Last month I started to discuss alternative forms of publishing. If you haven’t read that blog post and are interested you can find it here https://sandrabennettauthor.com/blog/2020/6/1/how-will-you-choose-to-be-published
This month’s post is a continuation on that topic as I look at the pros and cons of whether it is best to self publish or try to head down the traditional path.
I have experienced both and with my small independent publisher closing this year, I now face the question of how to publish the third book in my Adamson Adventures. As you know, Fossil Frenzy has already had recognition by being shortlisted through the Queensland Writers Centre Adaptable competition. I had the fantastic opportunity to pitch the manuscript to film producers. Feedback has been nothing but positive support for a story that needs to be published for kids everywhere to read and enjoy. So now where do I go?
Let’s examine the possibilities.
Traditional Publishing
Cons
You can only submit when a publishers submission window is open
It takes a long time to find a publisher, months, years of waiting for a reply that may never come, or that does come in the inevitable form of a rejection.. I have sent the manuscript to several publishers in the last six months, but so far had no reply. Fossil Frenzy was originally due for release in August 2020, It has been suggested to me that since it is third in a series, no other publisher will pick it up. I have readers anxiously waiting for the next instalment of the series and am letting them down by not publishing it. The longer I wait, the more momentum I lose.
If a publisher does agree to publish my story, I lose control. The front cover will probably be totally different as they will certainly not use the same graphic designer. My book will look different to the other two in the series. They more than likely will want editorial changes too.
I would only receive 10% royalties after making back any initial advance.
Pros
A traditional publishing house covers all the costs of publication. Instead of me paying out thousands of dollars to produce the book, I am paid an advance. They have the in-house expertise for a graphic designer to design your front cover or choose an illustrator for your picture book. They do the editing, proof reading, text layout and all the organisation before they send the book off to the printer. They see to the ISBN and all other legal requirements.
They have access to a far wider distribution of books, increasing opportunities for sales. The distributor my publisher had, managed to sell my books right around Australia into bookstores I would never have access to. Secrets Hidden Below and A Lighthouse in Time have not only paid out their advance, but are now making me royalties.
The publisher manages some of your marketing, and again has access to places as a self-published author, you don’t, including certain book review and award submissions. Publishers can even manage to book those all essential school visits that as an indie author we struggle to achieve.
Self-Publishing or Independent Publishing.
Cons
It’s expensive. Doing it all yourself adds up quickly, especially if it’s a picture book and you have to pay an illustrator. That of course depends on your arrangement with them and is another story. It is essential to pay for an editor, they are worth their weight in gold to help get your finished book the best it can be. You also need a graphic designer, type-setter, acquire an ISBN, an ABN and register for GST if you are planning to make a business out of this.
It’s hard going it alone. You can get help from a partner publisher where you pay for everything but they do most of the work. Again, this too, is very expensive and you need to be careful. There are many companies out there that will promise you the world but produce next to nothing for all you spend.
Marketing is entirely up to you. This can be both a positive and negative. Marketing requires a lot of time you may not have, wish to do or know how to do. Finding a distributor is difficult, you need to do most of the leg-work yourself.
Pros
You are in control. Publish what you want, when you want, to your own schedule. No need to wait months for an answer only to find out it’s a no, ‘not what we are currently looking for.’
Marketing. For every effort you put in, you receive the return. Marketing by a publisher only lasts in the initial few months of release, then it’s all up to you to continue, so why not get a jump start right from the beginning.
Profits. When you sell a book in person or online you receive 100% of the books price, (note: you still need to take into account all you have previously spent). If you manage to get your books into stores, you get to negotiate the sales percentage. Remember a distributor takes 70% of the RRP, if you do it yourself, you have negotiation control. Local book stores are always happy to support local authors, it gets harder further afield, but you can do it. I travelled across Australia from the East to West coast and managed to get my to picture books into several gift shops and tourist centres. You just have to be willing to give it a go.
Personally, I believe there are advantages to publishing whichever way you choose. It depends on your end goal. Are you looking to get your book published ASAP or are you willing to wait years? Do you want to sell locally or would you prefer a wider distribution? Do you want peer recognition or are you happy to have kids reading and enjoying your story?
I am sure there are other pros and cons for both that I haven’t touched on here, if you can think of any, please add them in the comments below.
I would love to hear your thoughts.