August 2005

What Are The Advantages Of POD Publishing Over Self-Publishing?

I am in the process of looking for a publisher. I have a Christian children's book complete with illustrations. What are the advantages of going with a "print on demand" or being printed under my own publishing company? I realize that going the traditional way is more expensive up front, but are there any hidden things I need to look for in making my decision?

Distribution is the biggest drawback to both self-publishing under your own imprint, and going with a print on demand (POD) publisher. I discuss this issue in my July column: Where can I find a book distributor? Many POD publishers are only able to distribute their books online because bookstore chains have not been willing to stock them.

The subject of POD publishing versus self-publishing is much too broad for me to cover in one column. Writing World has several excellent articles covering self-publishing and POD. Read the "Self-Publishing FAQ" by Moira Allen, for answers to your questions about self-publishing. In her article "The POD Quandary", Brenda Rollins offers good tips to help you decide if POD is right for you. Sue Fagalde Lick's article presents "Ten Questions to Ask Before You Sign that Print-on-Demand Contract". In "The Truth About Print-on-Demand Publishing" David Taylor outlines "what POD publishers fail to arm their writers with and thus lead them to slaughter".

For more information, do a Google search for the phrase, "POD publishing versus self publishing" (for better search results omit the dash in self-publishing). You'll find many links to a lot of different viewpoints and valuable information. I also recommend The Self-Publishing Manual by Dan Poynter. Be sure to visit his web site, Para Publishing, and sign up for his newsletter.

Is The Educational Market For Teachers Only?

I am interested writing educational materials. I have also written picture books, easy-readers, and early chapter books, although as yet unpublished. I am well-educated but I'm not a teacher. Is the educational market for teachers only?

No, the educational market is not for teachers only. However many teachers do write for the educational market, therefore you will be competing with their knowledge and skills. You must be familiar with school curriculum for the various grade levels, especially vocabulary. According to Elaine Grannis' article "Freelancing for the Educational Market": "if you have studied what the needs are, and know the national standards for curriculum, you have a chance if you are able to place them in the right format. The format today is guided reading." Her article also provides links to curriculum standards, suggested books to read, and a general overview of the freelance opportunities in the educational market.

Barbara Gruber and Sue Gruber are teachers who conduct online courses for teachers. Over the past 20 years they have developed and sold over one hundred fifty products to educational publishers. Their article, "Secrets of Success -- Writing for Educational Publishers" is a step-by-step guide to how good ideas become products and how to present your product to educational publishers.

How Do I Handle Resubmitting My Novel?

A few years ago I got a top NY agent to represent my YA novel. The agent submitted to 15 publishing houses without a sale. The agent finally stopped submitting and said she didn't think it was the material but the timing. Her only suggestion was that maybe I should cut it a bit. So now its a few years later, in resubmitting it to a new agent do I have to say it was rejected by all those publishers and my old agent finally gave up? Not a great selling tool. Or should I just change the title?

I don't think you need to do anything. The first agent mentioned that timing probably had something to do with her inability to sell your manuscript. And believe me in when it comes to the publishing business, timing is everything. I don't see the need to change the title, unless you want to. But you certainly don't need to "disguise" your manuscript in any way. You aren't required to provide the submission history of the manuscript, unless the agent asks for it. Editors come and go, and switch publishers all the time. Agents tend to form relationships with editors and follow them around. So for that reason, where your manuscript has been has little bearing on where it's going since it has more to do with timing than anything else. Perhaps an editor who passed on it the first time around will take a second look and find a place for it on her list. Editors don't hang onto manuscripts to wait for the right time.

Over the course of my own career I have been represented by several agents and have never been asked to provide a history of submission for a manuscript. However during a 5-year span, one of my YA manuscripts was seriously considered, and nearly contracted by two different editors at the same publishing company. The key in querying agents this time around is to try and find a way to pitch it that ties your novel to something current in the teen world -- trends, news, sex, media, fashion, movies, sports, the web -- whatever kids are into that's considered "hot". That's what agents and editors seem to be looking for.

For more information:

Advice from a Caterpillar - July 2005

http://www.writing-world.com/caterpillar/index.shtml

Self-Publishing FAQ

http://www.writing-world.com/selfpub/FAQ.shtml

The POD Quandary

http://www.writing-world.com/publish/POD.shtml

Ten Questions to Ask Before You Sign that Print-on-Demand Contract

http://www.writing-world.com/publish/lick.shtml

The Truth About Print-on-Demand Publishing - David Taylor

http://www.writing-world.com/publish/PODtruth.shtml

Para Publishing

http://www.parapublishing.com

Freelancing for the Educational Market

http://www.writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/000576_05012002.html

Secrets of Success -- Writing for Educational Publishers

http://teachers.net/gazette/MAR02/gruber.html

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