How to Choose Publishing Companies

How to Choose Publishing Companies
By Olga Kellen

We are not talking here about big publishing companies that accept only agented submissions; you do not choose them, they choose you. Or more likely they do not. Then, you decide to go the independent route and self-publish or use the help of small publishing companies or POD (print-on-demand).

Or maybe you decide up-front to publish your book independently without wasting many months, or sometimes years, searching for a literary agent and/or conventional publisher.

What are the most important criteria to take into consideration while choosing help in independent publishing?

First. Watch your author's rights. If you pay for publishing, even if only for some of its expenses, then all rights for your work must be yours. Period. Also beware of contracts where publishing companies promise you a lot, but do not say explicitly that your work will really be published and when. You can get into that legal situation without being paid a dime, just by signing; but getting your rights back if your work is not published can cost you money.

Second. Watch your book cost. Some POD will produce a book for more than other similar books cost at a bookstore. Then you won't ever break even, to say nothing of ever making any tiny profit from your book. Keep in mind that if you are going to sell through the usual distribution channels, wholesalers and stores, each of them get their cut - and it is not tiny at all.

Third. The last, but not the least! Think of future book sales before going to print it. How and where are you going to SELL? Most independent publishing companies can only offer you the possibility of selling through their online store, where your book might be lost among many others. In that worst-case scenario, nobody will even know your book exists, nobody will be looking for it, it is not being promoted in any way, and no sales result. Then, book publicists are very expensive and do not guarantee sales in any way. You are on your own, with your inventory not moving at all! What will you do?

So many things to consider before starting...

As of today I am not aware of any independent publishing companies or services that are a really one-stop-shop for all your needs as a self-publisher - from preparing your manuscript for printing to marketing, promoting and selling your book. If you know one, please share the name with me.

Olga Kellen,
LinkedIn member
http://www.linkedin.com/in/olgakellen

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