Self-Publishing

Many writers want to know whether or not they should self-publish. I can't answer that question for anyone. And neither can anyone else. But I can share some insights.

If you self-publish, you take on most of the responsibility for the quality of your product. You also gain the authority to ensure that your book is exactly what you want it to be. You can control the cover design, layout, graphics, font type, size, and more. But you also bear the responsibility to be certain that you make the best choices.

The good news is there are publishers who will help you. The bad news is there are lots of companies that won't. And some who will hurt you.

If you decide to self-publish, you need to understand the commitment you're making. You'll invest money to buy books to store in your garage or somewhere else while you try to figure out how you can sell what you've bought. Aside from the autonomy you gain, I'm not convinced it's the best choice for most of us.

Most writers don't have the skills and savvy required to successfully self-publish. That is, we are not sales people. We know know little if anything about marketing, trends, and what makes one product better than another. I've worked in sales for more than twenty years, but doubt I possess all I'd need if I were to self-publish.

And beyond all that, there is a larger question.

Why would you want to limit your market to what you know and what you can do? An established house with a track record of best-sellers knows more than you and I ever will about this business.

They know how to sell books. I know how to write them. And I believe what one friend told me. Together we can do what we could never do alone.