Five Popular Publishing and Writing Services for Authors
Every author dreams of bestseller status. More than two million new books are published across the globe annually. Traditional publishers only choose 300,000 titles to represent, which is the reason self-publishing is skyrocketing in popularity.
New authors require a host of services to move the project from concept to completion. Here are five writing and publishing services to consider when completing a book.
Ghostwriting
If an author doesn’t have the time or inclination to write the book, he may contract a ghostwriter to bring his ideas to life. Ghostwriters complete literary projects for others and do not receive a byline or credit for the work. Collaboration is one key to successfully completing a book project, and there are several reasons ghostwriting is beneficial.
By lightening the load, the ghostwriter frees his clients to complete other tasks, brings subject-matter expertise to the table, and helps the client formulate ideas in a concise, professional manner.
Editing
During the writing process, the author may use different editors to maintain high quality while writing. Developmental editors work with the author to ensure that the book is structured and organized well. Copy editors scrutinize the book’s content line by line, making changes to correct punctuation and grammar, improving the content’s flow and readability.
Acquisitions editors are responsible for acquiring new, exciting books for publishers. At this stage, the author has signed or secured a publishing agreement and works with a project editor to coordinate the final print.
Design
Whether a potential reader is walking through a bookstore or scrolling down web pages, their first look at the cover design has a lasting impression. It may entice the shopper to purchase the book. Authors often outsource the cover design work to an experienced professional.
They review the work’s content and develop a dynamic, artistic design to complete the book’s exterior look. Hiring a professional to format the book’s pages is also vital to a professional-looking interior.
Distribution
If an author hasn’t landed a traditional publisher, they may consider a vanity publisher or self-publishing platform for distribution. Traditional publishers pay for every aspect of the publishing process, taking all the financial risk. Vanity publishers charge the author for every part of the book’s publishing and distribution, including editing, cover design, and marketing.
Self-publishing platforms have taken over book publishing, surpassing traditional publishers in the number of books distributed by offering exclusive services, including copy-editing, cover design, and distribution. If all goes well, the author will earn a percentage of the profit from book sales, called royalties.
Printing
Sending the book to a printer is another way writers bring a book to the market. The author may print and sell the book by purchasing an ISBN number, which tracks the book’s purchase history and is required for all retail book sales. Printing prices are competitive, and authors choose this route to maintain complete control of their work.