Serious About
Self Publishing E-Course: Lesson 2
It's time to Bring Out the
Author in You...
So today, in lesson two of the Self Publishing
Basics e-course I'll cover the pros and cons of self publishing vs. traditional
publishing.
You're getting this e-course because you want
to learn how to write a book quickly, easily and affordably. In fact, since the
last e-course more than a dozen aspiring authors, serious about writing their
book fast, took the 10-Minute Writing Sample Challenge from lesson one.
Did you take the challenge? It's not too
late...you can take it NOW...
10 MINUTE WRITING SAMPLE CHALLENGE- LESSON 1
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Now here’s you’re first exercise, don’t skip over it or come back to it later.
(If you’re serious about being a published author-do this exercise) take 10
minutes and write (NO EDITING...just write) about what comes natural to you, or
what you're most passionate about and in “chatting with a friend” simplicity,
explain it.
Just reply to this email and send me your 10-minute challenge writing sample. Or
cut and paste this email address
put Lesson 1 Writing Sample in the subject
line.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
But let me get back to lesson two...
Forget everything you've heard about the
painfully long process of writing a book, the years of endless rejection
by publishers and the boatloads of money spent along the grueling
road to Authorship, you can write, publish and promote a book in 90 days or
less.
But there's a catch--and it's really ironic...
You can only do it using the self publishing
method. The bottom line is this, traditional book publishers work on schedules
that require 18-24 month cycles, and some can be as long as 36 months.
That's as much as 3 years to take you from idea
to published author.
I don't want to paint a lop-sided picture.
Nothings perfect and there are some benefits to traditional publishing as well
as some frustrations with self publishing that you should be aware of. In fact,
self publishing isn't for everyone.
As an author, here are a few things you should
consider when looking at a big publishing firm. The most obvious benefits are:
Pros of Traditional Publishing:
- Authors get advances and royalties for their
work
- Large publishers have a respected presence
in marketplace, and can increase your chances of being in the bookstore
- Access to the best editors, cover designers
and book producing resources
However, working with someone who will put up all the cash and take the risk
could also mean:
Cons of traditional publishing:
- Author does not control distribution,
pricing and marketing
- Book has only 3-4 months to catch on (i.e.
sell well) before it is pulled, discounted and charged back to the author
- 80% of publishers time is spent promoting
20% of their titles/authors
As an aspiring author, the 'do-it-yourself' approach has many benefits:
Pros of Self Publishing:
- Author gets 100% of profit (after expenses)
- Author controls distribution, pricing and
marketing
- Author bypasses middle man and works
directly with printers, editors and cover designers to negotiate best deals
Cons
of Self Publishing:
- Publisher bears all the expense of bringing
book to market
- More difficult to get into book stores or
distributed by major distributors
- Publishing is a business, you have to be
prepared to create the book, market it, and sell the book (many people find it
difficult to do all three)
The Pros vs. Cons listed just scratch the surface,
I can't possibly exhaust the list in this e-course, but what I can do is get
your brain flowing on the benefits of becoming a selfpublished author.
Consider more closely what traditional publishing means for you. First
understand that while it might feel great to have a big publisher take notice of
you and agree to publish your book, there is a journey that you must travel that
will be riddled with frustration, and a slow process that could possibly kill
your book along the way, let me explain:
The well known story of the best-selling
authors Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield (the Chicken Soup guys) is now
almost fairy-tale, but there is nothing make believe about being rejected by
more than 33 big publishers and investing over 3 years of your life TOTALLY
dedicated to the process of being published.
Most people don't have the time, drive or
determination to make such a commitment, and honestly don't really want to.
The truth is, large publishing companies get more than one million manuscripts
each year and it's estimated that they receive between 3,000 to 5,000
unsolicited manuscripts each week. That means since publishers didn't ask
to get them, they probably won't pay much attention to them-- so your manuscript
will sit unopened in mail bins or worse, go straight to the trash can.
Because of the time involved in the manuscript review process more than 60% go
unread and authors get rejected without even having being give so much as a
glance, rejection letter or phone call.
The odds are staggering and stacked against you
for more reasons than just this...
But assume you're "lucky" enough to have your book picked-up by one of the major
publishers. The process of pain starts early and can be very long.
The truth is, manuscripts that are chosen are taken through an editing process
and given a complete overhaul that many published authors liken to painful
surgery without anesthesia as their book goes from the intended
message to the publishers interpretation.
Next up is the reality that large publishers have three major selling seasons
per year and books are kept in bookstores in four month cycles because
bookstores don't have enough shelf space to stock more than 100,000 books
published each year before they are replaced. If your book doesn't get a
considerable buzz (sales) then it will be discounted or worse, pulled from the
shelf all together.
How could this happen when working with such a large power-house publisher you
might ask? Well, the 80/20 rule is alive and well and the truth is that
publishers and book agents use 80% of their resources to market (promote) the
top 20% of their books leaving a paltry 20% of their marketing dollars and
efforts to promote the remaining 80% of their titles in publication. In fact, it
is not uncommon for publishers to suggest that authors hire their own PR firm to
promote their book.
Still interested in being published by a large publishing house? Read on...
The primary reason authors want to work with
major publishing companies is the money potential. Truth is, the royalties from
the book world are shameful compared to the effort of the author. Would you be
willing to sell your intellectual property, hard-work and highly profitable idea
for 6%-10% of net receipts?
You would if you wanted to be published by a
traditional publisher...
The standard print run per book for traditional
publishers is 5000 copies, assume your book is priced at $10. The gross
potential is $50,000 at retail, but when was the last time you...or anyone you
know bought a book at the full retail price? Even the new fresh off the presses
books sell everyday at Border's Bookstores for 30% off the cover price (most
books are sold at some discount) it's standard business and consumers have come
to expect a "deal" on books.
Back to the money...the profit "potential" is $50,000 and you have an 8% royalty
on net deal, you're looking at making $4,000 or less on that hot book deal.
And that's assuming that during the 4-month sales window you sold all of the
books (which is highly unlikely) so before you get to brag to your old
classmates at your high school reunion that you're a published author, your book
is taken out of print and in the bargain bin at Sam's Club®
While the benefits of working with major publishers is that
they will put up the money to produce your book, and even get it into
bookstores, the reality is they WILL NOT promote it for you, and
promotion is the cornerstone of book selling. You must understand that you are
not in the book business...you're in the business of marketing your book.
Having your book on the shelf of an
overcrowded bookstore will not ensure success, in fact 99.9% of the time it
spells death for your book. But before it dies, painfully, you might want to
deliver your next two manuscripts to your publisher because that's what
you've agreed to do in the contract you were so eager to sign.
I know there's a lot to consider, but the obvious answer is clear, if you're
serious about gaining more exposure, generating more income and building your
credibility; you need a book. The best way to reach your goals of
authorship is self publishing.
My hope is that you are serious about reaping all of the rewards of bringing
your vision to life by becoming an author. Doing-it-yourself is not the same as
"doing-it-alone". To be a profitable and successful author you'll need
structure (what to do), consistency (when to do) and
accountability (did you do?) to start right and finish strong.
I can help you WRITE. PUBLISH & PROMOTE your book QUICKLY, EASILY & AFFORDABLY.
If you're interested learning more about my hands-on self publishing coaching
program, there are still open spots available. Just send me an
email:
for more details.
Self publishing is not a fad, nor is it new. In fact, see if you recognize any
of these VERY notable self published authors and e-mail me if you're ready to
add you name to the list...
- Mark Twain
- Henry David Thoreau
- Robert Allen
- Walt Whitman
- Richard Nixon
- John Kremer
- YOU
In your next lesson, I’ll discuss the writing process, developing publishing
timelines and speaking your book into existence.
Until then…Bring Out the Author in You!
Sanyika Calloway Boyce
Author, Speaker, and Coach
212-978-9638
Get a free 20 minute consultation on writing
your book now!
http://selfpublishingworkshop.com/callme
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