Your Publishing Options

Publishing is the process of making information available to the public. This book focuses on book publishing, for obvious reasons. The process to be outlined ahead reveals The Process, regardless of whether you pursue traditional (sometimes called commercial) publishing, self-publishing, or any of the hybrid and partner publishing options in between.

Understanding and deciding which publishing path is best for you requires lots of research around your rights, investment, and partnership options. There are so many factors to consider, and I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to research thoroughly. An unfortunate side-effect of our modern world is that there are people who are very willing to relieve you of your money, time, and copyright. There is plenty of information available as to which businesses or individuals have been blacklisted and if you are ever unsure, reach out to anyone who you can find who has used their services, and ask them about their experience.

That goes for traditional publishing, too. If you have your sights set on one of the big five – Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, Harper Collins, Simon and Schuster, and Macmillan – and you see an author who has a similar identity as you, reach out to them and ask about their experience.

There are two important factors for you to consider before choosing the publishing path that is right for you:

• How important is maintaining creative control over how your book is produced?

• What are your financial capabilities?

Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing means that the publisher is responsible for all financial costs in this arrangement. However, they also retain control of all decisions about how the book is produced and sold.

The reasons writers pursue traditional publishing are varying, ranging from validation to having someone else invest in your work as much as you have, or simply because they can’t afford to self-publish (and hence have to pay for editors, designers, typesetters, marketing, distribution, and all the other costs associated with doing the job well).

Self-Publishing

Self-publishing is the DIY approach to launching your book out into the world. When a writer chooses to self-publish, they embody the roles of both author and publisher.

The author is responsible for the writing and editing, coordinating publishing services, sales, distribution, marketing, and publicity.

The publishing path that is most right for you depends on what you value most. Ultimately, it comes down to finances, access to resources and personal ability.

Self-publishing certainly requires a high level of investment of money and time; however, it is no less of a worthy publishing option.

Typically, you take care of organising and paying for:

• Editing

• Layout and design

• Printing

• Finding a distributor

• Marketing and promotion

There are distribution channels that will help you share your book with the masses, but you’ll need to do your research to make sure they’re reputable and will do what they promise to do.

One of the main reasons that self-publishing has developed a questionable reputation is because the access to technology is readily available and some writers do not invest in editing (at a bare minimum). This has led to many books of poor quality being published, unfortunately giving self-publishing a bad rap.

The good news is, there are so many amazing freelance professionals offering publishing services to help you along the way!

Hybrid and partner publishing

This form of publishing provides services to support self-published authors. This takes away many of the headaches of going it alone, and they can help with editing, typesetting, printing, publishing, and marketing. Typically, you’d pay a bulk fee to the publisher to handle everything for you, so again, do your research before committing!

Within Debut Books, I offer these kinds of services to help writers achieve their self-publishing dreams with custom pricing to suit any budget.

In short:

• If you go traditional publishing, you will need to pitch, submit, and think about whether you want an agent. The creative control and financial responsibility sits with the publisher.

• If you go self-publishing, you are responsible for all creative decisions, and you take financial responsibility for your book in every way, including paying for services.

• If you go somewhere in the middle, you will find yourself somewhere between to the two ends with varying degrees of financial responsibility, creative input, and professional publishing support.

Pitching and submissions are required for literary agents, traditional publishers and some hybrid publishing models but not for self-publishing.

Regardless of what you are writing, and who you are pitching too, you must research who you want to publish with. Considering who to align with requires more than just thinking about their suitability to your book; is is about finding a connection - human to human - that is going to support, champion, nurture and protect you too.

Yes, your story matters, but you do too.

P.S. Being an aspiring Australian author doesn’t prevent you from pitching and submitting your book in other markets - you’re not limited by the Australian shores. If an agent or publishing company beyond Australia feels like the best fit for your book - do it! I will always advocate for aspiring authors to do what is best for you and your book!

This course is specifically informed about the Australian publishing industry because this is where I live and work. I guarantee that the same principles will apply in other markets too however please, please, please do your research!