Publishing Pathways And Processes
A guide from for writers, by writers.
Foreword At Firewords, we focus on the two elements that you need most in your indie publishing journey: editorial expertise that gets your story into the best shape possible for publication, and the marketing tools and skills to tell the world why they’ll love your story. As people who wear the writer and the editor hats, ethics is a big deal to us. We don’t charge you for basic administrative services, like uploading your book to the Kindle store. Nor will we sell you costly PR services that have little to no effect on your book sales—and end up burning a hole in your wallet instead of earning you money. Firewords is about you, dear author. It’s about your stories. Our mission is clear: to help you let the stories run free. We’d love to be part of your journey in sharing your story with the world. Begin your publishing journey here, or start building your for writers, by writers. book here.
The Firewords Team
3
Table of Contents Chapter 1 Which is Your Path? ……………………… 4 Chapter 2 The Firewords Process …………………… 5 Chapter 3 What’s in a Price? ………………………… 6 Chapter 4 Get What You Deserve …………………… 7
for writers, by writers.
Glossary of resources ………………………………… 8
4
Chapter 1 Which is Your Path? TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING
No upfront payment from you Long timeline; up to 5 years just to get a contract Gatekeepers don’t break quota for book genres High production scale resulting in surplus of stock They keep most of your royalties
HYBRID PUBLISHING
Pay a package fee Long timeline; up to 2 years to get published?? Gatekeepers are still around A lot of admin work They keep most of your royalties
SELF (INDIE) PUBLISHING
No upfront fee, but you must pay freelancers Shorter timeline, if you know what to do No gatekeepers to fight A lot of admin work Keep some of your royalties
SERVICE PUBLISHING by firewords
Fees based on manuscript needs 8- to 12- week timeline No gatekeepers, minimal admin Keep ALL of your royalties
Take a holiday. Climb a mountain. Write your next book. The possibilities are endless.
Timeline from completed manuscript to published-and-ready
5
Chapter 2 The Firewords Process
F I R E W O R D S
Fund your Book
Publishizer is a great platform to get your book crowdfunded
Initial Call
We will schedule a web call to answer your questions
Recommended Services
Our editors will advise you based on your manuscript’s needs
Editing Begins
Our experts begin the editing, design and layout for your book
Worldwide Release
For pre-orders through online retailers.
Order Print Copies
For your backers and for on-the-ground marketing
Release Title
For E-Book & Print-on-Demand sales
Drum up Publicity
Guided by us (optional service) or through your own efforts
Sell, Sell, Sell
And collect ALL your royalties
6
Chapter 3 What’s in a Price? These are examples. Your manuscript needs may vary. YA Fantasy Fiction
with editorial services
80,000 words
Firewords will not charge distribution fees if you are already paying for editorial services.
$79.59
Self-Help / Non-fiction
for writers, by writers. without editorial services
80,000 words
All Prices are in USD
7
Chapter 4 Get What You Deserve Royalties Comparison (Print) Publisher Type/ Royalties & Fees
Traditional
Hybrid
Vanity
Self (Indie)
Service (Firewords)
% of Net Profit
5% to 10%
15% to 60%
10 - 25%
100%
100%
$
$0.50 to $2
$1 to $3
$1.75
$3 to $5
$3 to $5
None, but you must do the work yourself or hire freelancers
$5,020**
Upfront Fee (Light Copy Edit, Proofreading, Interior and E-book layout, cover design)
None
$7,000 to $20,000 $10,000 and including a above compulsory depending initial print on editorial run of 5000 service 10,000 copies requirement s
** For a standard fiction paperback (80,000 words) retailing at USD $15 per copy. Upfront fees differ if your require specific editorial, fact-checking (non-fiction) and/or marketing services. Learn more here.
Royalties Comparison (Ebook) Publisher Type/ Royalties & Fees
Traditional
Hybrid
Vanity
Self (Indie)
Service (Firewords)
% of Net Profit
30% to 50%
50% to 70%
50%
100%
100%
$
$1 to $2
$1.75 to $2.50
$1.75
$3.50
$3.50**
** For a standard fiction e-book (80,000 words) retailing at USD $5 per copy. on the Kindle store.
All Prices are based on 2017 industry averages in USD
8
Glossary of resources benefits
7 Reasons to Self Publish
distribution
Title Setup and Distribution
firewords
What We Do
pricing
Build Your Own Book
services
Find What You for Needwriters, by writers.
Let the stories run free.
Contact Anitta Menon Head of Client Services
[email protected] https://firewords.com.sg