Self-publishing is the medium of choice for writers who want to tell their story and get their book to market, on their own terms. Self-published authors maintain editorial control of their manuscripts, retain all rights, and see their book in print quickly. With today’s new self-publishing service providers, thousands of successful authors have achieved their dream of getting published.
Why Self-publish?
Most authors know, whether they publish traditionally or choose alternative avenues, the ultimate success of their book depends on their own efforts. Traditional publishers typically only have a budget to significantly promote a small portion of their titles and as a result, many titles sit on bookstore shelves, un-promoted. Knowing that their books' destinies depend on them, many authors have chosen to assume responsibility for the entire publishing process.
Publishing Alternatives
The traditional publishing industry operates on a costly and exclusive business model. Editors who are looking for the next bestseller rarely accept alternative voices or new-comers; in fact, they reject 98 percent of all manuscripts submitted. Even when they do take a risk, they often provide little to no promotional support. Books are returned unsold and authors lose royalties. Authors who are picked up by traditional publishers frequently regret relinquishing control of their manuscript to editors.
Until recently, there were few viable alternatives to this scenario. Vanity or subsidy publishing is an expensive way to have books printed (often $10,000 or more), but typically the companies provide little or no support in distributing or marketing the book. Authors receive thousands of copies of their books, but are generally left high and dry, wondering how to sell them.
Conventional do-it-yourself publishing, the way many literary greats have published in the past, requires authors to reinvent the wheel as they learn how to handle each new step of the publishing process. Many authors lack the time, expertise and resources to take on this challenge.
Self-publishing
Self-publishing service providers offer freedom from both the obstacles of traditional publishing and the burden of do-it-yourself publishing. Authors turn to a self-publishing house that provides guidance and expertise in handling their publishing project. A blend of the best of traditional publishing and the autonomy of conventional do-it-yourself publishing, today’s new self-publishing houses give authors the advantage of years of experience in the industry, without controlling their manuscript or limiting their options.
Who Self-publishes?
Self-publishing empowers anyone who has a goal of getting published. The authors who choose to publish with self-publishing houses have many reasons for doing so. Some are accomplished, previously-published authors who prefer the choice, control and speed-to-market of self-publishing over the obstacles of traditional publishing. Some publish as a way to option their books for movies and TV. Others are people who passionately want to share a riveting life experience: doctors, police officers, journalists and others. Scholars and educators often choose self-publishing so they can control the content of their textbooks. Entertainers self-publish their biography or the story behind their act and sell it to fans. And many others self-publish to share a story with their friends and family.
The Self-publishing Process
Self-publishing service providers generally offer authors a range of services, including copy-editing, book design, printing, ISBN registration and marketing. These providers utilize print-on-demand technology (see below) which eliminates inventory and distribution challenges. Self-publishing houses do not edit their authors’ books for style, content or marketability, nor do they exclude authors based on these criteria. Self-publishing is a market-driven approach, allowing almost anyone to make a new book available to millions of readers, at a small fraction of the cost of traditional publishing methods.
Print-on-demand Technology
Printing technology known as print-on-demand (POD) enables publishers like AuthorHouse to print both paperback and hardcover books “on-demand.” Simply put, POD turns the traditional economics of the publishing industry upside down by allowing books to be produced in small quantities – even one at a time – almost instantly. No longer does publishing require expensive offset printing and warehousing. With POD, the book is stored digitally until a customer orders it. At that point, a state-of-the-art printing and binding machine creates a high-quality paperback or hardcover book ready for shipping.
POD has significant advantages for writers, readers, publishers and retailers. With POD technology, there are never any wasted copies of a book. This makes it possible for authors to have their book published with minimal initial investment. Frequently, that investment is recovered with the highest royalty rates available in the industry.
