Publishing Options for Authors-Part 3: Self-Publishing

Jump to Comments

In this final entry in the series, we will discuss self-publishing options other than online. For online publishing options, see Part 2A and Part 2B of this series. For traditional options, see Part 1. We deal with such issues as copyright in Part 2A.

Self-publishing typically comes in four sizes: private, vanity (another word for “pride” if you prefer to keep the list all “p’s”), POD, and print.

• Private - Perhaps you want to write a memoir or travelogue for your family to enjoy, a book of poems too private to publish for public consumption, or a collection of stories meant to be shared only with your children or grandchildren. Maybe you’re a Bible study teacher who wants to print copies of an original lesson series to hand out to the class. Businesses often develop documents to be distributed among employees, clients, or customers, which are published privately. By private, we mean the act of typing or printing a manuscript and having it bound, typically in spiral or stapled format. This is reminiscent of early pamphleteering, and you could certainly print an ink jet copy of your pamphlet, take it to the nearest Kinko’s or Office Depot, and then sell copies … but not at a penny each … not even a dollar … closer to $20 per copy just to break even. For this reason, the aforementioned businesses usually invest in a commercial copier and a spiral binding machine. This remains a viable option for private publishing needs, not for commercial distribution.
• Vanity-The difference between a vanity publisher and the next two self-publishing options can be likened to the difference between a prop gun and the real thing. If you bought an expensive-looking revolver in a pawn shop, intending to use it to protect your business from vandals, but later discovered it was capable of shooting only blanks, you would probably not be as pleased with the “bargain” as you were when you thought it would do the job. Vanity presses typically charge more than their legitimate counterparts and deliver none of the marketing and distribution they promise for the extra investment. There are vanity publishers that deal in print and POD; so writer beware! Do a thorough background check so you get some “bang” for your buck–and book.
• POD - These publishers have much to offer a beginning author, but all POD publishers are not created equal; you’ll want to be discriminating.
  • Retail Price - Be sure the retail price of the printed book is commensurate with the value, based on number of pages and content. Overpriced books from novice writers won’t sell well.
  • Author’s Price - Be sure the book won’t cost you more than you can expect to recoup easily when selling itself yourself or be prohibitive to giving away some copies.
  • Packages - Typically, a POD publisher offers one or more sets of services with commensurate fees. You will want to choose a package of services that offers what you and your book need–no more, no less–at a price you can afford. A few of these publishers require you to fill out a form before you can see their packages and rates. This means you will receive their advertisements for months. The more competitive companies publicize their rates on their web sites so you can easily compare packages.
  • Royalty -Weigh the amount of royalty you will receive for each book sold against the amount of money you will spend on your selected publishing package.
  • Distribution - Consider carefully the amount of marketing help you will receive and the extent of the company’s connections with wholesale distribution centers, such as Amazon, Borders, etc., and whether or not books are offered online only or also in bookstores.
  • Promotion - Something few authors consider but which influences readers to buy or not to buy your self-published/POD book is the promotional blurb. Not only does the promotional verbiage generated for your book influence buyers, but the blurbs written for other books that share a web page with yours. You will want your blurb to be as well-written as your book, not hyperbolic or melodramatic or in any other way “cheap.” Other books in your chosen publisher’s list should be promoted likewise, in a manner that reflects well on your book, not one that detracts from its value.

• Print - Although we mentioned the small press as one of the traditional options for authors, there are arrangements that cross the boundaries between a small press and self-publishing that should be mentioned. Tate Publishing Company in Oklahoma works with authors to publish in print and market the published books, much like a POD publisher. They work with authors personally and are a Christian, family-owned business. They share the costs of publication and promotion with the author, and likewise, they share the profits. There may be other similar publishing companies of which we at WDP are unaware.
• Printer - If you prefer to invest your money in printed copies of your book and trust your own editorial skills, your own ability to design the cover and page layouts, and rely on your own marketing savvy, you are then free to set the price of your book, change the price, or give the book away, and you keep all profits. The challenges are greater, but so are the rewards if you succeed.

As you have probably noticed, the only way an author can get around the need for self-promotion is to already be a recognized commodity or write on a topic that will sell itself in today’s marketplace, which frankly, rarely tips the scales in favor of works by Christians with Bible-based principals. The question then remains, which of the options available to authors is right for you and your book?

Here are the things you will want to consider when determining your answer to this question.

• Audience - Who do you think or hope will read your book? Non-fiction authors must build a readership by publishing smaller pieces on a regular basis, hosting a radio show, or doing something newsworthy. Fiction authors can do these things as well, but since nonfiction is sold on the basis of a proposal, the idea and author credentials are paramount; whereas, fiction is sold on the basis of excellent writing, coupled with a compelling story and characters. Do what it takes to prepare yourself for the day you give an agent or editor a reason not to say “no” to your book.
• Marketing and Distribution - Make the choice that will get your book into the hands of the people you have identified as your audience. It does no good to write a great book if no one hears about it or is able to buy a copy due to limited distribution or prohibitive cost.
• Control - Be realistic about the trade-offs you are willing to make. You need to decide what kind of help you want and need and if you prefer to control certain aspects of your book’s creation yourself.
• Investment - Finally, be realistic about the investment of money and time you will be able to make in order to place your book, as you have envisioned it, into the hands of appreciative readers.

Whyte Dove Press looks forward to publishing new titles within the next few years. Meanwhile, we offer beginning authors a place to publish shorter works and establish themselves as voices to be heard. In addition, if you need a writing tutor, would like to participate in an online writing workshop, or would like to become involved in an online writing critique group, visit our web site for details. Before you can take advantage of any publishing options, you must first have something worthy to say and be able to say it well–in writing.

9 Comments

Filed under A Word to Authors

Tags: authors, copyright, options, POD, printer, publishing, self-publishing, vanity press