Publishing

But are there any disadvantages to self publishing? There are indeed disadvantages that a person should know before they engage in their projects. Here are a few that may help someone decide if self publishing is right for him or her.

Perhaps the foremost issue is the actual cost of self publishing. The endeavor may surprise writers since the bill could reach in the tens of thousands. Getting started may cost you at least $3,000 minimum. There are publishing costs that you’d have to front because you don’t have the scalability as large corporations. Since the self-published book is unlikely to have the same sales as a John Grisham novel, the project will incur larger costs per print.

As such, there are risks on not getting your investment back with a self published book. If you’re in a project to make a profit with your sales, you may need to spend time to consider the financial implications.

There are resources required for marketing. This means time and money will be needed to work on the project. The costs will vary based on the type of advertising campaign. Moreover, you will need to spend time advertising or consulting with an advertising consulting firm. There will be some degree of resources need to even move or ship the books to locations.

Another disadvantage is that a self-published book won’t hold the same credibility or prestige as a book published by a major firm. Depending on the design or cover, some may think that the book was “home brewed.” Additionally, book reviewers may not consider the self published book to be worthy of a review. This equate to loss money since that’s advertising lost from the book review.

It’s also very unlikely you’ll get your book listed in major booksellers such as Borders, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.com. Because the book isn’t with a major publisher, it will be hard to get a bookseller to resell your work. The bookseller will not take you too seriously if you have a self published book—unless, of course, you’re a well know writer.

Publishing companies sometimes provide copyright services. A book from a major publisher will always have a copyright. On the flip side, a self published writer will need to be concerned on copyright and other legal issues relating to the book. Such a writer may need to hire a lawyer to protect his or her own assets.

These are merely a few disadvantages to self publishing and they should not necessarily deter you from producing a self published book. Before you start the self publishing endeavor, consider all of the facts, including the advantages and disadvantages. By knowing the disadvantages, you’d be better prepared for what lies ahead.