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Courting a Publisher
Back to Chart |
FIRST
Search
out ones that publish your type of writing.
Make a list of names, their companies, and addresses to
solicit.
(MORE INFO.)
CAUTION: Any publisher who asks you to pay
part of the preparation or production costs is NOT a true publisher.
They're a VANITY press!
(See Vanity Press below)
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SECOND
Create
Query Letter (MORE
INFO.)
Make it your best writing ever.
Send to specific person at Publisher's
Start a file to keep track of correspondences. |
RESPONSES
Some will not respond
Some will send "No Thank You" rejection letters
Maybe you'll get a -" Let us see a chapter (or portion)"
(MORE INFO.) |
Pros |
Cons |
• Many decisions
will be made for you.
(MORE INFO.) • You get great bragging rights!
• Listings and distribution is handled by publisher. |
•
You might not like the decisions!
• About 10% of book sales go to author.
• 90% taken by
Publisher.
• You
are expected to work at marketing.
(MARKETING INFO.) |
Courting an Agent
Back to Chart |
FIRST
Search out ones who
work with your type of writing.
Make a list of names, agencies and addresses to send.
CAUTION: The only expenses a legitimate
Agent should charge you is copying and postage. If they want
a fee to read, or force you to pay an editor to look at your
book - don't use them. |
SECOND
Create Query Letter (MORE
INFO.)
Make it your best writing ever.
Send to specific person at Agent's offices.
Start a file to keep track of correspondences. |
RESPONSES
Some will not respond
Some will send "No Thank You" rejection
Maybe you'll get a - "Let us see a chapter (or portion)"
(MORE INFO.) |
Pros |
Cons |
• Agents solicit Publishers for
you, using their expertise and connections.
• May suggest changes.
(MORE
INFO.) |
• A % (10-20%) of author's
commissions taken.
• Agent may still not manage to find a publisher.
• You are expected to work at marketing. (MARKETING INFO.) |
Deciding
on a Vanity Press
Call themselves:
"Self Publishers,
Subsidy Publishers, etc.
a
Self-publishing Package Back to Chart |
FIRST
Most all will accept any work, you won't have to
persuade . . . only pay!
CAUTION: They become the publisher of your
work if they supply the ISBN number! This is significant
- two ways.
1. Companies interested in working with
the book will contact the publisher, not you, the author.
2. Book
distributors know the names of these "self-publishers" and
have a different attitude toward their books. |
SECOND
• Make careful comparisons (COMPARISON CHART INFO.)
• Review carefully the contract - read all the parts . Don't
sign away subsidiary rights.
• We suggest you make sure you can can speak with someone
you feel comfortable with in the company, who will help
you through the process. Too many decisions may disappoint
you without a personal contact to help with problems
as they crop up. |
RESPONSES
Responses are no problem.
In fact you may want to establish a disposable separate
email address for just these companies
correspondences, as they'll keep sending solicitng emails
to you - even long after you've decided and moved on. |
Pros |
Cons |
• Some decisions will
be made for you.
• Packages have set prices. (Keep in mind that ANY extra
services or products you decide on will increase the cost.) • Some marketing information may be included in the package.
• Some listings and distribution services are often included
- check the package descriptions.
(MORE
INFO.) |
• $
paid up front for setup preparation.
• You will also have to buy any books you want for yourself.
• Majority
% (Abt 55%) of retail book sales taken.
• POD (Print on Demand) presses create one book at
a time. Therefore the cost of each book remains high.
• Listings only.
•
You must work at marketing. (MARKETING
INFO.) |
Managing
the project yourself -
May actually be your
best option: True
Self-Publishing
the Do-it-Yourself path
Back to Chart |
FIRST - CONGRATULATIONS!
You've accepted yourself for publication!
You don't need to solicit anyone to publsh
for you, saving much time and frustration!
Make a plan, a schedule of jobs to do
and when you'd like them done. Begin working out how you
will market your book.
(MARKETING INFORMATION)
Planning on writing about your FAMILY
HISTORY?
This is a wonderful pursuit,
requiring some different support and direction. We are
creating special
guides just
for you;
available. .
. soon. Do
check back.
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SECOND
NO MATTER WHAT ROUTE
YOU CHOOSE, CONSIDER:
• Joining a writers' group for critique
and inspiration.
• READ books in your field
(so you understand what has sold in the past, and what
might be missing
that you could write.)
• AND read about the TRUE self-publishing
process. (SEE our HELPFUL LINKS web
page for sources.)
• GIve yourself plenty of time, for
editing, revisions, cover and inside
layout and design,
a Table of Contents and perhaps an index.
Don't rush the finish - your work deserves the best
treatment possible.
You may need an ISBN number, and Bar Code
puchased through R.R. Bowker. (TOUCHSTONE CAN HELP)
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RESPONSES
Direct efforts toward contacting your public,
utilizing the hours saved because you don't have to solicit
an agent or publisher!
(MORE MARKETING INFO.)
Consider creating a mailing list: friends, family, your professional
colleagues, and organizations. They will
welcome information
about your accomplishment. (TOUCHSTONE CAN HELP YOU CREATE
cards and/or brochures to send out.)
Consider a web page or site. Will you sell on Amazon?, Would
you like to be listed with the major distributors? (TOUCHSTONE
CAN HELP with all thoses tasks.) |
Pros |
Cons |
• Hours and hours saved now
that you'rre not soliciting a publisher.
• Maintain
total control.
•Largest
% of return on your investment. • Bypass the frustration and
significant time spent courting an agent or publisher.
•
You decide quantity to reproduce . . allowing for significant
savings on larger runs of the book.
• This more "hands on" path allows
you to interact with your readers, and create your own network
of possible purchasers
for your next book. |
• $ to print
books up front
• You will either need to learn all aspects of the preparation,
production and marketing, or get help from sources
such as TOUCHSTONE COMMUNICATIONS.
• You must work at marketing. But if you noticed - ON
ALL "Cons" - listed ABOVE - you need to work at marketing
anyway. You
might as well be well-paid for it.
(MARKETING INFO.) |
