All publishing options have benefits and constraints
Modern publishing options offer a breadth of choices. The best one for you is based on your
- budget
- time
- energy commitment
- understanding of registrations and how to get them
- in-place marketing
- network or contacts development.
Each publishing path differs in
- upfront costs
- control of the publishing process
- speed at which your book gets to market
- author advances
- the rates and timing of royalties
- your responsibility to obtain registrations
- the ability for wide distribution
- the breadth of your marketing
- the amount of time you invest in promotion
The five main choices are
Traditional publisher
For many authors, this is their idea of heaven because of the innate clout in announcing at the family reunion, “Hachette picked up my book, and gave me a big advance.” Yep, free money in the form of a publishing advance is the wet dream of most writers, but it comes with a trunkful of limitations and you still have to do a lot of your book’s promotion. And you lose control of that precious book containing your blood, sweat, and tears. Clout costs, but maybe that’s worth it to you.
Self-publishing
Opens up a new world for authors and readers alike. It affords you the most freedom and you get to keep all profits, but requires the most responsibility, money, and time.
Publishing services
Will take a lot of the complexity of design, printing, and ISBN acquisition off your plate, but can cost a pretty penny. And you still have to do the marketing if you want to sell. Like self-publishing, this is a great option for authors who want to only sell in the back of the room when they are speakers at events and can afford the big print runs often required by publishing services.
eBooks
Offer a huge range of exposure to potential readers—if they can find you. The glut of eBooks on the market today means you have to work to make yours stand out, but for some authors, an eBook is the perfect publishing solution.
Hybrid publishing
Pairs you with a traditional publisher and opens up access to their services, connections, and distribution markets. Each publisher has their own hybrid package with its own set of rules and services.
- Which publishing options fulfill the greatest number of your personal criteria?
- Do you want full control of your book’s release into the market?
- Would you rather get more royalties but need to do more work?
- Are you firm on your title, or are you willing to let it be changed by a traditional publisher?
- Is having a marketing network already in place worth giving up some control?
- Can your budget manage investment into an alternative publishing method?
- Have you explored the many publishing variations of hybrid publishing?
And you thought writing your book was hard! Choosing the right publishing path can make-or-break your book’s success.
