Do Yourself and Your Work a Favour, Talk to an Editor First...

Many people seize on the idea of self-publishing and think they'll earn a fortune and be the next JK Rowling. Is it possible? Sure, anything is, right? But it sure isn't likely.

What's more likely is that you'll either end up spending a considerable amount with a rather unscrupulous vanity publisher only to find that your books aren't in bookstores, have little publicity or promotion and sell like, well, cold cakes (rather than the proverbial hot cakes). Or, you'll discover the delights of print on demand or digital publishing, format your work yourself, send it off and see it on Amazon and the POD associated website only to see it pick up a handful of sales from family and friends, still fail to get store representation, and be sitting alongside product of very dubious quality (most POD companies don't vet anything they publish, and I mean anything! Many are riddled with errors and most bookstores won't touch them).

I'd advise anyone wanting to self publish to first assess your dreams of global publishing domination. Are they realistic? Self-publishing via Print on Demand or e-publishing might be the way to go if you think your book would appeal to just a handful of niche readers, or if you have an accessible market yourself, e.g. you're a public speaker or have a business you can sell the book through. It might also be that all you really want to do is leave a permanent lasting record of your life or your family tree for your loved ones. If that is the case, have you considered creating a wonderful storybook "book" album instead which will usually end up cheaper than a POD option (as many limit the numbers of photographs you can use) and will provide you with countless fabulous design and personalised text options. If not, ask how Karin might also be able to help you create a permanent and visually stunning family masterpiece as a gift or for family members.  

That's not to say self-publishing and POD publishing can't be great stepping stones to publishing success, because they can. They can also be wonderful tools for promotion. But, like everything, it's best to know what you're getting yourself into. Karin can edit books for self-publishing authors, ensuring your work is "traditional publisher" standard no matter how it's published, and can provide you with advice on the self-publishing process, either the "old-fashioned" way or through new technologies. If you desire, she can also arrange a complete self-publishing package for you that incorporates itemised editing, typesetting, cover design, sourcing print quotes and project management for your manuscript from beginning to end. To email Karin today, click here.