It’s been said that it is easier than ever to get published nowadays and that is so true. We don’t even need a publisher in this do-it-yourself world. While this opens doors to terrific possibilities, it also can open a door to problems.
The old formula of publishing, getting your foot in the door with one of the “Big Six” made it very difficult for new talent. However the advertising dollars of the bigger companies combined with the prestige of the name often led to at least a modicum of sales; although there were “flops” as well. The doors opened to self-published authors (vanity) and subsidized pubs, and the world as a whole looked down their noses. Another avenue that opened was online publishing, purely electronic format which was downloadable with a simple click of the mouse; e-readers soon became popular and helped increase electronic sales.
Small-press publishers (sometimes called Indie Publishers) have sprung up in mass numbers and many “newer” authors have found comfortable homes. The term “small press” traditionally defines literally a smaller operation, sales below certain numbers, a smaller stable of regular authors, and yes, smaller distribution. Despite some snobbery, small press does NOT refer to less talent, a lazy way to publication, lower standards, etc. Small presses will often back a smaller run (like 100 books at a time instead of 5000) or might even rely on print-on-demand (printing books only as they are ordered. Production costs do go down when more copies are printed at a time although if the book does not sell, the investment is lost. The availability of small runs though do make it more possible to give a newer author a chance.
Today’s publishing world has changed no matter which route you take. Self-editing is a must no matter which way you go. It is a good idea to have your work edited “professionally” as well – it is very distracting for a reader to have to wade through a series of typos and other goofs. The more independent you are, the more you need to control the editing and make sure it is done properly; remember though that even the “Big Six” sometimes miss a typo. Also the smaller the publishing house and the less known your name is, the less money is available for a marketing and promotion campaign. A misnomer is that promotion is the publisher’s responsibility – even in a big house, unless you are a well known and successful author, your efforts are a necessary part of the promotion team.
A few terms to be aware of:
Advance: This is an up-front payment sometimes given to an author. This payment is not refundable, however until sales equal the advance, no further royalties are paid.
Royalties: This is a percentage of your sales profit and is often a contractual agreement which will vary by publisher and method of publication. Royalties can be based on the retail price or the wholesale profit.
ARC: Advance Review Copy, often sent to reviewers in advance of the actual sale date. ARC’s are not final proofs.
Query letter: the author’s initial query to a publisher asking for permission to send sample chapters or a completed manuscript.
Writing exercises: Write a letter to your childhood self and give advice about the lessons you’ve learned, include things you might want to do over, and emphasize your successes.
Writing prompts: Select the first names of 15 people you know. Using the 3rd letter of each name, write 1 or 2-word descriptions of that individual.
