This week, I received the following email:
I’m currently working with a nonprofit on some assignments. One of the ideas they have is to create a series of children’s book that tell some of the stories of their charity.
I was wondering if I want to submit manuscripts to publishers, or go a self-publishing route and P.O.D.
Thanks!
-N.
Here is my response:
It can take months or years to land a literary agent and/or a traditional contract. If you do, it can take many more months or even years for the book to actually be published. I would never try to convince someone to self-publish if they have their heart set on a traditional contract. However, many authors do not want to wait years to get their book on the market.
Some authors choose to self-publish because, if done correctly, they keep all rights, and can make more money selling the book themselves.
See: Authors Who Avoid Traditional Publishers
and
SideStepping Traditional Publishers: Why So Many Authors Choose to Self-Publish
Some P.O.D. and vanity publishers masquerade as traditional publishers now so that’s something to be aware of.
See: “I Just Landed a Traditional Contract…Or Did I?”
Some traditional publishers are turning into self-publishing services.
See: When Traditional Publishers Become Vanity Publishers
Some traditional publishers are getting paid by P.O.D. publishers for referrals (meaning they reject your book but “recommend” a fee-based publisher for you instead).
See: Are Traditional Publishers Getting Kick-Backs, Err… Commissions, from Some P.O.D. Publishers?
In addition, many self-published authors who have proven their books sell have gone on to land traditional contracts for their previously self-published titles.
See: Can Self-Published Authors Land Traditional Contracts? Heck, Yeah!
At BookLocker.com, we publish books for all ages. Black-and-white-interior books (with full-color covers, of course) are less expensive than color-interior. Click HERE for those prices.
Information and prices for our color-interior print program are HERE.
Angela Hoy is the co-owner of WritersWeekly.com and BookLocker.com. WritersWeekly.com is the free marketing ezine for writers, which features new paying markets and freelance job listings every Wednesday. According to attorney Mark Levine, author of The Fine Print, WritersWeekly.com and BookLocker.com is: “As close to perfection as you’re going to find in the world of ebook and POD publishing. The ebook royalties are the highest I’ve ever seen, and the print royalties are better than average. BookLocker understands what new authors experience, and have put together a package that is the best in the business. You can’t go wrong here. Plus, they’re selective and won’t publish any manuscript just because it’s accompanied by a check. Also, the web site is well trafficked. If you can find a POD or epublisher with as much integrity and dedication to selling authors’ books, but with lower POD publishing fees, please let me know.”
Read a price comparison of the most popular POD publishers HERE.
Our POD Secrets Revealed Series is HERE.
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