Self Publishing versus Traditional Publishing?

After you've written a book your choices for publication are shop it to a traditional publisher, publish to the web or self publish. The rush to see your words on the printed page prompts thousands of people to eagerly but blindly enter into self-publishing contracts that leave many with stacks of books left in the garage years later- with virtually no hope of selling. It's difficult enough for traditional books to hit the shelves, never mind one that only has only the author supporting it.

Here is a list of the pros and cons of self-publishing and traditional publishing.

The pros of going to a publisher

• Distribution across the country and on an international basis is possible.
• They pay you to write and give you royalties on sales.
• Publishers will give money for marketing which includes a company like Outright Communications to help publicize your book.
• Publicity and a book tour are easier to manage.
• If your book is non-fiction, credibility is increased.

The cons of going to a publisher

• It could take months or longer before a publisher will consider taking it and then months more before a contract is negotiated.
• The overall layout of the book layout and cover might change- and you have less of a say in the final product.
• The book could initially be on the shelves, but without marketing support your book might end up on returns list.
• Advance may be less than you anticipated, and paid out in segments that could take months.

The pros of Self-Publishing

• You have full control of the look, feel and type of publication.
• You can have a book ready and printed in less than 6 weeks.
• You can have the book listed on all the internet bookstore sales sites.
• You have full control of all the marketing.

The cons of Self-Publishing

• Your book may be listed on internet bookstore sites, but the stores will not be able to order them to stock in the store.
• No returns policy- means bookstores won't carry them unless they are consignment- where they take 45% of your retail price.
• No distribution for the book which will limit sales.
• You have to do all your marketing, promotion, design and publicity yourself or outsource the work so there is less time to write that second book.
• You are paying to write, and if your book is non-fiction your credibility comes into play.

The differences between both of them

• When looking at the choices between traditional and self-publishing you need to decide several things. Who are your target audiences? Is it for family and friends or do you want widespread distribution? How much money and time are you willing to invest in your book? Did you have the book professionally edited? Do you want to do everything yourself?
• Generally once a book is published you have about a year to work on pushing the sales through the roof. You will need to devote every waking hour to the promotion of your book if you want it to succeed. Writing is a business and should be treated as such. The public is fickle and without marketing support, your book will disappear off the shelves.

At Outright Communications we work with authors from the beginning stages of their ideas and concepts, right up to working with an agent to sell their manuscript. We make sure writers are informed about the Business of Writing and how important it is to make the right choice for their book.

Rachel Sentes, Publicity Manager at OutRight Communications is skilled at the nuances of book marketing and promotion, and served as a manager with a major bookseller for four years.