You've just finished your book and you're looking for a way to get it published, but you're trying to figure out the best option for you. Well the good news is, in the realm of self publishing, SO MANY options are available now. (For books in print AND digital formats.)
That being said, here are:
That being said, here are:
The Pros
1. It Will Get Published
So obviously, yes, if you do self publish there really are no uncertainties or long periods of waiting for an answer. You don't have to send out hundreds of query letters, you don't have to hope a publishing company will like you, and depending on what format you choose to self publish on, your book will pretty much be available to read immediately.
2. No Compromises
Now I'm not saying publishing companies aren't looking out for your book's best interest, but if you self publish, your vision stays your vision. There are no pressures to sway the story a certain way and you don't have to feel like you're writing for someone else. Your writing should always be for you and should always make you happy. After all, that's where the best stories come from.
3. You're The Boss
But that feeling does come with risks.
The Cons
1. You're On Your Own
Yes, your book will get published, and thanks to print on demand companies such as Blurb and Lulu, there are low risk options for not only e-books, but printed books as well. The problem is, however, that agents and publishing companies have the connections that you don't have. They can get you into Barns and Noble, they can schedule book tours for you (if you're book is absolutely amazing and warrants a book tour), and they pretty much will manage the whole business end of things for you.
So by not going through a traditional publishing company, you're pretty much left to do a lot of the leg work.
So by not going through a traditional publishing company, you're pretty much left to do a lot of the leg work.
2. Less Money
And by this I mean less money up front. Usually a publishing company will either pay you a one time flat fee, through royalties, or a combination of both. Either way, if a publishing company picks you up, you're guaranteed to make some money. With self publishing, however, you will only make as much money as the books you sell.
So it's not as quick and happy, but if you believe in your novel and it turns out to be a great book, many authors have become millionaires through kindle. And even if you don't get millions (especially on your first book) you can still earn a good amount of money.
So it's not as quick and happy, but if you believe in your novel and it turns out to be a great book, many authors have become millionaires through kindle. And even if you don't get millions (especially on your first book) you can still earn a good amount of money.
The Conclusion
If I was to give any advice, I'd say try your hardest to get published the traditional way. Send out hundreds of query letters, get in touch with any contacts you have, and just give it your all. While I self published, I'd personally have been super excited to get picked up by a publishing company.
In reality, however, most people will get tons and tons of rejection letters. Especially if you're a first time novelist with little experience and a small to nonexistent fan base. So it's sort of a catch 22. I think you need to just send out your letters, expect to get rejected (with a slight possibility of actually getting picked up) then just self publish. Once you self publish, just start writing your next book and repeat the process.
That's really the best advice I can give for someone trying to get published. Just keep trying until something sticks with a publishing company. At least by your second or third book, agents and publishers will see how serious you are (though your self publishing efforts) and you'll have more book-writing experience.
After all, if you love to write, chances are you were going to write a million books anyway. Just learn when to cut your losses, move onto the next project and repeat the process. Because either way, if you have a great book, it won't matter whether it's self published or published the traditional way. People are going to rave about it, and it's going to sell one way or another.
In reality, however, most people will get tons and tons of rejection letters. Especially if you're a first time novelist with little experience and a small to nonexistent fan base. So it's sort of a catch 22. I think you need to just send out your letters, expect to get rejected (with a slight possibility of actually getting picked up) then just self publish. Once you self publish, just start writing your next book and repeat the process.
That's really the best advice I can give for someone trying to get published. Just keep trying until something sticks with a publishing company. At least by your second or third book, agents and publishers will see how serious you are (though your self publishing efforts) and you'll have more book-writing experience.
After all, if you love to write, chances are you were going to write a million books anyway. Just learn when to cut your losses, move onto the next project and repeat the process. Because either way, if you have a great book, it won't matter whether it's self published or published the traditional way. People are going to rave about it, and it's going to sell one way or another.