5 Services That Every Self-Publishing Book Company Should Offer

If you need to use a self-publishing book company whether, for a personal or corporate project, you may not be sure what to expect. You may wonder what services such companies offer. While every company is different there are five services that should be on offer no matter what book printing company you use.

1. Ghostwriting or Editing

All self-publishing book companies should offer a service that helps you put your words on the page in the best and most readable way possible. This can be through a ghostwriter who is hired to put your ideas into words or an editing team to polish your prose. While both of these services are available at a number of freelance sites, it can be difficult to be sure you are working with a professional. Going through the self-publishing company’s staff assures quality and experience.

2. Art

Book printing services should offer book covers for self-published authors as well as book illustrations when applicable. Like editing and ghostwriting, there are many freelancers that offer these services but their quality may vary. Working with a book printing company’s illustrator guarantees quality as well as assuring that the images will be formatted properly for printing. Ordering covers and art elsewhere risks paying for a product that is improperly sized or formatted for your printing needs.

An artist sketching a custom book cover for a self-published author.

3. Digital Printing Services

The world has moved into the digital age and many readers prefer to hold thousands of books on their e-readers as opposed to having shelves of paper books cluttering their home. Self-publishing book printing companies should offer options to convert your physical book into an ebook as well. This adds additional options for consumption and distribution.

4. Print Run Options

Every self-publishing book company should offer a variety of print run options. You should be able to order as many or as few copies of your book as you need at a time. They should be able to accommodate large or short-run book printing orders.

5. Binding Options

A self-publishing book company should offer you a variety of bookbinding options. You should be able to print hardcover and paperback books. If you want leather-bound bookbinding it should be on offer.  Self-publishers may have evolving needs as their careers change. Most self-publishers will have a wide consumer base and may need different bindings to meet different needs. The more binding options the book printing company has, the more options the author will be able to offer their reader base.

Ready to Connect with a Book Printing Company?

InstantPublisher offers a wide variety of options and services to meet the printing needs of individuals and companies. For more information on how you can get your book printed, contact InstantPublisher today by calling 1800 259 2592 or filling out this online contact form.

Differences Between Traditional Book Publishing and Self-Publishing

Self-Publishing isn’t new. The Bronte sisters Emily, Charlotte, and Anne self-published their first book, a collection of poetry, in 1846.

Advances in technology and the internet have made self-publishing faster, easier, and cheaper than ever before. Many new authors are choosing self-publishing instead of traditional publishing.

Self-published books printed by book publishing company

Traditional versus self-publishing can be a divisive topic in author groups but neither answer is right for every author. Sometimes one author may choose to traditionally publish one book while self-publishing the next.

What is Traditional Publishing?

In traditional publishing, an author submits their work to a publishing house. If their work is accepted, and only a small percentage are, the author signs a contract giving the publishing house permission to print, distribute, and sell their books. In return, the author gets a small percentage of profits from the book sales.

Authors typically have no say in the number of books printed, cover art, book size, and other important decisions about their book. In essence, the author hands over their book and entrusts the publishing house to do what they do best.

What is Self-publishing?

In self-publishing, the author takes the reigns in book production. They choose every aspect of how their book will be printed including size, binding, and cover art. The author makes choices about distribution, pricing, and print size. The author finances the production of the book and earns all the profits from book sales.

Which Should I Choose?

Choosing whether or not to self-publish is a choice that depends on the author and the book. Often, publishers will only choose to publish books they believe have wide commercial appeal.
Publishers are in business to make money. An author might have an amazing book that publishers don’t pick up because they don’t believe it will have the sales numbers they require. They may base this decision on the subject matter, author name recognition, and market research about genre popularity cycles.

If your book doesn’t look to publishers like the next big thing, they might choose to pass it up. Publishers can only publish a limited number of books so they choose those they believe will sell best.

Even if your book has commercial appeal, that doesn’t mean traditional publishing is the right choice for you. Many authors like having control over all the aspects of their book. No publisher will ever be as invested in the outcomes of a book as the author is.

Additionally, some authors choose to self-publish because the money is better. They don’t have to share profits from sales with the publishing company and agents.

Every author should weigh the pros and cons of self-publishing versus traditional publishing for each book and in each circumstance to decide what the best choice is for their needs.

Ready to Self-Publish?

Instant Publisher can help you self-publish your book. Contact us today for more information. You can reach us by phone at 1-800-259-2592.