As I put the finishing touches on my manuscript a few months ago, I faced a delicate choice - whether to seek a traditional publisher or to self-publish.
As a professional speaker, I knew that self-publishing was becoming an increasingly popular publishing alternative for authors, but I did not know the reasons for choosing self-publishing over traditional publishing.
It was clear that I needed to become more familiar with the pros and cons of the two alternatives.
First, I had to remove the star dust from my eyes.
I had spent a lifetime believing that the only successful authors were those who signed big contracts with traditional publishing houses.
A combination of well-oiled publicists and Madison Avenue advertising had successfully highlighted the glittery side of signing a publishing contract.
From the outside looking in, there appeared to be no downsides, but there were.
Ultimately, I learned that for every successful author in the mainstream, at least seven other authors are left waiting while their books gather dust in the publisher's warehouses.
Armed with this revelation and the success stories of many who have taken the road less traveled before me, I spent months of research developing a personal catalogue that highlighted the differences between the two forms of publishing.
I ultimately chose to self-publish.
Although, there were many facets involved in my decision to self-publish, the deciding factors for me were creative control, financial reimbursement, marketing, publishing timetable, tax advantages, and the ability to avoid being relegated to the "out of print" category.
Creative Control In traditional publishing houses, the author relinquishes a great deal of creative control.
The publisher will have contractual discretion over jacket design, jacket copy, typesetting and even the title of the work itself.
The author can also lose control over the final output of the information in the book through editing.
As an author, I have exercised creative control over the writing portion of my project from day one.
I stopped and asked myself, "Why should that process come to a screeching halt?" "Why should the world see anything but the complete picture that I have painted with words?" Choosing to self-publish allows me the satisfaction of controlling my own work from the idea stage, through the publishing process and into distribution.
I am pleased that my decision is the final word on every aspect involved.
I chose a self-publisher that includes editing in its package and does not accept every manuscript that is submitted.
I keep a book published by a vanity publisher on my bookshelf that is written in less than sixth-grade English.
Misspelled words and grammar snafus abound.
I pull it off the shelf on occasion to remind me not to select a publisher that has no pride in the final product.
My manuscript needed editing assistance, but I had the final word o all changes.
Throughout the process, I worked one-on-one with a production assistant who guided me through the process and was always available to answer any questions.
We traded suggestions on the book's title, the cover graphics, and even the book's pricing.
I am pleased that my decision is the final word on every aspect involved in delivering my book to my audience.
On the financial side In traditional publishing contracts, an author is paid 6 percent to 15 percent royalties.
If an agent has secured the placement, the agent draws a percentage of the royalties before the author is paid.
If the author has received an advance, often royalties are not paid until profits from book sales exceed the advance.
Royalties are negotiated upfront and will not change during the term of the contract.
I freely admit that my decision to write a book stemmed from the desire to spread a message that would make a difference in the world around me.
However, my time is valuable and monetary compensation for that time is the accepted exchange for my energy.
By choosing to self-publish, I wil lhave my choice of publishers, my choice of financial reimbursement and even my choice regarding the price per unit for the book.
The monetary rewards are entirely based on my efforts at spreading my message.
I can live with that! Marketing In traditional publishing houses, less than 15% of the purchased books receive marketing support.
First chosen are experienced authors with proven track records, then celebrities.
Books that don't sell themselves or receive author promotion are often relegated to book warehouses until they are out-of-print.
Authors are free to suggest marketing strategies but they will not be reimbursed for those plans that are not approved.
Marketing campaigns can also be pulled at the discretion of the publisher.
Since strategic marketing is the force behind all book sales, my marketing efforts will be in my direct control.
I will decide the marketing budget, targets and scope of programs.
All future speaking engagements will be boosted by marketing placement.
The success of my book in the marketplace will depend on my promotional efforts.
I am comfortable guiding the destiny of my book.
Time is on my side Traditional publishers can take anywhere from a year to a year and a half to deliver a finished product once a contract is signed.
Only timely books i.
e.
: those capitalizing on current events or current deaths of celebrities are rushed into production.
I would lose a year to a year and a half of book sales during that period of time.
The process of self-publishing cuts the time element to weeks and months rather than years.
I would likely have a second book self-published in that time period.
The timing of subject matter for self-help books is strategic and a gap in time could mean the difference between winning and losing in the marketplace.
Tax advantages By using a traditional publisher, I can not write off any publishing costs - only marketing costs, if I choose do my own marketing.
I have formed my own company and can write off a portion of my home expenses and deduct expenses related to writing such as marketing, traveling and entertainment costs.
All marketing costs from printing to photocopying are available for tax deduction.
Update at will In traditional publishing, books that the publisher decides are no longer viable for promotion or sale often are categorized as 'out of print'.
It is almost impossible for an author who has not produced a booked deemed to be a winner to get a second printing.
Also books cannot be reprinted to correct errors or to add new information.
By choosing to self-publish, I can choose a printer that prints on demand.
Books are printed as they are ordered.
I can make changes (for a fee) or call for a second printing of a book that has once again become trendy.
There will be no backlog of books in a warehouse.
Once I decide to make changes, I can control the distribution of books with current changes.
I am pleased with my decision to self-publish.
My thoughts and words will arrive unchanged.
I choose to shape my own destiny and the destiny of this book by maintaining creative control as it enters the literary universe.
You are probably reading this article because you have the same choice to make.
Which will you choose?
As a professional speaker, I knew that self-publishing was becoming an increasingly popular publishing alternative for authors, but I did not know the reasons for choosing self-publishing over traditional publishing.
It was clear that I needed to become more familiar with the pros and cons of the two alternatives.
First, I had to remove the star dust from my eyes.
I had spent a lifetime believing that the only successful authors were those who signed big contracts with traditional publishing houses.
A combination of well-oiled publicists and Madison Avenue advertising had successfully highlighted the glittery side of signing a publishing contract.
From the outside looking in, there appeared to be no downsides, but there were.
Ultimately, I learned that for every successful author in the mainstream, at least seven other authors are left waiting while their books gather dust in the publisher's warehouses.
Armed with this revelation and the success stories of many who have taken the road less traveled before me, I spent months of research developing a personal catalogue that highlighted the differences between the two forms of publishing.
I ultimately chose to self-publish.
Although, there were many facets involved in my decision to self-publish, the deciding factors for me were creative control, financial reimbursement, marketing, publishing timetable, tax advantages, and the ability to avoid being relegated to the "out of print" category.
Creative Control In traditional publishing houses, the author relinquishes a great deal of creative control.
The publisher will have contractual discretion over jacket design, jacket copy, typesetting and even the title of the work itself.
The author can also lose control over the final output of the information in the book through editing.
As an author, I have exercised creative control over the writing portion of my project from day one.
I stopped and asked myself, "Why should that process come to a screeching halt?" "Why should the world see anything but the complete picture that I have painted with words?" Choosing to self-publish allows me the satisfaction of controlling my own work from the idea stage, through the publishing process and into distribution.
I am pleased that my decision is the final word on every aspect involved.
I chose a self-publisher that includes editing in its package and does not accept every manuscript that is submitted.
I keep a book published by a vanity publisher on my bookshelf that is written in less than sixth-grade English.
Misspelled words and grammar snafus abound.
I pull it off the shelf on occasion to remind me not to select a publisher that has no pride in the final product.
My manuscript needed editing assistance, but I had the final word o all changes.
Throughout the process, I worked one-on-one with a production assistant who guided me through the process and was always available to answer any questions.
We traded suggestions on the book's title, the cover graphics, and even the book's pricing.
I am pleased that my decision is the final word on every aspect involved in delivering my book to my audience.
On the financial side In traditional publishing contracts, an author is paid 6 percent to 15 percent royalties.
If an agent has secured the placement, the agent draws a percentage of the royalties before the author is paid.
If the author has received an advance, often royalties are not paid until profits from book sales exceed the advance.
Royalties are negotiated upfront and will not change during the term of the contract.
I freely admit that my decision to write a book stemmed from the desire to spread a message that would make a difference in the world around me.
However, my time is valuable and monetary compensation for that time is the accepted exchange for my energy.
By choosing to self-publish, I wil lhave my choice of publishers, my choice of financial reimbursement and even my choice regarding the price per unit for the book.
The monetary rewards are entirely based on my efforts at spreading my message.
I can live with that! Marketing In traditional publishing houses, less than 15% of the purchased books receive marketing support.
First chosen are experienced authors with proven track records, then celebrities.
Books that don't sell themselves or receive author promotion are often relegated to book warehouses until they are out-of-print.
Authors are free to suggest marketing strategies but they will not be reimbursed for those plans that are not approved.
Marketing campaigns can also be pulled at the discretion of the publisher.
Since strategic marketing is the force behind all book sales, my marketing efforts will be in my direct control.
I will decide the marketing budget, targets and scope of programs.
All future speaking engagements will be boosted by marketing placement.
The success of my book in the marketplace will depend on my promotional efforts.
I am comfortable guiding the destiny of my book.
Time is on my side Traditional publishers can take anywhere from a year to a year and a half to deliver a finished product once a contract is signed.
Only timely books i.
e.
: those capitalizing on current events or current deaths of celebrities are rushed into production.
I would lose a year to a year and a half of book sales during that period of time.
The process of self-publishing cuts the time element to weeks and months rather than years.
I would likely have a second book self-published in that time period.
The timing of subject matter for self-help books is strategic and a gap in time could mean the difference between winning and losing in the marketplace.
Tax advantages By using a traditional publisher, I can not write off any publishing costs - only marketing costs, if I choose do my own marketing.
I have formed my own company and can write off a portion of my home expenses and deduct expenses related to writing such as marketing, traveling and entertainment costs.
All marketing costs from printing to photocopying are available for tax deduction.
Update at will In traditional publishing, books that the publisher decides are no longer viable for promotion or sale often are categorized as 'out of print'.
It is almost impossible for an author who has not produced a booked deemed to be a winner to get a second printing.
Also books cannot be reprinted to correct errors or to add new information.
By choosing to self-publish, I can choose a printer that prints on demand.
Books are printed as they are ordered.
I can make changes (for a fee) or call for a second printing of a book that has once again become trendy.
There will be no backlog of books in a warehouse.
Once I decide to make changes, I can control the distribution of books with current changes.
I am pleased with my decision to self-publish.
My thoughts and words will arrive unchanged.
I choose to shape my own destiny and the destiny of this book by maintaining creative control as it enters the literary universe.
You are probably reading this article because you have the same choice to make.
Which will you choose?
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