To publish or not to publish, that is the question

[Dana]

I couldn't agree more with your statement, Jim.

The decision whether to seek out the information and utilize it makes the difference between a quality, enjoyable read (and more sales) and mediocre (won't be buying again). If a writer chooses to publish, the reader/purchaser deserves the best chance to enjoy it.

For a novice writer, other "amateurs" provide a level of camaraderie when trying to find a way to the information available. They can often help direct one to the best sources and where/what to avoid. Shared experience helps boost morale in an environment requiring tough skin. But in the end, it is definitely time, effort, and often some expense that separates a serious writer from one who only wants to see their name in print.

[Mary]

C.J. wrote: "Mary, your best best is CreateSpace. But you will have to pay someone if you want editing and formatting, a cover design, etc. According to Wikipedia, Encore Books is pretty much defunct now.


I w..."

[Mary]

To everyone who offered suggestions, I thank you. They were so helpful I'm now in the process of checking out the many sites.

[ريمة]

Dave wrote: "So many people ask the question, self-pub or trad-pub? I have asked for opinions myself on this topic, weighing the pros and cons of each approach. But, I have a question that precedes this one. Sh..."

Hi all
Now I've read the topic:

If I return now to publish again, I collected all the books that I wrote and reduced the number of poems in one book and short stories in one book, but this did not happen.
I wrote 30 books.

[Marylou]

Also consider IngramSpark if you self-publish. I see-sawed between CreateSpace and IngramSpark for the longest, reading everything I could about them both. Obviously, an advantage to CreateSpace is that it is part of Amazon so will be treated "well". HOWEVER, Amazon is NOT everything everywhere in the world. I chose Ingram for a few reasons: I wrote a book which would have high demand as a hardcover - CreateSpace does not yet offer that. My book has colour inside which is a fair bit more to print. CreateSpace was quite a bit more than Ingram for the printing. IngramSpark is getting my book into online and brick-and-mortar around the world where Amazon may not be as prevalent. It took a bit longer to get picked up by Amazon (the book was picked up by Barnes and Noble first) but is now there and shipping. I have found their customer service good (not great) but any problems quickly resolved. Quality of end product is excellent.

Marylou Badeaux
author "Moments Remembering Prince"

[C.J.]

Marylou, for my latest _Desert Jade_ (mystery suspense), I published with both Ingram Spark and Create Space because they each have advantages as you pointed out in your message.

[Mary]

Since I'm thinking about indie publishing, I appreciate the information you've provided on Ingram Spark vs. CreateSpace.

[C.J.]

I saw some statistics recently - don't know how accurate they are - that Amazon sells 70-73% of ebooks (that would be Kindle-mobi only, no epubs) and about 40-42% of printed books (paperback only). But Amazon focuses on the US, Canada, and western Europe, does not do hard cover books, and does not distribute to books stores and libraries. Ingram Spark is the best choice if you want to sell to libraries and book stores. Ingram also has a more international reach. But the learning curve for Ingram Spark is much, much higher and harder than Create Space/Kindle.