Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishers

I am frequently asked about the advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing. Even though I am far from being an expert, that doesn't stop me from shooting off my mouth.

After writing the first draft of my book, I called a friend in New York City who was a high-profile literary agent. I energetically explained my book and then asked for her opinion. I knew my book wasn’t her cup of tea; I was just getting some direction. She launched into a description of the New York publishing scene that curled my toenails.

She said that since I was a first-time-unknown author, my chances of landing with a major New York publishing house without an agent were anorexic at best. I was told most big time publishers wouldn’t even sneer at me without an agent. Unfortunately, finding an agent who I liked and who liked me could take forever. She pointed out that the best agents were as picky as publishers. But she conceded that if I did find an agent and he approached publishers, then it could still take two or three months just to get a rejection.

But let’s say the stars aligned perfectly and a publisher was interested. She averred that a first-time-unknown author gets bupkis in terms of royalties/advances and for that pittance he would have to sign over all rights and, get this, wait up to two years before seeing his book in print. All decisions regarding the content, paper quality, jacket cover, and price would be the publisher’s. I was told that I definitely would not be allowed to have it illustrated but if by some miracle I was able to convince the publisher, I would not be able to choose the artist.

She said all that was good news compared to what follows.

Once the book gets into print, it would be sold to major chains. (For all intents and purposes, there are only two – Borders and Barnes & Noble as Waldenbooks is owned by one and B. Dalton is owned by the other.) Then an author’s descent into Hell begins as all promotional activity is done by the author without any help from the publisher, financially or otherwise, unless, of course, you are Hillary Clinton or John Grisham. What that means is that an author is given a window of about 120 days to generate enough book sales to warrant the self space. If the book has a slow start, then sayonara, mon amour.

The economics are even more torturous. Middlemen, whose sole function, as far as I can tell, is taking the book out of one box and putting it into another, command a larger percentage of the sale than the author gets. So does the printer, for that matter.

Whether any of that is (or was) true, semi-true, or complete poppycock, hearing it demoralized me. To wait for two or three years to see my book in print and then to run around like a head with the chicken cut off for four months trying to promote it, seemed exhausting, pointless, lacking any proportionality, and in direct violation of every principle in my book.

But that demoralization turned out to be a good thing. It motivated me to start my own author-friendly publishing company.

I did everything exactly like I wanted. I didn’t have to fight with (and ultimately lose to) some fresh-faced editor right out of college. Best of all I picked the illustrator and had the time of my life collaborating with him.

I also had the luxury to test various promotional activities and make course corrections – something I never would have been able to do under a 120-day gun. I own the copyright and have personally sold the language rights to foreign publishers – now totaling seven (German, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Czech, Hungarian, and Portuguese). My agent friend tells me I even got a higher royalty percentage than the norm in some cases.

Perhaps, and this is a tenuous perhaps, I could have sold more books going through a traditional publisher using a traditional distributor to get into the traditional book chains. On the other hand, even though I am selling fewer books, I know that under my scenario, everyone involved with the creative side of my book is making, and will continue to make, more money. And that is the way it should be.

To be sure, I made a ton of mistakes and had several false starts because I knew absolutely nothing about the industry when I launched my publishing company. But the best news is that I am now wiser plus I have an infrastructure in place. With it I can produce and market more books while having more fun and making more money and never having to leave my home. And that too is how it should be.

www.lazyway.net

Comments

[Annie]

Your article was interesting. Do you have an opinion on the print on demand companies such as iUniverse?

[Avi Solomon]

Any plans for an Hebrew edition? The workaholic Israelis are ripe for your book's message:)

[Rachel]

Splendid book Fred.

I bought it in January. I gobbled it up in one sitting, effortlessly.

This anonymity emboldens me to confess that reading your hand - penned inscription, I cried a little because I received it as heartfelt and expressly for me. Then I thought how sad.

Partly because of your book, I go easier on myself, beat meyself up less in my head. My mind is much more alert of the choices available to me all the time. I'm not afraid of wanting things.

Thank you for making my life nicer and other peoples' lives too. Anyhow truth has an unmistakable familiarity.

[V.J.]

I was thinking about writing a children's book but never really thought too much about the downside of submitting it to publishers. Maybe self- publishing is the way to go after all. Thanks for the inside info!

[Jason]

There IS another major book store chain:
Books-A-Million
http://www.booksamillion.com/cat/books
Third largest chain in the country. If you've never been in one, you've missed a treat.

[Mary Lou]

I recently published a small book for preschoolers. I used AuthorHouse.com. It was more expensive than I had wanted but I'm very pleased with the product. Publishing is the easy part. Now I have to market it! I did a small mailing (with Authorhouse provided post cards). I'll be attending BookExpo America in DC in May. Was It worth it? Probably too early to tell. BUT I loved seeing my name on the cover of a book. Better than seeing it on an article.

[Kara]

Thank you so much for sharing all this info! We do a lot of self publishing consults and this entry reflects pretty much everything we've found along the way, too. The permalink to this entry will be great to share with folks!!! Miracles to you!! k-

[Thomas]

Thanks for sharing this inspiring experience. I published with POD. But one thing I still can't figure out is, how does author know how many copies of his book are really printed?

[JC]

Your article is very informative and inspiring to those who are considering the self-publishing route

[S. Patterson]

I enjoyed reading your material. It gave me the incentive to never give up on your dreams... especially when the lights in the tunnel disappear. I've learned there are so many well-known author's whose first book was self published.

I'm in the process of working with a print on demand company and I'm having the best time of my life! I don't feel alone and everyone seems so helpful in seeing the product come to life! No matter how this turns out, I have faith in my book and I'm having fun!

[rkha]

I have just finished with my first novel and am thinking about authorhouse.com, any comments about this self publishing company??

Thanks

[James]

If you have the financial ability, which is best. POD or true self publishing?

[Dr. Radhaber D. Khati]

I have written two books already. Now I am seeking a good publisher to publish my third book, or publish me first boo that has already been out of market.

I am a professor of education and my first book is about Education and Politics, and my new book would be "No Education, Just Politics."

[Dr. Radhaber D. Khati]

- I want to have information about traditional publishing and the distribution of the self published books.

[Bishop Dr.P.O.Ikeme]

Hi,

I Have worked for many year, and gave my books to lulu.com, and the first was the lightning source, but did not get any thing. I still have books, which could win even Nobel price, but the illiterates who work in those print on demand companies have no regard on people and only mess the works of people and use them for play. They have no regard even for mankind.

thanks,

Dr. P.O. Ikeme

[Bishop Dr.P.O.Ikeme]

Therefore what shall I do? About five books of mine are publishing only that the companies the print on demand lulu who published it has no regard towards them. If they sell the money and refuse to give any revenue to me I do not know and such a thing have I also once told them which they said, never.

I need a distributor who can distribute my books to the whole Sellers and book shops.

thanks. same Dr. P.O.IKEME

[Mrs. darnell]

I published my first book by a Self publishing company. Now I have two children books I need to publish but I wish I could talk to a good Traditional publishing company to see how they work, so if you know one please tell them to write me. at 5625 Nicole Lane,Beaumont Tx 77713 Thank you

[booklover1020]

Self-publishing and traditional publishing both have its pros and cons. You just need to weigh your options more carefully and see which one better suits your publishing goals.