This intriguing mystery was a collaboration between Edward W. Wilson and Graham Publishing Group.
As company that provides self-publishing guidance and assistance to authors from Florida to New York, from North Carolina to Texas, from Colorado to California, we have come to recognize five essentials that we want all of our clients to be aware of. We are assuming that you’ve written that special novel, biography, business book, or self-help guide, or that you’ve hired a talented ghostwriter to assist you. If you’ve gotten that far and are ready to put your book out into the world of expectant readers, choose a publishing group that satisfies these five essentials.
Essential One: You are in control. There are lots of vanity presses out there who want your money first and your involvement not at all. This is not the way it is supposed to be. Your publishing team is just that: a team. And you are the key member of this team. You should have approval of every important step in the process, from copy editing to book cover design, from the interior layout of your book to the choice of font. You should approve of the printer, the distribution they offer, and the fulfillment process they use.
Essential Two: Keep it simple. If anyone tries to sell you on the vast complexities of the self-publishing process, be wary. Yes, you need expertise in designing your cover and satisfying all of the formatting issues for both your ebook and print book, but there is nothing in the process that is over your head, so don’t let anyone convince you there is.
Essential Three: Understanding the pricing. When we at Graham Publishing Group give our clients a quote, everything from copy editing and cover design to online marketing and upload fees are clearly stated. There should be no hidden costs in this process. Make sure you know what you’re getting every step of the way and what it is costing.
Essential Four. Expect Quality. No, this is not a given. Make sure the people helping with your publishing journey are top notch, and that they have plenty of examples of their work. It is an undeniable red flag is they don’t. You deserve a beautiful, highly professional book, both in print and electronically, and don’t let anyone pull the wool over your eyes.
Essential Five. Consider this a Business. Publishing your book is not something you do with rose-colored glasses on. Be thoughtful about where your book is distributed, how is it fulfilled, what you are pricing at and why, and how much you will be getting from each book sold.
If you have questions, we have answers at Graham Publishing Group.