by September Gray

Created on: August 01, 2010

It's a quesion most new writers will ask, "Should I self publish?” The answer varies depending on the individual. Self publishing is easier than ever before, but this is seen as a double edged sword by some. While it is true that you can use internet technology to have your work published in moments, this is equally true for anyone else. Doing something that anyone can do will instantly take away some of your credibility, but there are other pros and cons of self publishing to consider before making the decision that is right for you.

Traditional publishing

Traditional publishers are known to be biased against authors who have previously self published. Thanks to recent bestsellers such as “The shack,” by William P. Young, this is slowly starting to change, but it is currently still the norm. The unspoken rule is a traditional publisher will consider a self published piece when it has sold ten thousand copies or more. To sell this many copies of a book online would be no small feat without strong promotion, which brings us to another facet of self publishing.

Promotion

As a self published author, all expenses, time and energy spent on promotion fall to you. It takes an enormous amount of dedication and motivation to promote your own work. You must view it as a full time job. Aside from book signings, there are several options for inexpensive promotion online today. However, there are many online scams preying on hopeful writers, so be thorough when checking out any company that claims it will aid in your promotion for a fee. The best way to get your work promoted is to get it out there. Many online book stores will sell your book for a percentage of the royalties. Amazon and Barnes and Nobles are a couple of the most trusted companies that will sell your book online.

Editing

All manuscripts, no matter how carefully written, need objective editing. Traditional publishers will provide this service to you, but you can always hire your own editor if you choose the self publishing route. Just remember, a freelance editor might not have the motivation an editor who works for a publishing house has, so take the time to choose a reputable editor with whom you have a good rapport.

When done right, self publishing can be financially and emotionally rewarding. Finding success through his or her own hard work will give a writer great pride. However, it is a long journey to reach that success. You will need blind faith in your work along with ambition and perseverance, but it is possible to achieve your goals

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