Robert Pruett, Founder and Publisher of Brandylane Publishers, Inc. in Richmond VA spoke at the Civic Center in Cape Charles about the many different publishing options currently available. It was a gray and raining day, but the wisdom Pruett conveyed along with some hard facts was like a ray of sunshine for the writers who attended. Here are a few of the highlights.
MOST IMPORTANT
Before you starting writing, ask yourself why you are writing and who will likely read your work. ‘Who is your audience?’ Ask yourself these questions again and again before finding a publisher. Are you writing for fame? To prove something? To simply tell a story? To provide a record of events or a memoir for your family? Will your work be a novel for general distribution? A textbook for schools? A collection of poems? A cookbook? Be guided by your answers when deciding which publishing option is best.
Traditional Publishing
There are several steps to seeking a traditional publisher and all of them take time. Be patient!
- Do your research. There are the BIG 5, but also hundreds of other traditional publishers
- Write a proposal that includes a strong marketing and publicity plan that you are willing to help implement. Include a social media platform as well as any mailing list, contacts at bookstores, speaking opportunities, etc. Publishers will help with publicity, but most want you to take an active role to ensure the success of your book.
- Find an agent. Again, stay focused on who your audience is and find an agent who will target publishers who reach that audience.
- Don’t be impatient. It all takes time – time to find an agent (months, sometimes years) time to find a publisher (months, sometimes years), time for editing and for production (months to two years)
Hybrid Publishing
Hybrid publishers offer a wide range of publishing services. Again, know the audience you want to reach. Determine your budget and be very selective in your choice.
- Talk to several different Hybrid publishers and fully understand the options before signing a contract – developmental editing, copy editing, layout, design, cover design, production, warehousing, distribution, publicity, etc. A good hybrid publisher will explain how all of these components work together and will provide credentials for each person involved.
- Make sure your manuscript is professionally edited. (Don’t rely on friends or family to edit your work in order to cut costs). Know the credentials of the editors used by the publisher.
- Understand the need for publicity and how much you are willing to do. Hybrid publishers may offer some help, but you are responsible for the success of your book.
Self-Publishing
Who is your audience? This is a perfect option for some audiences (families and friends, corporations, manuscripts for events, etc.), but it has a stigma attached when used for a more general audience. Understand the stigma and whether you believe you can overcome it, then perhaps re-evaluate your options.
- Determine your budget. You are responsible for every step in the publishing process so find the best people to do the many jobs.
- Reap the rewards but be aware of the pitfalls.
Which leads us back to the first and most essential question – who is your audience? If you have answered this question and have let yourself be directed by it, you can more easily decide which publishing option is right for you.
Brandylane Publishers, Inc. is based in Richmond, Virginia.