Many authors are eager to sell their work, but don’t know how to get started. Unfortunately, instead of taking action, they choose to let their work remain unpublished. But this doesn’t have to be the case. Not only does publishing digitally give authors complete creative freedom and control, but it is also easier than using a traditional publisher.
Where to Sell Textbooks Online
Top Six iPhone Apps That Every Freelance Writer Needs
Creative control
Publishing digitally gives authors control over every aspect of their work, from the cover images they use, to the content they write. Many authors value this flexibility, although knowing how to create commercially successful books is often difficult. If you value your creative freedom, and enjoy a challenge, consider ebook publishing.
Self-promotion
Traditional publishers promote their own titles, but often have very specific criteria authors need to follow to get published. If you create and sell an ebook, however, you have to not only write it, but also promote it heavily if you want it to be a commercial success. While this does require hard work, many authors actually appreciate how much they interact with their readers.
Traditional publishers often reach a broader audience than independent ebook authors, often resulting in more sales. Even so, if you value relationships with your viewers more than putting extra money in your pocket, consider going digital.
Getting your work published
Editing, submitting, and resubmitting manuscripts to traditional publishers can be very time-consuming, but is necessary if you want them to accept you work. Ebook publishing, though, is a very simple process. First, authors write their ebooks in a text editor. Next, they format their files to display correctly. Finally, they create or buy a cover image and then upload it to a personal website or ebook sales platform. The ease of creating and publishing an ebook is especially valuable to new authors, who want to start creating and selling their work quickly.
Creative flexibility
Since you alone own your work, you not only decide where and how it is published, but also its content. This means you can publish an ebook on anything, without worrying about meeting guidelines or only writing about a specific topic. This creative freedom enables anyone to become an author, whether they are publishing the next best-selling mystery novel, or are simply sharing the poetry they wrote in middle school. In fact, selling a book about a very niche topic is incredibly difficult unless you publish digitally; large publishers only accept the small percentage of submissions that meet their own unique criteria.
Choosing how to sell your work is often intimidating, especially if you aren’t yet a successful author. But by understanding the differences between traditional and digital publishing, you can make an informed decision.