Considerations Before Engaging Self Publishing Companies

By Mayra Pierce


Most authors are frustrated by the grip publishers have over their work. Satisfaction for an author lies in seeing a book that appears exactly as you had envisaged. You also want to control the earnings since this is your effort. There are several self publishing companies that can help you achieve this. They give you full control over design, editing and loyalties, among other aspects.

Bypassing traditional publishers helps you to get a feel of the market before contracting an agent. It gives you a feel of what to expect when you hit the market. You will have a first hand feel of their reception. Traditional publishers will see your work and pay serious attention to it.

Hybrid authors engage traditional publishers and at the same time publish on their own. In case you wish to pursue this route, it is important to clear the terms with the publisher. This will keep you out of conflict since you are likely to be operating in the same market.

Self publishing offers writer several options each with its advantages and disadvantages. The main idea is to maintain as much control as possible over your work and most especially the returns. Doing everything without assistance gives you control over creating the manuscript, distributing it and marketing. To be successful in this regard, you will need to know a lot of systems used by publishers as well as industry interfaces. This option requires dedication and time.

There are self publishing platforms that take up part of the technical work. You will have more time in your hands without having to spend a fortune. They have the technical clout to produce the book faster. Their systems are automated and may therefore not produce the best quality of work. This will affect market reception and consequently the returns.

There are publishing houses that offer such a platform at a reduced rate. They take over most of the technical work while you are left with producing the manuscript. Their standards are very decent and professional. The disadvantages you will have to contend with include payments of undisclosed and irrelevant services whose providers are not known to you.

Traditional publishers can still handle your manuscripts after you have opted to go alone. Initial stages can be used to raise your profile so that the publishers can take note of your work. This also is a way to feel the market without going through a biased and interested interface like a commercial publisher. It gives you a clear picture of whether the market is ready for you. The next time you approach a publisher, he will consider your terms.

There is a group of vanity publishers that hype your writing in order to get your signature to publish and the money that follows. They deceive you on the quality only for you to get a rude shock once you hit the market. It leads to losses and frustrations. Be cautious when someone claims that your work is good.

Vetting by friends, family members, writing communities and online platforms helps to improve your quality of work. It also is prudent to enlist the help of a professional designer and editor if you choose to work alone. Emphasis should not be on reducing cost at the expense of producing quality work.




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