7 Self-Publishing Myths Debunked

With the recent rise of self-publishing, it's tempting to view the process as an easy alternative to traditional publishing, with few downsides for the author. Unfortunately, there are several myths surrounding the industry, and too many writers turn to self-publishing without fully considering their options. Here, then, are seven of the biggest myths about self-publishing, and the truths behind them.

1. Self-publishing is the quickest and most convenient way to get your book out there.

While getting an agent and a publisher does take time, the number of sales, once your book is published, will be accelerated by all the options available to traditional publishers: national distribution, big-time media placements, bulk sales, getting your book into major bookstore chains, and even the opportunity for a global audience with the sale of your book's foreign rights.

As a self-published author, you're working for every single sale, with none of the "compound effects" that a publisher and their various teams could offer you. Add in the hassle of having to do everything from designing your book cover to implementing a marketing plan, and the so-called convenience of self-publishing will seem laughable.  

2. If you've already self-published books, you won't ever be able to get a traditional publisher.

This is an unfortunately widespread myth that prevents many self-published authors from considering a traditional route with their future books. They believe they've locked themselves into self-publishing for their entire career and that agents won't be interested in representing them, nor publishers interested in signing them.

The truth is that if you've had previous success with self-publishing, you're an attractive option for publishers because you've already demonstrated your ability to do the most important thing: sell books! You're bringing them an audience, and publishers will be interested in all the relevant factors — your previous sales, your public engagement, and more — to assess the full value you could bring them as an author.

3. It's easier to find a publisher for a book you've already self-published.

If, after the last myth, you're thinking this one is probably true, read on. Getting a traditional book deal for a book you have self-published is extremely difficult.

I wrote about this topic in a previous post, but the gist of the issue is this: if your book hasn't sold well, that (understandably!) doesn't look good. If it has sold well, however, agents and publishers will wonder who is left to buy it. They don't want to have missed out on all the profits if the audience for your book is already saturated. For a much higher chance of securing a book deal, you should forego self-publishing and pitch an unpublished manuscript instead.

4. As a [CEO, entrepreneur, self-help coach, etc.] self-publishing is the way to go.

Too many people believe that traditional publishing is only for serious authors. You already have another career, so that route isn't for you, right?

Wrong. In fact, nothing will take you from your primary work more than choosing to self-publish your book. Learning the ins and outs of publishing and marketing in the book industry will take a lot of time and energy, ultimately with little benefit to your chosen career. You'd be much better off pursuing a traditional book deal, so you focus on your own work while a professional publishing team handles your manuscript.

5. Self-publishing is a budget-friendly process.

Self-publishing requires you to put in all the money up-front, which can be a daunting figure when you consider all the associated costs. You have the basics of buying an ISBN, distribution costs, and editing and proofreading fees (a must!) in addition to things like cover design, conversion, and layout, which you'll need either to pay someone for, or spend valuable time learning to do yourself — and, as with most things, you'll get what you pay for.

Self-publishing also carries the open-ended cost of marketing, which can vary tremendously depending on your goals, what you're willing to spend, and what kind of existing audience you have. While you will get to keep more of the sales than you would through the traditional publishing route, that cash will only come after the initial financial outlay, and there's, unfortunately, no guarantee it will come at all.

6. Self-publishing is a great way to make a living as a writer.

Even if you are one of the few fortunate ones who make enough sales to live off your books, the bulk of your life as a self-published author will not be writing. It will be marketing and endlessly promoting your work until the actual writing itself seems like an afterthought. You'll be something more akin to an entrepreneur, building a business whose product happens to be words.

If, however, you truly want to write — and only write — for a living, traditional publishing is the only way to go. All of the auxiliary components of book publishing will be handled by professionals who know what they're doing. Having the top talent in charge of everything from layout to editing and marketing will give your book the best chance of success while enabling you to focus solely on the craft itself.

7. Finding an agent or publisher is impossible, so self-publishing is the only option.

Getting a book deal is difficult, yes, but it's far from impossible. Moreover, there are a number of steps you can take to increase the odds of your book standing out among the hundreds of pitches that agents and publishers receive every week.  

It starts with writing the right book. From there, however, there are a number of ways to improve your likelihood of success, from having a professional work with your manuscript to having your book pitched at Book Expo America by a long-time industry expert. With a lifetime spent in the publishing world, I have the network needed to connect your book with the right agents and publishers, and the expertise to make it stand out.

You've done the work, and you owe it to yourself and your book to pursue every advantage in traditional publishing. Contact Author One Stop today at (831)726-3153 or at www.AuthorOneStop.com to discuss how we can help you polish your writing, find representation, and get your book into the right hands — publishers and readers alike.