I think the writing of the book is the easy part but publishing is another story. I am going to share four publishing options so you can stop talking about being an author and actually become one.
I believe it’s in the “how will I publish the book” process where things get stuck because old programming has you believing that there’s only one way.
PDF Ebook.
Probably the simplest method to publish a book, all that’s required with an ebook is to click “Save as…” in your Word document and choose “PDF.” Then you can sell the resulting file on your own website, list it on ClickBank or E-Junkie, or upload it to a number of other ebook marketplaces online.
Ebooks are a great option if you’re on a budget and don’t have the skills to format your book for prin. It’s also a great way to share your book with advance readers to get those all-important testimonials.
The only time I use this method is for my guides and handbooks since I want you to be able to print them. And I may use this option by sharing a chapter of a book but probably not something you’d find in my own shop.
Kindle.
The darling of the self-publishing world, Amazon’s Kindle marketplace makes it easy for you to publish your book. In fact, with just a few minutes of formatting, and other several minutes spent on their step-by-step uploading system, you can have your book on their virtual shelves in less than an hour.
With its incredible popularity and the ability to offer “free days” during which anyone can download your book at no cost, Kindle is a great way to build a buzz quickly.
I’m an avid Kindle user or is that reader? From fiction to nonfiction books I can be found with my nose on the kindle screen. Technology has its upside.
Print on Demand.
The best choice for self-published authors is the technology that allows for a single book to be printed on demand. Until just a few years ago, if you chose to self-publish, you’d likely have to shell out for hundreds if not thousands of copies up front, leaving you with a garage full of books to sell on your own.
Print on demand is different. Buyer’s order your book from sellers such as Amazon via Kindle Direct Publishing, Lulu or any other available service and the book is printed and shipped the next day. This makes it easy and cost-effective for everyone to become a published author.
Traditional Publisher.
I didn’t want to leave this one out as it is still a viable option, but it’s also the most difficult and time-consuming one. Getting published with a traditional print publisher can also get you the most audience and press. The drawbacks are many, though. To start, it’s extremely difficult to get a traditional publishing house to take on a new author. If you do manage to get the attention of a publisher, your royalties (the amount you earn from your book) will be very small—maybe as little as 8% of the net cost. Finally, the length of time it takes from manuscript submission to final publication can be years.
All that said, a book with a traditional publishing insignia on the spine does carry a bit more weight when it comes to press opportunities than does a self-published book.
It took me 20 years to write my book because I didn’t think a publisher would ever be a viable option and I am on the side is that there are many ways to Rome, choose the one that speaks to you to travel.
I’ve given you four publishing options so you no longer have the excuse to not write your book. Some start wit the ebook format while others go the kindle route. I think the important thing is to get your book written, and then publish in the place and space where you are because the rest will come to you, you just have to be willing to keep moving towards your goal.
So don’t allow yourself to be stopped in sharing your message, instead choose the path that makes the most sense to you. And if you are ready to get that book written and published I want to support you.
