If you are reading this, it means that you have chosen the path of traditional publishing for your book. Just like most decisions you have made on your writing journey, this one will also pose unique challenges. However, knowing your destination will give you the confidence to tackle any obstacle that comes your way.
Here are some things you must know before publishing your book traditionally.
It Takes Time
If you are wondering how to get a book published traditionally, it is natural to think about the time it will take for your work to reach your audience. After all, every author wants their work to reach their audience as soon as possible.
When it comes to publishing your book traditionally, you may have to lower your expectations regarding the swiftness of the process. It may take a significant amount of time to secure a traditional publishing contract, ranging from months to years.
At times, you might feel like you have waited enough, and it is time for you to give up hope. However, you must stay resilient and keep trying. Over this time, you can make the necessary improvements to your work and eventually meet the right publishers.
Creative Control is Shared
If you are traditionally publishing your book for the first time, you may be surprised to know that you will lose a lot of creative control of your work on this path. Most authors think that finding someone to invest in their work monetarily is the biggest challenge. However, giving up creative control can be even more challenging.
Once you sign a contract with a traditional publishing house, your book is not yours only anymore. There will be a whole team ready to collaborate with you. What they have to say about your book, its cover, and its presentation will hold great significance.
If you are not comfortable with sharing the creative control of your work, traditional publishing may not be the best path for you. You may want to consider a self-publishing path to secure the complete creative rights of your work.
Realization is a Part of the Journey
If you think that you know everything about ensuring the best interests of your book, you are not the only one. Every author puts effort and time into the creation of their book. They think they are working for the best of their book, but sometimes it can be unintentionally wrong.
Even after spending months, or even years, writing and revising your book, you are rightfully thinking that no one wants your book to succeed more than you. But being too close to your work can also be a dangerous thing.
Book publishers not only know your book objectively but also understand the target audience, industry trends, and marketing methods the best way. Your book publisher’s team may make a lot of changes to your book.
Even if you do not immediately agree with certain changes, you will likely see their long-term benefits. However, if you strongly dislike a particular suggestion, you have the right to contest it and propose alternatives to find a middle ground.
No One is a Master of Every Skill
Several authors write, revise, and edit their work by themselves. Some even undertake the responsibility of designing their own book cover. While a creative mind can make so much happen, having an objective creative insight can always benefit you and your work.
Sometimes, your publishers can take control of certain aspects and produce wonderful results. There are areas where you might not realize that you need help until it is provided. This does not mean that your publisher is a master of every skill, but they have a team that can make magic happen.
A publisher looks at your work objectively and holistically. They approve the parts they think are good enough and appoint professionals to make changes where needed. Step by step, they bring your work closer to its better version, ready to be published.
A Global Perspective Matters
When you share your work with a publisher, they look at it not only on a local level but also think about its global perception. While viewing your manuscript with a global lens, they know what will work and what will fail and share it with you without sugarcoating.
It can be hard to deal with such harsh criticism of your work, but things get easier when you are thinking of the greater benefit. Your publisher wants to ensure the success of your work not only locally but globally. You will see improvement with every new draft.
When letting a publisher help you improve your work, make sure you do not take anything personally. Remember, they are not trying to impress you with how much they know and what they can do. They are trying to ensure that your work is received well by your target audience.
The lessons you learn from your publisher do not just improve your current manuscript; they also teach you valuable skills that will make you a better writer in the future. The more you absorb from these lessons, the less criticism you will face when working with a publisher next time.
You Will Feel More Confident Eventually
Having someone criticize your work and point out errors in it can take a lot of patience and energy. At times, you will feel like you are defending a helpless newborn who is yet to see the light of the day. While constantly fighting can make you feel exhausted, it will eventually make you more confident, too.
Writing your book is not the only task that takes research, defending it demands the same. As you spend more time researching, you will either correct your mistakes and rewrite your manuscript or become increasingly proud of your manuscript.
Eventually, reading the final draft of your book and sending it off to publishing, you will feel free of any self-doubt. When you feel confident about your work, you are ready to face any challenges as an author.