Make Money by
Publishing a Book

Many people have written something they feel is good and even publishable. But when they presented it to a publishing firm, it was flatly rejected, perhaps more than once. It is very easy to get discouraged and wonder if trying to get it in print is worth it. Yet they feel what they wrote has a message they want to share with others.

If this is you, then one viable alternative is to self-publish your work. Here are some reasons to consider this investment. First, some publishers want what sells even if the subject is, to you, offensive. You want to stick with traditional themes that may not sell in today’s society. Perhaps your writing style is developing but you still want to get your message out to others in the meantime.

Self-publishing through a printing firm involves a financial commitment on the part of the author. Many variations of this are available. The writer may simply pay for a given number of books to be printed for him. The writer will then market them himself in hopes of recouping the cost and making a profit. Better firms work with the writer to improve the content and help them get the books sold.

The relationship between the publishing company and the author varies. Some share the cost of printing and then in profits. Others require the cost to be paid by the author who then gets all the profit. If you go this route, be sure the publishing firm is reputable. Scams are everywhere, firms whose promises are bigger than their product. For example, does the company demand that payment in advance? If they do, you are in danger of ending up with less money and no publication.

The advantages of self-publishing include the assurance that your favorite parts won’t be deleted by an editor. Also, you can still share your work to others with a minimum of cost. Third, personal financial investment motivates the writer to do his best and makes him ask if he really believes it is good. Fourth, some good books were first self-published and then, as they became more public, a publisher is willing to invest in it.

Some disadvantages of self-publishing are also worth considering. First, though an editor may not be present to remove important parts of your writing, neither are they there to refine it. The work of an editor is usually positive.

Second, with no major publisher involved, you will not have the needed exposure to get your work published. A private person may find it difficult to sell enough to just meet expenses. Third, self-publishing is more money out of your own pocket. The thought is every before you: perhaps no one wants to publish it because it just isn’t any good.

If you only need a few copies, you might consider this. Make a formatted printed copy of your work, looking just as you want. Programs like Clickbook all you to collate it in a variety of sizes and with front and back correctly figured. Take this copy to a local printer and hire them to make the number of copy sheets you need.

Finally, contact a hand bookbinding firm to add a cover and bind it into a hardback book form. This way, it will last for generations to come. Tightly Bound Books is one such bookbinding business. As their motto states, they provide "Book repair with personal care."

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