Top Business Advice to Authors

Many people have tried their hand at serious writing. But when they presented it to a publishing firm, it was flatly rejected, perhaps more than once. They get discouraged and wonder if all the trouble was worth it. On the other hand such writers feel their piece could benefit others and shouldn’t be buried in a drawer somewhere.

If you identify with this, consider self-publishing your work. Here are some reasons to consider this investment. First, perhaps the publishers are looking for subjects you find offensive. Maybe you want to stick with more discrete themes or language. Perhaps too you are anxious to get something into print even if your writing style isn’t as professional as they want.

Self-publishing through a printing firm means that you pay for part or all of the cost of getting your writing into print. Many variations of this are available. The writer may simply pay for a given number of books to be printed for him. The writer will then market them himself in hopes of recouping the cost and making a profit. Better firms work with the writer to improve the content and help them get the books sold.

Firms handle self-publishing in different ways. Some agree to foot some of the cost in exchange for some of the profit. Others dump the full cost on you and then, of course, you get the full profits once it is printed. Be sure to check a company’s reputation. There are many scammers who want to profit from you inordinately. For example, does the company demand that payment in advance? If they do, you are in danger of ending up with less money and no publication.

The big advantage of self-publishing this way is that you can retain the content of your book without an editor removing things you feel are important. Also, a minimum of cost is needed to share what you wrote with others. Third, personal financial investment motivates the writer to do his best and makes him ask if he really believes it is good. Fourth, some good books were first self-published and then, as they became more public, a publisher is willing to invest in it.

The disadvantages of self-publishing are also important to consider. First, though you have no editor to strip beloved parts from your writing, you also may lack the expert critique that an editor gives. Often the work of an editor improves the writing.

. Second, publishers provide major exposure for your work. A private person may find it difficult to sell enough to just meet expenses. Third, self-publishing is more money out of your own pocket. You could lose financially and this demands that you believe in what you wrote.

If you are only interested in sharing your work with a few, why not try this idea. First, print out a formatted copy of your work just as you want it to appear. Programs like Clickbook all you to collate it in a variety of sizes and with front and back correctly figured. Hire a local printing firm to print as many copies as you want.

Then take the copies to a custom bookbinder to make into hardbacks. This way, your work will be preserved for generations to come. Tightly Bound Books is one such bookbinding business. As their motto states, they provide "Book repair with personal care."

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