Is self -publishing smart?
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Re: Is self -publishing smart?
So true. Self-publishing is a lot of work, and it needs to be taken seriously. Put in the necessary time, work, dedication and committment and you'll see great results.
Plus, if you do it well enough, people will notice your work and come to you for publishing services, and voila, you end up being a regular publisher as well!
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Yes, this is true. And if you do well enough, you might find regular publishers asking for rights to run with your book.Renee24 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2017, 13:00 I"m writing a novel too, and been reading a lot of books about this topic. They say first time writers can't get into the door, so how do you get in the door, unless you self publish? I think they said something about a platform too, so you need to be out there with a blog and such. What about the new Amazon Kindle publishing, that is free, and might be a good way to at least get your foot in the door, so to speak? Then you can work on your next novel and find ways of getting yourself noticed.
Good luck!
Renee
But the question really is, why are you writing? What's your goal?
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I woudn't say that self-pubishing is a matter of ego. No, I'd say that it has more to do with someone's capabilities, especially financial. So if finances are tight, it's easier to go the self-publishing way in the beginning. Some publishers do ask for a lot of money upfront, you know?shootseven wrote: ↑07 Mar 2017, 11:53 I would strongly recommend finding an agent or traditional publisher, unless your book is geared toward a very niche market, or you have a big following from other books. Don't let ego (ie, I want to control every aspect) get in your way of doing what is best for your book. Publishers can open up many doors (for one thing, with reviewers who might not touch self-published books).
I couldn't be more grateful to all the publishers of my first two books have done for me. Now, in those cases, they were history books, so that might be a little different than your situation, since just having an academic publisher adds credibility in those cases. Just a little of what my publisher did: Peer review before accepting the manuscript, which did help improve both books, advertising and opening doors in both markets and with reviewers, very aggressive library sales (my first book is in 1016 libraries world-wide).
My first novel is with a small publisher, which means I'll have to take on a lot of the marketing. But again, they were great to work with with the cover and editing, and they are opening some doors, but I'm too early in the process to judge the current experience (the book just came out a week ago).
Hope this helps.
I think that it's frustrating to wait for a long time for a traditional pubisher to give a response and work on one's book. And especially so when there are faster options available.
I still think it's about the quality of production, and understanding one's market very well.
But at the end of the day, it goes back to the author's goal. Is it about reaching as many people as possible and being famous, or is it about reaching the people who really need your book? Where are those people? How many of them do you want to reach? Do you therefore really need a traditional publisher?
I'd ask myself these and other related questions.
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The first one I tried self publishing via Amazon KDP but the print quality for a kids book is abysmal and the printing fee is ridiculous. The book looks like I printed it at home on 90x color printer on the cheapest paper I could find and even has extra unnessessary empty pages added in the end.
Next way I want to try to self publish by making a quality printed 1000 copies done in China and self-selling on Amazon FBA.
Does anyone has experience self printing books and selling via FBA? Please share pro/cons of this way?
And finally maybe worth contacting real publishers. Any tips on how to do so and where to start looking for them?
Appreciate all the advice! Keep writing!
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I never heard of a hybrid publisher. You can either self-publish or they'll publish for you? Thanks for giving that tip. I sent my manuscript everywhere, but I haven't gotten any response yet.Mr_Wimbaum wrote: ↑31 Aug 2020, 16:20 I’m in the late stages of preparing my novel for publication too. I’ve actually found a neat local publisher that helps put you in touch with cover artists and editors and formatters etc. Then, they help you to self publish. If they like your book then they will offer to publish it for you. They’re a hybrid publishing agent and it’s working well so far for me
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I had never heard of it either. I was at a book fair for indie authors and the publishing agent was there.PeterRabitt20 wrote: ↑17 Dec 2020, 23:02I never heard of a hybrid publisher. You can either self-publish or they'll publish for you? Thanks for giving that tip. I sent my manuscript everywhere, but I haven't gotten any response yet.Mr_Wimbaum wrote: ↑31 Aug 2020, 16:20 I’m in the late stages of preparing my novel for publication too. I’ve actually found a neat local publisher that helps put you in touch with cover artists and editors and formatters etc. Then, they help you to self publish. If they like your book then they will offer to publish it for you. They’re a hybrid publishing agent and it’s working well so far for me
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