all of these details that quite frankly can be easily overlooked in the confusion of trying to get your book on the market. And the reputable ones know what they're doing. They have staff who are experienced and knowledgeable, have been around the block a few times, and the good ones will work with the author intimately, not just because they are getting paid and there is incentive for them to produce a good product because their company's name is on the book but, because they are professionals and they care about the product they are producing.
For me, as a beginning author, I found it much better to contract with an Author Services Provider or Self-Publishing company. I needed the guidance. I needed their professional skills and opinions. Quite frankly, I couldn't have done it alone. Well... that's not quite true, I'm sure I could have but, the time it would have taken me would have been astronomical and the road would have been a lot more bumpy.
But here's the deal. No matter if you go with a company or you completely go it alone, in the end, it's your business. You run the show. You have the decision power. When the book is finally "out there" then more likely than not, it's gonna be up to you to take the reins and do what you can to sustain what they helped you create.
Some companies help more than others. Some will dump you once they have their money and your book is on the market. A good company, in my opinion, will always be there for you to ask questions of, their role changing to more of a consultant, not the leader.
For me, I found that to be quite satisfying and I am eternally thankful that I spent the time doing as much research as I could until I decided on the company I contracted with. It paid off. They are still with me, still by my side as I drive the cart down the trail.
It just never occurred to me when I was writing my manuscript that I would not be merely a writer... but that I would have my very own business. It's kinda crazy when I think of it but, I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Goodnight world.
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