Is self-publishing right for me?

Throughout this class we have learned all about self-publishing. My personal focus lay on book self-publishing. Although all the information provided was most helpful the question still remains whether or not self-publishing is the right option for any given author. Something I found very interesting is the fact that authors face the same quandary but for different reasons based on genre, market, resources, and such.

The research I conducted on the Internet lead me to a website that provides a very generic checklist that anyone can use to determine if self-publishing is right for him or her. The fact that is generic in nature makes it easy for any author to make good use of it no matter the genre.

Of course one advantage of self-publishing is that you get to keep the rights to the book if you choose to do so and get 100% royalties. These facts alone make it very appealing to the average author who is trying to put his or her work out there.

The website’s checklist appears very simple but in my opinion the questions it poses really put things in perspective. It basically helps you analyze each factor independently. For instance, you have to consider the market and ask yourself, is the market narrow and easily targeted? If you have a marketing strategy ask yourself if you have the time and energy to set things in motion and keep them going? If you do self-publish are you setting realistic goals in terms of profit and time marketing will take? In addition, you have to ask yourself some hard questions and try to be as objective as possible. For instance, you need to do some soul-searching and look at your work as the average reader would and ask whether or not you would read this material? If a professional opinion regards your work as average and not excellent ask yourself if you are considering self-publishing for egotistic reasons (writeservices.com, n.d.)?

Previously I have mentioned how important is to have a strong foundation when developing a business plan. Self-publishing is no exception. I strongly believe you have to have a well-thought out plan before even searching for the means to self-publish

           

Writer Services. (2003). Writerservices.com. Retrieved April 14, 2011

               From http://www.writersservices.com/wps/s_for_you.htm