Here is a simple Evaluation Survey to help you decide What is right for your book.

What are your options for publishing a book? What are the advantages and disadvantages of Self-publishing vs. traditional publishing houses; are there any other alternatives?

Try this simple evaluation questionnaire and then read the summary below to see which option might suit you better.

Out of each section, choose the letter beside the statement that you think best suits you.

Content

1. I like to decide what my book looks like and the content, I don’t need any help
2. I would prefer someone else to give me advice after my input, help me with the cover design and formatting and marketing and I’m willing to pay for it all.
3. I do not want the responsibility; I’d rather someone else made the final decisions and look of the book and the content.  I’m happy to do as many edits as I’m told to do until I get it to the standard set by my publisher.
4. I would prefer someone else to give me expert guidance and I’m willing to work hard in partnership with them in return for their expert advice on the cover design, formatting and marketing.

Investment

1. I’d rather just pay for the printing of the book and outsource all the other services I need independently.
2. I’d like to pay a package price and choose from a menu, of the options I want to include to make sure the book looks professionally produced.
3. I don’t want to pay anything up front, I’m happy with a small royalty (usually 5%) when the book sells.
4. I don’t want to pay anything up front but I’m willing to work hard in partnership with the marketing of the book in return for high royalty payments (20-40%). I am willing to pay for professional coaching to present my proposal as professionally as possible to give me the best possible chance of being accepted.

Creative Control

1. I want to be my own boss and have my own business and make all the decisions
2. I like to be independent but I don’t want to handle everything, I’d like help with distribution, marketing and formatting.
3. I would rather have the security of being told what to do and what my book should look like, publishers are the experts, I’ll go where and when I am told.
4. I am willing to listen to expert advice on editing, cover design and title/subtitle and work with the publisher on marketing my book.

Sales and Marketing

1. I am willing to spend the time promoting my own book and organizing book signings and shows. I know it is up to me how many books I sell.
2. I am willing to pay for extra marketing services and opportunities and/or a publicist to promote my book
3. I don’t want to promote my book unless the publisher tells me to. I’d like my book to just be available in the book stores  I understand I may have to pay all my own travel/hotel costs as needed and go where I am told to go for book-signings/book shows – if/when my advance runs out.  I understand an advance is that, an advance on future sales.
4. I am willing to put time and effort into marketing my book but with expert advice.  I understand the way forward with making your book a best seller is with new internet marketing strategies and that it is difficult to have my book in the bookstores because of their policy of sale or return.  I am willing to responsible for my own travel costs to promote my book and to actively seek out speaking engagements and other publicity activity.

How did you do?

Now add up how many 1, 2, 3, and 4’s and look at the results below to see which would be the best publishing solution for your book.

The results:

• Answered mostly 4’s    The next generation Publishing 2.0
• Answered mostly 3’s    Traditional publishing house
• Answered mostly 2’s    Vanity-publishing/paid-for publishing
• Answered mostly 1’s    Self-publishing/print your own book

To understand the difference between these different types of publishers, and the pro’s and con’s for each, please now read parts two and three of this article

A seminar I presented recently at the San Francisco Writing for Change conference, addressed many of the issues raised by other speakers at the conference, and provided some solutions to writers. Here are some of the challenges which face writers when submitting proposals and some of the comments from editors, agents and publishers on those same challenges:

Editors Panel key points:

• “Many writers are not able to articulate what their book is about in a concise way.  Rambling means that the writer is unable to conceptualize and this will discourage an agent or editor.”
• “Often, we receive a proposal where the first 20 pages of their book seem more about the author explaining the story to themselves.”
• “If your material is too unripe you will never be able to get the attention of an agent, editor or publisher”, don’t expect to come to an agent and say “will this work?  We’re not in the business of re-imagining your work”
• “What do you promise your reader and are you fulfilling that promise?”
• “An educated author is a publisher’s greatest asset, pass your work through an expert first, team up with authors who have already published.  The author needs a platform and to make a business case for their book”
• “Your book is not the frontline, it is the author themselves that sell the book, you have to prove your ability to promote your book, your book should be a believable extension of what your are already an expert at, the author is the publishers agent”
• “70% of books published don’t earn back their advances, now days the promotion plan is more important than the content, we’d like to see more authors test marketing their own books using Print on Demand publishers”
• “Self-publishing is not the kiss of death, if an author has proven themselves and is at a highly polished level we would never turn down a successful author”
• “Often a manuscript falls apart because the writer isn’t ready, become a scholar, get help to get it right!”

Would you like to be published by a mainstream New York Publishing house?  Want to know the secret to getting your manuscript considered?

Carefully follow the submission guidelines, here is an example from Morgan James Publishing in New York:

You need to answer all these questions

• Why do you feel compelled to write this book?
• Why will someone want to read it?
• Is there a particularly timely nature of the subject area?
• What are the specific benefits of your book?
• How do you plan on marketing the book?

You must mention any:

• workshops
• teleseminars
• speaking events which will give you the opportunity to sell back of room
• newsletters
• networking groups
• websites where you can sell your book

Now describe the contents of your book in plain English. Be as precise as possible, providing both a general overview and a rundown of subjects treated in detail. Indicate how in-depth your coverage will be.

We all have a book inside of us, but for so many, time, money and a general lack of understanding of the publishing industry stops us from even starting the process.

Back in 1998 when I left England and started my journey around the world, I promised my 92-year-old grandma I would write letters to her every 2 weeks.  The next time she saw me was in 2001 when I came back for a visit.  She presented me with a suitcase full of my letters and postcards and told me “now write that book”

That planted the seed that maybe I could write a book, even though I had no writing qualifications.  I did not consider myself to be particularly good at grammar or spelling, but everyone kept telling me I had an interesting life and it would make a good book.  Anyway, I had heard how difficult it was to get your book published as a first time author and that seemed like a lot of hard work.

While I procrastinated my Grandma continued to receive my letters and I continued to travel.

In April 2005 I attended a workshop in Singapore on “how to write your book” and that turned out to be the inspiration and motivation I needed to get me started!  By the end of 2005 I was at the final editing stage and by Feb 2006 I self-published my book.I dedicated my book “A seven year journey around the world – discovering my passion and purpose” in memory of Bea, my grandma who inspired me to write my book.  Not only did she pass away before she saw the book in print, she didn’t even get to know I had actually started work on it, thanks to her.

Don’t let this happen to you!  Write your memoirs before its too late, write that fiction book you’ve been dreaming about, write that business book to promote your business and give you credibility, put all those poems and essays into a book, turn your thesis into a book!  Just start.

Remember, you don’t have to be an expert at grammar or spelling or sentence structure, that is what editors are for!  It is just up to you to tell your story from the heart and get started and take the time to educate yourself with the many resources available to make the task  easy and enjoyable!

How will your story make a difference to others?

I hope to inspire some of you to realize the gift hidden within you and give you the tools you need to spread that message and give new ideas and knowledge to make this world a little better for everyone. If you have a unique gift or ability, a book is the easiest way to spread that message to as many people as possible.

I would like to share with you the stories of some of the authors who I have helped to recognize their gift and spread the “word” with their published book.

One of those authors, Annie Hopper, has discovered a cure for Fibromalgia, MSC and Chronic pain syndrome and she is sharing her story to help other sufferers so that they can learn how she cured herself.  She hopes that if one sufferer can find a cure by reading her book, she has been successful in reaching out to other people who are going through the pain of the illness that once made her homeless.  Annie also offers workshops and since writing her book she has been able to spread her message to a much wider audience by giving radio interviews and being featured in the press.

Dr Daniel Scott is helping people to self-defend themselves in the workplace from verbal abuse with his book “Dr. Scott’s Verbal Self Defense for the Workplace.” He demonstrates how Neuro Linguistic Programming can be used against the workplace bully. His book will guide the reader through a detailed process of learning and practicing all the skills necessary to verbally defend themselves effectively in a professional manner. The exercises will include learning how to properly consider other people’s perceptions while still respecting and adhering to their own personal morals and principles, all within the structure and expectations of the company. Dr. Scott’s Verbal Self Defense for the Workplace is written primarily for general office workers and service industry staff; anyone who deals with individuals that become angry or confrontational with an organization’s employees and volunteers. He is providing a service to other people by helping them to overcome workplace bullying, something many of us have been the victim of. More information on this book at www.VerbalSelfDefenseBook.com

Another example of a book that was written to help other people is “Care of the Caregiver” It is an easy-to-follow and practical working guide to help families and friends navigate the vital details of everyday life while caring for a loved one at home during a chronic or debilitating illness. When Lynn Longmuir’s husband Niall was diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis in 1996, Lynn gradually found herself in a full time care-giving role with limited resources and no way of knowing how to deal with her own grief and pain. Taking care of someone you love is difficult and taking care of yourself in the process, without help, is practically impossible. After discovering how difficult to access and few resources existed for caregivers, she dedicated herself to ensuring that others in her situation have both the practical and emotional tools to be strong for themselves and their loved ones. Lynn is able to bring a voice of experience and compassion to this important topic. She can be found at www.CareForTheCaregiver.ca

Many entrepreneurs I know are inspiring and helping other entrepreneurs by offering insightful business leadership tools, sharing their knowledge to help. So ask yourself now…

• How will your story help others?  How can you be of service to others with your book?
• How can you help other people with the knowledge and experience you have?
• How can you best get that knowledge across so it is easy for the reader to understand?

How will your story make a difference to others?

I hope to inspire some of you to realize the gift hidden within you and give you the tools you need to spread that message and give new ideas and knowledge to make this world a little better for everyone. If you have a unique gift or ability, a book is the easiest way to spread that message to as many people as possible.

I would like to share with you the stories of some of the authors who I have helped to recognize their gift and spread the “word” with their published book.

One of those authors, Annie Hopper, has discovered a cure for Fibromalgia, MSC and Chronic pain syndrome and she is sharing her story to help other sufferers so that they can learn how she cured herself.  She hopes that if one sufferer can find a cure by reading her book, she has been successful in reaching out to other people who are going through the pain of the illness that once made her homeless.  Annie also offers workshops and since writing her book she has been able to spread her message to a much wider audience by giving radio interviews and being featured in the press.

Dr Daniel Scott is helping people to self-defend themselves in the workplace from verbal abuse with his book “Dr. Scott’s Verbal Self Defense for the Workplace.” He demonstrates how Neuro Linguistic Programming can be used against the workplace bully. His book will guide the reader through a detailed process of learning and practicing all the skills necessary to verbally defend themselves effectively in a professional manner. The exercises will include learning how to properly consider other people’s perceptions while still respecting and adhering to their own personal morals and principles, all within the structure and expectations of the company. Dr. Scott’s Verbal Self Defense for the Workplace is written primarily for general office workers and service industry staff; anyone who deals with individuals that become angry or confrontational with an organization’s employees and volunteers. He is providing a service to other people by helping them to overcome workplace bullying, something many of us have been the victim of. More information on this book at www.VerbalSelfDefenseBook.com

Another example of a book that was written to help other people is “Care of the Caregiver” It is an easy-to-follow and practical working guide to help families and friends navigate the vital details of everyday life while caring for a loved one at home during a chronic or debilitating illness. When Lynn Longmuir’s husband Niall was diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis in 1996, Lynn gradually found herself in a full time care-giving role with limited resources and no way of knowing how to deal with her own grief and pain. Taking care of someone you love is difficult and taking care of yourself in the process, without help, is practically impossible. After discovering how difficult to access and few resources existed for caregivers, she dedicated herself to ensuring that others in her situation have both the practical and emotional tools to be strong for themselves and their loved ones. Lynn is able to bring a voice of experience and compassion to this important topic. She can be found at www.CareForTheCaregiver.ca

Many entrepreneurs I know are inspiring and helping other entrepreneurs by offering insightful business leadership tools, sharing their knowledge to help. So ask yourself now…

• How will your story help others?  How can you be of service to others with your book?
• How can you help other people with the knowledge and experience you have?
• How can you best get that knowledge across so it is easy for the reader to understand?