Self-publishing is a viable option

Aspiring writers may find it difficult to get their books published in the traditional publishing industry. Some of the main barriers they face are as follows:

To stay in business, publishers only publish books that they think are salable. So they consider market demand when deciding which books to publish. If a manuscript does not fit into a popular genre or address a market need, publishers may be hesitant to invest in it.

Publishers have specific quality standards that manuscripts need to meet. Writing a book that meets these standards requires not only talent but also a deep understanding of the craft of writing. Many aspiring writers may not have the necessary skills or experience to meet these standards.

Publishing decisions are subjective and can vary from one editor to another. This subjectivity makes it challenging for aspiring writers to predict which publishers might be interested in their work.

Publishing is as much about who you know as it is about what you write. Established authors usually have networks within the industry, including literary agents and editors who can open doors for them. Aspiring writers who lack these connections may find it extremely challenging to get noticed.

Given the foregoing, Print-on-demand (POD) self-publishing has become a viable option for aspiring writers. It is a publishing model where books are printed as they are ordered rather than in large print batches. POD self-publishing offers a range of benefits to the authors, as outlined below.

Unlike in the case of traditional publishing, POD self-publishing gives authors control over the book’s content, cover design and pricing.

As manuscripts submitted to the POD self-publishing companies are not put through the rigorous screening and editing process, POD self-publishing significantly shortens the time to market. Books can be published and available for purchase online within a matter of days or weeks after submission.

Traditional publishing involves significant upfront costs as books are printed in bulk for distribution to bookstores for sale. But POD eliminates the need for such costs because copies are printed after orders are placed.

In traditional publishing, authors may end up taking financial responsibility for unsold copies of their books. But POD eliminates the risk and cost associated with excess inventory.

POD services usually offer distribution networks, making it easy for authors to reach markets without worrying about shipping and storage logistics.

While traditional publishers typically offer relatively low royalty rates, authors using the POD platform can earn a higher percentage of the book sale price. This can be especially appealing to authors who want to retain a larger portion of their earnings.

POD services provide both paperback and eBook publishing options, allowing authors to cater to different reader preferences. This versatility can enhance the book’s reach and appeal to a broader audience.

POD technology has improved over the years, ensuring high-quality printed books that are nearly comparable to traditionally published ones. Readers are more likely to embrace self-published works when the quality meets industry standards.

Overall, the rise in popularity of POD self-publishing can be attributed to the democratization of the publishing industry, offering authors an affordable, accessible, and efficient way to bring their work to readers.

On a personal note, I have self-published two books in the United States and four books in Korea using POD. My books can be purchased from online bookstores.

Lee Hyon-soo (tomhslee43@gmail.com) is the author of “Essays by A Korean-Canadian,” published in the United States by KDP, Amazon’s publishing unit, among other books.