This engrossing story of a traveling student is a collaboration between King Hurley and Graham Publishing Group.
You’ve heard the story. E.L. James self-published Fifty Shades of Gray and sold 250,000 copies before some really smart publisher took notice. John Grisham self-published his first book, and now he’s, well, John Grisham.
What did they do differently? What do successful self-published authors do that most self-publishing neophytes don’t do? What choices do they make? Do they hire good people or do it all themselves? Tough questions.
There is certainly some luck involved, to be sure, but there is also the matter of approaching it as professionally as possible. You have to emphasize your strengths. It’s about exposure. It is about creating an event.
Some people will argue that plunging into the mainstream publishing world remains your best bet for producing the “diamond-in-the-rough” bestseller. Others will argue that the mainstream publishing world has never successfully figured out how to produce a best-seller, it is mostly hit or miss, and the publisher gets all the glory when it does happen.
Self-publishing does have some quantifiable benefits. If you own all the rights to your book, there is certainly more money to be made from a percentage point of view. You can also take your book onto the foreign market and control the packaging.
There is no doubt that you will have control over both the content of your book as well as the design. It is certainly your job to make the content the best it can be, and this is true whether you self-publish or go the traditional route.
When you self-publish, your book is on the market within a month or two. When you go the mainstream route, count on a year or two.
Here is the key. Whether you self-publish or choose mainstream publishing, you have to build a platform. You have to do everything you can to get exposure. Social media, blogging, videos, PR. Don’t just tell people about your book and when it’s coming out. Create a dialogue. Demonstrate your voice and your perspective. Get your name out there without turning people off.
Lastly, believe in yourself. Don’t get discouraged. Think long term. Think action.
If you’d like professional help in writing and publishing your story, we’d be happy to help you at Graham Publishing Group. Visit us online at www.grahampublishinggroup.com, give us a call at 720-366-6401, or drop us an email.