Getting Published: Reasons Why You Should Choose a Book Publisher with Care

As an aspiring writer, you probably know by now that publishing any written work is no simple task. There are many pitfalls in the maze that is the publishing process, and choosing the wrong book agents and publishers can easily mean the death of your book and your writing career altogether. On the other hand, choosing the right book publisher can bring you great commercial success. Before looking at any list of book publishers or posting a call out for publishers for new authors, read the list below. Here are the things to be on guard for when seeking out book agents and publishing companies:

A book agent can kill your success with internal and hidden costs of their service. Before signing any deal with publishers for new authors, be sure to ask exactly how their fees can be broken down. Take time to understand every single item on their costing and watch out for hidden charges. Never go into a deal without knowing how you want your work to be priced because the wrong numbers can hinder your book sales severely.

Shady book agents may hype you up with all kinds of publicity promises and pressure you into doing something you may not be 100 percent sure of. Publishers may offer shiny marketing programs, too. Don’t go into them blindfolded. Think about which strategies are going to be effective and which ones may be counterproductive. This will shield you from costly marketing gimmicks that will only make you lose money after all is said and done.

When narrowing down your list of book publishers, be careful not to include those that offer to create a dedicated website and insist on having full control over it, leaving you out in the cold. Not only is this a recipe for conflict—it can also turn into a money-sucking "asset" that constantly requires costly updates. It is equally important to ensure access to your Amazon listings, as this will give you freedom to make updates and changes on your works’ descriptions, which will definitely be necessary as time passes.

Choosing the right publisher is important so you can avoid these common pitfalls. With great care, you will find good publishers for new authors that can actually lead you to success. Arming yourself with these kinds of knowledge can help shield you from book agents that will only take advantage of your work. Using a trusted network of book publishers, authors, and literary agents are one way to keep your work safe.

Allister loves writing. I write on almost all topics. Topics that are informative and knowledgeable. Our aim is to provide the best information to all of our visitors.