So you've finally finished your book and it's time to get it published. Now what? You can go the traditional route by pitching your ideas and submitting chapters - or you can self-publish with platforms such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or Smashwords. But there's also a third option: finding a small, niche publisher that might be interested in your niche content.

There are many factors to be considered when it comes to finding the perfect publisher, from budget to your target audience. Publishing is a  big and sometimes complicated business, so it's important to be informed on the topic before you sign any publishing contracts.

For writers who don't mind spending a few nights researching the market and taking the time to find just the right publisher for their work, it can be a great investment. On the other hand, if you are lacking budget, time, or patience, self-publishing an e-book might be your best option. In this article, we will go over the six most important things to take into consideration that will help you publish that book sooner rather than later.

What is a publishing contract? 

It is important to first define what the publishing contract entails. A book publishing contract is an agreement between an author and a publisher and can be either on a royalty-based system or on a fixed fee. A great example is a fact that there are over 100 book publishing companies in New York alone. Finding a good publisher is extremely important, but some companies put out competitions in search of new authors. The rewards often include signing a contract and lessening the expenses on your behalf. 

The effect of signing the contract with the publisher is legally binding on both parties, so it's necessary to know the terms before signing. Benefits include acquiring funding for marketing and distribution as well as getting paid in advance as soon as you sign. Attention should be paid to the language in the contract such as whether it permits automatic renewal, how review copies are handled, and making sure that no content is prohibited or will cause legal difficulties if published.

Signing a contract

When signing with a traditional publisher, you will not own the rights to your book no matter what. The best publishers require authors to sign a contract that is divided into two parts: the rights holder part and the business part. The right holder part of the contract always includes three important clauses:

1. The work must be original and 100% owned by the author.

2. The work cannot have already been published elsewhere in any form or language - including digital.

3. All copyright privileges remain with the author at all times throughout the publishing process.

The business part of the contract typically includes clauses like types of sales, royalty rates (if on a royalty-based system), cover design and deadlines, among others. It is important to remember that most of these clauses are negotiable, so don't be afraid to ask for what you want or need.

How much does it cost to publish a book? 

The cost of publishing a book falls into two categories: the advance and the royalties. The advance is paid to the author by the publisher once the contract is signed and typically ranges from $1,000 - $10,000. The royalties are then paid out to the author based on book sales with a typical range of 10% - 15%. So if your book sells for $10, you would earn $1 per sale. It can be a bit daunting to even consider this, especially since the impact on the overall economy the pandemic has caused worldwide. But with careful budgeting, you might be able to pull it off. 

Most small publishers do not pay advances but they often have lower royalty rates. It's important to weigh out the pros and cons of each option before signing your contract.

What is self-publishing and how much does it cost? 

Self-published authors do not require a publisher and can get started by using an online platform such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or Smashwords. The costs for publishing with one of these platforms includes paying a percentage of book sales to the platform (usually about 30%) and then paying for the design, editing, and other costs associated with the publication process (the latter varies depending on if you use traditional publishing houses or independent editors). Having said that, self-publishing has shown great success in recent years especially since more people are starting to purchase eBooks instead of physical books, thus making them very popular among all types of readers.

What are the benefits of finding a niche publisher? 

If you are a specialist in a certain field, such as business or law, then finding a niche publisher might be the best option for you. These publishers are always on the lookout for new authors and specialize in a specific genre or subject matter. Because they are smaller than the big publishing houses, they are often more willing to work with new authors and help them get their books published. In addition, they typically do not require advance payment and offer a higher royalty rate than traditional publishers. 

Finding the right niche publisher can be a daunting task, but if you know where to look, it can be well worth the effort. The best place to start is by searching online for niche publishers that might be interested in your book topic. Once you've compiled a list of potential publishers, the next step is to evaluate them based on the following criteria:

• Does the publisher specialize in your topic area?

• Is the publisher reputable and have they published books that are similar to yours?

• Do they have a good track record with authors and are they willing to work with new authors?

• Are their royalty rates competitive?

• Is their contract standard or are there any clauses that might be unfavorable to you?

Asking these questions can help you identify the right publisher for your book! With this comprehensive list of tips, it's easy to see how getting your book published doesn't require a lot of work. As long as you know what's involved and where to look, it's a relatively simple process.

Self-publishing an e-book 

Self-publishing is best suited if you've got a story to tell or information to share with the world. It is affordable and easy, so there's no reason not to go ahead with it. The publishing process is much faster and your book can be available immediately without waiting for approval by a publisher. You can also set your pricing and royalties which will depend on how much work you want to put into marketing the book yourself. 

However, there are some disadvantages of self-publishing an e-book as well. Without the backing of a major publisher, it may be difficult to reach out to readers who might potentially buy your book. This means that in many cases, you'll have to work harder on promoting your book even when you've finished the publishing process. 

You can create an e-book by yourself with ease these days through sites such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or Barnes & Noble. These sites make it very easy for you to publish your e-book without the assistance of a publishing house. You can upload your book in various formats and receive monthly reports which will show you how many books were sold and how much money was made from each sale. 

Publishing as a process can be a bit complicated and frustrating. However, being prepared is half of the work so it is good to do some preliminary research before you decide on whether or not you want to find a publisher or simply put out your e-book on some reading platforms. There are pros and cons for every form of publishing. In the end, it comes down to personal preference because what might be good for one person, might not be the best for another.