Money closes the eyes. It's that simple. Emerging writers ask about money all the time, in a variety of ways, (How much does it cost to publish? How much will I be paid in royalties? Etc.) but they do not look beyond the matter to think about it. That will really determine the question of money. And here it is:
What Do You Want in Your Book?
That is a real question! Once you know what you want in the publishing process, you can decide which route will be most satisfying — and beneficial — for you. When it comes down to it, you can use as much or as little as you like in your book. But how much would you be prepared to pay for all those benefits to your life?
If you are not clear, you can make bad decisions that will not be in line with your goals. For example, many writers have a goal of making a lot of money, but they will not consider publishing it. The fact is that unless you can quickly sell at the level of the chosen of Oprah's Book Club or James Patterson or Dan Brown, it will take a very long time before your royalty grows significantly. When you publish, you run the risk, but you have to earn more because you get to keep all the profits (unless your contract with the publishing company you use is based on profit).
Another solid reason to publish it yourself: you can use your first book to build your own platform to make a big profit with a regular publishing house in the future. Also, you can choose the right publishing party for you. A much-needed print company like alibis charges only $500 for a basic package, where you can get your book produced and copies made in the order they are ordered — so there are no goods. Of course, the more you play, the more you get: better design, distribution services, and maybe even some marketing help.
Traditional Road
If your author's dreams include a large audience and a text-to-print version of one of the many arms of Random House, Warner, or Simon & Schuster, that's fine - just know that this track is also free. No, you don’t have to pay for a traditional publishing house and yes, they do everything for you (design, distribution, specific advertising, and marketing), but these days the author is expected to spend very little money on book advertising. Many writers even put money into their books. If you are serious about marketing your book, you will need to set aside at least $10,000. That amount can go up to $30,000 depending on the amount of travel and other advertising you intend to use.
Wise Money, Silent Money
Once you understand what you want in your book, you will not only know how much you intend to spend, you will also know how to spend it. You can use it wisely, or you can use it silently. Many writers use it silently because they do not know what they are looking for. If you spend money on self-publishing, developing your writing skills, hiring a good editor, or book coordinator, and marketing that will help you reach your specific, targeted reader, that is all money-wise. You will get more for those dollars than if you have never used it at all. You are investing in your writing career.
But what if you are spending money because someone told you that this is “the only way you can ever publish this book” (and you have not researched any other means), or bought it? Advertising because this is where other books are advertised, or you go to authors' conferences without a clear plan of what you want from them or pay them to seems to be missing fees to the editors or pay the editors for their unfamiliar work or the references you have. It has not been tested, it is a dumb amount. You’ll put those dollars in there and see little or no return
So I think the bad news is not published for free. The good news is, you can choose how much you spend and where you spend it. Be an educated consumer, and be an educated - and skilled - writer. You will find that having a book published the way you want it to be published right away, in the end — is not expensive
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