So, your book is written and you’re now wondering how to commence your journey to becoming a published author. There are two options for you – Traditional Publishing or Self-Publishing as an Indie Author. Both have pros and cons depending on your genre and the desired outcome. The advent of digital technology means publishing is no longer a closed industry, creating the choice for authors to self- publish. Traditional Publishing This is the dream for many authors – signing a contract with a major publisher. If this is your goal, obtaining the elusive deal can be easier said than done. Whether you are pitching to an agent or directly to the publisher, rejections and waiting for responses are part of the process. The credibility and validation of having a book deal brings plenty of prestige. The one great advantage of a traditional publisher is their distribution to physical bookstores, airports and other retail outlets. You will also have access to a team of professionals, including editors, cover designers, layout designers and a production and marketing team, who will work on bringing your manuscript to life. However, these benefits need to be weighed up against the cons. It can take a long time to go from finishing your manuscript, to having a published book. You will lose a degree of control – you can have input into the cover, blurb, timing and price but ultimately this will be the publisher’s decision. You may dream of that large advance and royalty cheque but in reality it is unlikely, especially if you are a new author. Before a publisher takes on a new author they will look at how you have built your author platform. The publisher will promote your book to the bookstores and their distributors; however, nowadays the author needs to be prepared to market directly to their readers. Self-Publishing as an Indie Author Not so many years ago self-publishing was frowned upon and seen as unprofessional; however, that view is quickly changing. Yes, there are self-published books that are unprofessional and look and feel amateurish, but there are ways to achieve the look and quality of a traditionally published book as an independent (Indie) author. The good and the bad news with self-publishing is that you have complete control, and with that comes a lot of responsibility. There is a wealth of author services, freelance editors and designers available to assist you, and often the trick is to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses and know what services you will find value in. The following is a brief breakdown of some of these services: Cover Design A well-designed cover is the reader’s first indication that the book is of a high quality. Most readers will judge your book by its cover and buyers initially buy with their eyes. Research your genre on Amazon and take note of books that standout in a good and bad way. Go to a bookstore and get ideas about styles you like, or look online at bookcoverarchive.com. Editing Very few people can edit their own work well – you need another pair of eyes, preferably professional eyes to edit your work. A professional editor will critique your work honestly and give you invaluable feedback, which is not always the case with family and friends. If you can’t afford a professional editor you could use a beta group of readers in your chosen genre. Author Services The benefit of working with a company that provides author services is that you can have a similar level of professional help as to that provided by the traditional publishers. The main difference being that you are in control of the final outcome and the services you choose to pay for. If you are buying a new house, a new car or any other product the chances are you will do your research and due diligence. The same applies for choosing a self-publishing company. Some things to look for:
- Research the company thoroughly. Review a portfolio of their work. Have they worked previously in your genre?
- Can your skills be utilised in the self-publishing journey?
- Does the company produce quality ebooks?
- Are there ongoing fees and royalties?
- Will you, the author, receive 100% of the book sales?
Having worked with traditional publishers and self-published authors for many years, we can see the benefits of working in both platforms. The pros and cons to both methods need to be weighed up for each individual author as no two projects are alike.
