To Self-Publish or Not

"I would like to write a book, but I am unsure where to start. Do I put the book together first then seek out publishers or vice versa?"
- Charles

Charles,

Great question. The answer really depends on your goals. Let me explain each approach some more:

The conventional approach to publishing is to write a book proposal (like a business plan, but for a book) and then find a literary agent. The literary agent will help you refine the proposal, hopefully find an interested publisher, and then professionally negotiate on your behalf. In return, your agent will get 15% of the deal. Once you have a contract, the agent will also help manage the relationship with the publishing house.

I took the approach of self-publishing. The main disadvantages to this approach are:

1. It takes longer to self-publish and sell to a publisher than it does to go straight to a publisher.
   
2. It takes your time and money to professionally produce a book.
   
3. You take on the risk of the book having poor sales and not being able to find a publisher as a result.

1. You test out and refine an idea.
   
2. If you are able to garner good sales, you have potential of getting a publisher in addition to getting a good deal with the publisher. This occurs because you took on the risk and have proved the product's potential to a certain point.
   
3. You have creative liberty.
   
4. You have a high profit margin.
   
5. You learn a lot about the industry by producing your own book and it is cheaper to do than ever.
   
6. Depending on the publisher, you may not have to spend the time to write out a detailed book proposal since the book and its sales speak for themselves to a certain point.

1. What Color is Your Parachute, Richard Nelson Bolles
   
2. The Celestine Prophecy, James Redfield
   
3. The Elements of Style, William Strunk, Jr.
   
4. In Search of Excellence, Tom Peters
   
5. A Time to Kill, John Grisham