How do you know if self-publishing or traditional publishing is right for you and your book?

Now there are more opportunities and possibilities to write, share, and publish a story — and interact with an audience. Whether you are after the traditional publishing experience, complete with an agent, editor, and publisher, or want to self-publish a book, it's completely within your grasp. You decide what works best for you and your work.

If seeing your book in print is to fulfill a personal goal you have choose short run book printing or vanity publishing. Short run printing is best for self-publishers and publishers who may have only a small distribution channel because they can order anywhere from 11-5000 books and order more later if the book sells. The short run book printer will already have both the interior and cover materials of the publication. A short run book printer can make the world of difference to a self-publisher or publisher as being able to order a short run can mean the difference between printing and not printing their book.

A vanity publisher publishes any anyone's work provided they have the money to pay for their services. The manufacturer prints and binds a book but does not offer editing, marketing, or promotional assistance. However, the author owns the printed books and retains all profit from sales.

If you're writing a family history, memoir or book of poetry that has a limited audience, and don't want your book stocked at bookstores, using POD book printing is probably to your advantage. They are often nonreturnable, not sold at a discount, and you won't have to store any unsold books.

Printing in bulk via self-publishing may be your best bet if you have a visible platform established to reach your audience, both online and offline, have credibility with your readers in your genre/category and are prepared to dedicate your time to marketing and promoting your work.

Self-publishing requires the author to invest their own money to produce, market, distribute, and warehouse the book. While this can be a huge time commitment, the process can be more cost-effective than other forms of publishing.

Self-publishing is also a good option if you have a time-sensitive manuscript.

On the flip side, here are a few things to consider. If you don't know how to find or reach your readers, don't have an online presence, don't have the time to spend online or dislike social media, want to be in a brick-and-mortar type of bookstore and have a publisher handle the marketing for you, the traditional publishing route may be the best option.

Ultimately it is up to you to decide! For more information on all of your options, contact The Country Press.

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