FAQs

I’m ready to get my book published but I’m not sure where to start. What are my options?

When it comes to publishing, there are basically two options.

  • Option 1 – Traditional (mainstream) publishing.

As many authors have found, getting published this way takes a great deal of commitment. The various steps and stages along the way include: shopping around for an agent, submitting your book proposal for representation, hiring the agent for a fee or percentage, and waiting anxiously as the agent shops around to find a publisher who will carry your book.

  • Option 2 – Self-publishing.

Self-publishing, once a relatively obscure practice, is becoming one of the most time-efficient, cost-effective, and desirable ways to get your finished book published and out to bookstores, libraries, and your audience (if you choose the right self-publisher).  There are really only two steps you should take along the way.  First, research the various self-publishers and what they have to offer. Second, pick one that can help you get your book published as well as distributed.

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of publishing through a traditional, mainstream publisher?

Perhaps the most compelling advantage to having your book published by a mainstream publisher is your lack of financial investment. Although it will cost you money to shop for an agent, once you have one who has found a publisher interested in your book, you will receive some type of advance prior to publication and royalties once enough copies have been sold to repay your advance.  However, many authors have found that sometimes the disadvantages of having your book published by a mainstream publisher outweigh the lack of financial investment. Besides the fact that over 90 percent of the books that are published in the US each year DO NOT earn back their advance, here are some disadvantage you should know:

Disadvantages of Traditional Publishing:

  • You will have to produce a professional book proposal to submit to agents prior to finding a publisher to print it.
  • Most mainstream publishers no longer have an editorial staff , so you will be expected to have your manuscript professionally edited before they will publish it.
  • You will have little or no control over your book’s layout, title, cover design, and number of copies printed.
  • It will take at least two years to see your book in a bookstore, and unless marketing, promotion, and distribution are done well, it may end up in the bargain section before it has a chance to shine.
  • You can’t know in advance how long it will take to sell enough books to pay back your advance and start receiving royalty fees.
  • The marketing and public relations (PR) efforts by your publisher are traditionally focused on the first ninty days of your release.  Promotion after that is up to you.

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing?

Although there are many advantages of self-publishing, here are a few our authors tell us are most important to them:

  • Total control over content, layout, and cover design.
  • A choice as to how many books are run the first time and subsequently, as demand for your book grows.
  • A distribution channel that is formulated on your target market to insure greater interest and greater sales.
  • Help with editing, copywriting, and proofing to produce a well-written and well-told story whether fiction or non-fiction.
  • Internal and external resources for promotion, public relations, and marketing to maximize how long your book stays in the public eye and on book shelves, not the clearance table.
  • Quick turnaround that gets your book, when ready, printed in approximately ninty days.
  • All profits from sales after your costs directly going to you because there is no advance to pay back.

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What are your thoughts about print on demand (POD) versus printing a predetermined number of books?

Book Publishers Network has rarely recommended print on demand to authors. Of course, there are some exceptions. For example, if you are writing a family history book that is only for your immediate family members and not intended for distribution or sale to bookstores, libraries, etc., print on demand may be effective.

It is important to know that print on demand books cannot be distributed through traditional book wholesalers, and bookstores don’t like them because they cannot be returned. If you are looking for a smaller run of one hundred copies or so, why not consider a short run produced by us?  And a longer run, when you sell out of those?
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How do I protect the copyright of my book?

Protecting your book and your hard work is critical.  Two simple steps can protect your content, your sanity, and your financial investment. First, include the word “copyright” the year, and your name on the bottom of every page of your book in a small font. You can do this easily by utilizing the header and footer selection of your word processing software and including it in the footer so it will appear on every page.

Second, send a copy of your book to yourself in the mail and DO NOT OPEN IT.  Every time you make major revisions, repeat this procedure to insure you have a new, unopened copy of your manuscript.
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What makes a book successful?

The key ingredient to a successful book is publicity, publicity, and more publicity. Our owner, Sheryn Hara, once had the opportunity to ask Mark Victor Hansen why the Chicken Soup series was so successful.  He commented that the author, Jack Canfield, would not go to bed until he had completed at least one publicity effort or event that day.  I suppose it’s no surprise that he and Canfield said the same thing in an article in Small Publishers magazine.  Now that’s true commitment, and the results are undeniable.

Although we do not hold our clients to such high requirements, we do encourage them to do everything within their power to help get the word out about their book.  Are you willing to be the primary spokesperson for your book?  We know our authors are the best sales people for their books.  To insure your book is well received, and purchased, you must be willing to do what it takes to promote it.  This means a commitment of time, energy, and effort.  If you’re not willing to publicize and promote your book, it’s pretty much guaranteed,  it won’t be successful.
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What makes a successful self-published book?

At Book Publishers Network, we look and evaluate four important criteria to help you produce a successful self-published book.

  • Is there another book that’s already been published that’s similar to yours? If yes, how is yours different, and why would a customer buy your book versus, or in addition to, theirs?
  • What is the market for your book? The market must be clearly and easily defined. By honing in on potential target markets, you increase the odds of reaching the people who will buy your book.
  • Are you willing to put forth the time, energy, and financial investment to create a quality product? 
  • Are you willing to be the primary spokesperson for your book?  You are the best salesperson for your book and if you’re not willing to publicize and promote your book, then it won’t be successful.

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Why should I use Book Publishers Network to publish my book?

Book Publishers Network is really a hybrid in the publishing world.  We help you produce the best possible product, assist you with solid distribution, and provide you with methods, tools, and resources to publicize your book.  Your book is published under the Book Publishers Network imprint, and since our books have won numerous awards, we are not perceived in the book world as being a self-publisher.

By aligning yourself with our imprint, you won’t be associated with self-publishing in the traditional sense.  Most important, our authors are satisfied clients who know first-hand that we are committed to going the extra mile to help them become the successful authors they always dreamed of being.  Just read some of the testimonials on our Web site and you’ll hear first-hand why they enjoy working with us.
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How can Book Publishers Network help me get my book published?

Book Publishers Network is in the business of helping authors/writers get their books published. From start to finish, we can help you with:

  • Editing
  • Cover design
  • Text layout
  • Print management
  • Inventory storage
  • Distribution
  • Marketing, promotion, and publicity

Tell us what you need, and we can provide you with all of the tools and expertise you want to create your finished book and get it out to the people who want to purchase and read it.
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Why do I need your help with editing?

Rarely do we see a manuscript that does not need some editorial assistance.  Having your mother, your English teacher, and your best friend “edit,” although wonderful, doesn’t count when it comes to publishing, unless of course they earn a living editing completed manuscripts.  Most books do require professional editing, even if it is minimal.
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What is manuscript development versus copy editing?

Manuscript development ensures the dialog, action, characters, etc. make sense from one scene (chapter, paragraph, line, or whatever) to the next. Sometimes, authors are too close to their writing to notice that some important elements are missing to make the story line cohesive and easy to navigate. A good editor, well versed in manuscript development, can identify potential traps and provide you with the wording or suggestion for a little more detail to ensure your story and reader stay on track. Copy editing specifically focuses on grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes and not on the story line. At Book Publishers Network, our editors do both.
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What are some of the most common writing mistakes?

Let’s face it, there isn’t a single author alive who can write the perfect manuscript. Sometimes you are so focused on the story, the details get lost.  Here are some of the most common writing mistakes we see and help you with.

  • Inconsistency
  • Grammar/syntax/punctuation
  • Mixing first, second, and third person
  • Using the passive rather than active voice

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What makes a potential customer consider buying my book?

There are several factors that contribute to whether a book is simply reviewed or purchased. A potential buyer is drawn to:

  • Cover design
  • Title of the book
  • Back cover, including testimonials
  • Table of contents
  • Layout of the text
  • Spine when it is upright on a shelf

In a good book, the editor and publisher have given considerable attention to these details. If they are not considered in the final product, the odds are good the book will never go any further than the shelf it resides on.

A survey conducted by the New York Times on how people buy books found that:

  • Potential book buyers pull a book off the shelf because the spine is eye-catching.
  • Eight seconds are spent on reviewing the front cover and thirty seconds on the back cover.
  • If they are still interested, potential buyers will then thumb through the book and spend some time on the table of contents.

In other words, a decision to buy or not buy that book is probably made in less than one minute. That’s why a good design and clever execution are critical to getting your book on the shelf and into the bags of book buyers across the country.
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Why is distribution important to the success of my book?

If your goal is to have your book available through the book trade (book stores and libraries), it is critical that it is distributed by major wholesalers (Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Partners, Quality, Unique, etc.).  If you are new to the book publishing arena, you will not be able to get this kind of distribution by yourself.

Ingram, for example, will only work with publishers who have more than ten titles. Ingram is the main distributor to all bookstores and libraries.
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What is the difference between a wholesaler and a distributor?

A distributor is exclusive. In other words, if you have a contract with a distributor you will have only ONE distributor, such as Independent Publishers Group, that will then sell to the wholesalers.  In essence, you are putting another layer in the sales of your book.  Wholesalers typically will take a 55 percent  discount. Distributors, on the other hand, may take 62-65 percent and will require you to spend a certain amount on a yearly basis for advertising and inclusion in their catalog.
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Does Book Publishers Network have distribution for its clients?

We have a strategic relationship with Danforth Book Distribution, which distributes our books to all of the major wholesalers.
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How many copies should I have printed when I self-publish?

At Book Publishers Network, we recommend that our clients print 2,500 books with their first printing.  This is the minimum number to ensure you have enough books: first, to distribute to bookstores, libraries, gift shops, etc.; second, when you start promoting your book through author appearances, readings, and signings; and third, for distribution to targeted reporters, radio and television producers, and book reviewers.

Once you are close to running out of your first-run books, we can help you determine the size of your next run.
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How do I get started working with Book Publishers Network?

Please look at the submission guideline on the Web site.  Then, contact us via phoneor email.  There is no charge for the initial consultation.  We will then provide you with a proposal that will outline the fees involved, as well as estimated revenue projections, should you choose to hire us as your publishing partner. We hope you will!
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For more information contact:

Sheryn Hara – Publisher
Book Publishers Network
P. O. Box 2256
Bothell, WA 98041

Phone: 425-483-3040 or 988-483-3040

Email: sherynhara@bookpublishersnetwork.com

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