The Benefits of Self-Publishing
These days self-publishing isn’t as tricky as in days past and can be done with just a few thousand dollars. Often aspiring authors hear about the pitfalls of self-publishing, but self-publishing benefits make the endeavor worth it. Besides the oft-talked about benefits of complete creative control and 100% of the royalties (which are significant, of course), consider this:
- Faster turnaround to market. Writing and editing take whatever time needed, but once you’re ready to publish, your book can be for sale almost immediately, with profits coming in soon after that.
- Create niche books. Publishing houses require an expectation of a certain number of sales, so if you’re writing a book with a niche audience, you’ll find no objections if you go it alone.
- Get yourself noticed. Being a self-published author can have many influencers’ characteristics that one sees on social media, meaning that book agents and publishers will eventually come to you if you do well.
What Does Publishing Mean?
Traditional publishing is when a publisher offers the author a contract in exchange for printing and selling your book through booksellers from which you receive a portion of the royalties.
Self-publishing is like running and financing a small business dedicated solely to producing and selling a single product: your book. It means you bring in all the necessary help to create a book either with your own money. Like any business, the goal is to make a profit over time and create a product that sells well enough to cover production expenses.
The best way to self-publish a book can be broken down into three broad stages:
- Writing, editing, and illustrating the book
- Cover design, interior formatting, and printing
- Marketing and selling the book
Each of these stages involves many individual steps and decisions that you can take alone, leave to a publisher, or decide together.
Types of Publishing
When it comes to publishing your book, you have a few options, depending on your budget, timeline, and your book’s marketability. To understand the different types of publishing concerning audience and sales potential, let’s break down publishing types.
- Traditional publishing
Traditional publishers require a formal submission from a literary agent who typically takes a percentage of your advance and sometimes a cut of your royalties. If a publisher accepts your manuscript, they acquire the rights.
Many authors don’t realize that a publisher may or may not offer an advance payment, and royalty payments are typically less than 5%. Some publishers may also ask for input for your cover regarding editing and marketing, but they have full control.
- Self-publishing
Self-publishing has become more common, with Amazon and Bookbaby streamlining the process with their online services. While this does have some great benefits to the author, full creative control comes with many responsibilities, putting self-publishing authors at risk.
Securing and financing the editing, design, marketing, and production of their book means errors and unprofessional-looking work are common telltales of the self-published author. If choosing the self-publishing route, it’s best to hire an editor with credible references and to leave your design and illustration to the professionals.
- Hybrid publishing
Naturally, a third option emerged – the hybrid model – a cross between traditional and self-publishing. Like self-publishing, hybrid publishing requires funding, however, authors maintain 100% of the rights to their books and also have input into their editing, design, and marketing. And like traditional publishing, a hybrid publisher ensures the final product is as polished and professional as possible.
These are the very basics, but we are always happy to chat with aspiring authors. If you are thinking about getting your book published or just considering your options, contact us today.
Self Publishing: Why it works
Self-publishing works because the indie author can learn new skills, work with professionals, make mistakes, learn from them, earn money directly, and interact with their audience in a much more agile way than ever before.
It’s hard work but empowering for an author who wants to learn or has been rejected by publishers to take their writing future into their own hands. And as mentioned, going this route may also benefit by attracting literary agents and publishers to an author who aligns with their business.
Self Publishing Services
From typeface to cover design and marketing, Palmetto Publishing is a one-stop-shop to get your book printed to your exact specifications and into the hands of readers around the world. We offer assistance with every step of the book lifecycle.
Our comprehensive publishing services will help you develop a finished product that you can be proud of with your creative direction. And we do so without taking any cut of your royalties.
We are your publishing team, and we’ll put in the time to ensure your book is finished to your exact specifications, 100% satisfaction guaranteed. No matter how large or how small the project, our professional staff is ready to assist you with all of your publishing needs.