PATHWAYS TO PUBLISHING
Self Publishing
Manuscript to Publication
by Branch Isole
Copyright © 2011
Smashwords Edition
eBook ISBN 978-0983574507
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher.
Manao Publishing
Hampton, VA 23666
Order copies of this eBook at
www.branchisole.com
For CC -If not for you this would all be different.
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Ways and Means
Chapter 2 The Details
Chapter 3 Subjectivity and Rejection
Chapter 4 Two Hats
Chapter 5 Who Are You?
Chapter 6 Dollars and Sense
Chapter 7 Step by Step to Self Publishing Success
Famous Self Published Books
Famous Self Published Authors
Rejected by Publishers
Bowker
Bowkerlink
Library of Congress
Library of Congress PCN
Library of Congress Catalogue
Library of Congress Copyright
Lightning Source Inc.
Ingram Content Group
Ingram Digital
Google Book Partners
Diesel eBook Store
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords
Introduction
As an aspiring writer I knew I wanted to test my works in the public domain where critique and consumption take place. After paying too much for a ‘vanity’ publisher’s services, I learned the steps of self publishing.
No part of this book in isolation or as a whole will guarantee publication of your thoughts, ideas, opinions or works. However this Step-by-Step Guide will help you navigate the path to successful self publishing. I did it. You can too.
As of this writing, digital eBooks generate between six and eight percent of publishing revenues. This will change exponentially over the next fifty years. By the time my grandchildren are my age I believe printed books will be collectors’ items seen only at auctions, museums and in personal libraries.
All addresses, statistical, price and cost information is correct as of this printing.
Branch Isole
“Publication is the auction of the Mind of Man.”
~Emily Dickinson
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Ask yourself-
What is my writing?
Is my writing a hobby or more?
Is my writing a craft or profession?
Answering these questions may save you time, effort, expense and energy.
Writing is not easy. Good writing is harder still and exceptional writing, like all fields of artistic endeavour succeeds only if and when an audience is found and the spark of recognition by readers is fanned to flaming.
Now ask yourself again-
Is my writing a hobby? . . . Or more?
Do I want to make money with my writing?
Do I intend to make a living from my writing?
If you answered “Yes” to these and you believe it understand this; writing at sustainable income levels takes the hours and dedication of a full time job, if not more. In addition you will be the one responsible to insure every item which needs to be accomplished is handled. You will need to initiate and complete all tasks yourself or with assistance, be it paid or not.
If your answer is now “No” congratulations! If being honest with your answers makes you realize a dream of exceptional income levels and authorship success may be just a dream, great. Without our dreams we accomplish nothing extraordinary.
Still interested in self publishing? Here’s the good news! Even if your writing is a hobby and you are not looking for best seller status, the step-by-step process described in this book will help you get your book printed and into the hands of your fans and readers.
If you want exposure of your writing to be fruitful and fulfilling for you and others, read on.
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Ways and Means
“Persistence breaks down resistance, always has, always will.”
Technology has made publishing a book easier than ever before. It is however, just as much work as in the past and the likelihood of being read by a large (paying) audience is as difficult as always to acquire.
Today there are five primary vehicles you can use to publish your book. Five distinctly different processes and yet the goal of all five is exactly the same; to sell as many books as possible. The legwork involved with all five choices is similar as well; through your efforts as author and marketer. Finally, the commercial success involved with all five is produced by the same end result; how many people are willingly to spend money to read your words.
Five ways to publish your book today;
1. Contract with a major publisher.
2. Contract with a smaller, independent or university press.
3. Contract with a ‘Vanity’ publisher.
4. Self publish.
5. Copy and bind.
Groups 1, 2, and 3 are not your friends. They are in business to make money from you, from your efforts and from your readers. This is not a personal attack on my part. It is a statement of fact. These corporations and businesses provide products and services ‘for hire.’ They are in business to make profits, not friends.
For a moment let’s examine the general Pros and Cons for each of these publication methods.
Major Publishing Companies
First, you must remember that many New York (and other) major publishing companies have been around for decades, several of them since before the beginning of the modern era of publishing as we know it.
Pros
As a result of their histories major publishers control the industry from acquisition, to editing, to publishing manuscripts, to distribution and sales of books in print.
They have extensive industry connections and resources. In the past they were ‘the industry’. It’s been their decision as to who and what would be published, promoted, marketed and sold. Until the most recent years of technological advancements in digital printing, these companies literally dictated the ebb and flow of the entire business of print publishing.
These companies have long been able to restrict access to, and distribution within the industry. As a result of the control and money they command, these publishers are not about to relinquish their power position. Major publishers still have the resources and ‘clout’ to market your book at highly successful levels and onto “best seller” lists.
One of the great attributes of major publishers is their editorial departments. Additionally they have histories, contacts and established relationships vertically and horizontally in business, finance and commerce.
Cons
Large publishers have millions of dollars invested and demand the best possible returns (as they should). That said, they are corporations and as such have the trappings, politics, advantages and disadvantages of corporate America.
As with other industries, people in publishing do business with their friends. It’s more often ‘who you know’ than ‘what you’ve written’. Major publishers are rarely interested in unknown or first time authors. Most novice or first time authors have little or no chance of being noticed without a reputable or credible industry contact. Even then, having an inside contact may not be enough.
As an author, anytime you are involved in professional contract negotiations it’s in your best interest to have the advice of attorneys, accountants and/or literary agents. It’s been said, “Hire these professionals in direct proportion to the size of the contract you may be signing.”
When dealing with publishing corporations, knowledgeable and legal assistance is essential. It’s often difficult for authors to separate the business of publishing from the emotions they have invested in their book. When negotiating at these levels you CANNOT do it effectively alone.
Retail bookstore shelf space is at a premium and must generate revenue for book sellers and publishers, period. Publishers count on ‘winners’ and authors are only as good as their latest selling success. Do you have follow up books? Publishers make money on repeats and referrals (especially word of mouth). They have little interest in “One Hit Wonders.”
Even if you are among the elite authorship circles you will do all or much of the promotion legwork at every stage, with every book. This is a business. No one really cares if you are successful or not. (Success being your definition, not theirs.)
Caveat
Many of the major companies in publishing have taken a number of “hits” in the recent recession economy. This has and continues to precipitate changes in personnel and business models.
After intentionally fostering perceptions regarding works by self published authors as inferior in content, presentation and story telling technique, it is only recently and with some reluctance, a few large publishing companies are beginning to look more earnestly at self published authors.
Opinion
Major publishers have resisted the coming digital age and have continued to use antiquated production methods and business models. They are intent on catching up but for many it may be too late or too daunting a task. Technology waits for no-one. Many are beginning to realize that digital printing, “On Demand” printing technologies and distribution channels open to potential world wide markets with direct distribution are here to stay.
Many are also sensing they may not be as indispensible in this new business model with its Internet distribution environment, as they once were or believed. They are no longer the only publication process or “game in town.” They will change with the technological times or they will cease to be. Still, they will fight tooth and nail as they resist giving up their established power and control.