 |
The Pros and Cons of Self-publishing
Author: Linda A Lavid  | Posted: 01-02-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 66 | Rating: (67)  (?) 
 Is self-publishing for every writer?
No. We all have different goals and reasons for what we do. Some writers may want to go the commercial route. They know they have the talent and persistence to make it happen and feel that anything less would be selling out. Other writers may not have the interest in spending money or want to commit to the necessary time in editing, marketing and selling. Others can’t tolerate anything that hints at technology, which is a huge liability should you want to self-publish.
To independently publish is to multitask and there’s a lot to learn. It can be done, but not overnight. Creating the product can take years, then you’ve got to market and sell it, usually while you’re working on another project. This along with keeping up a home, job, family, is a monumental undertaking. Still, allow me this argument.
Inside every writer is an independent soul who sits alone for hours thinking and writing, who has a recorder next to him to take down whatever he sees and feels, who waits in a doctor’s office with a feverish child on her lap and whose mind wanders to a faraway place. A fiction writer is a person who knows no bounds, who creates, who believes that anything is possible. The independence and freedom of self-publishing plays into this nature. So I argue: If it can be done, why not do it?
Are there good reasons to self-publish?
Here’s a laundry list: to take control, to get serious, to express yourself, to hone your craft, to learn, to grow, to finish a project, to put your work out there, to test the market, to connect to readers, to get reviewed, to gain confidence, to expand your horizons, to make your dream come true.
Are there bad reasons to self-publish?
Yes, if you have unrealistic expectations, such as making gazillion dollars so you can buy an island and hobnob with old money. Yes, if you’re not totally prepared to write a manuscript worthy of publication. Yes, again, if your ego bruises easily.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of POD self-publishing?
Advantages: You maintain control of how your book is presented. Your book will be in print indefinitely thus allowing a longer time to find an audience. Buying bulk and storing large inventories are not necessary. Basic publishing packages often include distribution, ISBN numbers, and placement in online stores. Publishing is done quickly at a relatively low cost. Post production edits are easy. Selling your book directly to a reader increases profit.
Disadvantages: Your book will be difficult to place in large chain bookstores. You’ll have to do your own editing and marketing or pay someone to do it. To make a profit you must expend time and energy into selling books.
How much money will it cost?
Initially, the expense varies depending on the add-ons that are purchased. Add-ons can be editing services, cover design, marketing packages. However, to give you a ballpark figure, I’d say the average cost to publish a book runs between $400 and $700.
Nevertheless, there’s more to consider than the initial publishing cost especially if you’re not swimming in technological waters. At a minimum, you’ll need a computer, printer, CD burner, Internet access, and a word processing program. Should you do your own cover, you may also require a scanner, digital camera and some type of Photoshop program. Marketing costs can include a website. Clearly, you can be nickeled and dimed when you self-publish; however, don’t be fooled into believing that other types of publishing come free. Many books that are traditionally published have similar expenses. Due to competition and the shrinking editorial staff found in large publishing houses, an author often has to have his manuscript professionally edited before it’s even considered for publication, an expense that can run into the thousands. Toss in postage and copying costs at twenty dollars a pop as manuscripts are routed to agents and publishers, and your trip to Paris may have to be postponed.
How legitimate is it?
Self-publishing is still self-publishing and may always have a ring of illegitimacy. Still, it’s an exciting time with an unknown, unpredictable end game. We’re in the fledgling years of a technological boom where books are being published at an astounding rate, where worldwide markets are expanding, where new voices are heard. Forecasters see POD printers in local drugstores at the ready to publish any book at anytime. Authors may even rent their own POD printers. So how will this shake down? Who knows? But one truism remains: legitimacy is about readership and connecting with people who enjoy your work.
For more info: Linda's Website
Linda is the author of Composition: A Fiction Writer's Guide for the 21st Century Download for $3.75
Rate this Article:
Current: 5 / 5 stars - 1 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/self-publishing-articles/the-pros-and-cons-of-selfpublishing-321537.html
About the Author:Linda Lavid is an award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction. Her latest book is Composition, A Fiction Writer\'s Guide for the 21st Century. Reviewed as a \"priceless gem\", this book discusses the craft of writing fiction and the art of self-publishing. www.lindalavid.com
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Getting Down to the Business of Writing a Book: a Step by Step Guide
By: Marilyn Barnicke Belleghem M.Ed. | 06/04/2007 | Writing
Procrastination and writers block often stop writers from completing their manuscript. Steps that need to be taken to get ideas into book form are laid out.
How to Boost Your Online Book Sales With Effective Web Copy
By: Melinda Copp | 08/04/2008 | Writing
As a published author, your web site should become the clearinghouse of your marketing efforts. Every ad you place online, every article you publish in electronic publications, and even every e-mail you send should link back to your web site, where a visitor can read about your book—possibly even a sample of your book—read about you, find additional information, and buy your book. And every print ad or article that mentions you, should mention your web site, as well.
Your Writing Life: are You a Perfectionist? the Pros and Cons
By: Lucia Zimmitti | 01/07/2008 | Fiction
Defining what type of writer you are can go a long way in making you more productive when you’re at your desk. This article, the second in a series, focuses on the Perfectionist and the pros and cons of that writing temperament.
Marketing Your Writing: the Basics of Selling Your Book
By: Melinda Copp | 10/06/2008 | Self Publishing
Marketing is important for all writers who hope to sell their work—whether that means books or articles or writing skills. I used to work for a book publishing company, and for several months I was in charge of marketing my boss’s book. It was a writing reference book, actually, and although I had no idea what I was doing when I took over the project, I learned fast and had a lot of fun doing it.
Make Money Writing And Selling Ebooks
By: Obinna Heche | 20/10/2006 | EBooks
Many people these days are interested in learning various ways to make a good income without ever having to leave their home. Some open up their own businesses whereas others work in various job roles via online means.
How to Keep Writing and See Your Book Through to ‘the End’
By: Melinda Copp | 27/03/2008 | Writing
How long have you been working on your book? A year or better? When you sit down at Thanksgiving dinner next month with your family members, and they ask you how the book is coming along, will you be able to honestly say that you’re making progress? If not, you’re not alone.
Working With a Team
By: Robin Rushlo | 04/07/2007 | Home Business
Just a short report on why people start home based businesses.
Seven Ways to Add Value to Your Book or E-book
By: Melinda Copp | 27/03/2008 | Non-Fiction
When you’re working on a book or ebook—any writing project you intend to sell—the question, “Will people actually want to buy this?” inevitably comes up. Although in most cases this is your inner critic trying to sideswipe your creative efforts, the question is valid. Will people actually see the value in the information you’re providing? Will they want to spend their money on your book?
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Self Publishing Articles
Hyperspectral Rajamanickam
By: M.RAJAMANICKAM | 18/08/2008
PROGRESS REPORT: GEOLOGIC VALIDATION OF EO-1 HYPERION USING AVIRIS
Editing Your Academic Paper yourself Before Your Professor Do It!
By: Jenny Stewart | 16/08/2008
Have you ever had a professor who graded your essays or term papers on grammar and punctuation even though it wasn't an English class? Most professors expect your essays, term papers, and research papers to demonstrate your grasp of the subject material and follow the basic rules of writing.
Writing Your Term Paper – Think About Editing Too!
By: Jenny Stewart | 16/08/2008
The worst thing in writing is to fail after several hours of hard work. Most often it happens due to poor editing and proofreading. Some students are creative. They can easily come up with great ideas, but when it comes to putting everything together, the impression is somewhat terrifying. Other students suffer from minor mistakes in their papers. All of these problems are normal and common. But they are the tiny things that stand on your way to an A+ paper.
Dissertation Writing and Dissertation Editing!
By: Jenny Stewart | 16/08/2008
Dissertation writing itself is a difficult task that takes a lot of concentration and energy of a student’s to get it done. But after such hard working when you get your work filled with red marks, it sure makes anyone mad. So before submitting your theses to your committee why not make it perfect? Why don’t you get someone’s help to edit your dissertation?
Dissertation Writing With S.m.a.r.t Approach!
By: Jenny Stewart | 16/08/2008
A dissertation is a kind of documentary record that highlights the author's scholastic aptitude. Such a dissertation is mandatory for higher order degrees like doctorates and PhDs. A dissertation is very similar to a thesis considering that both are required to be submitted in order to apply for a doctoral program. However, the terms have a definitive distinction. A dissertation can be simply a treatise created by bringing together data and information from different sources.
Dissertation Writing Guide – Making it Student Friendly!
By: Jenny Stewart | 16/08/2008
A dissertation forms part of the coursework for a degree. For some courses it is linked with work experience. It provides you with an opportunity to undertake a piece of individual research work and really examine an aspect of the subject you are studying closely. This is your first attempt at serious 'research'.
Dissertation Writing and Dissertation Advisers!
By: Jenny Stewart | 16/08/2008
This important process is very important for the students and advisors alike. But advisor should act like a mature and responsible person who, unlike the student, has had much more experience in advising of the completion of dissertation. Te advisor should give special attention to all requests of the student as well as his comments or observations. If an advisor is requested to read the draft of the dissertation, he should read it and evaluate it, providing specifiac comments to the work submit
Dissertation Writing – Doing it Stage by Stage!
By: Jenny Stewart | 16/08/2008
Before you begin researching and actually writing your thesis, you can break it down into sections to make it more manageable to handle. Thesis writing is not like writing an e-book or an essay, it is much larger and time consuming.
More from Linda A Lavid
E-books, Boom or Bust?
By: Linda A Lavid | 15/07/2008 | Publishing
Article on the future of e-books. What are the obstacles in having e-books sell? What are companies doing and how are the readers responding?
Amazon's Wide Reach
By: Linda A Lavid | 10/07/2008 | Publishing
Amazon is making moves to take over every aspect of the independent publishing POD market, including publishing, distribution, marketing and selling. Monopoly or Fair Play?
Is There Money in Self Publishing?
By: Linda A Lavid | 19/06/2008 | Publishing
A position that discusses the advantages of self publishing and how money can be made.
Getting Your Book Reviewed
By: Linda A Lavid | 07/06/2008 | Publishing
Having your book reviewed is important for marketing purposes: reviews sell books. Books can be reviewed before publication or afterwards. While not all reviews may be stellar, getting good reviews can pay off in sales.
Can You Write Fiction?
By: Linda A Lavid | 01/06/2008 | Fiction
There's a story inside you. You think of in when waiting in the doctor's office or driving in the car. But can you do it? Do you have the necessary and talent and drive? My thoughts. Yes! No doubt.
The Print-on-demand Contract
By: Linda A Lavid | 05/02/2008 | Self Publishing
A summary of what to look for in a contract when you choose to self publish. Terms are explained and examples given. Contracts vary greatly and it is important to understand the differences.
|
|
Writing 
