Self-publishing has been around for decades. For a long time, though, it was viewed as a "scam," merely a way companies got rich off the hopes and dreams of would-be "legitimately" published authors. In the electronic age, however, self-publishing is becoming more widespread, more accepted, and less expensive. Writers who have grown tired of beating a path to large publishing houses are turning to self-publishing companies and some writers are experiencing more than a modicum of success.
So what do self-publishing houses offer? Are they all the same? What should authors look for when choosing a self-publisher? Here are some things writers should keep in mind when shopping around.
What Costs are Involved with Self-Publishing?
Some publishing houses have no upfront fees and others charge for services. While some writers might be willing to pay for services, it's best to know before signing the papers what the author will need to pay for.
Here is a list of some services a self-publisher might charge for:
- "Typesetting" of the manuscript; that is, preparing the manuscript for book format
- Proofreading services
- Different book formats (hardback vs. paperback, ebooks, color vs. black and white, etc.)
- Cover art
- Various marketing services
Publishers' prices vary, so it's best to be thorough and exhaustive. Here are some examples of some of the larger print-on-demand (POD) publishers on the internet:
- AuthorHouse, iUniverse, and Xlibris offer publishing packages starting at $599, but depending on the services a writer wants, the price can double or triple easily.
- Lulu offers a lower initial price of $369.
- BookLocker claims to be able to beat any other POD publishers' prices, so other authors may choose to go with their company.
- CreateSpace is unique in that they publish not only books but music and film as well. However, their starting price begins at around $758.
- PublishAmerica charges no fees to its authors (however, an Acquisitions staff reviews manuscripts; that said, it is not difficult for new authors to get published with their services).
Obviously, there are many more companies online where a writer can choose to publish her work. These are some of the more recognizable and well-known companies today. Many of them offer discounted rates from time to time, so if a writer settles on a company, she might decide to wait for a good deal.
What Other Qualities Should a Writer Look for in a Self-Publisher?
Price is not the only factor a writer should base his decision on when choosing a self-publishing company. He should also ask these questions when checking out a POD publisher:
- What rights does the author retain to his work? Most companies work out deals where an author retains full rights over time, but the writer will want to be sure before signing on the dotted line.
- What are the royalties? Some publishers will have a standard rate (such as a 60/40 split); others' rates are based on other factors. It's best for writers to research long-term potential earnings before deciding.
- Where are books available? The company itself probably has an online bookstore, but what are other outlets? Many subsidy publishers offer books through online book sellers, such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon. It's best to know where the book will be available when settling on a publisher.
- What kind of customer service does the company offer? Do they respond right away? Are they helpful? Sometimes a writer will want to search outside the book company (through a search engine) to look for reviews to make a decision.
And, finally, some last-minute things a writer may want to consider:
- Browse through the book covers in the publisher's online book store. Do they look professional?
- What is the publisher's track record? That is, how many books have they published in the past?
- What are some of the books they've published already? If a writer can browse through some pages, he might ask if he'd be proud to have his book sold side-by-side with some of the other books available by that publisher.
- If things go wrong, what are the repercussions? It's best to ask questions first.
Deciding to Self-Publish
Many high-quality authors choose to self-publish their books everyday, and there are a slew of companies to choose from. Most writers will want to thoroughly examine their options before making a final decision. Obviously, writers will want to consider their comfort level in dealing with particular publishers; fortunately, they have a lot of choices.
Cynthia Jones-Shoeman - Cynthia (“Cindy”) Jones-Shoeman earned her MA in English from Colorado State University in 2007; her thesis was "Toni ...
