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Take the self publishing quiz —
is self publishing for you?
That's a question only you can answer. Today, more and more writers are choosing the do-it-yourself method for getting into print. Many have learned that even if they are accepted by a traditional trade publisher, the vast majority of promotion and publicity still rests on their shoulders if they hope for success. Why do most of the work, then settle for a lousy 10% royalty? Additionally, these same trade publishers are rarely willing to take on a no-name author; they want guaranteed bestsellers. That said, publishing your own book is not for everyone. Take this self-publishing quiz and ponder your answers.
- Do you want to be in control?
People who self-publish like to control their own destiny. They want to decide what the title is, how the cover will look, what the nterior design is like, how the content will be edited, what ways the book will be promoted and sold. They want to be in charge of the whole enchilada.
- Are you willing to educate yourself?
You'll likely spend thousands of dollars on this venture. Surprisingly, many people will investigate all aspects of a summer vacation . . . yet jump into self-publishing without a clue. That's bad news. You need to be willing to read books like The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing, to attend writing and publishing meetings in your area, to seek out and attend relevant national conferences. This kind of preparation helps you avoid costly mistakes and gives you insider knowledge on what works best.
- Do you have persistence? Tenacity?
Are you willing to follow through doggedly? Writing is just the beginning. Book marketing should begin the minute you get an idea for a book — and never end! You must be willing to pursue hot leads and persevere five, six, even seven times. (Of course, every author must be willing to do this if he or she hopes to sell books.) Self-publishing allows you to get off to a fast start (4-6 months versus a year and a half with traditional publishers), but you must have staying power.
- Do you have the time?
If you think writing was a chore, double or quadruple that if you truly want to be successful. Book production details take hours and hours, and marketing is never ending. We've had clients who got up at 5:00 a.m. to work on their projects before they went to their daytime jobs. Others block out three hours in the evening to pursue their publishing project.
- Can you afford it?
While you can put something together via Print on Demand (POD) for a few hundred dollars, if you are planning to make serious money and change lives with your book — be prepared to invest several thousands of dollars. The returns can be enormous. Some successful self-publishers make as much as 80% of the retail price of their book when they return for second, third, and fourth print runs.
- Are you willing to discipline yourself to be a "business person?"
Writing books often attracts creative souls. Successful self-publishing requires a business mind-set. They are not mutually exclusive. You can learn to hire and supervise suppliers, do bookkeeping, fill orders, organize and execute marketing campaigns. While many of these things have creative aspects to them, they are much more right-brain than left-brain. When you self-publish, you are going into business.
- What's your passion level?
(No, we don't mean sexually.) You've got to have a huge commitment to this book. No one cares about it as much as you do. You've got to love it, and nurture it, and raise it to outstanding adulthood. Is what you have to offer important enough for you to get — and stay — supremely pumped up? There are few professions that allow us to touch lives . . . to make people happier, healthier, or wealthier . . . to actually enrich the world with our words.
So you've taken the self-publishing quiz. If it shows this is for you, it can be an immensely rewarding adventure both financially and emotionally. www. Self Publishing Resources .com can assist you at every turn in this exciting journey. Visit us to learn how we can help you successfully publish your own book.
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