Why 3 Sets of Eyes are Better Than One
I’m so excited! I am beyond proud to announce the addition of two new copy editors to our team. The addition of Tajah Ware and Tayler Otten offers myriad benefits to our editing and ghostwriting clients. Higher Degree of Quality and Precision Having Ware and Otten as part of the Pens & Proof team means every manuscript undergoes a more rigorous review process. With additional pairs of eyes on your book, we can identify and correct errors more efficiently, so you can move more quickly to the next step of your publishing journey. Diverse Perspectives Ware and Otten bring diverse perspectives and skill sets to editing to address nuanced issues and offer varied suggestions. This diversity will make your book more engaging and more refined. Specialized Expertise Each new editor brings their own experiences and expertise, ranging from grammar and style to structure and genre-specific knowledge. This specialization ensures that every aspect of your manuscript receives detailed and expert attention. More Personalized Attention The developmental editing offered by Pens & Proof already entails a high degree of personalized attention, and with a larger team, we’re narrowing our focus even further. The goal is to help authors grow and achieve their vision. Improved Consistency Maintaining a consistent voice and quality throughout a manuscript is critical. The addition of Ware and Otten means the steady application of high standards across all client projects. Community and Collaboration Ware and Otten are both committed to a collaborative experience for our authors. You will benefit from increased opportunities to engage with experts dedicated to helping you succeed and bring their ideas to life. Are you ready for your publishing journey? Schedule a call today!
Choose Your Path: Traditional, Self, or Hybrid Publishing
When your book is ready, you have a choice: traditional, self, or hybrid publishing. Each one offers a list of pros and cons, and I gathered them here so you can make the decision best for your publishing journey. Traditional Publishing Opting for traditional publishing means securing an agent, and you can start looking at publishersmarketplace.com. You’ll need a compelling query letter with details about your book and a brief bio. Once an agent takes you on, they’ll help navigate the complex world of publishing deals. In traditional publishing, companies like Random House or Simon & Schuster assume financial risks like design, printing, and distribution. As the author, you still need to invest time and effort, especially in building your author platform and attending promotional events. Financial Aspects: Advances and Royalties While we’ve heard of massive advances for established authors, but these are rare for new authors. Remember, advances aren’t free money; you’ll only earn royalties once sales exceed your advance. And with traditional publishers, royalties are typically 10 to 12%. Self-Publishing The self-publishing industry was worth $1.25 billion in 2022, and it offers a more direct route to publishing. Platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Ingram Spark provide various options, but require investments of both time and money. On the other hand, you’ll see royalties of 50 to 70%. Don’t overlook the necessity of an ISBN for each book version. This number is crucial for sales tracking and inventory systems. The Cost of Self-Publishing You could spend between $5,000 and $10,000 to self-publish your book. This covers layout, cover design, building a website with applicable sales pages, and marketing. Each step demands financial resources and dedicated time. Hybrid Publishing Hybrid publishing merges elements of traditional and self-publishing. You share costs with the publisher, enjoy greater creative control, and receive higher royalties than traditional publishing. Like the other options, though, marketing largely falls on your shoulders. Marketing Regardless of your publishing choice, marketing is critical to recouping your initial investment and making money on top of it. Even with traditional publishers, you will be responsible for marketing your book. Additionally, you need a website, social media presence, and possibly a team to assist with technical and promotional tasks. While traditional and self-publishing paths leave most marketing responsibilities to authors, hybrid publishers offer more support in this area. Final Thoughts Your choice of which publishing route is best for you largely depends on your resources, commitment, and the goals you have for your book. No matter if you choose traditional, self, or hybrid publishing, your success hinges on a comprehensive marketing strategy. If you have a book you want to see published, I’d love to help you get there. Reach out today.
6 Steps to Earning 6 Figures with Your Book
Writing a book can be one of the more lucrative ventures you absolutely should undertake. You have the opportunity to turn your expertise and experience into substantial income. If you are an entrepreneur, there really is no downside to writing a book about your zone of genius. Writing Writing your book doesn’t start with writing your book. First, you need to have an ideal reader in mind. Then, you need to know how your solution is the answer to their problem. Focus on how your knowledge of your topic resonates with your target audience. By sharing your command of the subject plus personal stories, you create the opportunity to connect with your reader. Now you can start writing. Begin with a first word, then a sentence, and now a paragraph. Keep going! Editing Editing is the most critical and the most expensive step of your publishing journey and for good reason. Your editor will catch grammatical and punctuation errors, understands sentence structure, and ensure consistency and congruency. Your editor makes sure your book meets industry standards and appeals to readers. Publishing After editing concludes, you move into publishing, and you have a choice: traditional or self publishing. There are pros and cons for each. Should you choose the traditional route, you need an agent who will shop your book to various publishers. There are significant benefits of having a publishing house’s support, such as carrying the cost of printing copies of your book and distribution on your behalf. Self-publishing, on the other hand, offers more control and higher royalties, but can require a substantial investment up front if you want to host book signing events and/or throw a launch party where attendees can buy copies of your book. Fun fact: Fewer than 40% of traditionally published authors are women or female-identifying while self-publishing features nearly 70% women or female-identifying authors. Marketing No matter if you choose traditional or self publishing, the lion’s share of the marketing sits squarely on your shoulders and is how you’ll sell your book. As Most of us already have an online presence, and you’ll want to put yours to work like never before. Build a website, leverage social media, use your business’s email list, create collaborations and partnerships with brands in your same lane, and network both in person and online. You should also collect reviews and testimonials from those who read your book prior to release and customers you’ve helped through your business (as long as the book is in alignment, of course). There is real power in this level of engagement. Public Relations Do not dismiss the power of proximity. I’m talking to service-based businesses, especially, who operate primarily online. We may serve clients who live on each coast and every point in between, but our next best client could be just across town. Reach out to you local TV stations, newspapers, and magazines. Send them a press release about your brand story, offer yourself as a subject matter expert about a current event, and, most importantly, send them a photo and/or a video with your release. Local reporters and busy and appreciate good content with news their viewers and readers can use. Monetization Your book opens the door to unlimited earning potential. In addition to royalties from book sales, you can command larger speaking fees, you can offer coaching and courses, you can leverage it as a business card for your personal and professional brands. Once you become a published author, you are considered an expert. This enhances your credibility and leads to consulting roles and/or higher-level job opportunities. Final thoughts Your well-executed book has the potential to significantly boost your profile and your income. Enrolling in a writing program, paying for an editor, and publishing your book is an investment in your personal and professional brands and a stepping stone to diverse revenue streams. If you’re ready to write your book, please schedule a call.
The Very Real Cost & Potential Benefits of Self Publishing
For self-publishing authors, the financial investment is considerable, and so is the potential benefit. Final costs might total between $8,000 to $10,000, but what you earn could be unlimited. Why such a significant outlay? Why is editing, in particular, such a costly step in the process? And how can you reap bigger rewards by investing in self publishing? The Vital Role of Editing Editing is much more than proofreading. You absolutely can ask your aunt who taught English for 30 years to read through your book to fix grammar and punctuation mistakes, but she’s not a professional editor who understands the need for clarity, coherence, consistency, and compelling narrative flow. Editors ensure that your voice is clear from the first page to the last. Moreover, editing acts as a safety net, catching potentially damaging errors that could compromise the book’s credibility and your brand reputation. The potential losses from an unedited or poorly edited book far outweigh the cost of professional editing. Breaking Down Self-Publishing Costs For those considering self-publishing, the financial journey is multifaceted. Here’s a breakdown: 1. Group Coaching Program ($2,000): Writing can be lonely, which is part of why it’s so hard to start AND finish writing a book. Participating in a group coaching program could help you craft your narrative, develop your voice, and provide a community where you feel supported. Your writing coach provides guidance, feedback, and mentorship and keeps you on track. 2. Editing ($5,000 for up to 20,000 words): Editing is the most important step in your publishing journey, and it’s also the most costly. For a manuscript of up to 20,000 words, authors might spend up to $5,000. This cost reflects the time, expertise, and depth of the editing process. Professional editors have a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of narrative structures, character development, and language nuances. 3. Formatting, Cover Design, and Publishing ($3,000): Once your manuscript is about as perfect as it can be, there are additional steps before your book reaches readers. The Benefits of Self-Publishing While the costs might seem prohibitive, there is a substantial upside to investing in self publishing. 1. A Growing Industry: Self-publishing is a $1.25 billion industry. This isn’t just a testament to the volume of self-published works but also indicates how much readers value diverse voices and narratives, which are too often unrepresented or overlooked in traditional publishing. 2. Empowering Women Writers: While traditionally published authors are represented by just 39% women, a majority — some 67% — of self-published authors are female. This indicates a broader shift towards inclusivity and the democratization of literature, allowing women to bypass traditional gatekeepers and reach audiences directly. 3. More Lucrative Option: Traditional publishers typically offer royalties between 10 to 12%, but self-published authors can earn between 50 to 70%. While self-published authors bear the initial costs, they stand to reap a greater share of the profits in the long run. I should also mention that marketing is what makes all the difference. Self-published and traditionally published authors both shoulder the responsibility of marketing their work. If you have a comprehensive marketing strategy that you work with due diligence and take intentional action to build a strong community, you could see significant deposits. 4. Complete Creative Control: Beyond finances and demographics, self-publishing empowers authors with complete creative control over their work. From the tone, style, and direction of your narrative to the book’s design and marketing approach, you make all the decisions. This autonomy ensures that the final product remains true to your vision. 5. Direct Engagement with Readers: Traditional publishing often places a buffer between authors and their audience. As a self-published author, you have the opportunity to cultivate direct relationships with your readers. Through social media, your personal blog, and sending regular communications to your email list, you receive immediate feedback, understand your readers’ preferences, and build a loyal fanbase. Final thoughts While the journey to self-publishing your book requires significant investment, especially for editing, it is a realistic and robust alternative to traditional publishing because it can lead you to unlimited earning potential. Readers today have more choices than ever before thanks to the flourishing self-publishing industry, and ensuring your book stands out for its quality and professionalism is essential. Investing in editing and the other facets of the self-publishing process underlines your commitment to your field and to your readers.