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Monday 10 November 2014

Considerations Before Engaging Self Publishing Companies

By Mayra Pierce


It is frustrating to spend time and energy writing a book that will not get to the shelves. Publishers who choose to do it on their own are sometimes driven by the desire to earn more. Others who are looking for self publishing companies want more control over editing and the final product. It is the desire of every writer to get satisfaction from his work. This is one way to achieve that.

Ignoring conventional publishers allows you to test the market before you approach agents. You have an idea of what to expect and are therefore prepared to negotiate with the agent. Publishers who see your work later will handle it with more seriousness.

A class of hybrid publishers exists where one publishers alone and still engages formal publishers to a certain extent. This avenue requires clarity of terms and conditions with the intended publisher. This is the best way to avoid conflict when you meet in the market.

There are merits and demerits of doing the work alone depending on the extent. The ultimate goal is to be in full control of your work and the returns it generates. The choice to do everything alone requires time and money. You will have to generate the manuscripts, distribute the book and market it. You need to know the systems in the book market and related interfaces. You will need to invest a lot of time and money.

Self publishing platforms exist for authors who opt to go this way. It leaves you with more time and money since most of the work is taken away. You also enjoy the advantage of technical support by the firm. Their editorial and design packages might not meet expected market standards which is likely to compromise your returns. This arises out of excessive automation.

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.

Going alone does not lock out the option of engaging traditional publishers. It is a perfect way to build your profile in order to attract the attention of popular publishers. It also gives you direct and unbiased feedback on whether the market is ready for your content and style. Publishers will take you seriously when you approach them later.

Authors should avoid vanity publishers who praise manuscripts with selfish intentions. Their only desire is to take the money you will pay to have the work published. They deceive you on quality, style and content only for you to get a rude reception from the market. This is a frustrating encounter that will cost a lot of time and money.

Passing your work through friends, family members, online platforms and writing communities will help you improve on quality. A professional designer and editor will raise the quality of your work to a large extent. Too much attention should not go to cost at the expense of quality. This will be counterproductive.




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