Some great tips here, especially those really specific questions! Another one I think is good to ask your publisher — particular the smaller/indie/startup ones — is "will my book be available from Gardners on sale or return at the standard discount?" If they say no or don’t know, run!
(I know now too that Gardners don’t treat self published books like other books, unlike Ingram in the US, so that’s another reason most bookshops won’t stock self-published books!)
As a guy planning to self-publish a children's book, I was a little discouraged by "embrace traditional publishers." However, your tone was so upbeat and encouraging, I'm gonna put your post on my refrigerator as soon as I can find a digital magnet! 🧲👍😅
Self-publishing has its perks😃 one of the good things is if you’re not too ambitious about the initial paper books, you can put your total loss under control 😉
Thanks Tom - insightful stuff and very timely as this debut self-publishing author anxiously and excitedly awaits delivery of his first 100 copies. And yes, as I’m rapidly learning, distribution is indeed a key aspect of the forthcoming challenge!
Great advice - every note rang true for me. It might be worth adding a link to the booksellers guide. Although it's aimed at independently published books, it's great advice for traditionally published writers too - a local independent bookshop can be a writer's greatest champion if the stars align...
Re Shopify etc, you want Lucy Reid at Factory. She owns the business, lives in Balham, buys all her books from Backstory and is the literal best Shopify expert in the business.
So generous, Tom! Also I will be asking my publishers those questions 👀
Please do!
Some great tips here, especially those really specific questions! Another one I think is good to ask your publisher — particular the smaller/indie/startup ones — is "will my book be available from Gardners on sale or return at the standard discount?" If they say no or don’t know, run!
Yes that's a great question
(I know now too that Gardners don’t treat self published books like other books, unlike Ingram in the US, so that’s another reason most bookshops won’t stock self-published books!)
As a guy planning to self-publish a children's book, I was a little discouraged by "embrace traditional publishers." However, your tone was so upbeat and encouraging, I'm gonna put your post on my refrigerator as soon as I can find a digital magnet! 🧲👍😅
Haha! Good luck Mark.
Self-publishing has its perks😃 one of the good things is if you’re not too ambitious about the initial paper books, you can put your total loss under control 😉
Thank you - I came to this via Phoebe Morgan's newsletter and am so pleased I did. My debut comes out in January.
This is such a helpful post. Thanks so much for sharing!
Brilliant helpful article! Thank you!
Pleasure!
As always, insightful and good advice. I aspire daily to be whizzy for the authors at whose shoulders I walk!
You are ever whizzy!
Loved these tips for debut novelists! Those are publisher questions I’d never have known to ask.
Hi Tom, I know someone from my freelance group who could help with your website: Hannah Dossary from www.shinyhappy.digital.
Thanks Tom - insightful stuff and very timely as this debut self-publishing author anxiously and excitedly awaits delivery of his first 100 copies. And yes, as I’m rapidly learning, distribution is indeed a key aspect of the forthcoming challenge!
Good luck
Thank you so much! My publishers are very lovely but it’s all very daunting.
Total pleasure, I hope it’s useful
Fantastic advice thank you
Great advice - every note rang true for me. It might be worth adding a link to the booksellers guide. Although it's aimed at independently published books, it's great advice for traditionally published writers too - a local independent bookshop can be a writer's greatest champion if the stars align...
https://www.booksellers.org.uk/BookSellers/media/Booksellers/Getting-Your-Book-into-a-High-Street-Bookshop.pdf
Great addition - thanks, Fiona
Re Shopify etc, you want Lucy Reid at Factory. She owns the business, lives in Balham, buys all her books from Backstory and is the literal best Shopify expert in the business.
Amazing thanks, I'll add her to my list :)
Very useful post. Thanks ❤️