My goal
Today is November 1. November is NaNoWriMo. You may remember that last year I began writing a book in November, and even though it’s not a novel (it is one of my apologetics lectures expanded into book form) I used the prompts from NaNoWriMo as motivation. I never finished my book though. I have written approximately 10 percent and I have someone who has agreed to edit it for me. I see no reason why I cannot be finished with the entire draft stage before the month is over. With that said, this November I don’t necessarily have the goal of finishing, but I do plan on making progress every single day of the month, including Thanksgiving.
Feel free to keep me accountable towards my goal. Text me, tweet me, leave a comment here, whatever.
My Question
Even though my book is still pretty nascent, I have considered what to do when I finish. Should I submit it to a traditional publisher, or should I have it self-published? As I see it, there are only four advantages to traditional publishing
1. Approval – If a traditional publisher agrees to use the resources that publishing a book requires then it means that somebody (who should know) thinks I am worth publishing. In my estimation, this is the number one reason by a long way.
In my mind, even though this is the number one reason, successful sales of the book would make this reason obsolete.
2. Promotion – Since the company has a financial interest in the success of the book, they would have a reason to promote it. Also, since it’s their business, they have the know-how and resources to make it financially successful.
3. Editing – I have someone who has agreed to edit my book and I am planning to pay her. If a company agreed to publish the book they would have their own editor to and it would save me some money. Speaking of money…
4. Getting paid - I am certain that I would make less money by going through a traditional publisher. I am also sure I will not be happy about what happens with the rights to the book. I am also pretty sure that I would be on the losing end of a contract. However, there is no up-front cost. Self publishing, at least if I decide to have print copies made, is very expensive on the front end.
That’s it, that’s the list. And really, if I am honest, the first reason is the only reason that would motivate me to seek out traditional publishing. In every other way I think self publishing is better. I keep the rights, I can do what I please with it. I will make more money if it actually generates sales. If I were already a published author, this would not even be a question for me. I would self-publish.
I know that technology has changed the world, and publishing is one of the areas where the impact is strongest. There is no need to go through a traditional publisher, but if my book is self-published, I feel as if I am being dishonest by saying I am a published author. (There is one post on this blog that has been read several thousand times and only received positive comments, so it’s not as if I have had no success at writing. It just doesn’t feel the same)
I know I often beg for comments, but I would really love to know your thoughts on this. Especially if you have been published before.
I have sent this to my dad, who is a published author, used a publisher, and I will post his comments.
Pasted reply from my father, Jack “Brushy Sage” Thomas:
Conventional publishers are all struggling these days. A lot of mergers have taken place, and a lot of book sellers have gone out of business. Some publishers will consider books only from authors who are already published (successfully). Some will only consider books in some specialty area. My own own book, Traveling to Marshall, was considered only after I answered a question from the publisher, “Have you ever lived in western North Carolina”?
Except for very successful authors, I don’t believe publishers will any longer take on a book project without any up–front money, and most (in my experience) require the submission of a marketing plan. There are some people around who will double as editors and agents — that is they will help the author to produce a polished manuscript and will then seek out a publisher who might be interested in it — all for a fee.
Some publishers will take on a book project, charge a fee for editing, and a fee to cover the total cost of printing, and perhaps some marketing. This is regarded as self-publishing, and a number of authors had their first books produced in this way. The number of copies is limited to what the author is able to pay for.
My editor at Grateful Steps Foundation worked with me for about three years getting my book ready for publication. It was published in the fall of 2011, with 1000 copies, and there are still quite a few on hand in their warehouse. It is still selling, but not as fast as when it first appeared. I’m not making any money from it — all royalties go to the First Baptist Church of Marshall. I hope this is helpful.
I think the hardest part, like you said, would be the marketing and financial aspects. But from what I know about the book and your target audience so far, you already have the connections (in multiple parts of the country) you need to get the word out.
So it might be a bit stinky to have to say you’re a “published” (*asterisk*) author, but I think self-publishing’s the way to go with this one. If it works out well, you could use this to your advantage if you decide to write another book and go the traditional publishing route (especially if this one does well).