Going It Alone: Is Self-Publishing Right For You?

It sounds like the ideal solution, doesn't it? You don't have to wait for the publishing world to realize you're a genius, you get ultimate creative control of your work, and you get to take all the credit when it becomes a best-seller. True, self-publishing does allow for all of this, but there are some important things to consider before jumping in.

• Who is your target audience? If you're hoping to produce something for family and friends, or if you've got something that will be distributed to a very specific group or organization, self-publishing might be ideal. You'll get a book that looks great, and is durable.
• Even self-published works should be given an ISBN number. This is usually free, and officially registers your work so it will be easier to find. Many self-publishers will offer to arrange for this.
• Very few self-publishers offer to market or distribute work for their authors. Be brutally honest with yourself about the amount of time, effort, money and expertise you're able to commit to getting your work out there. Most big bookstore chains don't buy self-published works. Realize that if you don't do the all of the footwork, your books will likely sit in boxes in your basement.
• Self-published books are often put onto the market without editing, proofreading or critique. It may seem ideal to avoid having a publisher tell you what you can and can't do, but we're often poor judges of our own work. If your self-publishing company doesn't provide editing and proofreading services, you should seek out a freelancer to make sure that you are producing a quality book.
• Use a reputable self-publisher with a good track record. If you're going to invest thousands of dollars, you should at least be sure that the book will be well constructed and attractive, and that the company producing it isn't likely to disappear.
• Many people self-publish with the hope that the book will be picked up by a larger company in the future. Unless your self-published work is a runaway best-seller, it's highly unlikely that publishers or agents will take it on.
• Never, ever sign away all rights to your work to a self-publishing company. If you're going to go this route, you should at least ensure that you keep control of what happens to your book.