Money is blind. 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 it cost to pay for royalties ?, etc.) Here is:
What Do You Want in Your Book?
That is a real question! Once you are clear about what you want in the publishing process, you can decide which method would be most satisfying - and beneficial - for you. When it comes down to using it, you can spend as much or as little as you want 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 to make a lot of money, but they will not consider publishing it. The fact is that unless you can sell quickly at Oprah's Book Club or James Patterson or Dan Brown, it will take a long time before your royalties reach for more. When you publish them you risk it, 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 royalty).
Another powerful reason for self-publishing: you can use your first book to build your platform by making a big purchase with a traditional publishing house in the future. Also, you can choose the personal publishing agreement that is right for you. A required printing company like Xlibris charges only $ 500 for a basic package where you can get your book produced and duplicate as directed - so no shipping. Of course, the more you pay, the more you get: better design, distribution services, and maybe even some marketing help.
Traditional Road
If your writing dreams include a large audience and a text format that helps with the publication of one of the many arms of Random House, Warner or Simon & Schuster, that's fine - just know that this track is also not quite comfortable. No, you don’t have to pay for a traditional publishing house and yes, they do everything for you (design, distribution, advertising and marketing), but these days the author is expected to spend a little more on improving this book. Many writers even put money aside for 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, Mute 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 surprise because they do not know what they want. If you're spending 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's just smart money. You will get more for those dollars than you have ever spent. You invest in your writing career.
But if you spend money because someone has told you that this is “the only way you can get this book published” (and you have not researched any other means), or buy advertising just because other books are advertised, or you go to author conferences without a clear plan what you want from them, or pay agents “tuition fees”, or pay editors whose work you do not know or have not checked their references, that is dumb money. You’ll put those dollars in there and see a small return or not.
So I think the bad news for publication is not free. The good news is that you can choose how much you spend and where you spend it. Be an educated consumer and an educated writer - and talented. You will find that having a book published the way you want it to be published is still the end of it - it is precious.
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