Advantages Of Independent Book Publishing
There are three ways to get a book published. One is to publish it through big publishing companies such as Random House and Penguin. Another is to publish through independent book publishing and the last option is to self-publish the book. Big publishing companies are more focused on books that have a higher chance of becoming a best-seller. This is because the competition between publishers have gotten to stiff through the years while the price of books have stayed relatively the same during the last ten years. Proceeds from book sales go to the pockets of publishers while a small percentage, usually ranging from five to seven percent, goes to the author. To distribute these books to more retail outlets, publishers usually sell these books at a 40% discount.
Due to this tendency of big publishers, first-time authors have a higher chance of getting their books published through independent book publishing. These independent presses are not part of a larger corporation. Sometimes, these presses focus on a specific genre. Independent book publishing companies are more open to publishing the works of a new and untried author.
One of the advantages of independent book publishing is that it allows an author greater editorial freedom. In large publishing houses, editors usually change the contents of a manuscript to make it more commercially attractive. Indie publishing houses also allow authors to customize their books so that their appearance and format will be as what the authors envision them to be. The first stage of independent book publishing involves the discussion of the author and the company representative about the goals of the former in publishing his book. Services that will help achieve this goal will also be discussed. Details from copyediting to marketing will likewise be agreed. The main goal of this discussion is to be able to create a customized project plan in the production and promotion of a group.
The emergence of independent book publishing as a primary publishing trend has made it unnecessary for authors to hire agents that could sell their works to publishing companies. However, some authors still hire agents even if they have already made arrangements with the publisher to get the best deal. Large publishing houses almost always deal only with agents. Independent presses, on the other hand, are more intent on negotiating with unpublished authors. They focus more on unsolicited manuscripts and are more concerned with giving customized publishing services to new authors. Nevertheless, authors have to submit a good book proposal to publishing companies, large publishers or independent book publishing companies, in order to get their books published. This proposal will be used as a guide for subsequent discussions regarding the production and promotion of a book. A good proposal should include a one-page cover letter, an introduction that is less than two pages, table of contents, sample material, author information, and marketing information and plans. In the introduction part, the author should explain what the book is about and what market segment it will be for.
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