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Finding an in print publisher can be a lot of work, and it is understandable that a first-time author looking for an easy way to get his or her manuscripts to the world would turn to an online publisher. There are many reasons for this, including the hassle you have to go through to get your book in print. Once you make it through the query letters and start sending your hard copies, you run the risk of having your work rejected in spite of everything you did to get it read. Editors are painfully aware of the risk of losing money by physically printing a book that won't sell, and so when your manuscript reaches their desk, they are especially shrewd while considering it. Most online publishers do not run the risk of losing money by investing in a book that won't sell, however, which makes their acceptance guidelines far more lenient. Definitely, publishing with an online journal is the way to go for somebody who doesn't have an agent, has little experience with the publishing industry, and doesn't have many publications to add to his or her resume.

However, for somebody who has already gotten a little publishing experience under their belt, things tend to change. If you're serious about making a living as an author, it's time to start thinking about getting your book out in print. Many people will read it online, but it's much more rewarding to have a hard copy of your book in hand, and there is a lot of money to be made from the royalties of a book that sells well. Although the steps one must take to get their book in print may seem daunting, the final result is much more rewarding than having your manuscript published online. Here is a simple breakdown of the steps required to get your book in print:

1) Find an agent. An agent should never charge you up front fees for his or her services, and will take your book to the best publisher. After the book goes to print, they will also work hard to make sure it sells for you. Even though agents usually charge 10-15% of your royalties, the fees they charge would be covered by the many more books they would sell than you on your own. Besides, spending less effort on marketing your own book leaves you with more time to write the next one.

2)Your agent will send your manuscript out to publishers until one of them decides to print your book.

3) Work with an editor from the publishing company to finalize your manuscript. This stage involves expert advice given by somebody who edits manuscripts like yours for a living, so it is a valuable opportunity to strengthen your piece of work.

4) Once you've finished with that and your book has been accepted, print will begin. Then, your agent will sell copies of your book for you, set you up for book signing, and manage your publicity. After this step all you have to do is enjoy your royalties and work diligently on your next publication.

Although online publications have their uses, if you're serious about writing you must eventually send your work to a company that will print and distribute it for you. After all, in print, your book serves as a sort of trophy you can take pride in, whereas publishing online does not offer quite the same satisfaction (or royalties).

Learn more about this author, Brandon Daubs.
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