Publishing Consultation

The support I offer my clients as a book doctor extends to publishing advice. Even before you finish writing your book, it’s important to consider your publishing goals and options. Do you wish to submit your manuscript to trade publishers? Self-publish your book through a print-on-demand company? Find a partnership opportunity in which the author covers a percentage of the costs involved in publishing? I can help you to evaluate your book and its prospects in view of the bigger picture.

With the dramatic changes in the book publishing industry, the line has blurred between the traditionally published book and self-published, print-on-demand books. A well-written, professionally edited book with a striking cover and interior design that is published independently by the author rivals the quality of most traditionally published books. These days, even experienced authors who have achieved success at publishing houses are choosing to publish their new books independently and use non-traditional routes to market and promote their books.

Selling books is the bottom line for trade publishing companies, but the old marketing and sales model is giving way to the new technologies. For today’s authors, especially professionals, marketing becomes more about creative ways to promote themselves and their businesses rather than attempting to generate sales in one big launch campaign. Books get sold over time via the author’s social media networks, launch events, podcast interviews, online workshops, book talks, conferences, etc. Word of mouth. Book reviews, book promotion sites, book fairs, and book awards are great for publicity, too.

Most first-time authors publish their books independently, and not just because it’s difficult to land a contract with a trade publisher. There are advantages to self-publishing. It’s faster than getting a traditional book deal. The author has more control over the process and more creative freedom, and you get a higher percentage of the royalties. However, you must take care of distribution and marketing. For those of you who want to submit your book to agents and publishers for consideration, I can assist with query letters and book proposals. Remember that trade publishers will expect you to have your author platform and promotion plans in place when you pitch your book.

Authors do succeed in attracting good publishers. It requires careful strategy based on knowing your target audience and doing the homework to find the agents/publishers best aligned with you and your book. It also takes persistence, patience, and resilience as you wait (sometimes for months) to hear back from agents and publishers.