How to Choose the Best Publishing Option for Your Novel

For authors, publishing is one of the most significant achievements in their writing career. You've spent months or even years writing, editing, and perfecting your manuscript; you can make a huge difference in how your book does or doesn't succeed by choosing the right publishing route. Of course, the publishing industry is as vast as ever today, but there are also numerous options that may appear daunting. Having a clear idea of your goals, budget, audience and expectations will help you make the right choice that is suitable to long term writing career.

For top novel book publishers, especially those who have published before, there are various options available for them to choose from and finding the right one demands research and planning. There are pros and cons, time constraints, and costs associated with each of the routes. After careful consideration of these factors, you will be able to decide the most appropriate publishing process for you.

^{Understand Your Publishing Goals}

Outline what you consider success to be before you examine publishing possibilities. Then there are those writers who want their books to be on the shelves of bookstores all over the world, or those who value freedom for the creative spirit, the speed at which books get printed, or the royalties they receive.

List a couple of important questions:

• Would you like to have total control of your book?
  Need a professional editor and/or marketer?
  Does it matter more to make more money from royalties than to get to the bookstores?
  When is the best time for your novel to be published?

It's easier to focus on your selection when you have goals in mind and you're less likely to be disappointed at the end of the process.

_{Traditional Publishing}

The traditional publishing route is still one of the best ones for novel publishers in Canada. Here, a publishing company takes over the rights to your manuscript, handles the editing, cover design, printing, distribution and promotional activities.

The benefit is that it's credible. Traditional published books usually achieve greater bookstore distribution, professional editing and more media coverage. Authors can also get an advance payment prior to publication of the book. But, it's extremely competitive. As with all things publishing, it is difficult to get accepted, with publishers receiving thousands of submissions annually. It can also involve finding a literary agent and the length of time it takes to get published ranges from 1 to 3 years.

This is a great choice for writers who want to grow their career and gain wide exposure to a large market.

_{Self-Publishing}

A game changer in the publishing world, self-publishing has allowed authors to retain full rights to their publication. Producers own the entire process from editing to cover design, formatting, pricing, etc. and promotions.

The greatest advantage is the speed of which it is available. When you have your novel manuscript done, your novel can be read in weeks, rather than years. Additionally, authors receive much higher royalty rates than is offered through traditional contracts.

But it does cost money to self publish. All editing, cover design, formatting and marketing costs are the author's responsibility. Promotion and audience development is key to success. For entrepreneurs who like to handle both creative and business duties, self-publishing is a great choice.

_{Hybrid Publishing}

Authors pay a share of the production expenses and in exchange they get professional publishing services.

This model typically contains editing, cover design, distribution and marketing support and publishing advise. As there are production costs to share, hybrid publishers may be able to take in more manuscripts than traditional publishers. Not all hybrid publishers are created equal, so be sure to do your research. A good company will be honest about their prices, royalties, etc. and the services they offer. For writers who prefer to be given professional direction and still retain creative control, hybrid publishing is an option that can be utilized.

_{Evaluate Publishing Costs}

Budget is an important factor when deciding on a publishing strategy.

In traditional publishing, authors are not required to invest in anything, or very little. The publisher, however, pays the expenses and recoup those costs from the sales of the books.

Self-publishing is the act of hiring professionals on your own to publish a book. When estimating your publishing costs, you should take into account editing, proofreading, cover design, formatting, registration with ISBN, and advertising. Typically, hybrid publishing entails some sort of investment, and the costs differ based on the packages offered by these services. When assessing which investments are the best, consider the value and quality each investment offers, not the cost.

_{Consider Creative Control}

It is important for many authors that they have full control over their work.

Traditional publishers can and do choose editorial changes, books' titles, book covers, pricing, release dates, etc. These decisions are typically driven by market research, but the authors may have less influence over the decisions. Self-publishing offers complete freedom of creativity. All designs, pricing, promotions and publications are within the author's control. In general, hybrid publishing provides a balance, giving the author more involvement and working with a professional expertise.

When preserving creative vision is important, scrutinize publishing deals before signing and only sign with respect to the publishing agreement.

_{Distribution & Market Reach}

Distribution of the book will influence your readers' access to your novel.

Publishers have built up connections with bookstores, libraries, wholesalers and international distributors. This can lead to a broader physical accessibility. The primary source of self-publishing is through online retailers and print-on-demand (POD) sites. While digital distribution has grown considerably, it's become harder to get on a bookshelf in big bookstores. Hybrid Publishers might offer wider distribution than self-publishing, though the extent of coverage is different among publishers.

Knowing your target will help you select the most appropriate distribution model for you.

_{Marketing Responsibilities}

For many first authors, marketing is something that's done by the publisher. In fact, the marketing of the products is not always devolved in this way, either when they're published or not. Traditional publishers can arrange for launch events and media outreach, as well as review dissemination for books deemed to have good commercial viability. But, authors still need to be active on social media, attending events and interacting with readers. Nearly everything from advertising campaigns, email newsletters, website management, and reaching influencers is done by self-published authors. Hybrid publishers usually provide packages for marketing, but the amount of support can vary. Whether a novel is published or not, an active marketing strategy can substantially boost the visibility of the novel.

_{Royalties and Long-Term Earnings}

The income model varies greatly in terms of its structures. Traditional publishing typically has lower royalty rates and might also have an advance payment before the book is published. With self-publishing authors get significantly higher royalties due to the fact that they own the book and the percentage they earn is higher with each book sold.

There are a number of hybrid publishing royalty options based on contract terms and investment amounts. Explore all aspects of the offer—royalties, immediate payment, and future earning potential—when comparing offers.

_{Research Publisher Reputation}

Do not select a publisher without doing proper research.

Check out reviews from published books, author's quotes, industry accolades, transparency of contracts, and customer reviews. Good publishers are honest, have clear lines of communication and make realistic promises with clear pricing.

Beware of companies that promise to be a bestseller or ask for a large amount of money up front without making their services clear. Interviews with authors with previous experience in a publishing house can be helpful in understanding the author/publishing house dynamics. Before deciding on best publishers, check out their guidelines for submissions, distribution options, editorial quality, and author support.

_{Match the Publisher to Your Genre}

Not all publishers will work with all genres.

The publishers are good for literary fiction, romance, fantasy, mystery, science fiction, or historical novels. It is better to select a publisher who has a good understanding of your genre, because it helps to write high-quality books, market them effectively, and tailor them to audiences.

Check out previous books published by the publisher to see if your novel belongs in that section of their catalog. Because of the genre expertise, the sales opportunities are generally better with them as they know what to expect of the readers.

_{Carefully read through all contracts}

Ownership rights, royalties, licensing and other future opportunities are established by publishing contracts.

Pay attention to:

• Copyright ownership
• Royalty percentages
• Contract duration
• Distribution rights
• Marketing commitments
• Termination clauses
• Rights reversion conditions

If possible, don't sign an agreement without consulting a publishing attorney or literary agent. Knowing your rights will help to make sure your creative work and career are protected.

_{Consider thinking beyond your first book}

It is important to consider publishing as a career, not a one-off event. Think about how the publishing approach you select will allow future novel publication, series publishing, foreign rights, production of audiobooks, and film opportunities. Creating a successful platform as an author means cultivating reader relationships, maintaining brand consistency and continually honing your writing skills. The first decision you make about publishing will have an impact on future opportunities, so it is important to plan carefully.

_{Final Thoughts}

The decision on which publishing route to take for your novel is based on your individual goals, finances, creative tastes and career aspirations. There are many advantages to each form of publishing: Traditional publishing means prestige and professional assistance; Self-publishing means complete independence and higher royalties; Hybrid publishing means, well, a mix of both.

There is no one right way of publishing. The best one to choose is the one that suits your aims and provides your novel the greatest chance of being read by its intended audience. With careful research, knowledge of contract terms, budgeting, and an effective marketing plan, you can confidently advance your publishing career and ensure your novel has the greatest potential for a successful long-term publishing career.