Whether you book publish your own acim podcast, try book publishing on demand, or try traditional publishing, you should look into the details of the deal before you leap. Your print or ebook is soon to be finished. You wonder if you should try to get an agent to represent you to the publisher. Maybe you’ve already sent out your query letter to some agents. You dream “how great it would be to be taken under a publisher’s wings.” What’s wrong with this picture? Even if an agent has given you the go and asks for a book proposal that has specific marketing information in (it takes three-seven months to write), you still have to face reality.
Are you willing to wait on the traditional publishing process 2 years? Are you willing to accept around 2-5% of the profits? Do you realize that after a few months of one initial book tour (of which you must pay all costs from your book sales), you are on your own? And, if you don’t put a lot of time into promotion, your book will fade away within 2 months from the brick and mortar book store shelves. All unsold and coffee-stained books left will be return, and the cost is deducte from the author’s royalties. Unless you are a favored celebrity or famous author, publishers put little time or money into your book’s promotion. Without that benefit, why go this way?
Who says you can’t publish your own book? It will certainly cost you less than you imagine, under $1000 for a print version and close to nothing for your eBook. Self-publishing will bring you all the profits. It will put you in charge to make suitable and favorable writing, publishing, and promotion decisions. With a little help from professionals! These entrepreneurial experts such as acim podcast coaches, book designers, and eBook specialists can guide you through publishing success. These people may give teleseminars, small group coaching experiences, and other inexpensive ways to learn the ropes. These pros will shorten your learning curve too, so you get the right help right away to write the right book right away.
When you think you still have to promote your books, even with a publisher. Why not keep most of the profits and do some of the work yourself? Learn from your bookcoach’s experiences, “Do What You Do Best. And Hire the Rest!” (That doesn’t mean you can’t barter for services). Check out the methods below and see which one suits you best, is more rewarding, and far more profitable.