Some Self-Publishing Brass Tacks

Thanks to the wonderful world of technology, it’s easier than ever to get your own work published. You join the ranks of the Indie Authors. There’s more than a few ways to accomplish the production of a book using one of the many venues for eBook and print book creation. Just search for the subject on the Internet and be prepared for pages and pages of results.

Some people look to companies to format their works, design the book covers, and get them out to the masses. Others, like me, do the formatting of the manuscript and cover creation on their own. It’s a huge amount of work that takes a great deal of time and is sometimes frustrating, but cost-effective if you’re operating on a shoestring budget.

Many do-it-yourselfers then utilize the publishing services of Kindle Direct Publishing for eBook and, until recently, Create Space for print. Create Space is merging with KDP. This route is not the only game in town to be sure, and I’ve barely even scratched the surface of what’s involved.

I want to broach the subject of those companies that will do everything for your book except write it. This can be a pretty expensive way to go. Some companies are legitimate and supply what they promised with no surprises after you contract with them. Unfortunately, there are those that aim to get every penny they can squeeze out of you. On top of that, you may be left with an inferior product and broken promises after you’ve paid your hard-earned money.

Be extremely careful if you’re considering going with a business that will do everything after your manuscript is written. Research the companies: look for reviews, check the Better Business Bureau, and ask other writers if they have any experience or knowledge regarding the company you’re considering. Make sure you know all the services and corresponding fees involved up-front. Don’t set yourself up for a rude awakening. Definitely don’t take everything at face value. If you have any doubts or unanswered questions, don’t sign on the dotted line, so to speak. In a perfect world, businesses would have our best interests in mind, but this isn’t a perfect world.

Pamela K. Kinney, my friend and an author in her own right, shared a link for resources on this subject with me, and now I’m sharing it with you: Scam Busting.

Happy Writing!