You’ve written your book, and you’re ready to launch it into the world—as quickly as possible. Like most authors, you are naturally anxious to get your book out and into readers’ hands after spending so much time writing it. The hard part is complete, so there’s not much more to do, right? Well, if you’re a first-time author, you might greatly underestimate the amount of work that still needs to be done to produce your book and how important that work is to set your book up for a successful publication.

This article looks at typical book production timelines for three different publishing models: traditional publishing, self-publishing, and hybrid publishing. Publishing time can vary widely, depending on a book’s specific needs, but this overview will give you a general idea of what to expect from the standard process for most books.

You’ve worked hard developing your manuscript or book proposal; now it’s time to decide how you will get your book out into the world. There are several different options; deciding which path is right for you will depend on your career goals, writing topic, potential market, and resources.

Here we will break down each of the three primary publishing options, along with their pros and cons, to help you find the right approach for you.

We were saddened to read the recent news about Scribe Media (https://lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2023/05/scribe-media-shuts-down-lays-off-staff/), and it got us thinking about the options authors have when something like this happens.

If your indie publisher has suddenly closed its doors, you’re probably in shock, and you might feel like it’s the end of your publishing journey. But the reality is, there are tons of options - you just need to know where to start. We’ve compiled some advice below to help you get your book back on track.

Now that you have written or are thinking of writing a manuscript, you might be curious (and maybe even a little scared) to know how much it is going to cost you to bring your book into the world. The correct answer to this financial question is the ever-aggravating response of “it depends.” From the publishing method you choose to your end goals to the materials you begin your publishing journey with, many factors play into calculating publishing cost, and there is no one-size-fits-all investment every author pays.

Pick up any book off the shelf and on the spine, usually at the bottom, you’ll see a business name. Often that name has “Books” or “Press” at the end, and it can be accompanied by a small logo. That name is the imprint, the book industry term for the brand the book is published under.

What is a synopsis, and why is it important?

In short, a synopsis is a summary of your book. It should capture the key plot points and characters or questions and arguments of the entire book, from start to finish.

The prospect of titling your book can be daunting. Surely, if you could have distilled the entire message of your book into one short catchphrase, you wouldn’t have spent the last couple of years writing 100,000+ words about it!

That’s why it’s important to use a guide when creating a title and subtitle for your book. Here are tips from our titling experts on how to create a title that garners readers and sells.

So you write poetry, or plays, or short stories, and now you’re wondering how to go about getting your work into the world. Publishing short-form content is more about finding your people than a scatter shot across the industry. The right fit depends on your subject matter, medium, and goals. If you want to publish one piece at a time and build up your following, literary magazines, personal websites, and social media are all versatile, accessible ways to get your foot in the door. If you are ready to publish a complete book of short-form content, small presses can help with the heavy lifting of production and marketing.