It’s been said that “everyone has at least one good book in them.” Sure enough, since I started my small nonfiction publishing business in 2007, I get frequent inquiries from individuals who have been nurturing a great idea developed from their unique life experiences. Although I make no pretense of having a booming business so far, people still want to know if I would consider being their publisher. The answer I give them is complicated. In an effort to simplify it (and stop repeating myself), I would like to relay publishing options in this article and point interested parties here.
For unpublished nonfiction authors, a general explanation of options follow. Feel free to post a comment if you’d like to add to it or clarify anything.
Self-Publishing
To self-publish a book is to start a new business. You will have to do everything from obtaining an ISBN, to designing and printing, to acquiring reviews, to Web site design and marketing. There are tools to help you with this, John Kremer’s books being some of the most comprehensive, and if they don’t scare you off, you probably have what it takes. That would be time, money, and oogles of inspiration to keep you going. Also, an ability to live with your mistakes; mistakes being an inevitable part of starting any new business.
Lightning Source is a popular printer for self-publishers because, as part of their service, they will get your book on Amazon, Ingram, and Baker and Taylor. If you don’t use Lightning Source, you will still be able to get on Amazon, but you will need to find another distribution service so you can reach bookstores; reason being that bookstores buy from Ingram and Ingram does not work with little authors. Small Press United is one distributor to research.
Self-publishing makes the most sense if you have a significant platform. For example, if you speak regularly at conferences, you may be able to sell a lot of books after your presentations. Then again, if you have a platform, a big publisher might be interested in you as well.
Custom Publishing
When using a custom publishers, such as iUniverse, the author may still say he or she is “self-published,” but the distinction is that many of the tasks needed to produce the book are done for them. Custom publishers offer editing, design, and printing—all for a fee. There are different packages from which to choose. Presently, there’s an excellent description of what is sometimes called “Vanity Publishing” on Wikipedia.
