The Writer's Dilemma

If you are a Writer and researching online over the past ten years you have noticed the fluctuations in the book market. The options are still the same for publishing and there are four ways of getting books published now.

Let's revisit the reality of the publishing industry as it is now. Traditional Publishers that were small to medium in size were challenged as self-publishing took rise approx 12 years ago. Self-publishing had already been around but more companies were cropping up everywhere, offering writers a chance to actually get published without waiting 1-5 years to get a literary agent. Writers could see the efforts of their work in approximately a month or less if they chose Lulu, Create Space or KDP. Self Publishing met the demand, created a niche and its own marketing value. Then came Indie...

Indie Publishing

IP is done for free and is author controlled. The writer does everything from preparing the manuscript to uploading it to choosing the cover, setting the price, and marketing and sales. Some writers absolutely love this option - they just want their work out there. It's all in promotion, bottom line. Thank you Jeff Bezos who perfected this reach.

Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing is also free to the author. The author brings to the table their manuscript, their work, plus a willingness to participate in promotions. It is the mainstay of the publishing industry meaning readership. This is the goal of most writers/authors and has been the established way of doing business for hundreds of years. Keys to understanding how traditional publishers work is #1 - they only use literary agents to receive proposals. The author has to submit their book proposal or manuscript through an agency composed of literary agents. They are agents in the industry who specialize in this work and can have a professional relationship with every traditional publisher across the globe. They pitch your work and put it forward for consideration. #2 - The traditional publisher offers a contract that will specify details such as royalty scales and time frame in which to submit the manuscript etc. Traditional publishers normally pay by financial advances, this is the author's payment against royalties. After the royalties earned are equal to what has been paid in advance then the earnings are based on the remaining scaled royalties meaning at 5,000 books sold the author receives 45 percent royalties, that is an example, the scale and amounts can range. If there is no advance payment then there is no guarantee that the TP is going to invest anything in marketing and advertising which is essential. Traditional publishers pay all expenses to produce and ship the book. Royalties are paid based on wholesale value, not retail. Sound like not much? It is when you consider the massive reach bookstores have. People who shop in bookstores are there to only buy books and there are potentially millions in sales. #3 - The author is expected to take part in publicity, promotions and positive efforts and essentially, some business planning. #4 - If the book is Non-Fiction the author is expected to have a platform, usually, in which to support sales because of the market for nonfiction. If the book is Fiction, marketing is different because readers are buying for enjoyment not resource. A platform is not needed but marketing needs to be included in the proposal. A proposal should include a Query letter (executive letter as to why the book is important or unique and highlights), a Summary of the book's intent, Synopsis of content, Marketing (target audience, strategies, and goals) - all or some of this is required of the literary agent unless it is an acquisition of a book already with a publisher. #5 - Traditional publishers stock books in brick-and-mortar stores. They will also include online venues but typically and almost always are the only publishers who guarantee stock in stores. They have established marketing channels with big chain retail books stores, department stores, and independent stores.

If you think that reading is panning out as an interest - don't believe it. The economy may fluctuate with marketing trends and differ for each generation but the old standby of reading a book for entertainment never goes out of style. Even at 15-25 bucks a book it is still one of the most affordable forms of entertainment.

Self Publishing

SP is an option for those who have money. The author pays the publisher for all aspects of the publishing for a greater amount or full royalties. It works great if you do and often works best for people as part of a brand and can promote their work through their writing. It is usually costly, packages are generally 10k - 20k and the author is primarily responsible for marketing. Once referred to as "Vanity Publishing," it no longer is because it is not the sole competitor for traditional publishers. Self-publishing relies on self-promotion. It works best for authors who already have a platform for something else. For example, an economist who is selling books on making-money strategies. A wellness practitioner who has their own health system. Or people who are hugely popular on social media or have celebrity status and a larger audience who will buy their books. However, some people only want to sell their books to a smaller audience or family and friends and therefore don't need to invest more than an initial publishing package and it works for them as well.

Hybrid Publishers

HP are the growing trend in publishing. They produce high-quality books and offer services for a fee that can be optional or not. These fees are significantly less than self-publishers. They use literary agents who promote to traditional publishers. The author is also expected to help in promoting the book but they market and promote the books to the industry. That they work with traditional publishers is a major plus. Since there are fewer of these out there, how they are labelled can be confusing. A hybrid publisher may be called a self-publisher in some advertising and on other websites is referred to as a traditional hybrid and they are understood to be that if they are using literary agents. Self-publishers do not use agents, they have customer service reps whereas traditional ones do.

What's the real difference?

Royalties royalties royalties. The nitty gritty is that even the traditional publisher that used to offer scaled royalties, for example, where 200o sales would equal 10 percent to the author, and 5000 sales would be 50 percent to the author - many are now offering 10 percent total. Gone are the days when the publisher would send the author posters and other promotional material and pay for their travel to book-signings, except for maybe larger publishing houses. The traditional publishing avenue can get your book into bookstores - the main point which equals sales.

Self-Publishers still offer scaled royalties to cover their costs but the tricky part is getting your books into bookstores because many still don't want self-published books unless they are local. As much as you love online shopping and we all do - brick-and-mortar bookstores still sell the most books. Best Seller lists for the industry come from cash register sales. Though online, for example Amazon may have their own generated best- seller lists. However, for a fee self-publishers can also get you national advertising or television interviews - big bonus.

Hybrid Publishers will often offer the author 100 percent royalties less distribution costs and a plus-plus is that they can get your books in bookstores. They also promote at industry events for no fee. With a non- exclusive contract your work can be picked up by other traditional publishers. They will also have some optional marketing packages for a fee.

NOTE: Bookstores are now catching on and authors may find that their local indie shop is now offering Indie or self-published books. What they are interested in is whether there is a return policy. If the book doesn't sell they want to know that they can return it for a refund after a certain amount of time.

Writers want their work out there to be read. Whatever niche your publishing choice falls into it will be. Nothing sells by just sitting there. The amount of sales depends on many factors but no matter which one you choose as the Author you are expected to promote and invest in that.

If you have the time, a little marketing dollars, or you can promote it - anything can sell.

Be aware of listicles and articles that tell you that there is only one option and the rest are fake. There are indie and self-published books that became best sellers. The industry has changed.

I have read several posts by authors who waited 5 to 14 years to get a literary agent! I was told that 5 years is the average expectation, so if you are a writer aiming for the traditional publishing routes, know that because you won't get beyond the slush pile without a literary agent. Smaller presses are taking a year sometimes to review and select submissions then add months onto that for actual publishing. This could be another reason why sales over the years show a decline. Maybe not so much that readers are in decline but literary options might be.

Don't let time kill your efforts. Persevere. The public needs books to nurture culture and intelligence.

We are writers and we have something to say or a story to tell. Writers choose your voice.