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frequently asked questions
Unsure who to trust
Traditional publishers, hybrid publishers, vanity publishers. It is very hard to know who to trust in this industry, especially when it is your first time publishing your manuscript. Publishing Pathfinders manages those fears by providing a vetted team dedicated to providing resources and education through the writer’s self-publishing journey.
No idea where to start
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You finished your manuscript! A huge accomplishment! Now what? How do you find an editor? Do you use your talented cousin, grab a stock photo from the internet, or find a cover artist for your book cover? Which platform would be best to use to print your books?
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Publishing Pathfinders is geared to help you get started. The journey is yours; we are here to ensure you stay on the path.
Why choose us?
Do not know the process
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We hear you! We didn’t either until after we stumbled and fumbled through it the first time. Our mistakes cost us time and money. Neither of which we like to waste. We do not want you to have to go through the same growing pains.
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Publishing Pathfinders’ goal is to teach you the process to include what to look for in a reputable editor/cover artist/formatter/proofreader/web designer/marketer so you are able to do it on your own the next time. (However, if you want to use us again, well we would be honored to have your business.)
Can’t afford it
It is definitely important to have a budget. However, it is important to understand, publishing a good quality book does cost money. No, not massive quantity, but a good target would be $3000 - $5000 for editor, cover, proofreading, formatting, website design, and marketing. Once you know all the parts and potential costs, you can now start saving.
Cheaper to do it on my own
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There are lots of entities and people claiming you can publish at a very low or no cost. There is truth in that if you have friends in the field that are willing to help you at a reduced or no cost rate. Otherwise, there will be some expenses.
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If you opt to go the no cost route, the risk is selling only a few books. If the cover does not draw the reader in, you won’t make the sale. If the summary doesn’t catch their interest, you won’t make the sale. If the customer reviews it online and sees grammar mistakes, you won’t make the sale. If someone does buy it and gives it a bad review, you risk not making future sales.
What does publishing cost?
more expensive than traditional publishing
Traditionally published authors often receive less than 10% of royalties. Why? Because the publisher fronted the money! You are now going to pay them back through sales.
Many authors lose creative control of their intellectual property (the book they wrote). If the contract is not negotiated well, you could have your book or your cover revised without your input or approval.
A traditional publisher is always assessing their return on investment (ROI). If it is not a guaranteed New York Times Best Seller, do not expect to have all your marketing handled by them. The less you are known, the more you will have to do your own
Is Self-Publishing Right For Me?
We want to help you think through the question, “Is Self-Publishing right for me?” This really is the $100,000 question that only you can answer. But, we can help you think it through.
Questions to think on
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Are you the person that likes to have complete control?
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Do you like to learn new processes to empower you?
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Do you prefer not to rely on other people for something you can learn and do on your own?
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Do you like to maximize your profits?
Why not self publish?
Now where to start?
If you answered yes to these questions, self-publishing might be the right path for you!
Ready to take the next step and start your journey to self-publish?