By Deborah S. Nelson, Author/Publisher Publishing SOLO & VRTG

After being published by a traditional publishing company, Talli Roland decided to go the self-publishing route. She took a hard look at the her sales metrics and found that she could do everything the traditional publishing company was doing and keep more of the profits in the end. After going through the process of self-publishing, she felt more empowered to control her own destiny; and here’s her take on self-publishing after trying it both ways:

“Why did you decide to self-publish?

I had a very satisfactory experience working with a traditional publisher for my first two novels, but with hardly any distribution in print and 99% of my sales in ebooks, it made more sense for me to pay a one-off fee to an editor and cover designer, and keep the remainder of the profits for myself. Since striking out on my own, I have published three novels and two novellas, and hit the top 100 on Amazon UK three times. Leaving a traditional publisher was a risk, but it’s one I don’t regret at all.

I don’t think self-publishing is for everyone, though. I’m very much of the mindset that authors are lucky to be living in a time when there are so many options available to them. The rise of the hybrid author – one who traditionally publishes as well as self-publishes – shows that authors can pick and choose which model works best for them. I’ve recently signed a two-book deal with Amazon Publishing and I plan to continue to self-publish, too.

What are the positives of self-publishing?

I think any self-publisher would tell you the biggest positive is having control of every step of the process. You set your own timelines, choose your own cover, and press that “publish” button yourself. You manage marketing campaigns, check your sales figures, and decide on price-points. The ability to publish as quickly as possible is also a huge benefit: self-publishers can take advantage of trends before traditional publishers (witnessed in the US with the emergence of the New Adult genre) and can grow their readership much faster than traditional publishing usually allows. A big advantage of self-publishing is also the financial reward, of course. I’ve been able to make a living as a writer for the past couple of years, something I couldn’t do when I was traditionally published.

And the Negatives?

Having instant access to your sales figures can lead to madness! If you have a whiff of the obsessive about you, it can be difficult not to stress if your numbers start falling. Likewise, if your sales rank starts climbing, it’s hard not to constantly check “just this once” to see where you’re at – I even checked during labour (what can I say? I was getting a little bored …). I’m constantly reminding myself that, while the business side of things is important, there won’t be a business if I don’t get busy and write more books. Being your own boss can be quite difficult if you’re not motivated and dedicated to building your career. I have learned to keep a very strict schedule and not to engage in social media until I’m finished my word count for the day.

As wonderful as self-publishing is, it does have its limits. I’ve found it difficult to get my printed novel into bookstores, despite solid e-book sales figures. It can also be a little isolating – you’re on your own every step of the way. That’s one of the reasons I’m part of an author collective called Notting Hill Press, made up of hybrid authors. We work together to promote our books and share resources, and it’s been a great way to feel part of a team. I’m very much looking forward to working with Amazon Publishing for my next novel, The No-Kids Club. They seem to have hit the right mark by allowing the author to remain an important part of the collaborative process and providing lots of marketing support.” Read The Whole Article Here:

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