There are three main ways to get your book out into the world. You can try to get one of the big publishers, like Penguin or Random House, to accept your book proposal, but that will be hard. These companies only work with well-known authors or those who already have a big platform and a lot of readers who can't wait to read their next book. Still, if you do get in, it will be a huge endorsement and give you a lot of credibility that can't be questioned.
On the other hand, you could publish your own book yourself. The good thing about this method is that you are the only one who has to agree with your book. If you want to get your own book out there, you can. Because of how far technology has come, you can do just that and order as few as one book at a time. The problem is that the credibility isn't as high as it would be with a big publisher.
These two choices seem to be on opposite ends of a scale, and there are many differences between them. Lucky for us, there is a third group that fits right in the middle. It is the group of smaller, independent publishers, of which there are thousands. They range from small mom-and-pop shops to large, well-known publishing companies. They usually focus on one type of music or another and become leaders in that field.
A great way for a new author to break into the market is to reach out to independent publishers. Find one that focuses on what you need and go to their website. They will tell you exactly how they want to be asked for money, and you should do what they say. Find out exactly what they want, and then make sure your proposal meets their needs.
When looking for independent publishers, you don't need to have a Literary Agent. Don't get me wrong. It's always a good idea to have an agent. But when you deal with niche players, you have a few more options, and many of them will accept proposals directly. Most want you to send it to their Acquisitions Editor, but before you address the envelope, you should check their website.
With independent publishers, it's less likely that you'll get a book advance. I wouldn't count on it, but it's not impossible either. The good thing is that you'll be able to talk to more of the people who are reviewing your proposal, which is half the battle. Don't be a pest. Each month, they probably get a few hundred proposals. But a nice, well-timed phone call usually doesn't hurt, and it gives the editor a chance to hear your voice.
You can only become a writer once. Once you have your first book published, you will always be an author. It can also change your life and your career. Don't waste your time trying to get into one of the big companies if your chances of getting in are less than 1 percent. Find an independent publisher who focuses on the subject you want to write about and focus your efforts on them.
Helping people reach their goals is what Tactical Execution does for a living. We offer implementation solutions for a wide range of marketing goals, and all of our programmes are made to get the best results as soon as possible. Please go to the website to use all the free resources that are there.
