It seems to be happening more and more often. Authors are landing traditional publishers for their self-published (and even pay-to-publish) books.
It has happened to me several times. I produce a book, promote it hard and, when my promotional well of ideas and resources begin to wane, I contact a publisher. While we keep hearing that publishers count on the author to promote his/her own book, they still have outlets and connections that we don’t have and that can give an older book a new life.
Many books need more frequent updates today. This would include books featuring subjects relying heavily on technology and those with a lot of Internet resources. My books on publishing and book promotion, for example, should be updated every few years. I’m in the process of updating three of my bestselling books as we speak. And a publisher has expressed an interest in all of them.
Allworth Press is bringing out my book, Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book in a new format, new style and size and with many surprises in the spring. The new title is Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.
I’ll share news about the other books when something is set in stone.
My book, The Mainland Luau, How to Capture the Flavor of Hawaii in Your Own Backyard sold really well. I did three printings of that book. And then Island Heritage took it over with a new title, Entertaining Hawaiian Style.
My self-published memoir, Quest for Truth was also of interest to a publisher, but I decided not to sign their contract.
One client, Diana Zimmerman, after selling 12,000 copies of her self-published young adult fantasy book within two years, landed a contract with Scholastic Books.
I know authors who ultimately want to work with a publisher, but have decided to go in through the backdoor of the publishing company. Their plan is to produce the book, promote like crazy and then approach publishers with proof that their book is worthy.
It has happened and it can happen to you. You simply need two things on your side—an excellent book capable of attracting a large audience and the energy, funds, motivation and creativity to prove it in the marketplace.
Zimmerman, for example, did not send her book out there alone to fend for itself. She made numerous appearances all over the US with it. She didn’t wait for things to happen. She made them happen. And this is the key to the success for any author today.