Prismatic Publishing

In my last blog I listed some of the benefits of seeking out a contract with a traditional publisher. These benefits should be carefully weighed against the disadvantages. Most of the writers I know or have met are not interested in the marketing aspect of being an author. For them, the advantages of being traditionally published immensely out-weight the headaches and risks of self-publication.

Following is a list of some of the disadvantages the author should consider as he anticipates entering the process of finding the best means for putting his book in print.

1. The relative simplicity of the process of one’s book going into print, traditionally, means the publisher handles the complexities. These cost him money, for example, having the manuscript edited and formatted, the cover designed, book printed, advance paid to author, etc. are all expenses borne by the publisher, not to mention his operational overhead. Royalties begin only after the publisher has recouped all these costs.
2. Royalties are typically paid semi-annually.
3. From the moment a manuscript is accepted, it will most likely take two to two and a half years for the book will find its way to a bookstore shelf.
4. Add to this the length of time it takes for the publisher to recover production costs and the six months lag for the first royalty check and it may easily take three years before the author sees any money beyond the advance given. And it is not always reasonable to expect an advance in the first place.
5. The publisher, once the author has signed a contract, obtains major control of the book project. The editing, formatting, cover layout and design, how many copies are printed, how they are distributed, how long your book remains in print, etc.
6. The vast majority of all traditionally printed books are printed in quantities of 750-1250 and this same majority fails to sell 500 copies. Any profits from the sale of so few books will likely not produce any royalties at all for the author.
7. For first-time authors and other authors whose books are short of ever being best-sellers will discover that the publisher is unwilling to invest money into marketing. In this day of tight budgets (including large publishers) the vast majority of marketing funds are set aside for their most popular (and hence best volume sellers).
8. A recently scanned writer’s market book revealed that perhaps as few as one or two of the books a publisher publishes in any one year were unsolicited. The rest were either solicited from an established author or were submitted by an agent. (Note that one’s agent will receive up to 20% of your royalty for every book sold.)
9. Last year (2009) it is estimated that about 250,000 books were traditionally printed in the United States alone. This means about 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 manuscripts were rejected. Perhaps as many as 300,000 were then put into print by one or another self-publishing process.

While traditional publishing may seem like a great goal, it is not always in the best interest of the author to take that route.

Self-publication will be the topic for my next blog.