Publishing a book is for sure an exciting feat but it is quite a thorny coppice for writers finding the right publishing service is as important as writing a good book. And selection has literally potential of making or breaking things for an author.
As there are many online book publishing services available, it is important to ask the right questions to make sure you are partnering with a service that meets your needs and goals so before you narrow down any service, you should ask as many questions as possible to make sure your publishing process go as smooth as planned.
This blog will entail 10 must-ask questions that will help you uncover critical details, avoid potential pitfalls and help you figure out the best publishing service for your book. So without further ado, let’s get started!
10 Crucial Questions to Ask to a Book Publishing Service
What Services are Included?
You go to a publisher with a manuscript and once before you strike a deal, you must know what is their store for you, so ask what services are included. Some publishing bodies give a full suite of literary services including editing, cover design, formatting and marketing.
While others might only take care of certain aspects, you have to find utter value and if a publishing entity is famous, you might consider going with less and if the publisher is not so famous, you might want maximum value out of them.
What are the Costs?
Publishing a book can be expensive, so it is important to know the costs involved, end to end, about everything. So ask them to communicate the full breakdown of all fees with full transparency so you can know beforehand if there are hidden charges.
Some services charge upfront fees, while others might take a percentage of your book’s sales. So this is where your business acumen should come into action and understand the financial side and weigh and what options would suit you better.
What is the Process and Timeline?
Every publishing service has its own process and timeline and if you don’t know already, you need to inquire about them. Ask how long it takes to go from manuscript submission to final publication. Knowing the timeline helps you set realistic expectations and helps target your audience easily. Also, one thing you have to stay cautious of is unrealistically rapid results without a clear process—they might not deliver quality.
What are Your Rights and Ownership?
One of the most important aspects of publishing is understanding your rights and ownership because copies are going to be sold and there would come a certain revenue against your book and their publishing efforts so ask if you will retain full right to your book or it will be divided among both parties.
Also, clarify who owns the copyright and whether you can control the book’s distribution and pricing. It might sound complex to you but it is very important to be aware of who has control over your intellectual property–it matters for your long-term success.
What is the Quality of Editing and Design?
Editing and design can make a huge difference and they are quite important to your book success. Ask about the qualifications and experience of their editors and designers and you have the right to ask for samples of their previous work to gauge how well do they with designing visuals for the book. A well-edited and professionally designed book is more likely to attract readers and reviewers.
How Will You Market My Book?
Marketing plays a crucial role in the success of the book. Discuss the approach and strategies of your publisher and the kind of support they offer. You must know if they are going to help with press releases, social media, book signings, or other promotional activities.
What Are the Distribution Channels?
To reach readers, it’s important to know where your book will be distributed, in what formats (like print, eBook, or audiobook), and whether the publisher partners with online retailers and physical bookstores to increase your book’s exposure, helping you make sure broad availability and increasing its chances of success.
What Are the Terms for Royalties and Sales?
You must know royalties and sales will be handled as it is a monetary aspect so ask them about the percentage you will earn from each book sale and how often you will receive payment, some services give higher royalties but demand higher upfront fees while some have different curated structure of keeping a percentage form a book.
Can You Provide References or Testimonials?
A reputable publishing service should have no problem providing references or testimonials from previous clients and once provided, reach out to those folks to get to know about their experiences. That would give you an idea about the service’s reliability, customer support, and overall satisfaction.
What Happens If I’m Not Satisfied?
The question you must ask at any cost is the support or the steps they will take if you are not happy with their service. What is their policy related to that? How do they handle complaints or dissatisfaction? Knowing how they address issues can give you peace of mind and make sure you have a plan in place if things don’t go as expected.
Conclusion
We covered the top question every aspiring author or experienced author should ask a publishing house regardless but you may have other questions in your mind which you can share below on this post and we will help you get their answers. Choosing a book publishing service is hard and it is really a significant decision that can impact the success of your book. Remember, before you get in touch with any ghostwriters online or a publishing house, do a thorough research about them.