The Pros And Cons Of Self-Publishing From A Broke Woman’s Perspective by Author / Spoken Word Artist lily

Get real world advice from a self-publisher who knows how to publish a book on a limited budget.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) March 16, 2006 -- As with anything, my self-publishing experience may differ from yours. Firstly, let me tell you a little bit about myself. My name is lily and I write poetry. I work a 9a-5p job, have two children, tend to live beyond my financial means and find myself recently single. I tell you this not because I want you in my personal business, but to emphasize that like a lot of folks, I live from paycheck to paycheck and did not have a lot of money to put into publishing my first book “girl Child (The Transition – In Poetic Form)”. When I decided to self-publish, it was primarily because I wanted to maintain the integrity my book and its overall message. I was clueless as to where to start and learned most things through trial and error. Here are a few pros, cons and tips that will hopefully help you decide if self-publishing is right for you. Keep in mind that there are several options to publishing your book – from self-publishing through your own company to going through a publishing house. Whatever avenue you take, plan on making a 110% personal commitment in order to make your project a success.

Pros:

- Maintain copyrights to your book

- Maintain full control of your project, including the cover design, title and release date

- Earn 100% of profits from books sold

- Avoid the process of sending query letters to publishing houses (and rejection responses you may receive)

- Pick and choose what events and venues are right for you and your book

- Many of the expenses for book production are tax deductible (Keep your receipts)

Cons:

- Incur all costs of book production, promotion and travel expenses

- Responsible for securing a book distributor or negotiating deals with individual bookstores (this task may be difficult depending on your genre)

- Must manage all aspects of the publishing business, including billing/ collecting on past due book retailer accounts

Ways to Cut Corners on Costs:

- Utilize a user friendly word processing program (i.e. Microsoft Word) and take advantage of the grammar/spell checks and text layout tools

- Join a writers group to assist with proofreading and editing

- Keep your cover simple: Not only are graphics intensive covers time consuming and costly to print, sometimes they are distracting and actually turn customers away

- Borrow industry books from your local library to review instead of or prior to purchasing

Take this info as a heads up from a self-publisher who knows how to publish a book on a limited budget. Your book is done and you should be proud – now get to publishing.

More from the Author:

Thursday, March 23rd – lily will be a featured artist at the Love Movement Poetry Event at Viento Y Agua Café and Gallery in Long Beach, CA

Saturday, March 25th – Join lily and a panel of author’s at the Vermont Square Library in Los Angeles, CA to discuss all aspects of getting your book published – From self-publishing to going through a mainstream publishing company. Q&A session and book signing after the workshop.

Be on the lookout for lily’s article “Erase All Doubt” being released in the Spring issue of CYH Magazine (www.cyhmagazine.com).

For more information about lily, her book “girl Child (The Transition – In Poetic Form)” or upcoming events visit www.mamaincense.com/Publishing.htm.

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