Insight on Self Publishing, Traditional Publishing & Independent Publishing!

More Insight on Self Publishing, Traditional Publishing & Independent Publishing!

They all can be tricky and really depends on what you plan to put into it and your immediate goal.

Self Publish: Means that you will publish the book through a service that provides an ISBN number. When and if you decide to pull the book and Publish a different route. That ISBN number belongs to the company in which you contracted to put your work into publication. You will need to get another ISBN number identify YOUR book as YOUR OWN. You can buy one for $55.00 or you have the option to buy in Bulk. For more info on ISBN Numbers go to http://www.isbn-us.com. Buying in bulk saves money. Only if you plan to publish future work.
Self pub websites like LuLu have a stigma of sorts. You will ONLY be available on their website. Then there is Smashwords, That system is the same. Being published through these websites is not a bad choice. It will however limit your access to the masses.

NOW if you publish COMPLETELY on your own.. Meaning you get your own ISBN and upload your book for sale on Kindle, Find a printer and sell copies via the Web, Book Stores, and Hand to Hand sales. You get MORE of a profit and you OWN the ISBN. How well you do is up to YOU. You will have to hustle and grind to get people to first notice, then spend.
The price to secure such services can be costly. You will have to hire an editor, your work will need typesetting to be in Book format, You will need to format for E-Readers, You have to produce a book cover, and the list goes on.
Not a BAD choices... but there are Cons.
Traditional Publishing: HARD! Most companies want you to have a body of work already available for sale and published. Then they will consider what you bring to the table. However, NOT impossible to get them to notice you as a first time out. They will also fund the cost of publishing your book. BUT they will make sure they get a return on the investment. So your royalties will not fund shopping trips. It will get you GREAT exposure and in the long run it will pay out. Depending on if you continue to publish books.
Then there are Independent Publishers: With them they are small companies. That had some success in publishing there own books now they assist others. They WILL NOT and CAN NOT fund your project. The fees vary... I would say between 2,000.00 - 7,000.00 Depending on the company. MAKE sure you RESEARCH what they offer for that dollar amount. Some have different packages.
Example: Editing (there is different types of edits) Research that! , Proofreading, Book covers (look at the other covers, decide if they are capable to make your concept a reality) they have the final say on Covers!, Printing ( how much will it cost YOU to print books) promotions ( if any, See if they offer book marks, a YouTube trailer for your book, fliers, events.) YOU WILL BE MAINLY RESPONSIBLE TO PROMOTE YOU & YOUR PROJECT! , Typesetting, E-Books, Distribution.
Because they have been through this... they know certain things. Like how to get you available on the websites of MAJOR book stores.
MOST IMPORTANT... Research a few compare what they offer and WHO will work best for you. If you go this route.
There is so much to consider after your Manuscript is done. The publishing process is only the half way marker on your Journey. Now you must think MARKETING/PROMOTING.
For more information on (ME) Author, Writer, & Blogger Elizabeth Funderbirk
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