By the Book

On Self-Publishing with Southampton Author Phil Keith

By Tricia Rayburn

Q: Animus, your novel about a secret terrorist cell hiding out in Montauk's Camp Hero, was recently published by BookSurge. What was your path to publication?

A: Like most new authors, I diligently searched for an agent to represent me. I had a couple of connections and ran through my Rolodex, and also scoured the latest edition of Writer's Market. I prepared a killer cover letter, sample chapters, outlines; whatever the prospective agents wanted, I sent. The end result was a big fat zero. I then went after a selected group of publishers, but quickly discovered that publishers really do not want to talk to you unless you have an agent. I began to realize that writing was the easy part, and also started to wonder why I was beating my head against the wall. Eventually, I drew up my own sales and marketing plan, and shopped around for a good self-publisher. I also entered Amazon's "Breakthrough Novel Award" contest. Out of tens of thousands of entries, I won a third prize, which was a free publishing contract with BookSurge, Amazon's on-demand publishing partner. This saved me about $1.000 in initial self-publishing costs, and put the power of Amazon's site and their distribution system behind my book.

Q: How do you suggest new authors approach the self-publishing process?

A: First, do your homework - there are a growing number of self-publishers and some of them are very good, and some of them are very, very bad! Once you've narrowed it down, choose maybe three to five publishers. Sit down and carefully compare their services. Next, get your manuscript in the best possible shape; most publishers will help you format, but if there are a lot of typos, misspellings and grammatical errors you could end up paying extra for cleaning up something you could have done yourself. Last, be sure to pay attention to and clearly understand the submission requirements for your chosen publisher; this will save you time and money

Q: Do self-publishers provide editorial services?

A: A basic, mostly cursory editorial service is included in most self-publishing packages, but it will likely be less than what a really good editor would do.

Q: Can the author be involved in creative decisions?

A: Yes. Some authors leave it all up to the publisher (which will cost more money) and some are directly engaged. My publisher did very little creative; my brother designed the cover, and I chose type style, font size, format of the book, etc.

Q: What is the average cost for the author?

A: For a basic package with adequate services that will produce "Version 1.0" of your book, you should be prepared to spend $750 - $2,000, depending on benefits.

Q: How involved is the publisher post-release?

A: This can vary. Most self-publishers will offer posters, business cards, bookmarks, marketing plans, selling seminars, etc., but they are NOT going to get you book signings or interviews, give away promo copies, or distribute your books the way traditional publishers do. My publisher did get me in front of Kirkus, the industry's best known and most respected book-trade reviewer.

Q: Animus is on Amazon. How does distribution work?

A: Animus, indeed, is on Amazon, as well as BookSurge. BookSurge will also accept orders from bookstores, re-sellers, major chains, B&N, B. Dalton, etc., but they will NOT make those connections for the author. The big chains rely almost totally on major distribution companies like Ingram. Ingram has, however, started an on-demand division called Lightning Source; as soon as I finish hooking Animus to Lightning Source, B&N stores nationwide can order my book. And I have, of course, set up accounts with all the local bookstores. They buy directly from me and I order from BookSurge at my (lower) author's price.

Q: What should self-published authors do to get word out?

A: Plow your own field. Get yourself into local bookstores and libraries, get the local papers to do a review, get on local talk shows, give away copies to local authors, and join your local author's guild or book club.

Q: Overall, what do you think are the biggest benefits and challenges to self-publishing?

A: The biggest benefits are that you keep control - and copyright; you can make more money; you can publish what you want when you want; and you are riding the wave of the future of publishing. The biggest challenges are that you must be organized and have a plan (especially a marketing plan), and you are going to have to sell yourself and your product, which is not something everyone is comfortable doing.

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