You probably came to this page because you have an interest in writing and the ability to express your thoughts in an interesting manner. As a writer myself, I am well aware of the frustration and discouragement of getting a book published. I tried for years to get my first book published and I have learned how to deal with rejection. It has become even more difficult because of the way the print media is being forced to change with the proliferation of the Internet and new avenues of expression.
I am about to publish my 6th book. My first was by a major Christian book publisher. It sold very well, several hundred thousand copies, and I received a total of $1,500. That was more money in 1994 than it is today, but it was not much considering the work I invested. None of my subsequent books has sold as many copies, but my profit from each has been significantly higher.
In the years since that first book, I have learned a great deal about the publishing industry and have developed a process that is designed to reward the author, not the publisher. If you have a book burning within you, or perhaps already on paper, you need to keep reading.
Before a traditional publisher will have much interest in your talents as an author, they must be convinced that your book will sell 25,000 copies. Regardless of your writing ability, they are in the book selling business. That is why you will find shelves filled with books that have little to offer – authors who can generate sales even if they have nothing to say (some mega-church pastors, CEO’s of large corporations, celebrities, etc.). They already have a large book buying audience.
A traditional publisher will pay the author 10% of the cover price for each hardcover book and 1% to 6% for each paperback book sold (not printed). Although publishers normally plan to print at least 25,000 copies, the reality is that the average number of books actually sold per each title is 11,800.
In order to clarify, let’s say you find a publisher and put out a paperback that retails for $15.00. You will earn $.75 on each book that sells (5% royalty) or a total of $8,850.00 if it reaches the average of 11,800 books sold. This process of writing, securing a publisher, printing, and selling will take at least one year, probably much longer. Most publishers write royalty checks twice a year. The publisher must be convinced your book will make them money. Consequently, your unpublished manuscript is gathering dust in a file cabinet somewhere.
There must be a better way!
