Introduction
Many people want to become authors for different reasons. Some may want to share their knowledge or convey a message to society, while others simply want to express themselves. Regardless of your reason, you must first decide whether you want to go through the traditional or self-publishing route.
The latter option has become more popular nowadays as it gives writers more creative control and higher income. Report Buyer, an independent market research group, stated in their most recent study that “the global book printing market is anticipated to reach values of around $49 billion by 2024, growing at a [compound annual growth rate] of more than 1% during 2018-2024.”
As one of the best self-publishing companies in the USA, Omnibook Co. can help you reach your dreams of having your work reach the shelves of both libraries and bookstores. Rest assured that our team of professionals has years of experience in the industry and will guide you through every step, from editing to marketing.
How the Publishing Industry Has Changed in Recent Years
Printing was first invented in China in the sixth century CE, and billions of works have been published since then. However, it wasn’t until the late 2000s that this particular industry was affected by the advent of digital technology. In 2007, tablets were created for the sole purpose of reading electronic books, and by 2011, many saw this as an opportunity to pursue self-publishing.
Currently, self-publishing platforms help indie authors (and their works) reach over 190 countries. This would have been quite a difficult feat if a writer decided to go for traditional publishing. Needless to say, the emergence of smart devices, e-books, and online subscriptions has helped transform the publishing landscape in addition to the reading behavior of the public.
Additionally, to ensure they stay relevant despite the apparent change, publishers and distributors have adapted their business strategies to this new environment. They now consider how traditional bookstores attract fewer buyers, which is why they take to social networks to promote their products and showcase their pricing policies.
Why Writers Opt for Self-Publishing
The most crucial reason writers opt for self-publishing is the freedom it comes with. By choosing this option, authors are not restricted by the rules of traditional publishing houses, which means they can write what they want and how they want. One can even say that their only limitation is their own creativity and imagination.
Self-publishing also offers writers a chance to earn more money than writing for traditional publishing houses. You will have complete control over your work, meaning you can set your own prices and decide on how much to charge for different formats of the same book. For example, you can decide that your printed works will cost slightly higher than those in PDF, ePub, or mobi format.
Since some writers can’t get published because of a lack of experience or connections in the industry, self-publishing has become an opportunity for them to get yourself out there and build a reputation as an author. Like any other endeavor, this venture will take quite a bit of time and money for you to see the fruits of your labor. However, you can be sure that it will be worth the effort to see your novel, essay, or poem on the shelves of physical and digital bookstores.
Things Aspiring Self-Publishing Authors Should Expect
Aspiring self-publishing authors should expect to see a lot of different things when they decide to self-publish. They should be prepared for the good, the bad, and the ugly. Although this route offers many things you can look forward to, it also has different facets like any other industry. However, if it is truly your dream to share your written words with the world, this shouldn’t discourage you, as nothing worth having comes easy.
For example, you will need to learn how to market your books on your own and keep track of what is happening in the industry. You will also need to be prepared for the criticism that comes with being an author. Since everyone has their preferences, some may not like your work as much as others. This is why you need to prepare yourself since it is impossible to please everyone.
Lastly, you must be ready for possible financial losses that may come from printing and distributing your work. The amount of money a self-publishing author makes varies. Ultimately, it is a mix of strategy and timing, as well as a hint of luck when it comes to releasing a hit book. All you have to remember is that each writer’s self-publishing journey is different, so you shouldn’t compare your standing with other people’s.
What To Look For in Self-Publishing Companies For New Authors
Finding the best self-publishing company in the USA is no easy feat, especially since there are various entities you can now turn to. Professionals from these organizations provide authors with assistance throughout the different steps they have to take as they strive to have their books printed.
There are different types of self-publishing companies you can approach. First, there are aggregators, who can help you distribute your book. Their services often include order processing, warehousing, and shipping. This type of organization is ideal for those who want a hands-off approach when it comes to how you can make your work available to your readers.
If you only need a platform where you can sell your work, though, you can opt for retailers as they often already have a set of customers who trust in their products and services. There are also educators, companies that help aspiring authors learn everything they need about self-publishing. Lastly, servicers are one-stop-shop organizations that offer editing, designing, and printing assistance so that writers won’t have to coordinate with various service providers.
How To Handle Things After You’ve Published Your Books
First things first! Give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back and acknowledge the achievement of publishing your own work! After all, doing so takes a considerable amount of effort. You can organize a party and invite your friends and family or opt for a more low-key celebration and take the opportunity to reflect on what you’ve learned throughout the course of your writing journey.
After all of that, remember that your work isn’t exactly over yet. Self-publishing is a great way to get your book out there and make it available for purchase. However, if you are not promoting your novel, poetry, or essay, no one will know that it exists. This is why you should be doing everything in your power to get the word out about your work so that people can find and buy it.
Furthermore, promoting your book is not easy work. It takes time, effort, and dedication. You can start by using your social media accounts to encourage your followers to check out what you’ve published. In fact, you can even ask for help from your friends and family members to post on their own profiles and let others know about it. Once you’ve garnered enough interest, you can even create a functional author website to collate all the information regarding yourself as well as your books.
Conclusion
Many people dream of becoming an author, of sharing the fictional world that they have created in their minds and giving people the chance to laugh and cry along with the characters they’ve so carefully created. There are those who think that it would be a great occupation, as it will give them the chance to earn money by doing what they love — which is to write.
However, the reality is that becoming a self-published author requires a lot of hard work, and not everyone can do it. It takes time and effort to finish your novel, poem, or essay and edit it until it meets industry standards. Afterward, you also have to get in touch with a professional designer so that you can have someone layout your pages and create a book cover for you.
It doesn’t end there, however, because once your work is printed, you also have to handle its marketing and distribution. Plus, you even have to keep track of all your expenses throughout each process to ensure that you get a return on your investment by the end of it all.
Everything may seem intimidating right now, but with the help of our team at Omnibook Co., you can be sure that you are in good hands. We have helped various writers over the years so they can have their poetry books, novels, and memoirs published. Plus, we have integrated solutions for every writer to ensure you won’t have to approach anyone else for editorial, cover design, interior layout, illustration, 3D animation, translation, and marketing services. Feel free to reach out to us today to learn more!
