Self-Publishing: The Pros and Cons

Many unpublished writers wrestle with the dilemma of publishing; do they keep sending out query letters, hoping for a deal from a traditional house, or do they go it alone? It's a big decision with a lot of complexity, and there's no right answer for everyone, but here's a look at the advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of self-publishing: • Total control - As a self-publisher, you control 95% of the look and feel of the book.
You set the title, decide on the size of the book and the cover art, write the blurbs and set the price.
Since you have not sold your rights to a middleman, you can change your mind about any of these any time you want.
You are no longer at the mercy of someone else's idea of what your story is.
• Higher royalties - Since there is no middleman, you don't have to share the royalties.
I publish with Create Space, which tells me how much the printing costs are associated with my book, then I set the retail price based on that.
If the cost per book is $6, I'm then free to set the price at a modest $7 or a more hefty $12 or more.
Personally, I like to keep my books affordable; I've never been into price gouging.
• Affordable - Due to the improvements in digital publishing and in the print-on-demand (POD) process, you can essentially self-publish for free.
You read that right; free.
With Create Space, all you are obligated to buy is one proof copy and shipping.
(You might even be able to avoid that if you're willing to trust the digital proof you see on the screen.
Personally, I would not recommend that.
) With POD technology, the books are printed as they are ordered and pay for themselves so there are no up-front costs, no large print runs, no mass shipping and warehousing.
Create Space does offer a one-time upgrade (about $25) which allows you to put your book into expanded distribution, and is well worth the money.
They also, of course, offer all sorts of editing help, cover art, etc.
, all on a cafeteria basis.
You can buy as little or as much as you like.
Cons of self-publishing: • Doing all the work - Yes, you do all the work.
That means that once you've written the book, you then have to decide what size you want the book to be, you have to format your file to fit that page size, format the page numbers, the headers, footers, margins, chapter headers, images, cover design.
Very often this detailed computer stuff is at odds with the creative process of writing, but if you're not up on all the technical aspects, you can certainly hire someone or get your teen-aged kids to help you out.
• Doing all the marketing - Yes, you must do all the marketing.
Create Space will upload your completed book both to its own storefront and to Amazon.
com; if you choose the expanded distribution, your book will be featured in other online bookstores and outlets.
This is all well and good, but if no one knows your book is there, it's useless.
It's now up to you to drive traffic to Amazon or your own website.
How do you do that? Get your own website.
There are a ton of hosting companies online, and hosting has gotten cheaper over the years so now it's very affordable.
Just Google "web hosting service" and you'll get tons of hits.
General consensus is to create your website around you, not your book.
Many writers have crafted a website based on their first book, only to do something completely different with the next book and then have to start over.
If you craft the site around you, the author, you can accommodate multiple titles and genres.
Use social media.
Yes, I mean Facebook and Twitter and all the online forums.
There is an excellent book called We Are Not Alone about how writers can use these sites to our best advantage.
It's worth the read.
Promote your book whenever you can.
Talk to your local bookstores about setting up a signing, register for library fairs and book fairs.
Create a press kit and send press releases (and/or a physical copy of the book to review) to your local newspapers and TV stations.
Peruse online forums like LinkedIn and Goodreads; there are a lot of other writers that offer guest appearances on their blogs or that offer reviews.
Again, Google "book reviews" and you'll get a lot of hits.
Sell by not selling.
I know, this sounds counter-productive, but most people don't like being sold to.
Instead of button-holing people and crying, "Buy my book," participate in online forums, in the social media by getting involved in conversations.
Chat with your potential readers.
If there are groups, clubs, organizations that are concerned with issues you raise in your book, volunteer to share your own expertise or research.
Share what you know.
Put yourself out there and get to know your reading public.
People will be more inclined to buy from someone they feel they know and with whom they share a commonality.
This is only the tip of the iceberg.
Marketing is difficult and it takes a lot of time, but if you want to get your story out there, there's no other way.
Believe me, when you start to really connect with readers out there, when they start sharing their stories with you and buy your book because they've enjoyed meeting you--it's worth every bit of effort you've put into it.