Dear fellow writers,
This week I have investigated options for publishing my second book of The Fortune Seekers Series.
It is an important decision, being more than how much it costs as it is about whether I can do it on my own, or would it be prudent to hire a vanity press or hybrid company to assist me.
There is more to being an author than writing. Promotion, marketing and websites are important- more than important -they are a must do if my books are to become known.
My challenge is how much I can do on my own, being self taught in these areas?
Professionalism is the objective.
How do I do these vital activities on my own and keep writing at the same time?
This is why I have used a vanity press for the first Fortune Seekers book – Dan and Charlotte, despite being told that to pay for this is not necessary, is a rip off, that they do a terrible job, are just after signing up a client and their prices are expensive.
But, what is expensive when you have no experience?
To be honest with you, my experience with a vanity press company has been nothing but professionalism- in respect to the finished printed book and the company representatives. I had one hiccup – poor editing, which was put right after the company republished a revised edition. The book’s price was also too expensive, and to drop the price I have sacrificed royalty income, as the company share in a percentage of the royalty.
Now, after checking out hybrid companies, who also have a payment part to the contract, I am reconsidering publishing with assistance. In this example all royalties are mine, for the fee (equivalent to the vanity press cost- both are under AU $5,000).
One year of promotion, cover designs, setting up of a website, publishing under my own publishing name, retail price of books is realistic and they actively post and promote in all social media sites, linking everything so readers can access information by single clicks. The one off payment is my only investment.
This is tempting. I understand nothing is free. Why would an author expect a Publishing House to invest and pay for everything as was previously the case years ago?
An author friend has offered to assist me self publishing. He has published about eight novels, and they are all professionally presented, well edited at a price, cover is designed at a price, published at a reasonable cost and retail price is his choice. Royalty income is all his. His offer is massive.
The only hesitation is – will I suffer by not having professional marketing and social media promotion?
What would you do?
5 Things You Need | BookBaby Blog
The following blog by ‘BookBaby’ explains the considerations we as authors must consider.
If you want a career as a self-published author, you need to do more than just write: you have to learn the business and market yourself so you’re on the same playing field as authors with big publishing houses behind them.
— Read on blog.bookbaby.com/2018/02/career-as-a-self-published-author
I wish you the best when making your own decisions.
Glennis Browne – author
#self-published-author; #no-experience; #fellow-writers; #The-Fortune-Seekers
