Publishing

What’s the difference between self-publishing and a vanity press?

Last week we looked at what is a vanity press – so let’s take a look at the differences between a vanity press and self-publishing your book.

020717Vanity Press Recap:

  • You pay them to publish your book
  • They use an ISBN number that belongs to them
  • The vanity press takes a percentage of the cover price
  • Strict rules your book must adhere to
  • You’ll probably be charged for changes
  • You will have to buy (and sell) copies of your book
  • They may or may not own the rights to your book

When you self-publish your book, all the rights are yours and so are all the profits. You completely own the work – and have all the business decisions like title, cover design, internal layout, sales price, and marketing.

In an article from Dave Bricker, he says:

Self-publishing is difficult. The writer is tasked with finding qualified editing and design resources, handling administrative chores like ISBN and copyright registration, managing the production of the book, choosing print and distribution partners, and marketing the finished product. However, this path offers control over both creative aspects of the work and business strategy.

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What is a Vanity Press Publisher? (And is it a good idea?)

Just this week (Hello, it’s ONLY Tuesday) I’ve had to explain TWICE what a vanity press publisher is. So I thought it was high time to make sure you know too!

When you’re looking to publish your book, you have three choices:013117-Barcode

  • Traditional
  • Self
  • Vanity (also called subsidy)

In my numerous chats with clients, many of them have no clue what vanity press is – or what they get when they use a vanity publisher.

Here’s a rundown:

  • You pay the vanity press to publish your book. This fee may include editing, formatting, cover design, and maybe even some marketing.
  • The vanity press (usually) uses an ISBN number that is in their catalog of books. That means that they are the publisher of record. Sometimes you can pay extra for an ISBN of your own.
  • When a book is sold, the vanity press takes a cut. How much they take varies!
  • The vanity press sets the cover price – and you don’t have much say in it.
  • Vanity publishers might also have strict rules about the book’s cover and title. They want it to fit in with the other books in their catalog – regardless of what might be best for your book.
  • You’ll most likely be charged for changes. If you need to make an adjustment to the text of the book you probably can – but they’ll charge you for it!
  • Expect that you’ll be forced to buy copies of your book – maybe thousands of them. Often the contact with a vanity press has one fee for publishing and then a second, mandatory clause that says that you’re required to purchase a certain number of books.

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How to Write a Killer Book Title

Your title is the single most important part of your book. Period.

Whew! I said it. Finally.

011017-killertitleI work with authors every day. And I wish that more of them would spend more time working on their book’s title. Or at least listen to my years of hard-won knowledge about what makes a title work and what makes a title a flop.

Public Service Announcement: This article is about titles for non-fiction books!

Sure, your cover is critical, but it’s not as important as your title.

To get more book sales, you MUST have a clear benefit in your book's title. Click To TweetToo many authors think that cutesy is the same as effective.

Or that eye-grabbing is the same as effective.

Or that sensational is the same as effective.

Or that a play-on-words is the same as effective.

Do you see where I’m going with this?

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3 Questions to Ask Your Self-Publishing Service

110816-champagneYour book is finally done and it’s time to start looking at your publishing options. Yippee! I give you full permission to break out the champagne and celebrate. You’ve earned it!

And now back to business…

Some quick statistics to put your mind at ease about self-publishing:
(these are all about eBooks – but that’s okay!)

  • The Big Five traditional publishers now account for only 16% of the e-books on Amazon’s bestseller lists.
  • Approximately 1,064,000 Kindle eBooks are sold per day
  • 42% of all those books are independently (i.e. self) published

And the last stat you might be interested in… the “Big Five” traditional publishing houses are dwindling. What started out as the “Big Seven” when I started my publishing journey has changed. The Internet seems to be torn right now as to if they’re the Big Five or the Big Four but one fact remains: self-publishing (indie publishing) is taking over.

Is traditional publishing dead? New stats show that self-publishing is taking over! #publishing Click To Tweet

Whew! Now that we’ve covered that, I firmly believe that while you can self-publish your book, that doesn’t mean you should take the DIY route. Self-publishing means that you, the author, retain control of the rights, the marketing, and major publishing decisions. You can retain this control without learning how to code eBooks or set up beautiful layouts for print books!

When you’re choosing a company to help you self-publish your book, there are three things you need to evaluate before signing a contract and making a payment.

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What I’m Learning from the 2nd Annual Brew Your Book Telesummit – Part 2

092016-bybsummitAs more and more people are getting excited about the summit, I’m getting more excited too! (And it doesn’t help that I’m finding all types of goodies to send to the early signups too!)

We start next week but you don’t want to wait to register for this event. I’m sending out all types of yummy bonuses (like coloring sheets!) to make sure you’re really excited and can get the most out of the event.

The event is being held live, September 27 – 29. That’s three FULL days of training, stories, and advice from published authors to help you go beyond percolating on your idea and FINALLY write your book.

Dreaming of writing a #book? The time is NOW. Start with the experts on the Brew Your Book Summit http://brewyourbook.com Click To Tweet

I wanted to share a “sneak peek” with you – and invite you to register!

Did you see last week’s “sneak peek”? Check it out here!

Leonie Dawson

2-6leoniedawsonbIf you’ve ever thought, “I can’t write because I’m sick” then THIS is the interview you need to hear. Leonie Dawson shares how when she was very ill while pregnant with her second child (hyperemesis gravidarum) and was only NOT throwing up for a few hours a day she STILL managed to write over 50,000 words. Leonie brings her powerful Aussie wisdom to the Brew Your Book stage with no holds barred and lots of love, wisdom, and a powerful message.

 

2-7jonathanchristianJonathan Christian

Jonathan never learned to type AND his brain can move faster than his hand – so handwriting isn’t viable either! But he never let that stop him as he continues to write and share his story. Since Jonathan is also a social media expert, his interview is peppered with great tips for Facebook – to help you get more engagement and readers!

Hear book writing secrets from @jdgem on the Brew Your Book Summit starting 9/27! #BrewYourBook Click To Tweet

2-8bibapedronBiba Pedron

The story of how Biba was able to write her first book, while still running a very successful international business, shows that writing a book is doable no matter how busy you think you are. And remember, English isn’t Biba’s first language (she’s French) so she was also writing in a foreign tongue. She shares exactly how she created a plan to write her books and have it edited and structured so English-speaking natives could absorb the great information.

2-8mellissarempferMellissa Rempfer

Do you feel like you can’t write a book because you’re not a “writer”? Then THIS is the interview you need to listen to! Mellissa had an identity that said “I can’t write” – and she let her “identity” get in her way. It was self-identifying sabotage. She realized that if she’s writing status updates on Facebook, yes, she IS a writer. Find out exactly how she was able to re-write her mental story so her words could get onto the page and transform the readers.

 

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What I’m Learning from the 2nd Annual Brew Your Book Telesummit – Part 1

091316-bybsummitpromoIn 2015 I realized a HUGE goal of mine: to host a telesummit. It is a ton of work to get all the speakers lined up, the interviews scheduled, copy written, and making sure all the technology wants to play nice.

But it is oh-so-worth it!

The words of wisdom from my 13 experts have REALLY inspired me to step up my game – both professionally in my writing and also with making sure the WORLD knows about this event.

Dreaming of writing a #book? Find out how on Brew Your Book Summit starting 9/27! #BrewYourBook Click To Tweet
The summit is September 27 – 29, 2016. That’s three FULL days of training, stories, tips, and advice from published authors to help you STOP percolating on your book and FINALLY write it!

I wanted to share a “sneak peek” with you and invite you to register!

Esther Hatfield Miller

1-2estherhatfieldmillerEsther is a contributing author in an anthology (yes, that is STILL being a published author!) She wowed me when she mentioned she was able to write her chapter in just three days! Esther shares some powerful details about her writing practice – including writing longhand first. She goes deep into some must-know tips about shedding shame so you can write without fear. Not to mention how to not self-edit along the way!

 

Loren Fogelman1-3lorenfogelman

Loren used a ghostwriter to help her craft her book. Remember, it’s still YOUR message, even if it’s not YOUR fingers on the keys! She shares how writing her book – and using a ghostwriter – has really changed things for her personally and professionally. Loren’s transformation from writer to published author is moving and shows just how many lives can be touched through a book!

Learn how @lorenfogelman wrote a book for her business on the #BrewYourBook Summit. http://brewyourbook.com/ Click To Tweet

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Do Book Bonuses Increase Sales? 4 Tips for Great Bonuses

I received an email from a client recently asking my opinion on adding additional content into her book project. Her manuscript is nearly done and she wanted my advice on adding in some additional chapters with resources, tips, and a “plan” to follow.

I suggested against it.

Oh! Did I surprise you? Let me explain:

If you're offering a bonus with your book, make sure it's on track! #amwriting Click To Tweet

In the industry where she works (health coaching) it is a very common practice to add several bonuses to the main offer. The thought is that you’ll come for the meat of the topic (main offering) but stay for the potatoes, salad and dessert (bonuses).

070516-PileofBonusesAfter all, when you buy a program for $997 and ALSO receive $2,000 worth of related bonuses you really feel like you got a lot of bang for your buck, right? The thought is that you’ll come for the meat of the topic (main offering) but stay for the potatoes, salad and dessert (bonuses).

But that doesn’t always translate from the online sale of information to the sale of books through Amazon. In the book publishing world, this “add in a ton of “value” with bonuses” approach often backfires.

Your reader purchased your book for a very specific reason; they were looking for a very specific solution. Offering them more than what they came for usually doesn’t scream “BONUS INFO! This author really knows her stuff!”

It says:

“This author couldn’t figure out how to stay on topic!”
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