Self-Publishing

Prompted by a suggestion from Mike Morrell, I am processing the possibility of self-publishing.  Yikes!  Isn't that too expensive?  Shouldn't I just wait until the economy gets better and try again?  Am I running ahead of open doors or would I be creating an open door?  What's the likelihood of it moving on to a publisher if I did self-publish?  Mike suggested a link: LuLu.  According to this site, if I were to publish a 200 page paperback with a quantity of 200, I would have have to lay out $1,300.00.  Hmmmm.  I consider it highly unlikely I would self-publish (if for no other reason than the finanical angle) but I am exploring the idea.

Comments

[Christa M. Miller]

Dan, I think this is a logical thing to think about. As long as you have a marketing plan in place to recoup the cost and start making money, it could certainly work.

First of all, I believe Lulu.com is a print-on-demand publisher rather than a "vanity" press which would be a significantly larger outlay and carries issues with rights, marketing, etc. Associations with some companies can hurt you with traditional publishers, so be careful and do your research. I have heard good things about Lulu so I would say, proceed with caution.

As for marketing, you need a "platform" -- a way to sell your message. This blog could be it, if you want to take it in that direction. I knew a woman who did that - she was a mommy blogger who pulled some material from her blog and a lot from her head, and sold her book from her blog. I guess it worked out for her!

But you would still need a way to pull people TO the blog. How active are you in other online communities? How many people currently follow you now? Could you perhaps get your supporters, who have endorsed the book, to endorse it on their websites and in their communities as well? (Those are basic questions, but you do need a more comprehensive plan.)

Again -- I think it could work, and I think God will show you the way, as He has with everything else about this project. :) Good luck to you!!

[Dan]

Christa,

Great thoughts!! Thank you for the wise advice!! Actually, in the past day or so, I have a new hope that this could be published by a Christian publisher. The hope is in seed form right now--but hey, right now a seed is a seed!!! I appreciate your prayers for the possibility with this new contact. I should know more soon.