Taking a look at the current state of publishing in Ireland, this presentation weighs the pros and cons of various publishing models - traditional publishing, self-publishing, assisted publishing. Prospective authors face many obstacles in their bid to get the attention of publishers. We look at both the emerging and declining trends in publishing, positing the idea of Assisted Publishing as a potential solution to authors and writers who may be considering the self-publishing or independent publishing route.

1. Publish or Be Damned?

2. Ireland's Literary Tradition

Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard
Shaw, James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Beckett,
Sean O'Casey, Flann O'Brien, Francis Ledwidge

Maeve Bincy, Roddy Doyle, Patricia Scanlan,
Joseph O'Connor, Cathy Kelly, Seamus Heaney,
Cecilia Ahern, Anne Enright

Thousands and thousands of ordinary folk,
like you and me!

3. What is it about being published?

Seeing your name in print

Holding your book in your hand
with your name on the cover

Sense of achievement

Feeling of approval

4. A Dose of Reality
Book Publishers in Ireland
− Six General Fiction publishers
− One or two for Poetry
− Two or Three Children's Book publishers
− Four or Five Historic Fiction
− Six publishers of non-fiction
− Four Educational Books publishers
Many are losing money

5. Book Trade in Ireland

Dominated by Easons – over 50
stores

Waterstones and Hughes & Hughes

50 Independent Book Sellers

Book revenues are declining

Borders have closed

6. Book Publishing in Ireland

Average publisher of general fiction
publishes about 12 new titles a year

Less than 100 general fiction new titles a
year in total

Compete with British, American and
overseas titles

7. Other Avenues for Getting Published

Newspapers

Magazines

Journals

Blogs

Newsletters

8. The Loneliness of the
Long Distance Writer

Preparing your manuscript

Writing your covering letter

Putting it in the post (SAE)

Waiting an eternity

Rejection letter – Sorry!

Start all over again

9. The Publishing Process

Agent

Commissioning or Acquisitions Editor

Acquisition Meeting – Advanced Information Sheet

Outside readers

Rights Department

10. The Publishing Process (contd)

Structural Editor

Copy Editor – first, second, final proof

Designer – cover, text layout

Typesetting

Proof reading

Uncorrected proof

Sign off

11. The Publishing Process (contd)

Printing, binding, packing

Warehousing

Marketing

Sales

Distribution

Retailing

Returns

Royalties (if you're lucky!)

12. Rejection is not always about quality

It mainly means that the publishers doesn't think
they can make money out of your book
− Established names
− Well worked niches
− Proven formulas
− Celebrity appeal

Declining market, therefore publishers takes less risk
− Unlikely to invest in new authors

13. What's the alternative?

Give up and be damned

Vanity Publishing (spend a fortune)

Self Publishing (do it all on your own)

Assisted Publishing – the better approach

14. Assisted Publishing from
The Manuscript Publisher

Author writes the book

The Manuscript Publisher prepares the book
− Cover
− Typesetting
− Proof-reading and Editing
− Proof copy
− ISBN and Legal Deposit
− Printing and Binding
− E-Books
− Marketing and Sales pack

15. Benefits of Assisted Publishing

Author keeps all rights to the work

Professional guidance, assistance and help

More books for your money – any quantity, shape
or size

We work with authors on an individual basis – we
don't force you down the 'package' route

Marketing and sales assistance and advice

Author keeps greater share of the money

16. Frequently Asked Questions

How many books do I have to get printed?
− 25 to 1500 copies

What does it cost?
− €3 to €5 per copy

Will I be able to sell my books?
− Book launch
− Local Bookshop
− Internet
− Local Media
− Word of mouth
The economical way to turn manuscripts into books

17. The Market is Changing

Traditional publishers losing market share

30% of new titles in Easons are author
published.

E-books facilitates author publishing

Amazon sold more e-books over Christmas
2009 than hard copies

18. Private Publishing

Vast majority of books produced are for not
for mass public consumption

Family memoirs, community projects, local
history, clubs and societies
Assisted Publishing from
The Manuscript Publisher is the ideal
solution

19. Services for Writing Groups

Websites

Blogs

Newsletters

Advertising, promotion

Mailing List management

Training Courses, Workshops

Collective Publishing, anthologies

20. Books about Writing and Publishing

Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2012

The Irish Writers, Authors and Poets Handbook by Oscar
Duggan and David Jones

The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing by Sue Collier and
Marilyn Ross

How I Sold One Million e-Books in 5 Months by John
Locke

Just My Type – a Book about Fonts by Simon Garfield

21. Thank You

22. For More Information
Visit Our Website
www.TheManuscriptPublisher.com
Publishing Solutions for the Digital Age
Or Call Us for no obligation quotation or advice:
Phone: Int+353+(0)1 8569566 or (0)87 7604547
E-mail: enquiries@themanuscriptpublisher.com