Learning from Bus Buddhists
In psychological terms, context is almost everything. Much as we like to think that we know how we will act and react in a given situation, without the richness of...
So, having written my book, and to be honest a question I pondered whilst I was writing it, how should I try and get it published. I say ‘try’ because we’ve all heard stories about people trying to find an established publisher only to discover that they receive a billion manuscripts a day and only think about looking at a couple; OK a mild exaggeration, but no doubt it’s a tough route to go.
What are the options?
Self-publishing sounds like one option, but in fact it covers a multitude of possibilities (and let me say right now that I’m no expert on any of them). These range from essentially paying a company to publish your work for you to sending it to an on-line company who do nothing more than print one off (or send it electronically) when a request arrives.
Paying to be published strikes me as a risky route to go. You have no way to know how effective the support you’ll receive will be, and with the publisher earning all their revenue from your business with them (rather than from the sales of the book) they don’t have a compelling need to market it aggressively on your behalf.
The print on demand type services are an interesting way to go. My friend Jay Wright wrote a book on Guitar Acquisition Syndrome and lodged it with Lulu.com. He’s sold several thousand around the world through his own marketing efforts, through guitar shows, guitar stores and EBay. With a print on demand service there’s no major risk; you can order a large number of copies to get the average cost down slightly, but you can order small numbers too.
Self-publishing offers the attractive potential of receiving a higher profit per sale. With no publisher’s profit to consider the sales model is a very simple function of volume and price. What’s more, the print quality is excellent and you don’t have to fight with anyone about pricing, marketing, the cover design or anything else!
With so many advantages to the self-published route why look for a publisher?
I think there are several potential advantages:
- It’s easy to look at publishers as the enemy, but they should be the people with the knowledge and expertise to help make the most of your (and their) product.
- Being master of your own destiny is all well and good, but if you respect someone else’s opinion having someone care about your all the elements of your book should help make it better, not worse.
- Publishing works like an implicit endorsement; yes, there are many lousy books that have been published, but nevertheless anyone can self-publish. At least a published book has found one person who thinks enough of it to bring it to the book-buying market.
Downsides? Not finding a publisher who wants your book is probably the biggest! And once you have one they may suggest changes you don’t agree with, fleece you with a contract that is unfair, not lift a finger to market your work, and probably a thousand other things I’ve yet to encounter!
I’ve decided to try and get a publisher for my book. I want the expertise, I want someone to help make my book as good as it can be and I think that the added endorsement will enhance its status.
But I know finding a publisher won’t be easy. I’m willing to be persistent. But it’s a big publishing world, how the heck do you decide where to start?
I’ll discuss that next time, when a big stroke of luck shines a bright light on the murky world of publishing!
Philip Graves
OMG Phil, why didn’t you take Kevin’s author’s course?!!!! This is exactly the stuff you learn and you’ll learn how to figure out which is better for you big publisher or self published. He teaches you how to get your book published. The course just started last week, I’m sure you could still get in, especially since your book is already written. If you don’t take the class – good luck. If you do take it – I’ll see you there!
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services – Babysitters and Nannies
Hi Phil,
Afraid to say I’m with Lisa on this one, follow what the expert’s have done, cuts the learning and mistakes right out my friend
Duane
Super-ADVANCED Persuasion Techniques & Influence Training Proven to Quickly Create a Flood of Money Constantly & Continuously Flowing into YOUR Bank Account Like the Niagara Falls… 100% GUARANTEED!!
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I’m really interested in how this is going to unfold and I wish you all the best with it!
Like most people, I’ve always felt that I have a book in me. I’m really interested in how you get on…
Lisa and Duane make a good point. If nothing else, Kevin’s editor / proof-reader would absolutely love you in comparison! 🙂
I’m with the others as well. I am looking forward to how this whole deal plays out.
Anthony
http://www.anthonylemme.com
Looking forward to learning more about your publishing journey.
Health, Fitness — Darryl Pace
Fitness Product Review
Hi Phil,
Kevin Hogan is now also in publishing game. You might get him publish your book!
The way you talk in this blog post gives me a clear signal that you have not taken his Writer Course which I am in for the 1st time.
But damn, I’m so busy with my full time work lately. I’ve taken up a calculated risk to list and sell 4 new townhouses (all just finished building) in the same double blocks of great location.
John Ho
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personality for Better Influence & Persuasion
Numerology Expert Birthday Numeroscope
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personality for Better Influence & Persuasion
excellent post
Hi Phil,
didn’t you take Kevin’s Author course?
Indeed, I have a publisher lined up who is highly likely to publish my first REAL (non-ebook) book this fall. I am to submit a Marketing Plan for it WITH my manuscript. I’m working on creating my marketing strategy and specifics as well as my own writing. And aiming to line that up b4 I publish. So I can hit the ground running.
I’ve been getting on radio, periodicals, and Unilever (AXE Hair and Shower brands here in the States, Lynx in the UK) invited me to be on a Dating Experts panel. All of which contributes to my own ability to market my work massively.
ha ha. Meant to include in the previous comment. I LOVED when you mentioned the word count feature in MS Word. Isn’t that delicious and delightful feature which further drives and encourages you as an author/
I both experience that when writing in MS Word as well as when I write some of my blog posts when I think I just have a little something to say that I think will be 200 words that becomes 992 words. oooo. That’s cool. That is a section of a book chapter!
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Single Baby Boomer Dating Success Expert
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