SELF-PUBLISHING
Getting it out there
In part three of her series, indie author DJ Bowman-Smith tots up the cost of self-publishing
DJ Bowman-Smith
T
here are three ways an independent author can publish. The first is the most expensive. The second is potentially free, and the third is where the smart indie is found. Let’s consider each option.
Pricey
The costly way to bring your words into the world is to pay a company to take on all aspects of the publication process from editing, cover creation and interior formatting. Using a self-publishing service (also known as vanity publishing) had a poor reputation. Writers who paid to have their work published were devalued because they had not obtained a traditional publishing deal. Some companies preyed on the ill-informed, over-charging them to print books unlikely to sell.
Nowadays, there are reputable providers and whilst the high cost obstructs most, it has its place. For some, the complicated process of bookpublishing can seem overwhelming. If you have deep pockets and find a trustworthy company, this may be the answer. Don’t get swept up by fancy websites and flattery. The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) has a list of approved providers, so check with them first.
Money for nothing
The fabled free option. Here, a writer loads their raw words onto Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) with a homemade cover and presses publish. Naturally, this has been much maligned, and rightly so. Poor quality covers, unedited, un-formatted words have given indies a bad reputation. But it all depends on what you hope to achieve. If you simply want to write for friends and family or some niche audience, then go ahead. There is nothing to stop you. You can literally publish and be damned.
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