Is it a Good Idea to Self Publish?
The question is, should you or would you ever self publish? I am guessing this question stems from the fact self publishing used to be thought of as 'vanity publishing', and that if someone wasn't a very good writer and could not get a publisher to accept their books they refused to accept this, and went off and paid to publish their books themselves. People who knew the author had 'self published' would then assume that the content of the resulting books was likely to be inferior in quality and not worth reading. Whilst this was probably true in many cases, I do believe that things have changed in recent years, especially with the arrival of ebooks that cost nothing to publish and allow authors to cut out the middleman who would take so much of their profits. Many book publishers won't even look at a manuscript now unless it comes from a formerly published author with a proven track record. This leaves a huge amount of potentially excellent writers unpublished if they don't choose to publish their own books, (either as ebooks or as printed copies.)
My Stepfather now has three books published, the first two of which were originally accepted by a publisher legitimately. The problem was that the publisher was taking such a huge percentage of the profits from each book that my Step Father was only making about £1 a copy for himself. For this reason when he wrote his third book he chose to publish it as an eBook, (with a fair bit of formatting help from fellow Hubber Sandy Spider.) I then went on to set up the same book with Createspace as a print on demand copy so that he could sell it in hard copy form as well, (therefore maximising his profiting potential.)
The Advantages of Self Publishing
Self publishing has some great advantages over going through a recognised publisher. Just a few to consider include:
- Better profit margins for the author.
- No need to submit your manuscript to numerous publishers until one eventually accepts your book.
- No need to make endless edits to the manuscript in order to comply with the publisher's demands.
- You can make sure your book is promoted effectively (my Step Dad's publishers were pretty useless in this respect.)
The Disadvantages of Self Publishing
Naturally there are bound to be a few disadvantages to self publishing too, and these include the following:
- It might cost you quite a bit of money in order to have a really impressive book cover designed.
- It may cost you some money to get help if you are publishing it as an eBook and are struggling with the formatting process.
- You will still encounter people who see it as 'vanity publishing' and don't take your published book seriously.
- You will be responsible for promoting your own book as no-one is going to do it for you unless you pay them.
- You won't have access to a professional publisher's proof readers who can point out obvious mistakes like punctuation, grammar, spelling etc.
Things to Remember When Self Publishing
Self publishing is very rewarding, and my Step Dad is already seeing results. Other people I know such as Shadesbreath (John Daulton) here on Hubpages has recently self published and is doing ever so well with his Science Fiction novel 'The Galactic Mage'. Last time I heard an update he was in the top ten Science Fiction books on Amazon.
Just a few important things to remember if you choose to self publish:
- Writing the book is only the beginning, you need to then proofread it yourself at least twice, and then get at least two other people to proof read it as well. We often don't see the mistakes we have made ourselves because our brain instructs us to see what we expect to see, even if that isn't what is actually on the page.
- Spend whatever is necessary to ensure you have an eyecatching cover because this can be the difference between making a few sales or making a few thousand sales.
- Don't just publish it and forget about it, spend time promoting it online and in your local book shops (latter if you have published an 'in print' version.) Organise a book signing at your local book store and get your local newspaper to attend.
- Don't overprice your book. Remember right now no-one has ever heard of you, so why should they take a risk on spending money for a book they might hate? After your second or third book has proven to be a success you might be in a better position to put up your prices.
- If you have both a printed version and an eBook available, ensure the price difference reflects the fact it costs you money to print a book, but nothing for a download. This might mean selling a hard copy of the book at $14 but the eBook download at $5 in order to ensure the buyer does not feel like they have been overcharged.
I hope this has helped you to make the decision as to whether or not you should self publish. Personally I would strongly recommend you do, (assuming you are confident your writing is of good quality.) To actually see your book for sale on Amazon, or even in your local book store, is a feeling money can't buy. My Step Dad (James Cassaday) is over the moon with seeing the results of my efforts (and Sandy Spider's), and I know he would be the first to recommend self publishing.
Self-Publishing vs. Getting a real publisher
Have you ever self published?
Do you believe it is okay to self publish or is it vanity publishing?
Useful Publishing Links
- How to Publish on Amazon
- Smashwords — How to Publish on Smashwords
- CreateSpace: Self Publishing and Free Distribution for Books, CD, DVD
CreateSpace provides free tools to help you self-publish and distribute your books, DVDs, CDs, video downloads and MP3s on-demand on Amazon.com and other channels
© 2012 Cindy Lawson
Comments
Great advice on self- publishing your book.
I have thought about writing a book - haven't actually gotten around to making a dent in writing it though, and was wondering about self-publishing vs. going through a publisher. I think that once my book is written, I think I will self-publish, depending on the book I wind up with. As you said, it needs to be thoroughly edited, and either paying an editor or making sure many of my smartest friends see it and help me with edits will be the way to go.
Thanks for the help, I have gone over and changed it to 70, I just thought there may be a catch! lol!
Thanks misty, that's really helpful, I will go over and change it, thanks!
Hi Misty, I was googling for this and you popped up! lol! this was really helpful, but can you tell me what is the best royalty 35 or 70 percent? I have just finished and published my ebook and I know there are different reasons for going for both these amounts so what do you think? I have started off with 35 but should I change it to 70? Thanks!
Yeah I liked the cover creator tool. I had artwork done by a great artist and kept the original picture. I just uploaded it into one of their covers and added the text. It looks great. Next step is to get it on Kindle!
I have to say Mistyhorizon, I just finished formatting my book on createspace and it looks WAY better than what I paid for a few years back. I am definitely going to continue with them. Thanks so much for encouraging to try the self-publishing route again!
I have to say Mistyhorizon, I just finished formatting my book on createspace and it looks WAY better than what I paid for a few years back. I am definitely going to continue with them. Thanks so much for encouraging to try the self-publishing route again!
Hi, mistyhorizon2003. I'm guilty of sheer ignorance on the subject of self-publishing, as I'd never heard of it up until now. Thanks for the heads up regarding price and everything else.
Self-publishing; Hmmmmm....never heard of it, but it sounds like an interesting idea. I'm thinking I might like to do that one day, but i'd start with a long essay, first.
Great hub and really interesting comments. The hub is informative, but the comments are an education in themselves! Thanks. :)
You are welcome! I tend to add that when it comes to Apple. I use BookBaby to reach out to the others-Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.
Apps tend to add a little extra functionality. I think there isn't much difference, but I tend to go with doing apps since I feel like that's been a wise investment. Plus I can do a premium ad free version and a free version with ads, so I feel like I can drive additional sales from people that don't want to see the ads on their device. I guess that's just me though.
I love to self-publish! I also take my ebooks and turn them into apps as well! That often can help to reach a larger market than before!
About 9 years ago a friend of mine and I decided to publish a childrens book. I already knew that going 'traditional' would take a lot of time and effort-- and might not even work. So we got an ISBN number and found a book printer. We set up each page with camera-ready art and text. We ordered 2600 copies, so we could get enough of a price break to be able to sell wholesale. We were very pleased with the quality of the books. (It cost us about $6000 for the printing.)
We sold books locally, and schools invited us to give programs where we sold more. We set up a website and an Amazon Advantage account-- and I sent copies to reviewers to get noticed on Amazon. Then I began emailing book buyers at nature centers and nature gift shops and began getting orders from all over the US. Luckily our subject matter was a small owl who has a wide range across the US--
We worked hard and learned a lot. We eventually earned enough to repay our investment and operating costs. Meaning we have sold about 1600 copies.
My partner decided she wanted to do some other things so a couple of years ago we dissolved our partnership and split up the remaining inventory. I still have about 500, and still occasionally get restock orders from Amazon and from a few of our regular customers.
All of this happened before Print on Demand and things like Nooks and Kindles came on the scene. If we were starting today, I'm sure we would have done it differently. Nevertheless, I am glad we had the experience of doing it 'our way'.
Your information and experience is very interesting and useful. I'm keeping it on file, just in case the urge to publish comes up again. Thanks for covering the information so well.
Thanks, Misty. you are special. Sorry for taking your time away from important things like playing pool.LOL
Do you mean to copy every poem onto its own page first. then go ahead with the other ?
thank you so much Misty,
I owe you a poem.
one that is
all of your own
Thanks again,Misty!!!!
misty , I want to publish a book of my poems and I am all new to yhis . How do I start?
Great Hub! I was think of self publishing also. Great advice :)
Very informative on self publishing. Thanks for dropping my name.
Thanks!
What is a Mobi file?
Sweet dreams, you gorgeous bird of passion. good luck and don't be to mean to your opponent, at least give them one shot, but only one. I will drop in on you from time to time to give you my poetry of admiration for your loveliness and womanly charms that any man would be very happy to enjoy.
Just curious, what time is it where you are.?
it is !0:00 p.m. mtn time here in america.
some one should write you sweet poetry
If we were together it would be me
a fine woman a sexy mate
the other women
look at you with hate
cause you are sassy
and so, so sweet
late at night
bet you are a treat
so my lovely Misty
this poem is for you
hope your man doesn't mind
that I could love you too..
Hi Misty,
I was just hub hopping
when I saw your name
it kept on poppin
up on the pages of fame
that I looked to for
your fresh face to
take me baby
out of my blues
so I wanted to just say hi
to a beautiful woman
while I was passin by
see you tonite in my dreams
a sweet angel it surely seems
I have added this hub as one of my fav hubs for the week of March 25, 2012. Great hub again.
I will definitely check out kindle and createspace and smashwords though.
Very interesting and useful article on self publishing. Couple of year ago, I did publish a hub on Self Publishing.
https://hubpages.com/literature/self-publishing-wr...
You hub and the comments are worth bookmarking.
I'm not really concerned overly with the money. I know most authors don't end up like Rowling. I didn't make anything with my self-publisher. The books I sold paid for printing cost. I know the commercial publishers take a BIG chunk but they have the whole teams to work on editing and formatting and they do some promotion. The self-publisher I used didn't. If and when I get offered a contract with a publisher I will hire a lawyer to look at it and make sure it is to my benefit as well. I'm not in a rush. My big thing is sharing my stories with people.
After commenting earlier in this Hub I went into my CreateSpace account and was given the option to digitally proof my book. Needless to say, it is now available on Amazon (or will be within a few days). Thank you for setting me straight. :)
I self published the first edition of my first book and it was an okay experience. I found my own cover artist and his work is awesome, though it did cost a couple of hundred of dollars to get done but I love the cover. I did some book signinigs the first year and left it on the market for another. When I decided to revise the novel I stopped printing and now that the revisions done I'm shopping around for an agent so I can have a chance with a commercial publisher. I support both options for publishing.
Great information--I've always wondered about that. From what you said, it's definitely a route worth going if I'm considering self-publishing. Thanks.
Great hub for those who are thinking of publishing their work. Awesome and voting up and up. Great work.
I am glad I found this hub! I am a new self published author of One life's Journey. It came out in Oct 2011. I understand what you mean about "vanity". I was one of those who didn't want to sit back and wait. I have made minimal amount of sales since the book signing. This is due to my lack of promotion and getting it out there. This first one was a message to those who have hurt my children and me with lies and slander accusations. I am currently in the middle of two books. One is a fiction and the other is an anthology collection. I am trying to open a publishing company. It gets discouraging sometimes. I am so glad that I am hanging in there despite little dissapointments along the way. I hope anyone who has the "I can do this" attitude will hang in there too. Great hub! voted up and shared. :) Take care and wishing you all the best! :)
Rough spots . . . we all have them. My computer was fried and I went to the library. They have so much blocked that spell check didn't work. It looks like I am the one who needs an editor!
Might I add . . . my friend is doing okay with his book. However, he puts a tremendous amount of effort into promoting it. I don't know that the average person (myself included) could keep up.
published with a company where I did ALL the work and merely downloaded to them and in four days had my book and NO money out of pocket. They sell from their site only, and you cannot contact them other than e-mail, I have rec'd apprx. $ 40.00 in royalties..Then last year I published with another company, paid over $1500.00, was a nightmare and they did list on over 50 sites...I know books have sold from these sites..however..I have rec'd NO $..The call me periodically to sell and I ask about the situation, they say someone will get back to you..they never do ,this is a company that has been sold several times in the last three years, of course I find this out now..there is a website for complaints against them now.
I am going to publish one of the books again in Mexico where I am out of this receiver's jurisdiction
I never want to do anything again in RIB, stinking country
Bob
Regarding CreateSpace - I haven't checked with them lately, although I do know when I wanted to publish my first book with them almost 2 years ago I received a notification to buy a galley copy. They may have changed their policy since then. Thank you for the update! :)
Misty. There were another 60 authors who published with "DIGGORY PRESS." The publishing and product was fine, my 3 books still appear in large book shops.
But NO ONE got any royalites, although my books have been selling consistantly for 4 years.
We took Diggory to court and WON the case, but the judge refused to penalise this bitch or make any judgement re the royalties. (I did a hub about all this).
Anyhoo, I had had enough of all this plus losing all the money i had paid (About 1500 quid), and as I got into debt while waiting for my gamble to pay off, I went bankrupt, passed the intellectual rights to the receiver and let him chase Diggory for any money.
He did nothing, of course, and Diggory got away with hundereds of thousands in royalties.
If it wasn't you, Missy, i would't have explained all this again as it's a closed book (ahem) and I don't want to talk about it or remember it.
Be warned, don't under any circumstances deal with Diggory Press (I heard it had folded) or this bitch Rosalind Franklin.
Bob
Ok Cindy I will do just that. You have many great ideas dear. Thank you.3:30 am and wide awake but I have to get back to bed and try to sleep :)
Cindy, No I didn't delete it, my comment disappeared. :( HP is acting weird today.
I commented, that I self-published my book, but I am not very strong with promotion, but went ahead and asked two local shops if they would carry my book, and also asked the library if they would like a donation of my book. One said they don't want to add more books but invited me to a book signing fair they have where I can sell and sign my book. Also, I read last year that he major publishing companies are losing business, so they send agents to bookstores to look for self-published books and if they like it buy the rights from the author.
Thanks for this hub, the tips are great! Voted up!
So true Cindy, I am so glad you posted this hub. If it wasn't for reading this my ebook would still sitting in my blog for free LOL. Now I will be able to gets lots of exposure throughout the world and just maybe make a few bucks too. You put the idea in my head to publish it on amazon and I thank you for that!!! Although the terms are that I had to remove it from any website or blog because i chose KDP Select on Amazon and that a no no to have the book anywhere besides Kindle for 90 days.
I have to hit the hay as they say LOL I am beat, so I'll talk to you tomorrow I hope. 12:10am here
Night
So true Cindy, I am so glad you posted this hub. If it wasn't for reading this my ebook would still sitting in my blog for free LOL. Now I will be able to gets lots of exposure throughout the world and just maybe make a few bucks too. You put the idea in my head to publish it on amazon and I thank you for that!!! Although the terms are that I had to remove it from any website or blog because i chose KDP Select on Amazon and that a no no to have the book anywhere besides Kindle for 90 days.
I have to hit the hay as they say LOL I am beat, so I'll talk to you tomorrow I hope. 12:10am here
Night
I am very determined to succeed in my writing and make some money, It truly amazes me that me that Hated school and now writing thousands of words per week. How life changes right Cindy. I took the night off from the 30/30 but I did post one this morning and I think I am on #21 or 22 /30.
Thank you much Cindy and will keep you informed. It really wasn't hard at all.for a dummy like me LOL. My ebook was in PDF like I said and amazon excepted it and converted it in only about 1 1/2 minutes.
Cindy, All done and have published my ebook and converted to Amazon, Now we will see if it sells. I really appreciate all you help. It is in review now and should but up and for sale in 12 hours.
Thank you !!!!
Awesome Cindy - I'm nowhere near ready to write anything longer than a hub - but I'll save this and bookmark it for later! Thanks for doing all the research:) excellent and I liked the conversational video too!
Cindy I forgot I emailed that to you. If I did, you know I'm getting old LOL it is the same book Cindy as before.Now I have a problem of not knowing how to convert to a Mobi file, I am really not good at all when it comes to thing such as these.
Hi Cindy, Thank you so much for the info you have given me. the Kindle KDP Select seen pretty easy. But before I continue to put it on Amazon I was wondering if you had time could you read it and let me know your honest opinion if it would be worthy enough to place it on Amazon. The link would read spiritual river .com because I couldn't change it over to PDF so a friend did it for me and placed it in my blog. http://www.spiritualriver.com/wordpress-2.0.4/word...
Excellent information, Misty, for any writer who has ever considered self publishing. I believe the stigma is slowly disappearing with the advent of ebooks. Thanks for your interesting tips and valuable research.
I have self-published two books and have been struggling with sales. I have not, however, ordered a stack of printed copies or done any book signings. Whether self-publishing or publishing via the traditional route, the marketing is up to the author. Many think a traditional publisher will do all the legwork for them - this is simply not the case.
I have also heard about some self-publishers who have been offered a traditional publishing contract. These authors are a smaller risk to publishers as they already have their platform in place. I can only hope it will be me in that situation some day, but for now I am happy with where I am at.
The "vanity publishers" today will charge you a certain amount of money to publish your book. If anyone is asking for money to publish, be very cautious. I personally have worked with Lulu and am very happy with the quality of their books. Buying a proof copy is not required, as it is with CreateSpace and Wordclay. Granted the royalties on print books are less, but I agree with not charging a lot of money for them.
I have also written articles on this topic; my advice to authors is simple - do your research before deciding which route to take. Self-publishing is not for everyone.
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