Tips, Tricks and Articles

Searching for A Publishing Company

3/1/2016

I've said this before and I will say this again. Always research before you sign on with someone. I've heard many tales of people who were sorry they signed with certain publishing companies. I started out research as well.

Originally, I had sent out a few queries to places that didn't require an agent, need to see a market for my book or wouldn't take talking animals (yes, some refuse). I got accepted by three companies right away. I can't tell you how excited I was. I then thought maybe I should be checking things out more and I was correct to do so. I found a lot of these companies had complaints or were listed as scams. Now I will not mention names but I will tell you that one company was said to make money from the authors who had to buy the books at a high price. The others, they were in it for the money and results weren't always good. One apparently didn't pay it's authors their royalties, many had unsatisfied customers and the list went on and on. It was then that I began looking into print-on-demand services and found one I liked.

It doesn't matter where you go or who you go through, look them up, research (keywords after their names: scam, complaints, etc.) because signing up with them could be the biggest mistake of your life. The same goes for traditional publishers. It doesn't matter who you go through, look into EVERYTHING! Even if there name doesn't show a scam, doesn't mean they are good. Be careful and do your homework.

What kind of things should you look at:

Are they legit? - Do they have a business website, contact name and number?
Are there any bad remarks about them out there (keep in mind that there are some companies out there who will try to hide it. I know of one who sues at any bad mention of their name)?
How much will it cost you to buy books? How many do you have to buy?
How much will you have to sell them for (look online and see what other books that size go for and remember that big places like those who make "Berenstein Bears" etc. can afford to charge cheaper so exclude those).
How many other books do they have out?
What do they offer?
Do you still own the rights?
Is there a contract and if yes, is it for you?
If a person went through the company, did they bring their next book there?
Are the prices to publish the same as others? Do they offer the same?

Never sign up with a company right away. Look into a few. BE CAREFUL! You could be giving away your dream!

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Being Published Doesn't Necessarily Help

2/15/2016

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Being Published Doesn’t Necessarily Help

I recall the first time a published author approached us for help. He was a traditionally published author. The publisher had covered the proofreading, editing and distribution for him. The book however wasn’t selling. This wasn’t as a result of the content. It was an enjoyable read. The author had been a professional writer in another industry for years. The fact is the publisher didn’t know what to do when it came to book marketing. There are great publishers but the vast majority have small budgets and aren’t sure where to invest them. I hasten to add this isn’t an attack on publishing houses at all. It is more a commentary on the challenges that book marketing presents. A strategy that worked well a few months ago may prove ineffective in the months ahead. Influencers grow in reach and others recede. It is a full time job to keep on top of the landscape, which is why companies like Publishing Push that specialise are flourishing.

Our author in question had to then spend money with us in order to ensure his book was being marketed and there were sales. The downside for the author is that they have to invest their own money while the publisher profits from the sales. Great for the publisher not such a great deal for the author.

The other issue for the author here is that if a book doesn’t sell well it will make it very hard to secure another book deal. If they can still secure a second deal the likelihood of it being competitive is very small indeed.

On the other side of the coin we have worked with many authors who decided to self-published their first novel. They worked hard and invested in a high quality professionally published book. They hired us to assist with PR and book marketing. Our clients received excellent reviews, achieved strong sales and used this data as social proof to secure a traditional publishing deal through a literary agent.

Still upset that you’re self published? There are huge upsides to not following the traditional route.

Shared with Permission: http://publishingpush.com/blog/book-marketing/

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A Look at Traditional Publishers

2/9/2016

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Traditional publishers are those companies you frequently see on the back cover of the books in stores. They pay you for your writing and not the other way around. Here is a list of some known publishers, what is required to submit your manuscript and the sources for this information. Below this you will find Traditional Publishing Pros and Cons as well as a service video. Please keep in mind that the information provided below was relevant at the date of this post. In no way are we trying to tell you which way to go or that these publishers are bad. This information is here for your use to help you look into which route is best for you.

Harper Collins Canada
- Does not accept unsolicited submissions or query letters. (This means you need an agent)
Source: http://www.harpercollins.ca/for-authors/submit-a-manuscript

Hachette Book Group
- Requires a literary agent.
Source: http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/customer-faqs/

Penguin Random House
- does not accept unsolicited submissions, proposals, manuscripts, illustrations, artwork, or submission queries at this time. This includes submission of work previously published elsewhere.
Source: http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/faqs/#manuscripts-how-do-i-submit-my-manuscript-or-abstract-to-penguin-random-house-for-publication-2_

Pantera Press
- They are not publishing picture or illustrated books, cookbooks, self-help books, health and well being books, travel books, poetry, play scripts, short stories, compilations, novellas, chapter books or children’s books (by children’s books, we mean books for under 12's. We are actively looking for Young Adult Fiction, for an age group 12 years +)
Source: https://www.panterapress.com.au/submit-your-manuscript
Note: As far as I can tell, this place works like a traditional publisher. I didn't see anything about costs.

Harlequin
- Accepts certain manuscripts in the romance genre.
Source: https://harlequin.submittable.com/submit_

Peach Tree
- Does not publish historical novels (except children’s/young adult), science fiction, fantasy, romance, westerns, horror, poetry, short stories, plays, business, scientific or technical reference, or books intended specifically as textbooks.
- Send biographical material about the author (past publishing credentials, education, etc.)
Source: http://peachtree-online.com/index.php/resources/submission-guidelines/manuscript-guidelines.html _

Traditional Publishing Pros

If they take you, you are paid a royalty check.
They market your book for you.
Your book is in the bookstores plus widely distributed for you.
Added credibility as an author.

Traditional Publishing Cons

That royalty check has to be paid back through your sales. You won't receive any more money until it has been.
It can take up to 6 months after submitting your manuscript, to find out if they are interested or not.
The process is slow so it will take awhile before the book is on the bookshelves.
Royalties are anywhere from 10% of the book or $1 per book. This is lower than self-publishing and print-on-demand.
They own full rights to the book which means they have control over everything including whether it stays on the bookshelf. You won't be able to publish it again.
If your book doesn't do well, that will go towards your credibility as an author as well.
Unless your book becomes a best seller (this doesn't happen to most people), you will never get rich.
Some traditional publisher will not take on an author without an agent. Those that do prefer to see the market for your book and/or a writing resume.
Traditional publishers are less likely to publish children's books because there are so many out there and they rarely take on a book series because they don't want to commit to books that may not sell.
If your first book doesn't sell well, they won't publish another book for you.

Things to Beware of:

Type the publisher's name and then the word "Scam" after and read any articles you may find.
Anyone saying "starting at $" is listing the lowest price possible which usually doesn't fit most page counts.
Before publishing through a self-publishing company, find out what price you will have to set your book at to make money.
There are certain companies out there who simply want your money (or there is a catch) and will make it seem like they are offering you a great deal or are like traditional publishers but they are not.

Please note that while at the time these were published, they were true. In the future, they may change. The warnings above in no way are meant to discredit the above companies.

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