Trade v. Self Publishing
by Anne Wayman on May 7th, 2008
I’m writing an ebook about how to get a book written and I want to contrast self-publishing with trade publishing. Here are the lists so far:
Self-publishing:
If you want a ghost, you will have to find and pay
If your book needs substantial, you will have to provide
You provide copy editing, ideally by hiring a professional
You provide book design
You provide, illustrations, charts, graphics if needed
You provide cover design
You write Back of Jacket Copy
You do all the marketing
POD* is fine if it’s just text or text with line illustrations, and it’s getting better all the time
No advance… you’ll be spending your own money
20% plus on cover price… no way to know what is average, but percentage can go way up, depending. You keep all the profit, but with proper marketing the expenses can be considerable.
Trade Publishing:
Publisher may provide ghostwriter
Publisher may provide substantial (rewrite) editing
Publisher will provide copy editing
Publisher does Book design (interior)
Illustrations, charts, graphics if needed – publisher will provide
Cover design - publisher
Back of Jacket copy written by them
Some marketing
Print quality might be better than POD
You may get an advance against royalties
7-10% return on net typical on cover price each book
What am I missing in either list?
Write well and often,

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Tags: freelance-writing, how-to-write-a-book, publish, self-publishing, vanity press, work-at-home, writingShare This
POSTED IN: Book Writing, Editing, Pubishing & Marketing
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