Many of us dream of becoming a published author. If you’re like most who dream of having their book published, you have likely spent hours and hours researching the different options that are out there. These may have included publishing your book through a traditional publisher, through a vanity publisher or even publishing the book yourself and, effectively, creating your own publishing company.

These options are quite different, and the process that one must go through in each option is different as well. Let’s explore each publishing option and its details, including why self-publishing is not “made-easy.”

• Traditional publishing is what most of us initially think of when wanting to become a published author. You may worry about the submission process or the length of time it may take to get your book on the shelves in bookstores. Traditional publishing is known to be a longer, more drawn-out process that is intricate, and requires that you stick to the publisher’s rules and regulations. The timeline from acceptance of your manuscript to seeing your book in print is approximately one and a half years. You will also likely give up most of the “control” that you have over the book itself.
• Then there is vanity publishing which most of us first consider as the “self-publishing” option. Though in reality the book isn’t really “all yours” when you choose to go this route. Vanity publishers typically own the ISBN number for your book, therefore the book is not registered in your own name. The process can still take quite some time and most of all it can be more expensive. There are also added problems with distribution that authors typically experience with vanity publishers.
• Finally, there is the option of self-publishing where you create your own publishing company and do everything under your own name. This option, though quite detailed, ensures that you own your book, its ISBN number and have all rights to the publication. This is a great route to take, but do not think for a minute that it is the “easy” route. Nonetheless, it is a route where you will be sure that your book is how you hoped for it to be and what you set out to create from day one.

There will be no surprises and there are many ways you can keep expenses down. However, you will have an exceptional amount of work in store for you, but the process will be enjoyable and most of all rewarding. Once you are finished, your book will be in print, have the ability to be on the shelves of bookstores and proudly displaying your name and publishing company. Not only will you be a published author, but a business owner as well. The hard work and much attention to all the details will definitely be worth your extra effort.

Another added bonus is that self-published authors keep 100% of the profits from book sales, as well as the fact that books can be designed, printed, and distributed in as little as two months. You are truly in control of the process from start to finish. So, therefore, if you’re willing to put in the hours and attention to detail that is involved in this route of self-publishing, it is definitely an option to consider.

You won’t have to wait on a publisher to call you, or pay the big bucks involved in vanity publishing. You can do it yourself and experience all the many benefits of self-publishing. As the old saying goes, “a little hard work never hurt anybody.” Why not find out for yourself just how it feels by choosing the do-it-yourself self-publishing option?

I realized when I started my second book that the mobile binder system provided the perfect way to capture my inspirational moments and organize my research material. I no longer had to start my book at chapter one, I actually started it 2/3rds of the way through, simply because I had lots of research material already collated for that particular subject.

By the time I had written about my current situation my mind had already worked out how the chapter before led up to this time and how the chapter following would be formed. I was no longer restricting my imagination and inspiration to just focus on that one story at a time, because all the stories were linked! I didn’t need to write all the chapters at once – just scribble a note to myself and put it in the relevant research section for later! I had these inspirational moments on the bus, walking the beach, standing in line at the grocery store and even in the shower. I just wrote myself a quick note so I didn’t lose the idea and then filed it away in my bookbuilding binder. I call these “inspirational bundles” and use clear pockets to keep each “bundle” of notes together, eventually these will inspire my chapter titles for my book.

So how much does this all cost? You can print just one book if you like and buy your books on demand averaging $6.50 a copy plus an initial set-up cost (starting at around $150 if you self publish using LightingSource) or you could opt to buy your own stock for back of room sales and reduce the cost per copy to $6. If you retail your book at $20 that means you net $14 for each sale! That’s a much better return than traditional publishers will give you (An average royalty is around 5% which would net you $1.50 per book – you need to sell nearly 10 times more books to get the same return!)

There are lots of options depending on how many you want to print, how many pages your book is and how it will be bound. These examples are taken straight from some of my quotes from a local Print on Demand printer based on approx 200 pages and full colour cover. There are many things to consider when choosing a printer/publisher including the quality of their print and paper (do you get bleed through on the print to the reverse page?). Most important is the level of service they are offering you, some allow free uploads (i.e. no set-up costs) but remember nothing is for free and there is usually a catch like signing over the rights to your book or only receiving a small royalty for each book sold. What other services do they offer? Do they offer educational programs to help you produce a professional looking book? Do they give advice on layout and design and what distribution services do they offer (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, online book store, ISBN No. Barcode and copyright) Is your book printed locally or is it shipped out to a 3rd world country where print and paper quality can be an issue.

What are my options for publishing my book? What are the advantages and disadvantages of Self-publishing vs. traditional publishing houses, are there any other alternatives?

Here is Part Two of the simple evaluation questionnaire you answered in Part One.  Now read the summary below to see which option might suit you better. Read the full story

There is a myth about being a first time author I’d like to blow apart. It is not just for the elite, you do not have to face hundreds of letters of rejection from publishers, you can afford to self-publish, and you do have time to write it in your busy schedule! I can show you how easy it can be and share a unique method to create and organize your first book. Read the full story