You wrote (or are writing) a book, but what happens after that? Should you self publish? Do you need an agent? Do you even have a chance to land a publishing contract? In this online, interactive class, hosted in July 2021 by my friends at Hugo House, we’ll take an unbiased, unvarnished, fast-paced, and up-to-date look at a modern writer’s publishing options, from “Big 5” traditional publishers to small presses to self publishing (with or without the support of service companies) to “hybrid” and other emerging models. Taught by a publishing professional who works on and appreciates both sides of the publishing fence, this class gets past the hype and examines pros and cons of each choice, realistic costs and income potential, as well as scams and pitfalls to avoid. Most importantly, it helps writers seeking publication understand their own goals, strengths, and how to make a decision that’s best for them.

1. Beth Jusino
www.bethjusino.com

5. 1907: 9,260 books published

6. 1. The way we WRITE books changed.

7. 1. The way we write books changed.
2. The way we BUY and SELL books changed.

8. 1. The way we write books changed.
2. The way we buy books changed.
3. The way we MAKE books changed.

10. Today:
305,000 books traditionally published
1,000,000 books self published
13 MILLION TOTAL BOOKS IN PRINT

13. Why do YOU want to get
published?

16. 1. A focus on the bottom line

17. 1. A focus on the bottom line
2. High quality publishing

18. 1. A focus on the bottom line
2. High quality
3. Wants existing author platform

19. 1. A focus on the bottom line
2. High quality
3. Wants existing author platform
4. Stable company, high staff turnover

20. 1. A focus on the bottom line
2. High quality
3. Wants existing author platform
4. Stable company, high staff turnover
5. 12-18 months to publication

21. 6. Requires agents

22. 6. Requires agents
7. Makes money selling books to readers

23. (The Other Big Question)
How do authors make money from their
books?

24. Paper Book:
 Retailer: 50%
 Author: 10-15% hardcover; 7.5% paperback
 Publisher: 35-42%
◦ Includes hard costs of paper, printing, binding, shipping,
and storing
Ebook:
 Retailer: 30%
 Author: 17.5% (25% of net)
 Publisher: 52.5%
Note: These are averages for comparison only. Specific contracts
may vary.

25. Hardcover: $24.00
 Retailer: $12.00
 Author: $3.00 (minus $.45 agent commission)
 Publisher: $9.00
◦ Includes hard costs of paper, printing, binding, shipping,
and storing: $3-5
Ebook: $9.99
 Retailer: $2.99
 Author: $1.75
 Publisher: $5.25
Note: These are averages for comparison only. Specific contracts
may vary.

26. 6. Requires agents
7. Makes money selling books to readers
8. Higher sales expectations, higher advances

27. 6. Requires agents
7. Makes money selling books to readers
8. Higher sales expectations, higher advances
9. Publisher has final say in cover, title, date

28. 6. Requires agents
7. Makes money selling books to readers
8. Higher sales expectations, higher advances
9. Publisher has final say in cover, title, date
10. Very low risk

32. 1. Follows traditional publishing model (advance and
royalty, profits from book sales)

33. 1. Follows traditional publishing model (advance and
royalty, profits from book sales)
2. Publishing quality varies

34. 1. Follows traditional publishing model (advance and
royalty)
2. Publishing quality varies
3. More personal, level of attention varies

35. 1. Follows traditional publishing model (advance and
royalty)
2. Publishing quality varies
3. More personal, level of attention varies
4. Target specific audiences/sales channels

36. 1. Follows traditional publishing model (advance and
royalty)
2. Publishing quality varies
3. More personal, level of attention varies
4. Target specific audiences
5. 6-12 months to publication

37. 1. Follows traditional publishing model (advance and
royalty)
2. Publishing quality varies
3. More personal, level of attention varies
4. Target specific audiences
5. 6-12 months to publication
6. Lower threshold for success

39. 1. Follows traditional publishing model (advance and
royalty)
2. Publishing quality varies
3. Level of attention varies
4. Target specific audiences
5. 6-12 months to publication
6. Lower threshold for success
7. Agents are not always required

40. If your priorities are to…
 Work with professionals who can make and distribute books
 Work with a partner that will invest resources in turning an
idea into a product
 Have better access to brick and mortar bookstores
 Share marketing tasks
AND you are…
 Willing to share the profits
 Patient
 Eager for professional collaboration

45.  Editing
◦ Developmental
◦ Line/Copy
◦ Proofreading
Northwest Editors Guild:
www.edsguild.org

46.  Editing
 Decide format
Print? Ebook? Both?

47.  Editing
 Decide format
 Decide Distribution

48.  Editing
 Decide format
 Decide Distribution

49.  Editing
 Decide format
 Decide Distribution
 Design (Cover and Interior)

50.  Editing
 Decide format
 Decide Distribution
 Design (Cover and Interior)
 Registration (ISBN)

51.  Editing
 Decide format
 Decide Distribution
 Design (Cover and Interior)
 Registration
 Marketing and Promotion

53.  Steep learning curve

54.  Steep learning curve
 Total control of pricing, discounts, and profit

55.  Steep learning curve
 Total control of pricing, discounts, and profit
 Total control of package

56.  Steep learning curve
 Total control of pricing, discounts, and profit
 Total control of package
 Control of timing

57.  Steep learning curve
 Total control of pricing, discounts, and profit
 Total control of package
 Control of timing (24-48 hours after files
uploaded; 1 week with print proof copy)
 Publishing quality varies

58.  Helpful, supportive, knowledgeable
contractors

59.  Helpful, supportive, knowledgeable
contractors
 Some stigma (less with independent imprint)

60.  Helpful, supportive, knowledgeable
contractors
 Some stigma (less with independent imprint)
 Highest dollar return per book

61. Paper Book:
 Retailer: 50%
 POD Printer (IngramSpark): $.90 + $.013/page
◦ Includes hard costs of paper, printing, binding, and
shipping
 Author/Publisher gets the rest
Ebook:
 Retailer: 30%
 Author/Publisher: 70%
Note: These are averages for comparison only.

62. Paper Book: 300 pages, list price $15.99
 Retailer: $7.99
 POD Printer (IngramSpark): $4.80
◦ Includes hard costs of paper, printing, binding, and shipping
 Author/Publisher: $3.20
KDP: Amazon sale nets Author/Publisher $5.14; through
other vendors: $1.94
Ebook: $4.99
 Retailer: $1.50
 Author/Publisher: $3.49
Note: These are averages for comparison only.

65. Subsidy Publishing Businesses

67. http://bit.ly/2GxVZxz
 1. Define a mission and vision for
its publishing program.
 2. Vet submissions.
 3. Publish under its own imprint(s)
and ISBNs.
 4. Publish to industry standards.
 5. Ensure editorial, design, and production quality.
 6. Pursue and manage a range of publishing rights.
 7. Provide distribution services.
 8. Demonstrate respectable sales.
 9. Pay authors a higher-than-standard royalty.

69.  GOOGLE EVERYTHING
 Writer Beware:
www.writerbeware.com
 Talk to other authors

70.  Are they selective?

71.  Are they selective?
 Are they publishing books that you would
read?

72.  Are they selective?
 Are they publishing books that you would
read?
 Are their costs/payments competitive?

73.  Are they selective?
 Are they publishing books that you would
read?
 Are their costs/payments competitive?
 Are their book prices competitive (if relevant)?

74.  Are they selective?
 Are they publishing books that you would
read?
 Are their costs/payments competitive?
 Are their book prices competitive (if relevant)?
 Do you trust their staff and leadership?

75.  Are they selective?
 Are they publishing books that you would
read?
 Are their costs/payments competitive?
 Are their book prices competitive (if relevant)?
 Do you trust their staff and leadership?
 Are they trying to upsell or pressure you?

76.  Are they selective?
 Are they publishing books that you would
read?
 Are their costs/payments competitive?
 Are their book prices competitive (if relevant)?
 Do you trust their staff and leadership?
 Are they trying to upsell or pressure you?
 Are they professional in their behavior?

77.  Are they selective?
 Are they publishing books that you would
read?
 Are their costs/payments competitive?
 Are their book prices competitive (if relevant)?
 Do you trust their staff and leadership?
 Are they trying to upsell or pressure you?
 Are they professional in their behavior?
 Is there a clear way to end the contract?

78. http://bethjusino.com
(Click Resources for link to this slideshow
and many of the services mentioned)
bethjusino@gmail.com
Most photos in this slideshow are Creative Commons, courtesy of
Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/