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Choosing an e-Publisher That Is Right for You

Updated February 02, 2004 (Orig. Post Date: 11.01.02)
By Stephanee Killen

he e-publishing industry continues to expand, refining its services and production techniques as new technologies and competitors emerge. As the industry expands, authors will find an ever-increasing range of publishing, format, and contract options from which to choose. With this in mind, regardless of whether you are new to the publishing industry or to writing in general, there are several important questions you should address before signing a contract or paying a fee.

How "hands-on" do you want to be?
Almost all e-publishing companies will offer some level of pre-publication formatting for your manuscript. This means, getting your manuscript ready to print. Some may also offer to market your book and walk you through the process. Others may only offer you the space or tools to do the work yourself. Most likely, there will be at least some degree of work, which you will be required to do yourself (besides writing the book, of course). But the degree to which you must learn the industry can, in some part, depend on your preference and how much you are willing to pay for additional services.

It's a good idea to decide in advance how much you feel comfortable doing on your own. Keep in mind that the more professional the approach, the better your chances become of making a profit. Shop around to determine who will offer you the best service for the best price.

How e-savvy are you?
Some publishers, due to the nature of what they offer, require you to have or learn a variety of e-skills. This means trading in your typewriter for a computer and choosing a good word processing program. If you decide to publish electronically, it is a good idea to learn at least the basics regarding the medium. On the other hand, if you feel uncomfortable doing much more than that, you might want to consider a company that will handle the more technical end of the publishing process.

Some publishers, such as Universal Publishers, require you to submit an edited and formatted manuscript, while others, such as iUniverse, are a bit more flexible. Most will help you prepare your work, but be prepared for additional fees. This is especially true if your work is not yet in an electronic format.

Will you maintain rights?
Most of the larger, well-known e-publishers allow you to retain copyright. This means that you are free to submit your work to multiple places, get picked up by a traditional publisher, or have your work made into a movie. If you do encounter a publisher who will take over the rights to your work, make sure you fully understand the terms of the contract. If you're publishing to get initial exposure to agents or traditional publishers, maintaining copyright is a good idea.

What about royalties and retail price?
Before you sign, check into the company's retail pricing structure—and how much of that money will make its way back to you. If the publisher requires that your 400-page fictional paperback sell for $35, you might want to reconsider. Other publishers, such as Lulu, may allow you to set the retail price. If this is the case, make sure you are able to cover print costs while maintaining current book rates.

Make sure your royalty reflects the time and energy you put into the process. Royalty amounts can range from 20 - 60%. Have a clear idea of how the publisher will pay you and keep the records for your book sales. You will most likely be responsible for paying taxes on your sales, and you will want clear records. If receiving a monthly statement and payment is important to you, find out how often the company issues sales reports. Some publishers may only provide you with a quarterly report while others, such as Trafford Publishing, allow you access to your information over a secure website.

What about personal attention?
If you simply want print resources and a place from which to sell your book, you may not be as concerned with this factor. However, if you are new to the industry and want as much information as you can get, you will want to choose a company that won't shy away from answering your questions or walking you through the process. If you find it difficult to reach a live person when contacting a publisher, this may be an indicator that one-on-one service is not their strong point. Alternatively, see how quickly you can get an e-mail response to your questions.

What is a realistic timeframe?
This is tricky. The wheels of the publishing industry tend to run at an oftentimes excruciatingly slow pace. Now that you are finished with the book it may have taken you years to write, you will naturally find yourself wanting to hold the printed result in your hands as soon as possible. Unfortunately, writing the book may only be the halfway point. There may be a number of paths your work must take after that—a professional review, a copyedit, proofread, format, galleys, corrections, printing . . . it may begin to seem like a never-ending process.

Each publisher has its own lead-time. Be sure to find out how long, from start to finish, your novel will take. Often, the shorter the timeframe, the less the company may do to get your work printer-ready. If you are trying to publish your book in time for a particular season or event, be sure to give yourself no less than 4 - 6 months (not including edit time).

What are the available distribution types?
As technology expands, so, too, do the number of formats available. You may choose from e-books, print-on-demand (POD), audiobooks, and more. E-books can offer a variety of options, which traditional print books cannot, such as active links for non-fiction reference works, sound files, and animation. This is why it is a good idea to know the sales format you desire for your book prior to signing with a publisher. If you choose a publisher that only offers electronic distribution and you later decide that you would like to expand into POD, you might have to switch publishers and go through the whole process again—including paying new setup fees. Companies that offer a wide variety of formats may allow you to upgrade your service without charging you an additional setup fee.

Is there a specific market for your book?
Once you have completed your manuscript, you should be able to determine its market. If it is a work of fiction, determining the genre (whether it is science fiction, fantasy, mystery, romance, thriller, horror, etc.) may be important. Helping your work find its niche can be a useful tool in marketing later on.

As in the traditional publishing industry, certain publishers may sell certain types of work better than others. If you are publishing a technical work, you may wish to find a publisher who specializes in non-fiction. If a publisher does not specify what they accept, ask them what seems to sell the most.

Are there any perks?
With the advent of so many new e-publishers, some may offer incentives to get you to sign with them. Companies like 1stBooks may occasionally offer deals on distribution or other incentives for signing; others might offer you a certain number of free books for use as promotional tools. Other incentives could include free information on marketing or referrals to professionals who can help you with your manuscript. Keep in mind that as the industry grows, so, too, will the competition for your business.

Once you have determined what it is that you are looking for, do a search for e-publishers online. You can also use resources like your local library. Books such as the 2004 Writer's Market Online, published by Writers Digest Books, can be an excellent tool in directing you towards publishers. You can also check out our e-Publishers listing for a profile of selected e-publishers. (If you are interested in information regarding publishing short stories, check our listing of short story markets.)

Once you have chosen a few likely candidates, try to gather as much information about them as you can. Be sure to check out samples of their work (if provided). This should give you a good idea of what to expect. If you are considering POD, you may want to order one of their books as a sample. See how easy it is to order and how long it takes you to get it. Once you have it in your hands, review it closely. Imagine . . . this could be your book!

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