What is Self-Publishing?

Self-publishing is a well-respected tradition. Many famous writers have started their careers through self-publishing, including Jane Austen, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Alexander Pope, Thomas Gray, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ernest Hemingway, and Edgar Allen Poe. You already know that large publishing houses (royalty publishers) accept very few manuscripts. Because of their large overhead, they must select material they feel will appeal to a mass market and achieve high-volume sales. Your well-written book may be rejected by a royalty publisher for reasons beyond your control. Usually an author has little or no control over the final product if his or her work is accepted for publication by a royalty publisher.

Self-publishing, by contrast, means that the author contracts for professional services in the production of a book. The author pays for all production costs and retains complete ownership and control over the final product. By self-publishing your book, you control its content, appearance, promotion, and distribution.

Why publishing prices fluctuate

There are a lot of factors that go into the cost of a book. Looking at just the printing aspect, there is a lot of room for fluctuation. Paper is a traded commodity. The price changes every day. This is part of why a press will only give a quote that is good for 30 days. They have roughly 30 days of paper in stock. After that, they have to buy more and the price could be very different than the last time they bought it - could be higher or could be lower.

Of course these days we are all too familiar with the wild fluctuations in gas prices. This affects printing as well. The cost the press must pay for the shipping of their supplies (especially paper and ink) and the cost the press must pay for shipping the books to you or a warehouse are directly impacted by the price of gasoline and what shippers charge them.

There is also the factor of supply and demand. Certain times of the year are more costly to print a book than other times. Presses are very busy leading up to major events like the holidays or elections.

So when it comes to printing your book, plan well. Watch the price of paper on the market. Wait for gas prices to fall. And avoid the busy seasons.

Until next time,
Faithe