The Realm of Publishing

A few weeks ago, I sent my manuscript over to Redemption Publishing. After reviewing it they deemed it marketable and accepted it. Hurray, having an interested publisher is a huge hurdle to overcome!

Two days ago, they sent me a contract with everything I would need to pay for including lots of editing, cover design, text formatting, project management, and distribution marketing. When I saw the final numbers, I felt sick- $29,199.80.

I will give you a moment to let that sink in….This was with the 15% discount for going to the writer’s conference! But let’s table that number for now and instead dive into the process. Did you know there are three different approaches to publishing these days?

While at the conference I learned that one form of publishing is called traditional or mainstream, this is the one we know the most. The one that typically pays authors a set royalty up front, (or requires a fee up front if there is more risk involved). The trouble with this one is that you get a meager amount from the sales AND you lose the rights to your book.

A second option is self-publishing, which is a direction many people are going in these days. You pay for as much editing and publishing as you want and then promote the book yourself. This is the cheapest option, which gives you the writes to your book as well. The drawback is that without a known publishing company giving your book clout, your success will be limited on your skills with marketing. It’s not impossible, but it can be difficult without connections or a mind for business.

The third option is called hybrid publishing. This is a type that offers exactly what it is named for, a hybrid variation between the first two. It is like traditional in that you have access to a team of professionals who can edit, market, and distribute your book. It is like self publishing in that you keep the rights to your book and get much more of the profits as it sells. Sound pretty great? Too good to be true? Well here is the catch, you have to pay them a large amount of money to get started. They act as a launching pad which will hopefully, (through their guidance, platform and professionalism), pay off better than if you were to self publish AND without losing your rights to the book.

At the conference I felt encouraged after meeting with different writers and publishers to see that they were interested in what I had created. In receiving the tools and connections to explore any of the three options I wanted, it felt as though the ball was in my court. Once I spent some time researching, praying, and meeting with publishers, I decided that hybrid publishing was the best option for me in achieving my goals.

Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference

Which brings me back to the final amount on the contract I received yesterday. By now I know enough to understand that God provides. I know He has given me this gift to share and He will get me where He wants me to go. But still, 30 GRAND?? 

I scheduled a meeting with the acquisitions manager for the next day and spent the night combing through the contract noting everything I believed I could go without or do myself. One reason everything is so expensive, is because I am billed by the word. You know better than most I tend to go on and on in my writing, so with a large novel over 140,000 words- that added up fast. After talking for an hour on the phone, BJ and I negotiated the contract down to $22,532.83. Still double what I ever imagined it could be, but a little more digestible. 

In case you might be thinking, “why on earth would she go this route? Just choose a different publisher.” I have had this same thought over and over. In the end it comes down to this- it is not about the money. Don’t get me wrong I do want to break even, (I’m not that senseless), but more than anything I simply want to tell a story that brings people closer to the Lord and challenges them to take a leap of faith in their own journeys. What I value the most in this process is to (1) keep ALL rights and control to my book and (2) produce a quality novel that is of the highest standard. I can’t explain it much other than that I just “know” this is the route for me. 

I tell all of this to you to simply update you on the process and make you aware of the challenges it includes. I want you with me in the challenge, so that when the triumph comes we can celebrate that together too. The best way you can support me now, is by joining with Matt and I to discern God’s direction in covering these costs. Redemption Publishing needs $7,000 as soon as I have it in order to pay my editor and begin working through the content. The little bit I can set aside each month would be a slow trickle of what I need, delaying the final release date further. Yet, I am confident it will happen somehow, He has already started by trimming the initial cost almost $7,000 yesterday! This is not a question of if, but HOW GOD DOES THIS!

You all have been so encouraging and patient. Thank you for supporting me as I navigate through these uncharted waters. Even as I write that sentence, I am reminded of Jesus’ disciple, Peter, beginning to sink as he stands on top of the ocean, afraid of the darkness and depths below him. Christ immediately reaches out and catches Him, pulling him up out of his fears and into an even deeper faith. It can be really scary to trust with no promise of return, but HE IS GOOD, and that is enough promise for me.

With love and thanks to you,

Emily