Book Publishing Secrets Everyone Should Know!
One of the hardest parts of writing a book used to be getting it published. When you write a book, you rely on your own ideas, your own research, and your own words. However, when it comes to publishing a book in the traditional way, you have to rely on others. Not anymore.
There are three ways you can get your book published: through self-publishing, through a publisher, or as an e-book.
Publish a book through a traditional publisher
Getting a book published through a publisher will ensure wide distribution, slightly better legitimacy, a better chance of being available in bookstores, and a better chance of reviews. Publishers have extensive marketing resources to ensure that their books get the best exposure in the marketplace. Publishers also offer editorial services, book design, and target marketing to make sure your book has the best chance of success.
The hardest part of getting a book published through a publisher is getting them interested. Most publishers are looking for the easy sell. What that means is that they want to publish books by authors who have a proven platform. A platform is a word for audience. When a publisher considers a new author, the main thing they want to know is who will buy this author’s book. A writer with a proven platform gives the publisher confidence that the book will turn a profit. The types of platforms that publishers generally look for are authors who are nationally known and can get media attention; this is why so many celebrities get to write books. Other platforms include large mailing lists or newsletter subscribers, being the head of a large company, having a very active speaking program in front of large audiences, being a television or radio commentator, being in a high-profile position, being considered an expert in his field, etc.
The second thing an editor looks for is if the author has something important to say. Is the information you want to communicate timely, unique, interesting, new, fresh, insightful, fun? In the case of fiction, is the story well written, are the characters new, exciting, marketable?
Ultimately, a publisher will want to know what the author is willing to do to help sell the book. Have a marketing proposal ready when you meet with the publisher. The more you sell your book and make it look interesting and profitable, the more likely the company will publish it.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. It branches out to many publishers. The more companies you target, the more likely your book will be published. Fourteen agents turned down Stephanie Meyer’s best-selling vampire book before one took a chance. To date, the book has sold more than 17 million copies. Not everyone will get her vision for her book. The key is to keep trying anyway.
Self-publish your book
The other method is to publish the book yourself. There are many desktop publishing sites available on the web that offer most of the same services as traditional publishers but for a fee. Some offer more detailed services than others, but all can produce a book that looks as good as a traditionally published book. Fair warning, some of these services are known scams, so do your research, but know that just because a traditional publisher has dropped your book, it doesn’t mean your dream of being a writer has also passed.
Publishing your book as an eBook
Finally, with the growth of e-books, it is also possible to write your book on your computer and sell it directly as an e-book online. Each of the various readers: Amazon Kindle, I-pad, Nook, and Sony’s eBook reader have software to convert your computer’s word processing files into a book that can be viewed on your reader. You can then upload and sell your book directly on Amazon. All you need to do is market like you would a printed book: spread the word to everyone with a link to buy it.
Getting a publisher for your book used to be the hardest part of writing a book. In today’s editorial word, that is no longer true. Call today or click here for a more comprehensive review of your options and a free, no-obligation consultation on the best book publishing option for you.
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