I got the question again at the SDSU Writers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Conference over the weekend: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the best publishing option?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Authors are never happy to hear what they must be told, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It depends on the book and it depends on you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nothing about the task of producing or marketing a book that is easy or straightforward. There are many decisions to make during the writing phase of your book\u00e2\u20ac\u201dhow to handle dialogue, which research material to include, whether or not to kill off the heroine and when to end the book, for example. These are mechanical, technical and creative decisions. Once you decide to publish your book, your decisions become pure business. You must decide:<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tWho are you writing the book for? Is this audience large enough to support another book on this topic\/genre?
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tHow can you make your book more valuable to a segment of readers?
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tWhat can you add to make your book more marketable?<\/p>\n
When the book is completed, you will be required to make new decisions. One of your first questions should be, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What is the best publishing option for me and my book?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Use the guide below to help you find your best publishing option.<\/p>\n
Perhaps you should seek out a traditional royalty publisher if:
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYour book is well defined and of interest to a large segment of people in the mainstream.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYour book would do well in bookstores and is appropriate for libraries.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a traditional royalty publisher.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou completely understand your responsibilities as a published author.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve written a complete book proposal (for fiction or nonfiction).
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re willing to turn over control of your project to a publisher. (They will most likely change your title, edit out your favorite parts of the book and create a cover way outside your expectations.)
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mind waiting months for your book to be produced.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou have established a platform\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyour way of attracting readers.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou are ready and willing to spend most of your time promoting your book for months and maybe years after it is published.<\/p>\n
You may be a candidate for self-publishing (establishing your own publishing company) if:
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYour book is designed to fill a niche\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyour audience is clearly defined.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou are in a hurry to bring your book out.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tIt would do better if hand-sold through personal appearances, your website and\/or through specialty stores.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou want to run the show rather than sell out to a publisher.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou write a complete book proposal\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyour business plan for your book.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou understand your responsibilities as a publisher and author.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou are willing to take on the full responsibility of book promotion.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou have a platform\u00e2\u20ac\u201da way of attracting readers.<\/p>\n
Consider a fee-based POD publisher if:
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou do not have a business head or any desire to run your own company.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou want only a few copies of your book printed so you can give them to friends and sell them to a few colleagues and acquaintences.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou want to bring out a book within weeks instead of months.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou have studied the concept of fee-based POD publishing services: you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve read and understand the contract. You have no concerns or questions.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou have a platform\u00e2\u20ac\u201da way of attracting readers.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou are willing to do whatever promotion is necessary to meet your sales goals.<\/p>\n
When it comes to publishing a book, there are no maps to follow. There are no one-size-fits-all charted courses for authors. But there are books to help you make the best decisions you can on behalf of your project. I recommend that you check out books by the experts: Dan Poynter and Marilyn Ross (Self-Publishing), Brian Jud and John Kremer (Book Marketing), Mark Levine and Dehanna Bailee (fee-based POD Publishing), Jeff Herman and Patricia Fry (Book Proposals).<\/p>\n
If you only purchase one book this year, make it The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book <\/em>by Patricia Fry. This book covers all of the above and then some. Use the companion Author\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Workbook<\/em> to further increase your chances of achieving publishing success. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/rightway.html<\/a> <\/p>\n Contact me at plfry620@yahoo.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I got the question again at the SDSU Writers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Conference over the weekend: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the best publishing option?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Authors are never happy to hear what they must be told, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It depends on the book and it depends on you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nothing about the task of producing or marketing a book that is easy or straightforward. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5,3],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t