So, where are you in your venture for writing your book? I don’t want to push you with one article after another but you don’t have to do this all at once.  It’s just that when I get on a roll about a topic, I can’t resist posting another article about it while it is on my mind!

So, print these articles out and put them in a file to refer to as you come to the point where you need them.

I get a lot of questions about the advisability of trying to sell your book to a publisher or if you should self-publish.

So I would like to touch a few points here.

Hands down, if you can sell your book to a publisher, it would probably be best.  But it is not as easy as you might think.  However, I think it is worth a shot for a while before you venture out into the world of self-publishing.

The main reason is that they already have a DISTRIBUTION system.  Don’t minimize this. This is the most important advantage about selling your book to a publisher.

It is hard to sell the main chains like Borders or Barnes and Noble.  They deal directly with the salespeople who work for publishers.  It is going to be difficult, if not impossible, for you to get them to carry your book.  And, ideally, you want your book on their shelves.

But getting to a publisher entails your getting a literary agent.  The days when scores of fresh, earnest, college English majors were hired to go through piles of manuscripts on their desks are over.  They are not part of the publishing industry anymore.  Publishers work with their favorite agents and rely on them to recommend books.

So, you need a literary agent who has a contact with publishers.  Not just any literary agent.  Agents specialize in certain types of books so it is an exercise in futility to do a mass mailing to locate one.

Do your research.  Invest in a book called Writers Market 2007.  It is published every year.  If you like, go to the library and take a look at it but it is not a read-through.  It is a reference book and you should own it.  It is the marketplace about every publisher, magazine, agent and what they are looking for.  Most importantly, it will indicate if they are open for new submissions. 

It is the bible for writers and well worth the investment.

Next, register at http://www.publishersmarketplace.com.  You will get a lot of information for free but they also have an expanded membership where you will have access to listings of agents and what their specialties are.  That costs $20.00 a month but you can discontinue anytime.  If you are a paid member, you can post your proposals and offerings to elicit interest from agents, publishers and search their extensive data base of industry contacts.

When you find an agent who interests you, write them a letter or an email telling them about your book.  Do not send any attachments unless they invite you to do so.  They will not open them.

In your contact, be sure to make them aware of the ways you can promote your book.  A publisher wants to know if you have a history of speaking engagements or a successful blog.  That is important to them because these days they do not spend much money on publicity for your book.  Almost every author who appeared on my TV show paid his own way and expenses to Chicago unless they were famous.

After a few weeks, you could give them a polite call or a follow up email to ask if they would like to see your manuscript.  (Your manuscript is double spaced please)

A legitimate agent will not take you on unless they think they can sell your book because they do not get paid unless they do.  Beware of people who want money, except for mailing expenses, in advance before they will represent you.

Even if they sell your book, do not expect a huge advance unless you are already a best selling author, or a celebrity in which case you do not have to be reading this article at all.

In any case, the disadvantage to you is that they will take a piece of every book that is sold and your advance.  You will not get any more money until your advance is used up.

Self-publishing is the other way to go and is becoming more popular every day.   There are many companies who will get your book out reasonably and will literally print only a few books at a time as you sell them.  Investigate a few.  They will give you explicit instructions on what they need to produce a book for you.

I would avoid the “Vanity Presses” who will charge you a fortune and you will end up with lots of promises and 2500 books in your basement.

But the name of the game here is WORK.  You will have to get the books into stores yourself and will probably be limited to small stores who will take a few of your books on consignment and will pay you only if they sell them.

You will be responsible for all your own publicity and arranging book signings and  talks.  Again, there are many books which will guide you on marketing. But, the advantage, as a self-publisher, you keep all the money from the sale of your book

It is relatively easy to get your book on Amazon.com.  Go to their webpage for information on how to do this.

If you have a blog this will help.  Promote your book like crazy on it.

An invaluable way to promote your book is through a magazine called Radio/TV Interview Report  http://www.rtir.com.    You will have to pay to be listed but personally I think it is worth it.   They will even write the copy about your book for your ad.   I was in several of their issues and I must have gotten over 50 interviews on radio all over the country.  Every one in media gets this magazine free.

But, don’t do this until you are listed in Amazon.  It is also helpful if you have an 800 number for listeners to call and order your book and an account with a credit card company or pay pal.  Or a website with a name that is easy to remember.  Don’t assume that every listener has a computer or a pen handy.  They probably are listening in their car.  You want to make it easy for them to order.

To sum up -

Publishing your own book – actually seeing your name on the cover is one of the greatest highs you will ever get in the world!  You will put it on your bedside table so you can see it every day when you wake up!  Maybe even sleep with a copy!  You will read your own words over and over.  It will be your favorite book.

I remember when my first book was printed.  I drove over to my publisher who was only four miles from my house to pick up my first copies.  I had been there many times but I was so excited to actually see that book that I got lost driving home!

Good luck.  And happy writing!

To read the former article go to http://www.personal-growth-with-corinne-edwards.com/writing-your-book-part-two/