Early-on she decided when the book is finished, she wants to self-publish. Now that I am going the traditional route after having self-published my first book, she asked me my opinion.
I share with you here what I shared with her. The following is based on first-hand experience having:
1) self-published Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple, my first book, and on what I have observed of clients and friends who have gone that route
2) having been invited into the traditional realm and now, working with Adam's Media a traditional, east coast publisher who will release The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of the Universal Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (which is now available for pre-order!) this October and on what I have observed of clients and friends who have been published by a traditional publisher
Comparison:
Self-publishing: the book can be written and published in a day.
Traditional publishing: the process takes longer
Self-publishing: you make all the choices about content
Traditional publishing: you work in partnership with an editor who keeps in mind the publisher's style
Self-publishing: you make all the choices about the layout and the cover design
(This is only as far as I am in the process with Adam's Media so the rest of my points are based solely on what I have gleaned through friends and family and clients who have been published through the traditional route)
Traditional: a team approach where your choices are based on a contractual agreement and respect
Self-publishing: you make all the choices about printing and distribution
Traditional publishing: this is your time to begin writing your next book
Self-publishing: you send out review copies
Traditional publishing: this is your time to fully walk into you part of the promotional, marketing and pr for the book
Self-publishing: you incur all the costs up front
Traditional publishing: you pay no expenses
Self-publishing: you earn all the profits
Traditional publishing: you earn royalties based on a contractual agreement
For my client: The sudden idea to perhaps query agents instead of self-publishing her book as she has had planned all along is simply another form of procrastination and sure to yank her off course.
I say, finish writing your book!
For tips about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay, visit Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. A directory of all the steps to the series is to the right of this post. Enjoy!
