Self Publishing Companies
by Mary Kole | Former literary agent, now a freelance editor, writing teacher, and IP/story developer for major publishers and creators.
Self publishing is becoming increasingly popular among authors who want to retain creative control over their work and have the freedom to publish how and when they are ready. However, self publishing can be a daunting task for writers who are unfamiliar with the process. When you start to research the process, you’ll find that there are self publishing companies that can help you navigate the publishing process and get your books into the hands of readers.
What Do Self Publishing Companies Do?
Self publishing companies provide a variety of services to prospective authors, from book editing and formatting to cover design to distribution and book marketing. These self publishing companies can help authors save time by taking care of the tasks involved in self publishing. They also provide resources such as author education programs, self-publishing courses, and coaching. All of these services, however, come with a price.
When researching self publishing companies, it is important to consider the type of company you are looking for. There are four main types of self publishing companies: aggregators, retailers, publishing educators, and self published author services. Aggregators distribute your book to several online retailers, while retailers sell books exclusively through their own platform to end users (readers). Publishing educators provide author education programs, while self published author services offer services such as book editing, formatting, cover design, illustration, and more.
Examples of Self Publishing Companies
Popular self publishing companies include Amazon KDP, Kobo, Barnes & Noble Press, Smashwords, Draft2Digital, BookBaby, PublishDrive, IngramSpark, and Grammar Factory. All of these companies have proven themselves in the marketplace with high shipping volume and a business model you can trust.
Successful self-published authors such as Amanda Hocking have shown that self-publishing can be a viable option for authors. Starting your own publishing company also has its advantages, such as an air of professionalism, tax benefits, protection from liability, and the ability to grow your brand. However, if you’re not sure of how to proceed with some aspects of self publishing, you can hire a company that will perform some or all of the above publishing functions for you.
Self Publishing Companies and Red Flags
However, not all self publishing companies are created equal. Before you engage with any one company that isn’t a large provider like those listed here, make sure to do your due diligence. Simply Googling “self publishing companies” is not enough—most of the businesses you find this way will take on any project, charge a high fee, and not demonstrate any proven benefit. Unfortunately, publishing scams abound online, because writers are emotionally invested in their work. Always ask for references and read unbiased testimonials (outside of the self publishing companies’ own websites) to see if your money will be safe and the company will deliver what it says it will.
In conclusion, self publishing companies can be a great resource for authors who want to self-publish their books. These companies provide a variety of services and helpful resources to make the self-publishing process easier and more efficient. It is important to research the different types of self-publishing companies and find the one that best suits your needs. However, as with anything, if some self publishing companies are making too many promises or seem too good to be true, approach with caution. Only work with proven service providers and do your own research. With the right self publishing company, you can get your book into the hands of readers quickly and easily, and save your valuable time to write your next project.
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