Three Critical Decisions to Publishing Success
The book development process requires you to make critical decisions.
We believe the best way to be successful is to make these decisions
before you begin the writing process, and it's our goal to help you
make them.
Whether you've made some of these decisions or are still looking for
input on how to make them, there are many factors to consider. The
process will be much easier if you have a clear vision of your idea of
success so that we can lead you in the right directions.
Here are three critical decisions that will lead to publishing success:
1. How to publish? First decide which publishing option best fits you
and your expectations: Do you want to pursue a large New York
publishing firm or a smaller regional or niche publisher? Would you
prefer to self-publish or pursue a hybrid of these options?
2. What portion of the work will you do yourself? Determine how much of
the work you have the qualifications, interest, and objectivity to do
on your own and how much you'll want to use outside help in the
process. Substantial support is available to you, depending on your
needs and budget.
3. How will you market your book? Identify the audience for your book
as well as their needs, and then determine the most effective ways to
market your book to them, given your time, abilities, and level of
commitment.
Let's explore effective methods for making each of these critical decisions.
1. How to publish?
Deciding which publishing route to pursue depends, in large part, on
why you want to publish a book in the first place. What is your
motivation? Do you want to:
~ Augment a career in which you are already successful?
~ Launch a new career?
~ Fulfill a personal ambition?
~ Leave a legacy?
~ Impart information to a wide body of people?
~ Make a lot of money? How much?
~ Achieve fame? What type of fame: local newspaper coverage or a guest spot on Oprah?
~ Enhance your image?
~ Validate your expertise in your field?
~ Establish credibility?
~ Connect with others with whom you have a common interest?
Once you identify your unique motivation, consider the following guidelines.
If you want to establish credibility, or become rich and famous, a
mainstream major publisher is probably the way to go if you can
get one.
If your goal is to establish your expertise, impart information, or
launch a career, either a mainstream publisher or a smaller niche
publisher may be right for you.
If your desire is to fulfill a personal ambition, leave a legacy,
impart information, or create a new business around your work, a small
publisher or self publishing may be right for you.
2. What portion of the work will you do yourself?
The publishing process consists of three essential parts, all of which
you can accomplish yourself with enough time, energy, and expertise.
The key is to identify your strengths and do those things for which you
are uniquely qualified.
Book professionals have the expertise to carry out those parts that
don't interest you or for which you don't have the time or skill. They
can also bring valuable objectivity.
The three parts of the book publishing process are:
1. Editorial - book idea development, book proposal writing, writing
the book itself, line editing, copyediting, proofreading, indexing,
book cover design, book format and design
2. Production - typesetting or desktop publishing, printing, binding, warehousing
3. Marketing and Promotion - planning, distribution, promotion, public relations, collateral materials
Book success depends on each part of the process being done well, in concert, and at the right time.
3. How will you market your book?
Marketing is part art, part science; and while each book and each
author is different, sound marketing methods work well in the
publishing industry.
How you market your book depends on the subject matter, your ability to
speak well on the message, your ability to attract attention for the
book, what else is going on in the world, and a variety of other
factors. Regardless of how you specifically market your book, do not
underestimate the time, energy, and tenacity it takes to do it well.
It is important for these three decisions to be made as early in your
process as possible. Do some research and some soul-searching, and you
will be poised to make the most of your hard work in developing your
book.
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