Navigating The Publishing Jungle

PUBLISHING JUNGLE

THE

History of Christian Publishing

Trends

• Sold Out


Trends

• Sold Out• Agents Become the First Filter


Trends

• Sold Out• Agents Become the First Filter• The Importance of Platform


Trends

• Sold Out• Agents Become the First Filter• The Importance of Platform• Author Promotion / Publicity


Trends

• Sold Out• Agents Become the First Filter• The Importance of Platform• Author Promotion / Publicity• Traditional Publishers Launch

Self-Publishing Divisions


Author House Archway PublishingiUniverse WestBow PressTrafford Inspiring VoicesXlibris Cross BooksPalibrio Booktango

Types of Publishing

Traditional

Types of Publishing

Traditional - Standard• Publisher risks their money on your manuscript • They make profits• You are paid a small royalty• They own rights• They make all editorial calls• They control cover design and all production

decisions• They typically have better exposure /

distribution (not always)

Types of Publishing

Traditional – Shared Risk or Co-Publishing• Publisher risks their money• Requires you purchase 5,000 to 10,000 at their

cost (about 90% off the retail price)• They still own rights • They still have editorial control• Small royalties paid on copies they sell• A little easier to get this type of deal because in

essence the author is funding it• This is the model many publishers have with

large ministries

Types of Publishing

Hybrid

Types of Publishing

Hybrid – Self-Publishing with Traditional Elements

• Author funds publishing• Author makes profits• Has book in distribution channels like a

traditional publisher would offer• Author retains all rights and has input into

editorial and production• Publisher empowers author to make wise

choices regarding cover design, editing, formatting and book promotion.

Types of Publishing

DIY

Types of Publishing

Do It Yourself

• Author does all aspects of publishing themselves or outsources some pieces of the process.

• Author keeps investment to a minimum

• Author risks making costly mistakes and can end up looking self-published

Types of Publishing

Vanity / Subsidy Publishing

Types of Publishing

How the scam works

“An unethical vanity (or subsidy press) requires the author to pay all the costs and does not (really) do any effective marketing, sales, or placement of any kind. Any and all marketing efforts are totally up to the author—however, the contract signed with the vanity publisher may give the impression that considerable marketing work will be performed. More likely, the smooth salesperson will, without making any real promises, lead the author to believe that the vanity publisher will make considerable effort to market the title.”

http://www.aeonix.com/vanity.htm

Types of Publishing

“The vanity/subsidy press will file copyright documents, provide ISBN, and secure LOC CIP as necessary. The author will pay all the costs (usually inflated) of editing, design and production, and printing. You are lead to believe that the publisher will “take care of everything” for you. The key concepts are that "you have nothing to worry about; “and“you don’t have to do anything (much) to sell the book.”


Types of Publishing

“Even if the unethical vanity (or subsidy) presses did send books to the reviewers and bookstores, it is unlikely that any sales would result. Reviewers and bookstores know who the vanity press scammers are and will have little, if anything, to do with them. The reviewers and bookstores realize that a vanity/subsidy press is only interested in authors whose checks don't bounce. Therefore, it is assumed that the publications from such publishers have little merit. So if a vanity/subsidy publisher actually does any marketing it seldom has any effect.”


Types of Publishing

Vanity / Subsidy Publishers

Types of Publishing

POSERIMPOSTOR

Types of Publishing

POSER/IMPOSTOR

Sounds like a traditional publisher but requires:

• Payment toward “marketing expenses”• The author to buy 2,500 copies at inflated prices

Author is made to feel they are traditionally published when they aren’t and end up paying way too much for what they receive. If a publisher requires payment, they are a self/ subsidy publisher.

Types of Publishing

Posers / Impostors

Other Indie Author Options

• Create Space

• Smashwords

• Blurb

• Lulu

Other Indie Author Options

• Create Space• Smashwords• Blurb• LuluDownside:• Secular companies• Will publish pretty much anything• Don’t require editing• No access to Christian bookstores

Due Diligence Questions

The following questions should be asked and then compared and contrasted:• Author price per copy?• Who sets the retail price?• Royalties or Profits?• Availability of files after publication?• Terminology used – is it honest or

misleading?

9 Qualities of a Good Self-Publisher

1. Good reputation among writers

2. Fair publishing fees3. Generous royalties without

any fuzzy math4. Low printing costs and high

production value5. Favorable contract terms


6. Fair policy regarding the return of your book’s original production files

7. Fairly priced add-on services, such as marketing and copyright registration


8. A standard offering of an ISBN, EAN bar code, and LCCN (Library of Congress Control Number) as part of any basic publishing package.

9. Availability through at least one wholesaler, and listings on major online retailers.


From The Fine Print of Self-Publishing by Mark Levine

Due Diligence

The Redemption Press Difference

• A la carte services• Putting the author in charge• Avoiding one size fits none• Choose only services you need• Know the price for each item• Don’t pay for fluff


• A la carte services• We give professional

advice

The Best of Both Worlds


BEFORE AFTER


SELF-PUBLISHED PROFESSIONAL FORMATTING


• A la carte services• We give professional advice• Printing cost with no mark up• Profits instead of royalties• Affordable marketing


Press Release Web Optimized Edition

$1,299

Includes advertisement for

publisher on bottom of press release

Spend 3 hours with an expert to write the press release

(estimated $350)

Post on Christian News Service(for $75)

Set up Google Alerts to track

No advertisement for publisher

Estimated Outlay: $425


Premium Book Video$5,399

Includes “review of trailer for TV or film consideration

by ThruLine Entertainment”

Prestige Book Trailer$1,395

Same specifications except the review for TV/Film


• A la carte services• We give professional advice• Printing cost with no mark up• Profits instead of royalties• Affordable marketing• Coaching & Equipping


Our Panel of Experts

James L Rubart Shannon Ethridge Rachel Hauck Larry Leech

Angela Bridenbach Jeannette Windle Deb D’Armond Michele Tennesen Lizzie Smiley

Our Panel of Experts Are Available to Coach You via Your Favorite Platform

Fund Raising

Pre-Publication Flier

Fund Raising


Offering Donation Opportunities

Fund Raising



Signed & Numbered Limited Edition

Fund Raising



Signed & Numbered Limited Edition

Crowdfunding

The Publishing Process

First Steps:• Send your manuscript in for review.• 15 minute interview with Publisher

to determine best option for marketing coach.

• Editing recommendation after review


Next Steps:• Proposal Created• Initial proposal for Pre Press Phase.

• Manuscript prep services• Printing costs


Sign up for servicesAssigned to Project Manager

Production Phase 1• Cover design questionnaire

• Assignment to Content Editor or Coach

• Registration – ISBN & LCCN Assigned


Production Phase 2 – After author approves cover and edit and/or completes coaching• Edited manuscript to typesetters

• Match font & design from cover to text

• Formatted text to author for approval

• Word-for-word or format proofreading


Production Phase 3 – After author approves formatted & proofed text• Formatted text converted to eBook

• Back cover & spine completed

• Printer ready files uploaded to printer

• Hard copy proof sent to author for approval


Promotion & Marketing Phase 1 – During production process

• Develop strategy for exposure and reaching your audience

• Get social media platforms in place

• Ensure online presence established


Promotion & Marketing Phase 2 – After book is in print

• Actively promote online and in person

• Develop yourself as a resource

• Build readership by offering a benefit to your audience

Next Steps

YOUR MESSAGE IS OUR MISSION…

• Come by the booth to enter a drawing for ONE HOUR OF COACHING

“HOW TO PRESENT YOUR MESSAGE/MINISTRY”

• Talk to Michael, Valerie or Brenda

• We will create a publishing strategy for you

Navigating The Publishing Jungle

Presentations & Public Speaking

Transcript of Navigating The Publishing Jungle