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I know we #advertise for our #selfpublishing and #marketing-only packages a lot, but that doesn't mean you need to get one of those to #workwithus! Any #service listed within a package can be done individually. Do you need #editing? We can do that. #Coverdesign only? You're covered. Just Facebook marketing? Consider it done. Message me and tell me what you #need I'll #makeithappen! https://www.instagram.com/p/BzYNR5bAYMf/?igshid=5hfb3o9wz092

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Are you trying to #selfpublish #yourwork but are getting #overwhelmed with all the steps and hassle? Have you already #gonethroughthework of self-publishing and feel like you're not #reachingenoughpeople to get the response you'd like? #Letmehelp! With multiple #completeselfpublishingpackages and #marketingonlypackages we will either find something that fits your needs or #create one that does :)

#Messageme today to #findoutmore or #getstarted!

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#FrequentlyAskedQuestions: What are “author services”?

#OurAnswer: #AuthorServices are everything that an #author needs to be ready for #publishing and help secure #success in sales such as #editing, #book #coverdesign, #formatting, #proofreading, #copyediting, #storydevelopment, #ghostwriting, book #trailers, #reviews, #socialmedia #marketing, etc.

#AskAndWeShallAnswer

#Messageme to #getstarted

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#FrequentlyAskedQuestions: What are “author services”? #OurAnswer: #AuthorServices are everything that an #author needs to be ready for #publishing and help secure #success in sales such as #editing, #book #coverdesign, #formatting, #proofreading, #copyediting, #storydevelopment, #ghostwriting, book #trailers, #reviews, #socialmedia #marketing, etc. #AskAndWeShallAnswer #Messageme to #getstarted https://www.instagram.com/p/ByTbxgyAiPn/?igshid=ha2azdn6eggz

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#FrequentlyAskedQuestions: What is the difference between traditional publishing and self-publishing?

#OurAnswer: #TraditionalPublishing is where we take on all the financial responsibility of #publishing the #book with #royalties ranging between 30-50% given to the #author under a #contract of five years.

#SelfPublishing is where we conduct all #services selected in a package and #publish a book on separate platform to be taken over by the author after services are complete. The author still maintains all #royalties and all #rights to their book.

#AskAndWeShallAnswer

#Messageme to #getstarted

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#FrequentlyAskedQuestions: What is the difference between traditional publishing and self-publishing? #OurAnswer: #TraditionalPublishing is where we take on all the financial responsibility of #publishing the #book with #royalties ranging between 30-50% given to the #author under a #contract of five years. #SelfPublishing is where we conduct all #services selected in a package and #publish a book on separate platform to be taken over by the author after services are complete. The author still maintains all #royalties and all #rights to their book. #AskAndWeShallAnswer #Messageme to #getstarted https://www.instagram.com/p/ByTa6ooA73p/?igshid=rsbsw7xjtvly

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Need an eye-catching #cover #designed for your #novel #memoir #book #poetrycollection? One that will have people posting #coverlove about? No problem! #SimplyInspiredWords can create one for you! #Messageme for details ;) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByNWbPIge3m/?igshid=1fr3j2vsuxgmv

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Have you #selfpublished your work but are struggling to #getthewordout? I can help! #SimplyInspiredWordsPublishing offers #authorservices with awesome #marketingpackages to help give you that extra boost and #helptakestressoffyou as an #author. #Messageme to find out more! https://www.instagram.com/p/ByMTVEmgZLS/?igshid=17x1jaq54z65r

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Want to #selfpublish your #book #poems #diary #grocerylist but #dontknowheretostart? Need some #authorservices to help you out with #editing, #marketing, #coverdesign, #paberback and #ebook #creation, #personalbranding and/or more? #Messageme to get started! https://www.instagram.com/p/ByL_EYWgdh-/?igshid=14miccwx9ltrw

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Ready to #crosstheline from #writer to #author through either #selfpublishing or #traditionalpublishing? I can help #makeithappen! Message me for details ;) #whywait https://t.co/i0IXoRhugc https://www.instagram.com/p/ByLp7MRAjzM/?igshid=1fwit67kohxcz

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Are you an #aspiringauthor that needs some help? As a #publishingconsultant I'm here to help you find what works best for you. We are a #traditionalpublisher that also offers #services to help #authors in #selfpublishing while allowing them to retain more #royalties :) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByLjRkUAtCN/?igshid=ghazpadwv92l

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Hi everybody! As a #writer and #editor, I know how hard it is to get your work #published and feel like you've crossed the line from "writer" to "author". Just so you know, Simply Inspired Words Publishing offers #AuthorServices to help those interested in #SelfPublishing. They provide different services that help with different aspects of the process including #editing, #marketing, #reviews, #coverdesign, #copyrightregistration, etc. They can also help with creating #printcopies, #Amazon/Kindle formats, navigating #Overdrive and #Kobo platforms, #iBook, and #audiobooks while still letting the author retain all rights and royalties. They also offer a #TraditionalPublishing route as well. Definitely something worth looking into and I'd be happy to chat with anyone who wants to know more :) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByLhFqlArJh/?igshid=y19nncohh4co

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Writers, Let Us Help You

Ready to #selfpublish your #book #novel #poetry, but #dontknowhow? #Letmehelp! The #team and I at #SimplyInspiredWordsPublishing can do #allthework for you, #helpyouthroughtheprocess, and #handletheheachaches while you keep all the #rightsandroyalties! #Messageme to #learnmore!

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Need an eye-catching #cover #designed for your #novel #memoir #book#poetrycollection? One that will have people posting #coverlove? No problem! #SimplyInspiredWords can create one for you! #Messageme for details ;)

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Calling all authors, writers, and those aspiring to be!

Hi everybody! As a writer and editor, I know how hard it is to get your work published and feel like you’ve crossed the line from “writer” to “author”. Just so you know, Simply Inspired Words Publishing offers author services to help those interested in self-publishing. They provide different services that help with different aspects of the process including editing, marketing, reviews, cover design, copyright registration, etc. They can also help with creating print copies, Amazon/Kindle, Overdrive and Kobo platforms, iBook, and audiobooks while still letting the author retain all rights and royalties. They also offer a traditional publishing route as well. Definitely something worth looking into and I’d be happy to chat with anyone who wants to know more :)

Here’s the link to the website: https://www.simplyinspiredwords.com/

The business facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/simplyinspiredwordspub/

And my official publishing consultant’s page: https://www.facebook.com/Cierra-Bakovka-570674963456806/

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I’m Here For Your Stories

Have you already self-published your work but are struggling to get the word out? I can help! Simply Inspired Words Publishing offers author services with awesome marketing packages to help give you that extra boost and help take some of the stress off you as an author. Message me to find out more!

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Good advice and questions here. Anyone, feel free to ask us any of these questions if you like, we’re a small press!

Things to ask a small press publisher

There’s a ton of information out there about indie/self publishing, and a ton about “traditional publishing” (which I’m defining here as getting an agent and working with a large commercial publishing house). But there’s very little about small press publishing, other than caveats about avoiding scams. 

Since I’m about to embark on my third experience working with a small press, and I was briefly marketing manager for one, I figured I might have something helpful and positive to say about it. 

Small press publishing can be a great experience, or a horrible disappointment. As with any publishing path, the key is doing your homework, and not getting so swept away in the excitement of SOMEONE WANTING TO PUBLISH YOUR BOOK that you overlook potential problems. 

First things first, weeding out the obvious scams: No legitimate press, even a small one, will EVER charge you money to publish your book. Reading fees, etc. are a GIANT RED FLAG. Familiarize yourself with Yog’s Law: money always flows to the writer. Anyone who demands money to put your book into print isn’t a publisher. They’re a printer. 

For God’s sake, look at your freaking contract:

Most small presses don’t pay advances. Some people will say that’s a red flag, but it’s pretty typical. Small presses run lean, and they’re going to have to spend upfront money in editing, cover design and layout. That’s their investment. But they do offer fair (and sometimes negotiable) terms for splitting royalties. Typically the split is better for eBooks than for print copies. Also, be aware that the royalty split is going to be on net profits. That’s what they earn after paying for printing or paying Amazon’s or another company’s cut on eBooks. 

For the love of God, look at what rights you’re signing over. Make absolutely sure the contract specifies geography (Worldwide, US, US/UK?), format (print? e-book? audiobook?), language (it’s unusual to ask for foreign language rights. If they do, it’s typically something you can push back on). 

Do they expressly leave you rights to Merchandising? Graphic novels? Film rights? Can you do other things with your characters? Do they want first right of refusal on sequels? These are things you want to know going in.  

What’s the term? I’ve had small press contracts for 2 years, 5 years, and 7 years. “Forever” or “in perpetuity” is not an acceptable term. If a small press wants you to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to ever get your rights back, contest that sh!t. And if they won’t back down, walk away. 

It’s fair for them to ask for a term that will ensure they can earn out their investment and profit on your book. It’s not fair for them to lock up your rights in perpetuity. Especially considering how often small presses fold. It’s pretty damn tough to get your rights back from a company that doesn’t exist anymore. I’ve known writers who lost their rights for decades because an editor died. If your term is 5 years, you have a contract stating in five years you get your rights back. No matter what else happens.

Beyond the contract:

Look at their covers. Some small presses have great covers. (I have a friend whose gorgeous, fully-painted small press covers are amazing.) Some have covers that are nothing short of embarrassing. Most are a mixed bag. 

If you see some that give you pause, ask about it. Maybe it’s from when they were just getting started, and their standards are higher now. Maybe the author pitched a hissy fit and insisted on keeping their (horrible) self-designed cover. But covers sell books. So make sure you get a say, and make sure they have the wherewithal to provide one that doesn’t suck. 

Ask about their distribution. What really separates the pros from the hobbyists in small presses is their ability to get your book into the hands of readers. 

Your print books being Print on Demand (POD) isn’t a big deal. But having your print copies run through LightningSource or IngramSpark as opposed to Createspace, makes it 1000% easier to get them into a Barnes & Noble. Do they sell at events? Have shelf-space in a few indie bookstores or gift shops? 

If they’re digital-only, what is their marketing plan? Will they do a BookBub, or if not (it’s genuinely tough to get in), a collection of smaller promotional emails like BargainBooksy? Will they buy ads on Amazon or Facebook? Schedule a blog book tour? Make the ARC available on Netgalley or send it out to a list to garner reviews? 

How are they going to earn their part of the royalty, beyond editing, cover design and layout? If those things are all they are bringing to the table, and you’re going to be solely responsible for sales and marketing, you might be better served paying someone to do those things, and going the self/indie publishing route. Just to be clear: any publisher is going to expect you to also help market and sell your book. But you shouldn’t be doing it all. 

Small press publishing is more than anything else a partnership. And it can be awesome, when you have a team who are truly as excited about your work as you are. That’s a great feeling. You’re contributing your intellectual property and months or years of your work. Just make sure they’re delivering their part.