There are many options for publishers, and plenty of these companies will not be good. Since you don’t want to go through the hassle of changing publishers, you must research all your publishing options before making a choice. The following six criteria should serve as a general guide when looking at different publishing companies:
1) Reputation
It is important to find out what other authors think about the publisher in question. Ask yourself whether or not they have a history of treating their writers well if they pay royalties (and on time) and how much effort and communication they put into marketing their authors’ works. If most people seem dissatisfied with the current publisher, look elsewhere. For instance, according to Bentham Science Open, you should keep in mind that even if some authors enjoy working with a publisher, their opinions do not necessarily mean that another author will have the same experience.
2) Commitment
Consistency is key when working with an author over any time, especially when that relationship is over a book. A good publisher will continually give their authors attention, regularly update them with progress reports, be honest about the time commitment needed for each task/promotion, etc. Every communication should be timely and open to constructive criticism from both parties.
3) Editing services
Since editing can be a long and arduous process, you want to ensure that the company’s services are up to par. Read the publisher guidelines and find out if they list what type of editing is included in their packages. Factor this cost into your budget and figure out how much money you will have leftover after subtracting this expense from your projected royalties.
4) Education about the business of publishing
A good publisher will want to learn more about the writing and publishing industry to teach and inform their authors and therefore help them succeed in this business. A good publisher will chat with you about everything from reviews, marketing strategies, social media growth, contracts/agreements, and royalties/profit-sharing. For instance, Bentham Open has publishers who are knowledgeable on every subject surrounding the success of their clients’ books.
4) Marketing
Look for companies that offer marketing assistance as part of their regular publishing packages. Even if such assistance happens infrequently, it can help new authors reach audiences they might not otherwise access alone. Be wary of publishers who market your book without ever having read it or giving you any input on its promotion beforehand. Currently, bad marketing can do just as much damage as good marketing does nothing at all.
The best publishers are those who will go above and beyond for you as an author, book lover, and celebrity endorser. They will ensure that your book is always in top shape and consistently updated with the latest marketing strategies. You should not worry about anything with a good publisher
