Many authors hesitate to fulfill their publishing dreams because of the expense of self-publishing. This year has especially taken a toll on people’s bank accounts. You may be reconsidering your plans to publish your work this year due to financial problems. It’s true that it takes money to publish a book, and it’s important to be aware of how much you can budget for your endeavors. However, it’s also important to know this truth: The money you spend to prepare your manuscript and publish it is an investment in yourself and your work. You should make every cent count by investing in quality services that will help your work succeed. If you can’t afford it this year, don’t give up; simply consider saving up for another time. Just don’t be quick to refrain from publishing because you assume that you won’t be able to turn a profit from your work based on the current economy.
Though many things are becoming hard to afford, people are still spending money on entertainment, including books. According to WordsRated, roughly $1.25 billion worth of self-published books are sold annually. As stated by Publisher’s Weekly, February sales of print books rose 2.8% compared to the same time last year. Though print sales have since gradually fallen once more, they still dominate the book market. As mentioned in this previous article, audiobook sales are booming and are still on the rise. Ebook sales have declined since the end of the pandemic, but they are still going strong and are expected to have a compound annual growth rate of 3.62% over the next five years. This means that, with quality preparation and effective marketing, a return on investment is not only probable, it’s extremely likely, as is a sizeable profit. Many indie-authors’ profits are in the six digits, as reported by the Alliance of Independent Authors.
Now, let’s say you’ve decided to go ahead with your publishing journey. You decide to start preparing in October so you can take advantage of the holiday spike in sales. I love your enthusiasm, but the sad fact is that it takes much longer to publish a book than many authors realize, even when self-publishing. This is especially true if you’re aiming for quality, which all authors should. Major publishers don’t invest in quality work because they have money to burn; they invest in quality work because it pays for itself in increased sales. If you produce a low-quality product, readers will be less likely to purchase your work or leave positive reviews.
At 1106 Design, the process of publishing a book includes cover design, page design, editing, typesetting, and proofreading. Most of these services are completed in ten to fifteen business days, though editing takes fourteen to twenty. Some, like indexing and proofreading, may take longer depending on the length and complexity of the work. Throughout the process, we consult with the author and take some time to review, reflect, and revise as necessary. Usually, it takes about three to four months to complete the process and release a title. This flowchart further explains each step and the estimated timeline per service.
Last-minute revisions and unexpected issues can make the process take even longer, so it’s wise to plan ahead and expand the timeframe. That way, you’ll have more cushion for delays should they occur. For authors who want their work ready by the holiday season, the time to start preparing your work for publishing is now. When utilizing a full-service publishing services company like 1106 Design, your manuscript doesn’t have to be perfect to start. So long as the storyline and characters in a novel are well-developed, our editors can fix almost anything else. Same for non-fiction titles as long as the topics are settled.
You can count on 1106 Design to ensure your manuscript reaches professional publishing standards. We’ll be there to guide you through each step of the process, and you’ll retain full creative control. If you’re ready to invest in your work, contact us today to learn more about our services.
