Should You Self-Publish or Try to Get an Agent? 4 Questions Can Help you Decide.

By Chuck Sambuchino

It's an exciting time to be a writer. 10 years ago, there was only one "correct" way to get published. You'd sell your book to a traditional publisher (usually through an agent) and sell physical copies of books at brick-and-mortar bookstores. Nowadays, you have two mainstream awesome options to get published. There is traditional publishing and self-publishing (also called indie publishing). Either route is acceptable for you, and it all depends on your goals for your book as well as what you can bring to the table in terms of time and marketing. Read on to understand the four major questions you should ask yourself before going down either road on any particular project.

Quick note: Keep in mind book to book can be different. Just because you self-published one novel doesn't mean a new novel in the future can't attract an agent for you.

1. Why do you want to see your book published?

Is it money or to be distributed widely? If you answered yes to either or both, then traditionally publishing should be your first goal. A publisher will typically distribute your book to all the bookstores they can, and perhaps even into specialty markets, be those airport bookstores or Target or anywhere else that agrees to carry the title. You also usually get money upfront (called an advance) that is yours to keep no matter how the book does. This is all good news.

Is it just to be read -- just to see it available and get it "out there"? If you don't have hard goals for your book or its sales, then self-publishing is an easy option. Some people just want to see their book out there and available. If so, just self-publish it. It may not sell big, but that's not the point. You just want it available for anyone down the road who wishes to enjoy it.

Is it to further your brand or business? If you're an entrepreneur, consider self-publishing a nonfiction book to build your brand. You can then introduce yourself as the author of that book.

Is it to have it as a free resource? Example: If you want to have your short stories available as a free download to newsletter subscribers, then just self-publish them to make them easily accessible.

2. How much proven ability do you have to market?

In the publishing industry, your ability to market yourself and your books is called platform. Last I checked, more than one million books and projects are self-published every year. In a sea with one million fish, what can you do to draw attention to your fish? Don't think it's as simple as "If I put it out there, readers will miraculously find it and buy it and share news of it." This almost never happens.

To market a book, you need either a platform or a marketing plan or both. Will you send out review copies? If so, to whom? What are you doing on social media to gain followers? Are you making contacts through any sort of media platforms, such as newsletter editors or blog owners or members of the media? Are you spending money to buy ads on different websites?

If you self-publish, you are the entire team for your book -- all marketing, all distribution, all promotion, all everything. People who enjoy writing but not the business end of things (i.e., marketing and promotion, in particular) may find self-publishing difficult if they want to sell big numbers of books.

3. Who is your audience and how do you plan to reach them?

An old adage in publishing is "A book for everyone is a book for no one."

If I ask you who will enjoy your self-published novel and you say "Everyone who enjoys a good book," then I know you're in trouble concerning marketing. How will you promote such a product? How can you succeed when aiming in all directions?

Meanwhile, if I ask you who will enjoy your self-published novel and you say "Well, it's a good book for women readers in their 30s, 40s, and 50s -- especially new divorcees, because the main character is a recent divorcee who's clueless in the modern dating scene," then we have something here to work with. We can identify good websites and message boards and newsletters and forums that such women are reading, and get involved in those places.

If you can't do a good job of identifying your specific target readers or composing a plan on how to get involved with their community, then it's tough to self-publish and market well. Maybe traditional publishing is a safer choice for you.

4. How much time and effort can you put in everything?

If you just want to self-publish your book and get it out in the world, with no specific sales goals, then go for it.

But if you do have specific sales/financial goals for your work (and future works), then I suggest investing a lot of time into the process. Educate yourself. Read dozens of blogs and articles by self-published writers and learn from their successes and mistakes. Spend money (advertise, etc.) to make money. You're starting your own small business; that means a steep learning curve and it may take years to generate the profits you seek. Be patient and take it extremely seriously.

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These questions should help you along your journey. If you have more questions, reach out to me on Twitter at @chucksambuchino, or online at chucksambuchino.com.

Chuck Sambuchino (@chucksambuchino) is a freelancer editor, bestselling book author, and former longtime staffer for Writer’s Digest Books. For many years he edited the GUIDE TO LITERARY AGENTS and the CHILDREN'S WRITER'S & ILLUSTRATOR'S MARKET. His Guide to Literary Agents Blog was one of the largest blogs in publishing, and he wrote the platform guidebook CREATE YOUR WRITER PLATFORM. His 2010 humor book, HOW TO SURVIVE A GARDEN GNOME ATTACK, was optioned by Sony Pictures. Chuck’s books have been mentioned in Reader’s Digest, USA Today, the New York Times, The Huffington Post, Variety, New York Magazine, Buzzfeed, Mental Floss, New York magazine, and many more media outlets. He is a successful freelance editor of queries, synopses, and manuscripts—seeing dozens of clients get agents or book deals following his consultations/edits. He loves meeting new writers.

IWSG Show Your Writer Insecurity Contest Winners

Thanks to everyone who participated! Wow, there were so many awesome photos. You guys were really creative. But we only had three prize packages with dozens of books, audio books, IWSG features, and IWSG erasers…

Third place goes to: J Lenni Dorner

Second place goes to: Mary Aalgaard

And the grand prize winner who also finally told all his Facebook friends he’s a writer: Ken Rahmoeller

For more awesome images, visit the other participants:
Sarah, Karen, SE White, Carrie-Anne, Tyrean, Fundy, Sandra, Erika, Olga, Toi, IB Nosey, Morgan, Nancy, Deniz, Zan Marie, Allison Kathy, and Sharon.

It's That Conference Time of Year

Writing is a lonely and complicated business. There are ways to keep the enthusiastic fires burning. One of my favorite is attending a conference every year. As an board member of Pennwriters, I attend that conference every year and do what I can to help the organizers. If you're in the Pittsburgh area the third weekend in May this year, please join us. Chuck Sambuchino is our keynote speaker this year. Read his advice about attending a writing conference.

Is Pittsburgh outside your comfortable travel zone, there are conferences everywhere. Check out IWSG's conference page. Pick the month you can attend and find something in your area. But there's more to picking a conference that it being a convenient location.

Picking a conference.

*First, find a conference that is within your budget. Some one day affairs can cost less than $100 dollars and other large weekend conferences may be priced in access of $1,000.
*Make sure the conference has offerings to fit your needs. Do you need basic writing craft advice? Do you need workshops on promotion and the use of social media?
*Will there be a opportunities for you to pitch your work to agents and editors?
*Will you get something in return for your investment?

Once you're at your conference, what things shouldn't you do?

*Don't just hang out with the people you already know. Sit with strangers at meals. Talk to people between workshops.
*Don't drink too much. The bar can be a great place to network, but be careful.
*Don't go to the conference expecting to be a perfect time. There will be blips and some disappointments.
*Don't go over your budget. It's tempting to buy lots of books at the book sale or spend a little extra at the bar, but you'll regret it later

Do this at your conference.

*Do have fun. Yes, it's related to your work and career, but you love writing.
*Do know what you want to get out of the experience and look over the schedule so you can plan ahead.
*If it's your first time at a conference, especially a big one, attend the orientation session they'll probably offer.
*Be flexible. You should make a plan but don't be afraid to alter it if you decide you want to change things up once things get underway. Don't get upset if s workshop gets canceled or a presenter doesn't show up. It happens a lot.
*Dress comfortably but still be professional. Shoes especially need to comfortable. You will walk more and stand more than you expect.
*Do carry business cards. You'll meet busy people and it's the quickest way to exchange information.
*Network, network, network. Meet people and then make sure you follow up with new friends and opportunities.
*Volunteer. Introduce speakers, help pass out things, take a turn at the information table.
*If they're not too expensive, do the after hours extras. Some are special social events and others are group critique sessions.
*Hangout in the social areas like the lounge and the hospitality suite. You'll get a chance to talk one on one with some of the presenters in those areas.

Have you ever attended a conference? Did you get your money's worth? What would be your top reason for attending a conference?