Finding the Right Publisher is Crucial

 


When you've invested time and effort into writing a book, finding the right publisher is crucial. Whether you go with a small press or self-publishing, it's essential to evaluate potential publishers carefully.

Start by jotting down your priorities and questions regarding your work. Identify which publisher aligns best with your needs.

Key Considerations:

Contracts: Scrutinize the contract thoroughly; having an attorney review it can be invaluable. Pay attention to royalties, advances, rights retained, and how many copies y

ou receive for personal use or promotional purposes.

Formatting: Understand submission formats and error-checking options before publication. Know how to submit cover art and author photos as well as details about ISBNs.

Print-on-Demand (POD): Inquire if POD is available even if you're currently focused on eBooks—having print options can be beneficial later.

Editing.

Are the books polished or simply printed without review? Are there extra costs for editing or proofreading services? If offered, who are the editors and what qualifications do they hold? To gauge their editing quality, consider reading other authors' works published by the same house. If they don’t provide editing with an open submissions policy, think about hiring a freelance editor to refine your manuscript before publication—very few writers can skip this step entirely.

Business Model.

While online publishing companies may seem innovative, many struggle with sustainable business models and could go under quickly. It’s crucial to assess their viability; you don't want to publish only to find that your publisher disappears just months later.

Promotional Benefits.

Does the publisher actively promote its authors? Will they reach out to the media on your behalf or cover promotional expenses? Understanding these aspects is key since some publishers leave marketing solely in your hands—know their policies upfront!

Book Covers.

A captivating book cover catches readers’ eyes in stores and online alike—it can significantly boost sales! Ensure the publisher provides appealing designs or inquire if you can contribute your own artwork. Hiring a professional designer might be worthwhile too!

Marketing Materials

Who is responsible for crafting the synopsis that helps sell your book? Can the publisher assist you in connecting with another author for a blurb? Are you permitted to use portions of your work in promotional materials according to your contract? Will they feature a sample chapter in their online store?

Pricing Strategy 

What will be the retail price of your book? How does it stack up against similar titles at major bookstores—could it be overpriced? If there are agreements with retailers, how might pricing differ from what’s offered on the publisher's site? For self-published authors, do you have control over setting your own price?

Delivery and Partnerships

How long until publication after signing a contract and submitting your manuscript? What about delivery times for buyers—is consistency guaranteed?

Inquire about retail partnerships too; who sells through which platforms like Amazon or Barnes & Noble, and what's their reputation regarding timely deliveries?

Sales. Will you have access to sales data? How frequently is it refreshed? If there's an online bookstore, can you track how many visitors engage with your book's page or description? Are you able to edit your book's listing?

Troubleshooting. If issues arise, is there support available via email or phone? Is there a dedicated help section on the website? What's the size of their support team?

Independent Resources. Explore independent sources for insights about the potential publisher—don’t rely solely on information from their official channels, as it may be biased.

Networking. What do industry professionals think of this publisher? Engage with authors, editors, and publishers in your network for candid feedback.

Considering these aspects and asking pertinent questions will enhance your understanding of various publishers' offerings and guide you toward making an informed choice confidently.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Phoenix University in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft, and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, Gouche, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week. 

 

 

 

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