Publishing Tips
So, once I had written my manuscript, I thought my work was all done and dusted! (And all I had to do was submit my script and would soon be published) However, I would soon discover the labyrinth that was the publishing system. The best thing I did, was put my enthusiasm in check and begin three months of research, on how to get published.
Here is the KEY: You MUST engage an EDITOR.
THE BREAKDOWN
Publishing Houses. They have names like Penguin, Harper Collins, Random House etc. Typically you will have to wait three months to half a year to hear back from them. They will send a letter to acknowledge receipt of your book. Most will not bother to send back your script due to the mass amounts they receive. Dealing with rejection as a writer, is something you will have to get used to as it comes with the territory. Dr.Zuess, was rejected over twenty eight times, before getting his break and J.K.Rowling around thirty two times. Once accepted, you will be offered a contract. They have purchased your script and I believe they can change things about it if they like, including the cover. They can be very P.C and not stick to the Authors vision.
Lets see how much you will be paid once accepted. Around forty percent of profit goes to distributors – Paper Plus, Whitcoulls etc. Delivery
costs, publishing costs, and literary agents (if you have managed to be accepted by one) take their percentage once your book starts selling. So this leaves you with a profit of $1 - $2 per book. Quite disheartening isn't it? After all your years, of focus and writing.
These houses require a high level of perfection, your manuscript will not be read past the first page if it is full of errors. They have no time
to waste. They may have a topic agenda for that particular year, so it could get binned just because it's not on their agenda. (Hence you keep
re-submitting).
Publishing agencies or companies
Now these agencies are businesses that offer 'package' deals. For example Xlibris, Balboa press etc.
They set the package amounts you can engage them in. They can hound you with overseas phone calls, and stroke your ego, but after you have parted money with them, you will never hear from them again, finding yourself ringing them trying to get the support they promised, your books will stagnate sitting in boxes or in a corner of your house. They play up advertising on their websites, but my questions are;
if the public doesn't have a clue about your book and are not seeking you out, then they don't know you even exist!
Anyone can just have their own website, and most people do these days. I have met many authors stung by these guys. Some places will not care if your book is full of mistakes and if it is not a polished product - it will not sell. Would you pay top dollar for a book full of mistakes?
If you can't get a straight answer from these outfits, stay away! I asked for a direct quote per unit price for my book and couldn't get an
honest answer, just confusion and high motivational selling.
So, after warning people, I watched acquaintances get published and get ripped off. I met one lady whom spent over forty thousand dollars on one book project (can't remember who her company was!). You need to decide how much you are going to put towards your book investment, and not let anyone sway you. The sad fact is many have got caught up in the hype, and can't see past it, to common-sense.
Print on demand companies.
You will have to email these companies, which will give you quotes per unit price per book. They can have a minimum of around twenty units to over seven hundred. You need to do your math's here. If your book - say one published book is forty dollars to print and you have to add on marketing costs, travel, or postage, then this leaves you little room for profit. .
Some of these companies require a one - time setup fee per book project, of say three hundred dollars and then charge you on top of that per unit price.
Copy press and Print-a-Book are examples. Print-a-book will post you their example printing book so you can decide on paper thickness and quality. These are a self- publishing companies.
Self-Publishing internet sites
Online self-publishing companies such as Lulu and Blurb offer total control to you. You have to upload your manuscript, design and upload your cover, and instead of waiting six months to hear from a Publishing House, you can have your book delivered to your door in as little
as three weeks. You don't have to order a set amount, you can order one, or a thousand it's up to you. (depends on size of book)
I strongly advise you to only order ONE book at first, because you will be surprised at what needs changing and formatting to get your product
the way YOU want it produced, and you might change your mind about a few things, even the font size! this is common for Lulu.com. However it beats spending thousands on packages. They are the most bang for buck, when starting out on your journey as a writer and Author. You will pay international postage, which you need to factor into book costs, some companies charge more, so shop around. These companies have computer programs online or downloadable, so you can format your book.
You will need to set up a Pay Pal account.
A note on illustrators
You need to ask an illustrator if they charge for concept ideas - if they charge you for first draughts, some illustrators charge you for every
picture whether you want it or not.
A note on Editors
You simply must save money aside for an editor. An editor will cost anywhere from $800 and well above. You will need to send them a few sample pages or a chapter. Shop around. If the editor feels your writing still needs 'polishing' take their advice as it will save you money. An editor can and will chop whole segments from your writing and even a page or two. This can be a painful process for the author. You need to compromise in some areas and in others where your gut is telling you to keep that in - do so. You can butt heads with an editor - but they know what they are doing and it pays to sleep on things rather that rush. You are making a product, no matter how emotionally attached you are to your dream of becoming a best selling author! Which is a very rare outcome - so you have to be happy with what you have created for yourself, because as a self published author you main hardship will be trying to promote and sell your product.
Last piece of advice
I would advise you to be in total control of your book. Never give away control or decision making of your book to others, yes, constructive criticism is fine, but that's not what I am talking about. Stick with your convictions and vision for your book.
Here is the KEY: You MUST engage an EDITOR.
THE BREAKDOWN
Publishing Houses. They have names like Penguin, Harper Collins, Random House etc. Typically you will have to wait three months to half a year to hear back from them. They will send a letter to acknowledge receipt of your book. Most will not bother to send back your script due to the mass amounts they receive. Dealing with rejection as a writer, is something you will have to get used to as it comes with the territory. Dr.Zuess, was rejected over twenty eight times, before getting his break and J.K.Rowling around thirty two times. Once accepted, you will be offered a contract. They have purchased your script and I believe they can change things about it if they like, including the cover. They can be very P.C and not stick to the Authors vision.
Lets see how much you will be paid once accepted. Around forty percent of profit goes to distributors – Paper Plus, Whitcoulls etc. Delivery
costs, publishing costs, and literary agents (if you have managed to be accepted by one) take their percentage once your book starts selling. So this leaves you with a profit of $1 - $2 per book. Quite disheartening isn't it? After all your years, of focus and writing.
These houses require a high level of perfection, your manuscript will not be read past the first page if it is full of errors. They have no time
to waste. They may have a topic agenda for that particular year, so it could get binned just because it's not on their agenda. (Hence you keep
re-submitting).
Publishing agencies or companies
Now these agencies are businesses that offer 'package' deals. For example Xlibris, Balboa press etc.
They set the package amounts you can engage them in. They can hound you with overseas phone calls, and stroke your ego, but after you have parted money with them, you will never hear from them again, finding yourself ringing them trying to get the support they promised, your books will stagnate sitting in boxes or in a corner of your house. They play up advertising on their websites, but my questions are;
if the public doesn't have a clue about your book and are not seeking you out, then they don't know you even exist!
Anyone can just have their own website, and most people do these days. I have met many authors stung by these guys. Some places will not care if your book is full of mistakes and if it is not a polished product - it will not sell. Would you pay top dollar for a book full of mistakes?
If you can't get a straight answer from these outfits, stay away! I asked for a direct quote per unit price for my book and couldn't get an
honest answer, just confusion and high motivational selling.
So, after warning people, I watched acquaintances get published and get ripped off. I met one lady whom spent over forty thousand dollars on one book project (can't remember who her company was!). You need to decide how much you are going to put towards your book investment, and not let anyone sway you. The sad fact is many have got caught up in the hype, and can't see past it, to common-sense.
Print on demand companies.
You will have to email these companies, which will give you quotes per unit price per book. They can have a minimum of around twenty units to over seven hundred. You need to do your math's here. If your book - say one published book is forty dollars to print and you have to add on marketing costs, travel, or postage, then this leaves you little room for profit. .
Some of these companies require a one - time setup fee per book project, of say three hundred dollars and then charge you on top of that per unit price.
Copy press and Print-a-Book are examples. Print-a-book will post you their example printing book so you can decide on paper thickness and quality. These are a self- publishing companies.
Self-Publishing internet sites
Online self-publishing companies such as Lulu and Blurb offer total control to you. You have to upload your manuscript, design and upload your cover, and instead of waiting six months to hear from a Publishing House, you can have your book delivered to your door in as little
as three weeks. You don't have to order a set amount, you can order one, or a thousand it's up to you. (depends on size of book)
I strongly advise you to only order ONE book at first, because you will be surprised at what needs changing and formatting to get your product
the way YOU want it produced, and you might change your mind about a few things, even the font size! this is common for Lulu.com. However it beats spending thousands on packages. They are the most bang for buck, when starting out on your journey as a writer and Author. You will pay international postage, which you need to factor into book costs, some companies charge more, so shop around. These companies have computer programs online or downloadable, so you can format your book.
You will need to set up a Pay Pal account.
A note on illustrators
You need to ask an illustrator if they charge for concept ideas - if they charge you for first draughts, some illustrators charge you for every
picture whether you want it or not.
A note on Editors
You simply must save money aside for an editor. An editor will cost anywhere from $800 and well above. You will need to send them a few sample pages or a chapter. Shop around. If the editor feels your writing still needs 'polishing' take their advice as it will save you money. An editor can and will chop whole segments from your writing and even a page or two. This can be a painful process for the author. You need to compromise in some areas and in others where your gut is telling you to keep that in - do so. You can butt heads with an editor - but they know what they are doing and it pays to sleep on things rather that rush. You are making a product, no matter how emotionally attached you are to your dream of becoming a best selling author! Which is a very rare outcome - so you have to be happy with what you have created for yourself, because as a self published author you main hardship will be trying to promote and sell your product.
Last piece of advice
I would advise you to be in total control of your book. Never give away control or decision making of your book to others, yes, constructive criticism is fine, but that's not what I am talking about. Stick with your convictions and vision for your book.