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Publishing
Issues
Perhaps
the most daunting challenge for a new author is getting
from a finished
manuscript to a published book. We've been
through this process several times, and we have organized and
structured the decision-making process. Here are a few of
the issues
you'll want to address:
- Identifying
and evaluating the options. There are probably more
publishing options than you realized. They include: (1) finding
and
hiring a literary agent, (2)
submitting a book proposal to prospective publishers; (3)
using a vanity publisher; (4)
self-publishing; (5)
e-publishing; and (6)
partner-publishing. Each has pros and cons and may be right
for some people and wrong for others.
 Developing
a book proposal. This is something you should probably do
regardless of the publishing
options. It's a key element of the marketing planning process
and a discipline that will prove advantageous on many fronts.
- Understanding
and mastering the mechanical steps in publishing. As
the author, you'll want to at least understand the issues
involved in editing,
typesetting,
interior layout,
formatting, and
pre-press preparation. They will all have an impact on the
final product, and that's what will ultimately determine
the quality and reception of your book.
- Managing
the actual
printing process. Someone will have to find
a reliable printer, negotiate the price
and terms, understand the choices and options, and
review proofs. You can either do this yourself or have
someone do
it for you. Either way, you'll probably want to have
some degree of input to these important decisions.
- Establishing
a win/win relationship with your publisher. The profit margins
in publishing are relatively small, and author royalties
don't usually cover the real costs of writing a book, so
you'll want to be sure you and the publisher are fair to
each other BEFORE you strike a deal.
- Resources
for new authors. There are a number of good books, websites,
and other references for authors, and it pays to get to know
them. They can guide you through the narrow pathways of ensuring
that you have proper copyright
protection, knowing who owns the
ISBN, and familiarizing you with the list of other publishing
issues that impact an author directly.
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