Joan Y. Edwards is author/illustrator of folktale Flip Flap Floodle, a happy little duck who never gives up on his song even in the Mr. Fox's belly. She is author of 4RV Publishing's Joan's Elder Care Guide. It is full of practical hints and resources to promote healing and make caregiving easier. She has published 80 Gospel-Based Crossword Puzzles for Year A, B, and C. She has a Master of Education. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and Charlotte Writers Club. She enjoys watching humorous mysteries, like Columbo and Monk. Time at home, beach and mountain with family and friends energizes her..
“Which to Choose: Big Name Traditional Publishing or Self-Publishing?” by Joan Y. Edwards
Know your options. Study the resources. Ask questions of others in your field. Read the copyright pages of your favorite books to find out who published them.
I can’t tell you which choice is best for you. I wrote, illustrated and self-published Flip Flap Floodle. Instead of a big named publisher, I was lucky enough to have a small reputable publishing company – 4RV Publishing – publish Joan’s Elder Care Guide. You may find one, too.
Most of the big named publishers stipulate that you must have an agent to submit your work. Some of the big publishers and other not as big, but still dependable and reputable publishers are out there, too. Again, you have to do your research. Choose one that’s right for you and you’re right for them. In the resources, I put a list of publishers and agents who accept unsolicited manuscripts.
Though I can’t tell you which is best for you, I did research to see what other professionals advise. No matter which method you choose, go through the steps outlined in 4 Essential Steps for Submission of Manuscripts or Screenplays:
However, if you’re self-publishing you’d be choosing a company to self-publish rather than selecting a big name publisher. Study three different self-publishing companies to decide which one is the best for this particular book.
Below I have outlined steps to follow to submit a great article, poem, puzzle, devotion, illustration, short story, chapter book, middle grade novel, young adult novel, adult novel, song, stage play or screenplay.
Step 1 Get your work critiqued, edited, and proofed. Step 2Choose the publisher, editor, agent, or contest for this writing project. Step 3 Write the pitch, query letter, cover letter, resume, bio, and/or proposal as required by the guidelines of the editor, agent, or contest you chose for submission this time. Step 4 Time to Submit to publisher, agent, editor, or contest.
Everyone is welcome to an opinion, right? Since that’s true, here are my opinions.
Joan’s Top Reasons for Getting a Big Named Traditional Publisher:
They have many customers who are familiar with them and large marketing budgets.
They can afford to pay the book returns for bookstores.
They have access (money) to great cover and inside illustrators.
They have access (money) to pay for good editors.
It may be easier for them to get a book reviewed.
Reasons for Self-Publishing
You’ve tried for at least 5-10 years to get something published without success or you don’t want to wait 3-5 years to get your book launched.
You’ve had your complete book, pitch, query letter, and trailer critiqued and edited by a professional.
You’ve investigated cost, what you get for your money, marketing with different venues for self-publishing. (Read Resource Number #2 and #16)
You have a book launch team – group of at least 25-100 people online and in person who will review your book and help you launch and market it – to help you spread the word.
But don’t just take my word for it, read at least five of the following articles and five others on your own search.
Brenda Rollins. “The POD Quandary: How to Decide if Print-on-Demand Publishing is Right for You:” http://www.writing-world.com/publish/POD.shtml
Joan Y. Edwards. “50 Publishers Who Accepted Unsolicited Manuscripts:” https://www.joanyedwards.com/2013/04/07/50-publishers-who-accept-unsolicited-manuscripts/
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