Self-Publishing Questions

I don't have an author interview thing morning...long story, so I thought it would be a good idea to speak a little about self-publishing. For many, self-publishing is a frightening prospect, and, dare I say, one that a few are still avoiding, for one or more of the following reasons:

*Self-published books just don't look as professional as those coming out of the national publishing organizations.

While this was once true, it is simply amazing what we authors have discovered about putting together a great cover just by looking at those that are already out there and either doing the cover ourselves or hiring the job out to another.

*Self-published books are for those authors who can't publish the traditional route.

While this used to be the case, many authors now opt in for self-publishing because they: 1. Make more money on their own; up to 70 percent with Amazon CreateSpace, 2. Control their book's cover, interior, back cover 3. Are tired of waiting for their book to be published, editing changes they don't really approve of, etc.

*Self-published books are not easy to get into libraries or bookstores

While this is still pretty much the case, authors have found that they get the word out and sell more copies of their books on their own through book parties, school appearances, craft shows, writer's groups, etc., thoughts of their books sitting on a shelf somewhere collecting dust lacks the appeal it once had.

*Self-publishing your book costs a lot of money.

Use to be an author had to purchase a thousand copies of their book or more just to get their book out there. Now, with places such as CreateSpace through Amazon, authors can buy their books when they want to and when they can afford them; such are the joys of print on demand.

*Self-publishing is harder than going the traditional route because I don't know how to design a cover, do interior layout, etc.

Some authors don't want to learn  how to create an actual book from scratch (because of time restraints or lack of interest). If this is the case with you, consider hiring a book packager like Idea Creations Press, to help you with those areas in which you feel lacking.

Self publishing doesn't have to be a difficult feat and brings many writers to a happy place where the waiting time is significantly diminished and the rewards are both financially and emotionally rewarding.

Why not take the leap?

Aspiring Author's Summit

Need some assistance with book writing or marketing?

Then you'll not want to miss the Aspiring Author's Summit is today!

Date:  Feb 16, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Place: Larry H. Miller Campus Auditorium
           9750 South 300 West
           Sandy, Utah  84070
           Cost:  ONLY $24.97 for the entire day!


Photo by: uair01, courtesy of Flickr

From the Eventbrite site:

Join us for this amazing summit where you will learn from Authors, Publishers, Editors, and Promoters! You will learn the "how-to" of writing, getting published, self publishing, and so much more!

In the afternoon you will experience a live question and answer session with a panel of professionals. Following the panel, you will have two hours to personally meet authors, publishers, editors and promoters and ask them the questions you still have unanswered.

This summit is for all ages, including teens, and writers of all genres. A diverse panel of professionals will be present.

This is the mentoring opportunity of a lifetime for aspiring authors!

Don’t miss it!

Sign up by clicking here

I will be a part of the author's panel and am looking forward to meeting and discussing writing and self publishing with you! Come and learn more about Idea Creations Press and how you can get your book out into the world.

Come and have some fun!

Publishing Without Worry

Is there really such a thing?

I believe there is. And the truer you are to yourself, the less worry you will have.

Years ago, when I published my first book through a local publisher I worried about everything. Will the cover look right? Will the price of the book be what it needed to be? Would the editing be sufficient? Would I really know how to market when the time came?

So many publishing options...so little time
Photo by: Joe Ross, courtesy of Flickr

Suffice it to say I had more questions than I had answers.

What troubled me the most was how little input I had for my project. Sure, I could suggest a cover idea, but the price would be set at $18 and the editing would be done by someone in-house, someone I didn't know. As for the marketing, I was expected to do most of it. And this was a very scary prospect for someone publishing her first book.

But if I could do it over again...

I would suggest making a list. On this list I'd write down everything I needed in a publishing company. What I wanted.  What I needed.

Would you like to give it a shot? Then get out some paper, right now. Now, write down a list of your concerns. Your desires might include a particular publisher, I particular cover, a particular editor or contract... Take a few minutes, at least 10, and write those things that come to you.

Now, let's take a look.

Do you find that most of your issues concern not knowing how to find a national, local, or print-on-demand publisher? Do you want to choose your own cover or want someone else to do it for you? What about an editor? Do you want to provide your own or do you want to go with an expert within a publishing house? And what if you don't get accepted with the publisher of your choosing?

Photo by Kevin Zollman, courtesy of Flickr

I find that questions like these get us to the gut answers of who we are and what we want. Having our concerns on paper takes much of the worry off our back; what we have instead is a list to help us to our goal.

Honestly, if I'd done such a list in the beginning, I might not have started with a local publisher, and yet, I probably wouldn't be where I am today either. Through that experience I realized that what I really wanted was to have my hands on all of the aspects of publishing, from idea to creation.

Still, as I look back, I can see that when I stuck to my guns I was the happiest. And it didn't matter what anyone else thought about my journey into publishing, what really mattered is what I thought and what I did with it. 

Learn About Self Publishing!

Today, January 2, 2013, I will be part of a panel discussing my journey into self-publishing and starting my new publishing services company.

If you've ever wanted to publish
If you've ever desired more of a hands on experience
If you want to know how to market your work

Come and join me!

Place: Holladay Library, 2150 East 4800 South
Time: 7 p.m.

THE EVENT IS FREE!

Happy Writing!

Kathryn