Another reason new authors should self-publish is because marketing is the author’s responsibility no matter how they publish, as traditional companies favor the established authors. A commonly held misconception is that traditional publishing companies assist and possibly even fund authors in their marketing and promotional efforts, such as paying for advertisements, arranging interviews with newspapers and magazines, and contacting critics to give reviews. Unfortunately, this could not be farther from the truth. According to author Kelly James-Egner, who has published four books herself and eight traditionally, traditional publishers theoretically help with marketing, but in actuality, only “big-name authors like Patricia Cornwell” (40) receive …show more content…
As is the case with all businesses, traditional publishing companies want to produce a profit, and as a result, pour their resources into promoting authors who are likely to sell many books. Because of this, traditionally published authors are generally left to their own resources when it comes to marketing. Self-published authors are responsible for their own marketing as well. This leaves traditionally and self-published authors on a level playing field, as all new authors are responsible for their own marketing. As a result, marketing should not be a factor considered when authors choose whether or not to self-publish. The most powerful reason to self-publish is that the …show more content…
In the information age of today, if an author wants to learn how to do something for their book, there is almost always some information at their disposal. Whether a writer reads information on websites, such as K.M. Weiland’s website Helping Writers Become Authors, or in books, such as one of Joanna Penn’s series of books for aspiring “Author Entrepreneurs”, they would be able to find treasure troves of information. Freelancers are also available to assist authors who do not want to be solely responsible for editing, cover design, formatting, or marketing. “Many self-publishers…draw on outside help to do their books” (16) Tim and Marylin Ross inform authors in their self-help book for authors. Outside help can come in the form of companies such as 99 Designs and Damonza, who design cover art for a fee, or Joel Friedlander’s business, which sells pre-formatted print book and ebook templates. Chandler Bolt’s online “Self-Publishing School” is an example of a coaching business for authors who want to self-publish, but do not know where to start. Bolt’s Self-Publishing Success Summit during the summer of 2015 falls into a similar vein; it was a free online webinar conference available to authors and aspiring authors alike. Many authors do take advantage of