Courting a
Publisher
Back
to Chart |
FIRST
Search out ones that publish your type of writing.
Make a list of names, their companies, and addresses to solicit.
(HOW TO Publisher INFO.)
CAUTION: Any publisher who asks
you to pay part of the preparation or production
costs is NOT a true publisher. They're a VANITY press!
(See Vanity Press below) |
SECOND
Create Query Letter
(HOW TO Publisher INFO.)
Make it your best writing ever.
Send to specific person at Publisher's
Start a file to keep track of correspondences. |
RESPONSES
Some will not respond
Some will send "No Thank
You" rejection letters
Maybe you'll get a -" Let
us see a chapter (or portion)"
(MORE Publisher INFO.) |
Pros |
Cons |
• Many
decisions will be made for you.
(MORE PUblisher INFO.)
• You get great bragging rights!
• Listings and distribution is handled by
publisher. |
• You
might not like the decisions!
• About 10% of book sales go to author.
• 90% taken by Publisher.
• You are expected to work at marketing.
(MARKETING INFO.) |
Courting an
Agent
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to Chart |
FIRST
Search out ones who work with your type of writing.
Make a list of names, agencies and addresses to send.
(HOW TO Agent INFO.)
CAUTION: The only expenses a
legitimate Agent should charge you is copying and
postage. If they want a fee to read, or force you
to pay an editor to look at your book - don't use
them. |
SECOND
Create Query Letter
(HOW TO Agent INFO.)
Make it your best writing ever.
Send to specific person at Agent's offices.
Start a file to keep track of correspondences. |
RESPONSES
Some will not respond
Some will send "No Thank You" rejection
Maybe you'll get a - "Let us see a chapter
(or portion)"
(MORE Agent INFO.) |
Pros |
Cons |
Deciding on a
Vanity
Press
Call themselves:
"Self Publishers,
Subsidy Publishers, etc. a
Self-publishing
Package
Back
to Chart |
FIRST
Most all will accept any work, you won't have to
persuade . . . only pay!
Just search the internet.
(HOW TO Vanity INFO.)
CAUTION: They become the publisher
of your work if they supply the ISBN number! This
is significant - two ways.
1. Companies interested in working
with the book will contact the publisher, not you,
the author.
2. Book distributors know the
names of these "self-publishers" and have
a different attitude toward their books. |
SECOND
• Make careful comparisons (COMPARISON CHART
INFO.)
• Review carefully the contract - read all
the parts
. Don't sign away subsidiary rights.
• We suggest you make sure you can can speak
with someone you feel comfortable with in the company,
who will help you through the process. Too many decisions
may disappoint you without a personal contact to
help with problems as they crop up. |
RESPONSES
Responses are no problem. In fact you may want to
establish a disposable separate email address for
just these companies correspondences, as they'll
keep sending solicitng emails to you - even long
after you've decided and moved on.
(INFORMATION on VANITY PRESSES) |
Pros |
Cons |
• Some decisions
will be made for you.
• Packages have set prices. (Keep in mind
that ANY extra services or products you decide on
will increase the cost.)
• Some marketing information may be included
in the package.
• Some listings and distribution services
are often included - check the package descriptions.
(MORE Vanity INFO.) |
• $
paid up front for setup preparation.
• You will also have to buy any books you
want for yourself.
• Majority % (Abt 55%) of retail book
sales taken.
• POD (Print on Demand) presses create one
book at a time. Therefore the cost of each book remains
high.
• Listings only.
(MORE Listings INFO.)
• You must work at marketing.
(MARKETING INFO.) |
Managing the project yourself
-
May actually be your best option:
True Self-Publishing
the Do-it-Yourself path
Back
to Chart |
FIRST - CONGRATULATIONS!
You've accepted yourself for
publication! You don't need to solicit anyone to
publsh for you, saving much time and frustration!
(MORE Self-Publishing INFO.)
Make
a plan, a schedule of jobs to
do and when you'd like them done. Begin working
out how you will market your book.
(MARKETING INFO.)
Planning on writing about your
FAMILY HISTORY?
This is a wonderful pursuit, requiring some different support and direction.
We are creating special guides just for you; available. . . soon. Do
check back.
(FAMILY HISTORY INFO.)
coming soon!
|
SECOND
NO MATTER WHAT ROUTE YOU CHOOSE,
CONSIDER:
• Joining a writers' group
for critique and inspiration.
• READ books in your field
(so you understand what has sold in the past, and
what might be missing that you could write.)
• AND read about the TRUE
self-publishing process. (SEE our HELPFUL
LINKS web page for sources.)
• GIve yourself plenty
of time, for editing, revisions, cover and inside
layout and design, a Table of Contents and perhaps
an index. Don't rush the finish - your work deserves
the best treatment possible.
(TOUCHSTONE HELPS WITH LAYOUT & DESIGN)
You may need an ISBN number,
and Bar Code puchased through R.R. Bowker. (TOUCHSTONE
CAN ORDER FOR YOU.)
(ISBN & BAR CODE INFO.)
|
RESPONSES - no waiting!
Direct efforts toward contacting your public, utilizing
the hours saved because you don't have to solicit
an agent or publisher!
(MORE MARKETING INFO.)
Consider creating a mailing list: friends, family,
your professional colleagues, and organizations.
They will welcome information about your accomplishment.
(TOUCHSTONE CAN HELP YOU CREATE cards and/or brochures
to send out.)
Consider a web page or site. Will you sell on Amazon?,
Would you like to be listed with the major distributors?
(TOUCHSTONE CAN HELP with all thoses tasks.)
Curious about E-BOOK sales? After you offer your
book in print form, it's another way to sell without
the expense of printing.
(E-BOOK INFO. Coming. . .) |
Pros |
Cons |
• Hours and
hours saved now that you're not soliciting a publisher.
• Maintain total control.
• Largest % of return on your investment.
• You decide quantity to reproduce . . allowing
for significant savings on larger runs of the book.
• This more "hands on" path allows
you to interact with your readers, and create your
own network of possible purchasers for future sales,
or your next project.
• If you use TOUCHSTONE COMMUNCIATIONS to
help you with parts of your book project - you pay
for our time or service . . .*
NOTE: * We NEVER CHARGE A PERCENTAGE OF YOUR BOOK
REVENUE. So when you work at selling, the highest
possible $ return is yours to keep! |
• $
to print books up front. (MONEY INFO.)
• You will either need to learn all aspects
of the preparation, production and marketing, or
get help from sources such as TOUCHSTONE COMMUNICATIONS.*
• You must work at marketing. But notice
- ON ALL "Cons" - listed ABOVE - you need
to work at marketing anyway. This way you're return
on investment is higher than any of the others.
(MARKETING INFO.)
• TOUCHSTONE's GUIDANCE COSTS.
But *. . .
NOTE: * We NEVER CHARGE A PERCENTAGE OF YOUR BOOK
REVENUE. So when you work at selling, the highest
possible $ return is yours to keep!
(TOUCHSTONE PRICES) |
