So you've decided to write a book. Part 3 What have I learned?

          Since this was my first book writing venture, I decided to go with Self-Publishing.  I researched many companies and in the end decided to go with FriesenPress.  I live in Canada and this company is 100% Canadian owned and is located in Victoria, BC.  The parent company, Friesens Corporation, has over 100 years experience printing including some of the Harry Potter series.  I figured with taking on something this challenging I would have to start at the beginning and learn it from the ground up.  What better way to do it then to Self-Publish.  Little did I know the actual writing of my manuscript was going to be the easy part.

          So how costly is Self-Publishing and what will they do for you?  FriesenPress offers a variety of packages to clients.  You make the choice that is best suited for you.  These packages of course vary in price and come with different options.  There are many additional options offered that individuals may choose to add onto their packages.  You can spend as little as $899 or you can spend upwards of $5,000 on a package.  The benefit of Self-Publishing is that you get to be involved in the whole process step-by-step.  They have the professionals to advise you throughout the process, they  do editing, the layout, revisions, and printing, etc.  They will even coach you on Marketing and Promotion for your book.  Your Account Manager will guide you through each step to help make the process as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

          I have talked with other Authors who have done both Self-Publishing and Traditional Publishing.  Difference...Traditional Publishers look after the costs of getting your book Published and pay you for your story, then depending on your deal with the publisher you most likely collect Royalties after that based on your book sales.  Sounds great, although getting a Traditional Publisher to notice you is not an easy task.  Also, just because they publish one of your books does not mean they will automatically publish the next one.  It is important to note that whichever way you choose to go with the type of publishing,  you will still be required to Market and Promote your book to gain the attention of prospective buyers.  Finding your niche or hook to help you stand out from the crowd of other Authors is important.  Interviews, articles, social media, book reading and signings is a good start to getting yourself noticed.  It is an ongoing effort and can be a challenge for those that tend to be shy or withdrawn.  So, whether you go with Self-Publishing or Traditional Publishing you will be responsible for the marketing and promoting your book.  The more you do the more attention you will gain and hopefully the more book sales you will make. 

          Illustrators are your best friend if you find the right one.  I swear the one I have can read my mind at times.  I send a copy of my manuscript to my illustrator as it is important that she reads and understand the story for which she is illustrating.  I also write a small blurb on the page where the illustration is to go, outlining what I roughly would like to see.  She works her magic from there.

          What did I learn with Self-Publishing? 

• That you should get your booked edited more than once by different book editing professionals.  This is very important if you want publishers and book stores to take notice of your book.  
• There is a stigma that comes with being a Self-Publisher.  You have to work hard to get people to see past this and have them just love your book.  Market and promote your ass off :^)
• I figured out, after the fact, that when you hire a Illustrator you can ask them to do the writing on the cover of the book as well as the drawings.  
• When you are sent the electronic copies of your book for review and revisions to be made it can come as 2 attachments.  One is the book cover, front and back, and the second attachment is the contents.  What I did not know, nor was told, was that the cover on the contents copy, basically just the title of the book, was not just to keep track of what book this was but in fact was a Title Page that would end up in the book when published. 
• I learned that you can be very specific with what you want in regards to the style of print, the colour, if certain words are to be in Italic, if you want the pages numbered or not, do you want an outline around your pages, etc.  With my first book I thought they sent me a smorgasbord of options.  It was a little overwhelming.  Different shades of blue and different styles of font...  It was a lot of work to go through everything and make the necessary changes to what I felt I wanted to see.  Don't get me wrong, this was also good for me to be aware of the variety of choices that were available. 
•  I learned that the entire process of book publishing takes a lot of time.  Your book is in Queue with many others and each step of the book publishing process can take anywhere from 2 - 6 weeks.  Patience is definitely a virtue but in the end it will all be worth it when you see and hold the finished product. 

          Would I Self-Publish again?  Yes.  My second book is in layout currently.  This time I was more prepared for what to expect and took the lead.  I love my first book, but I am extremely excited to see my second book out in print.  I would however like to try getting on with a Traditional Publisher.  One thing that I was told was "don't stop writing".  It is important to market and promote your books but keep writing and give your followers more to choose from.  I am currently working on book number three, and have a forth on the back burner. 

          Are you a Self-Publisher or did you get on with a Traditional Publisher?  What are your thoughts?  I would love to hear from you.

          Tori.