If you are reading this, there are three probabilities —
1. first, you have already written your first book and are looking for the right publishing option;
2. second, you are seriously considering writing and publishing your book;
3. third, you are still dreaming of writing a book.
In all of these cases, you need to be aware of different publishing options as there is no singularly best way to publish your book. The book publishing landscape may baffle you as this business has drastically changed over the past decade. You cannot depend on outdated and wrong advice.
Read on to know about various publishing models:
Traditional publishing
Before the year 2000, traditional publishing was the only way to get your book published. In this model, you finish your manuscript; find a literary agent (whose primary job is to sell your crude work) in the hope that they would take you on as a client.
Once your publisher approves your manuscript for publishing, he will pay you typically in the form of an upfront payment. If your book does well, further royalty payments will be given by the publisher. The publisher will handle the physical production of the book as well as the marketing part.
Self-publishing
The self-publishing model has empowered authors, especially new ones more than any other publishing mode.
In this model, you retain ownership of your book, but at the same place, you are the one responsible for managing and controlling the entire process. Self-publishing has shot up in many different forms, but at its core, the publishing work is managed by the author.
Self-publishing has given a platform to millions of authors for getting their books published and reaching millions of readers. Also referred to as independent publishers, multiple independent editors, illustrators, book publishers for new authors, book designers and marketing professionals take part in this model. With the self-publishing option, you choose the professional services you are ready to pay for. When it comes to distribution, you make money whenever someone orders your book. The distributor gets a cut only when the sales go through.
Today, there are many platforms, like The Write Place, offering a new-age destination for authors to arrive with a raw manuscript and fulfill their dreams of getting published.
Hybrid publishing
Similar to its name, hybrid publishing shares some elements of traditional as well as independent publishing. By the year 2000, some traditional publishers started stepping into the game of hybrid publishing.
In this model, you submit copies of your manuscript, similar to a traditional model. If the publisher accepts your manuscript, the traditional publisher invests in the hybrid arm of the parent publishing company and takes all financial risks involved. However, the author can also take some financial risk and contribute some money.
A hybrid publisher usually takes on expenses, like production, marketing, and distribution, while the author pays a set fee. The royalties earned from the sale of the book are split between the publisher as well as the author. Under the best scenario of the hybrid model, your publisher will work in collaboration before and after the book is published to ensure the quality of your book as well as investment.
The journey of becoming an author is exciting. With the publishing industry evolving with time, it is handing over great control and power in the hands of authors than ever before. A few years ago, an author used to wait for the publisher, and in many cases, even some bestseller books underwent several rounds of rejection before they were published. But now, you can self-publish a bestseller (Anangsha Alammyan)and this model of publishing has enabled authors to get published proudly and enjoy their fair share of popularity as well as money.
Culled from The Writing Cooperative
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