It takes a lot of work to get a book published, and some great writers will never know the joy of seeing their names in print. Thousands of books get published every year, yet thousands more are rejected. Many writers grow frustrated with constant rejections, and feel as though they are repeatedly coming up against a brick wall. Is self publishing a viable option for writers who can’t seem to catch a break?
Types of Self Publishing
While the traditional publishing houses are struggling, the self publishing industry has been thriving. Many writers are finding that they can exercise complete control over their property by selling it themselves. Many options are open to writers who want to forge their own path. Explore types of self publishing to find out what’s available.
- Amazon. The Internet’s biggest bookseller offers self publishing options for writers who want to sell their books digitally. The availability of products like Amazon’s Kindle and other e-readers has turned digital books into a hot commodity, and many writers are taking advantage. Amazon provides authors with self publishing options that will allow them to sell their creations online for profit.
- Professional self publishers. Professional self publishing companies will provide authors with cover art, bound copies of their work and other amenities, for a price. Using a professional self publishing company will cost initially, but for some writers it may be a viable investment.
- Blogging. Anyone’s who ever maintained a regular blog is familiar with one form of self publishing. Some bloggers have famously gone on to create books based upon their blogs. It is free and very simple to create a blog, but it may be difficult to establish an audience. In some cases, writing a blog is a good way for authors to gain attention.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Self publishing is always an option, and there are many ways in which writers may use it to their advantage…but does that mean it’s viable? Sure it’s possible…is it a good idea? Weigh some of the pros and cons of self publishing and decide if it’s the right path to take.
- Marketing costs. Writers who self publish will be wholly responsible for all the marketing costs associated with selling the book. Large publishing houses may create websites, print bookmarks, schedule signings and send out review copies; none of this will happen for the self published author unless they do all the work themselves.
- Making a manuscript a book. A manuscript isn’t a book unless it has an ISBN number. In self publishing, writers will be solely responsible for obtaining their own copyright and ISBN – not to mention, completely editing and proofreading the book to check for errors.
Self publishing may not turn a writer into an instant millionaire, but for some it is a viable way to make a dream come true. Writers who manage to self publish and gain a little recognition (not to mention, some profit) for their work may continue to build upon their successes, eventually creating a career in their chosen field.