Questions to Ask a Self-Publishing Firm Before You Give Them Any Money

I think self-publishing your book is a great idea, but there are a number of things to consider before you decide to pay a self-publisher to publish your book. First of all, how much you are willing to spend to have your book published? Once you know your limit, then you need to shop around for a publisher that will fit your budget.

It’s very important to understand what you’re paying for. Some publishers will merely print your book exactly as you give it to them. If you’re confident in your editing, this might be the best way to go. If you need some editing help, however, you might want to look for a publishing firm that includes it as part of their package. Then you’ll need to ask what does editing mean to that firm? Is it a basic editing such as a spell check, or something more thorough?

If your book needs cover art, will you have to supply it? Does the publisher have someone who will work with you to decide on the book cover? How much will it cost to have a cover designed for your book?

Other questions to consider include: Are there hidden charges, such as shipping and handling, that won’t show up in the basic package rate? If you’re using a print-on-demand service, what is the up-front charge?

Overwhelmingly, I hear positive comments from authors who self-publish their books, but these are some things you need to keep in mind when you’re deciding to self-publish your own book.