Choose a Publishing Option According to Your Needs

by Laura Fabiani @ NouveauWriter

Today, more than ever, writers can be published authors more easily than ten years ago. This is mainly because of the changing scene in the publishing world. Joe Wikert states in his article The Changing Landscape of Self-Publishing: An Insider’s Perspective (March/April 2009 issue of Writer’s Digest), “One day soon, the difference between getting a deal and going it alone may not be as drastic as you think.”

Having said this, it does not mean that a self-published book will be up to par with a traditionally published book unless it is professionally edited with a cover, design and packaging that meets industry standards. As a self-published author I know this to be true, which is one of the reasons my novel is selling well at my local Chapters Bookstore in Pointe Claire.

Traditional or self-publishing?

One of the first questions a writer must ask himself is, Why do I want to publish my book? This may seem like an obvious question, but it will be the deciding factor that will sway you in one direction or the other. Keep in mind there are many self-publishing companies out there with varying price ranges and services. You will need to do your homework to see which company fits your budget and publishing needs if this is an option you are contemplating. Or you may want to handle all aspects of the publishing process without help from any company.

Not all traditional publishing houses are the same either. The large, well-known publishers such as Harper Collins and Random House are different from the small press publishers who print out anywhere from 5 to 20 books a year. Not all provide the same in-house expertise and services when publishing and promoting books. Difficult economic times are causing a slash in the marketing area, making authors who are traditionally published market their own books at their own expense.

So how do you decide which publishing option to choose? I have put together the following chart to help you assess your needs and come up with a decision.

You may want to consider self-publishing if:

• you want to publish a book for your own gratification and for small distribution, i.e. family and friends
• you want full control over your content
• you do not want to wait many months or even years before your book gets accepted for publication
• you are prepared to market, promote and sell your book, especially if you want to reach a wider audience
• you are content to have your book sold through well-known online sites such as Amazon.com and Ingram

You may want to consider traditional publishing if:

• you do not want to pay to have your book published or edited
• you want to have your book sold to national chains and retailers through a professional distributor
• you want your book to reach a wide audience, national and international
• you hope to achieve best-seller status
• you are willing to wait many months or even years before your book is chosen and published

It is important to research well when making your decision. Because every author is unique in his situation, goals, resources and personality, you are the only one who can make the decision. Whatever you do, keep writing, be patient and don’t give up on your dream to become a published author.

For more information on self-publishing companies, Writer’s Digest has compiled the 2009 Directory of Self-publishing Companies.