Sunday, November 11, 2012

Self –Publishing the New Found Freedom




Self-Publishing is a new found freedom, thank to all of the print on demand companies available. It is safe to say self-publishing offers the author a chance to get their work into print relatively inexpensive. In addition Self-publishing offers fast, easy formatting, book design and other services. The self publishing idea comes with many perks and with that being said one must ask themselves “What are the disadvantages of self-publishing”?  With every freedom come responsibilities. Traditional publishing has for so many years’ shielded authors from the tedious yet necessary core concepts needed in order to make their work profitable. Although self-publishing is an option when bringing material to market, it’s not as easy as it may sound.  The process includes formatting, editing, proofing, designing these elements are essential to the success of the project. In addition the author must handle all promotion and distribution. Furthermore, book signing, contracting new outlets, and getting book reviews are needed to generate sales.

Self-publisher should not be discouraged from the above information. In turn self-publisher can embrace the freedom and take a delicate approach. The POD companies would like for authors to assume that publishing is easy and everything is (do it yourself) DIY, although it can be done. It would be suitable and of more benefit to the author to take a strategic approach when self-publishing their work.

Either choice traditional or non-traditional there is no right or wrong way. The idea is to decide on how depths are you will to be in the execution of your material. Are you willing to go with a traditional publisher who in return will string you along and at the end take 70% of your profits?  Would you rather everything yourself and pay your own way and adopt your own risk? Only you can decide which path to take, neither route will except an author from hard work, but it will further prove the old saying that “Freedom is never Free”.







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