An unbiased view of traditional publishing, self publishing, and emerging hybrid publishing options for fiction and nonfiction writers. Presented at BARN (Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network), June 17, 2017

3. 1907: 9,260 books published

4. 1. The way we WRITE books changed.

5. 1. The way we write books changed.
2. The way we BUY and SELL books changed.

6. 1. The way we write books changed.
2. The way we buy books changed.
3. The way we MAKE books changed.

7. 2014: 304,912 books traditionally published
2015: 725,000 books self published
13 MILLION TITLES IN PRINT

9. Why do YOU want to get
published?

12. 1. A focus on the bottom line

13. 1. A focus on the bottom line
2. High quality, very selective

14. 1. A focus on the bottom line
2. High quality
3. Wants existing author platform

15. 1. A focus on the bottom line
2. High quality
3. Wants existing author platform
4. High staff turnover

16. 1. A focus on the bottom line
2. High quality
3. Wants existing author platform
4. High staff turnover
5. 12-18 months to publication

17. 6. Requires agents

18. 6. Requires agents
7. Higher sales expectations, higher advances

19. 6. Requires agents
7. Higher sales expectations, higher advances
8. Publisher has final say in cover, title, date

20. 6. Requires agents
7. Higher sales expectations, higher advances
8. Publisher has final say in cover, title, date
9. Very low risk

22. 1. Targets specific audiences

23. 1. Targets specific audiences
2. Follows traditional publishing model (advance and
royalty, profits from book sales)

24. 1. Targets specific audiences
2. Follows traditional publishing model (advance and
royalty, profits from book sales)
3. Publishing quality varies

25. 1. Targets specific audiences
2. Follows traditional publishing model (advance and
royalty)
3. Publishing quality varies
4. More personal, level of attention varies

26. 1. Targets specific audiences
2. Follows traditional publishing model (advance and
royalty)
3. Publishing quality varies
4. More personal, level of attention varies
5. 6-18 months to publication

27. 1. Follows traditional publishing model (advance and
royalty)
2. Publishing quality varies
3. More personal, level of attention varies
4. Target specific audiences
5. 6-18 months to publication
6. May not require agent

28. 1. Follows traditional publishing model (advance and
royalty)
2. Publishing quality varies
3. More personal, level of attention varies
4. Target specific audiences
5. 6-18 months to publication
6. May not require agent
7. Modest sales, lower advances

29. 1. Follows traditional publishing model (advance and
royalty)
2. Publishing quality varies
3. More personal, level of attention varies
4. Target specific audiences
5. 6-18 months to publication
6. May not require agent
7. Modest sales, lower advances
8. Open to more risk

30. If your priorities are to…
 Work with professionals who can make and distribute books
 Work with a partner that will invest resources in turning an
idea into a product
 Have better access to brick and mortar bookstores
 Share marketing tasks
AND you are…
 Willing to share the profits
 Patient
 Eager for professional collaboration

32. Paper Book:
 Retailer: 50%
 Author: 10-15% hardcover; 7.5% paperback (Small
press: 10-15% net)
 Publisher: 35-42%
◦ Includes hard costs of paper, printing, binding, shipping,
and storing
Ebook:
 Retailer: 30%
 Author: 17.5% (25% of net)
 Publisher: 52.5%
Note: These are averages for comparison only. Specific contracts may vary.

33. Hardcover: $24.00
 Retailer: $12.00
 Author: $3.00 (minus $.45 agent commission)
 Publisher: $9.00
◦ Includes hard costs of paper, printing, binding, shipping,
and storing: $3-5
Ebook: $9.99
 Retailer: $2.99
 Author: $1.75
 Publisher: $5.25
Note: These are averages for comparison only. Specific contracts
may vary.

36.  Editing
◦ Developmental
◦ Line/Copy
◦ Proofreading
Northwest Independent Editors Guild:
www.edsguild.org

37.  Editing
 Additional Content
◦ Title
◦ Front/Back Matter
◦ Jacket copy
◦ Key words
◦ Categories
◦ Permissions

38.  Editing
 Additional Content
 Format
Print? Ebook? Both?

39.  Editing
 Additional Content
 Format
 Printer

40.  Editing
 Additional Content
 Format
 Printer
 Ebook Distributor

41.  Editing
 Additional Content
 Format
 Printer
 Ebook Distributor
 Registration

42.  Editing
 Additional Content
 Format
 Printer
 Ebook Distributor
 Registration
 Design (cover and interior)

43.  Steep learning curve

44.  Steep learning curve
 Publishing quality varies

45.  Steep learning curve
 Publishing quality varies
 Control of pricing, discounts, and profit

46.  Steep learning curve
 Publishing quality varies
 Control of pricing, discounts, and profit
 Control of design

47.  Steep learning curve
 Publishing quality varies
 Control of pricing, discounts, and profit
 Control of design
 Control of timing (24-48 hours after files
uploaded; 1 week with print proof copy)

48.  Supportive experts

49.  Supportive experts
 Some stigma (less with independent imprint)

50.  Supportive experts
 Some stigma (less with independent imprint)
 Ability to adapt quickly

51.  Helpful, supportive, knowledgeable
contractors
 Some stigma (less with independent imprint)
 Ability to adapt quickly
 Highest dollar return per book

52. Paper Book:
 Retailer: 50%
 POD Printer (IngramSpark): $.90 + $.013/page
◦ Includes hard costs of paper, printing, binding, and
shipping
 Author/Publisher gets the rest
Ebook:
 Retailer: 30%
 Author/Publisher: 70%
Note: These are averages for comparison only.

53. Paper Book: 300 pages, list price $15.99
 Retailer: $7.99
 POD Printer (IngramSpark): $4.80
◦ Includes hard costs of paper, printing, binding, and shipping
 Author/Publisher: $3.20
CreateSpace: Amazon sale nets Author/Publisher $5.14;
through other vendors: $1.94
Ebook: $2.99
 Retailer: $.90
 Author/Publisher: $2.09
Note: These are averages for comparison only.

56. Subsidy Publishing Businesses…

57.  Are they selective?

58.  Are they selective?
 Are they publishing books that you would
read?

59.  Are they selective?
 Are they publishing books that you would
read?
 Are their costs competitive?

60.  Are they selective?
 Are they publishing books that you would
read?
 Are their costs competitive?
 Are their book prices competitive?

61.  Are they selective?
 Are they publishing books that you would
read?
 Are their costs competitive?
 Are their book prices competitive?
 Do you trust their staff and leadership?

62.  Are they selective?
 Are they publishing books that you would
read?
 Are their costs competitive?
 Are their book prices competitive?
 Do you trust their staff and leadership?
 Are they trying to upsell or pressure you?

63.  Are they selective?
 Are they publishing books that you would
read?
 Are their costs competitive?
 Are their book prices competitive?
 Do you trust their staff and leadership?
 Are they trying to upsell or pressure you?
 How responsive are they?

64.  Are they selective?
 Are they publishing books that you would
read?
 Are their costs for services competitive?
 Are their book prices competitive (if relevant)?
 Do you trust their staff and leadership?
 Are they trying to upsell or pressure you?
 How responsive are they?
 Is there a clear way to end the contract?

65.  Writer Beware:
http://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-
authors/writer-beware/
 Preditors & Editors:
http://pred-ed.com/

67. http://bethjusino.com
(Click Resources for link to this slideshow and many of the
services mentioned)
bethjusino@gmail.com
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