Writing: Self-Publishing

Until recently, when someone said they’d self-published a book, most people would roll their eyes and mutter under their breath, “He’s not a real writer.” Not so anymore.

Gone are the days when you have to plunk down thousands of dollars to print out hundreds of copies that would most likely decorate your garage for years. Gone are the days of spending time and money trying to find a designer for the cover. Gone are the days of searching for ways to sell your book. Now that we have the internet, almost anything is possible.

POD, or print-on-demand, publishers can now produce books for a fraction of the money it once cost, authors can order even single copies of their books, and while traditional bricks-and-mortar bookstores still don’t stock many self-published titles, authors can use the internet to market and sell their books.

Self-publishing offers an author control over his book because he makes all the decisions. An author can also see his book in print far sooner than submitting it to publishers and playing the waiting game. Authors can quickly build a name and market a book without the restraints of publisher controls. A self-published author is also free from the contractual obligations that sometimes plague authors published by a traditional publisher.

Self-publishing also presents challenges. While not as prevalent as it once was, a stigma still exists about self-publishing. A self-published author also has to take all of the financial risks on a book. Self-publishing can be time consuming and sometimes overwhelming to a novice.

If you’re interested in self-publishing be sure to do your research so you choose a reputable company to print your book. Understand completely what your publishing package includes. Consider hiring a freelance editor to edit your manuscript and insist on seeing a proof before the book goes to press to catch any last minute typos or mistakes. Talk to other self-published authors and learn from their experiences. Take your time to make sure you feel comfortable with all the decisions and watch out for those who prey on enthusiastic, inexperienced writers who dream of seeing their book in print. Get everything in writing.

Self-publishing is fast becoming a viable alternative for authors, just make sure to do your homework before you commit to anything.