Metallically Black

Taking a look at some next-level self-publishing options.

I was perusing Medium for interesting articles and came across an author who was self-published through Barnes & Noble Press with her books are available through the Barnes & Noble website and stores across the country. When I looked into it, I saw that it was an all-inclusive self-publishing service that offered the possibility of being marketed and included in Barnes & Noble brick-and-mortar shops. I had a rush of nervous energy discovering that but continued looking deeper into it before putting it on my list of potential options (if I am unable to find a publisher within the 2022 calendar year for my transgender literary fiction romance manuscript The Life Of Alma).

I had a pamphlet for a similar all-inclusive self-publishing service with a widely known brand name, McNally Jackson Books, that also included the possibility of having your book displayed in their shop(s).

Both of these services come at a cost: $399 for Deluxe Self-Publishing Barnes & Noble Press, $349 McNally Jackson Self-Publishing Package

The royalties as compared to traditional publishing are fantastic though. It’s the difference between earning $1.45 per book sold as compared to $3.50.

Both companies are able to receive your book digitally via email and/or a proprietary portal. They also have fun customizable options on their websites for the look and feel of the printed version, e.g. dimensions, hard or soft cover, matte or glossy, cream or white paper, etc. You choose the price too, so it’s up to you how much your royalties will ultimately be. Personally, I think I would go with $24.99 (hardcover 136,000-word, 300-350pg literary fiction), but that’s up to you.

Having watched my mother and grandmother self-publish their work while never quite finding their audience has made me skeptical about the entire process. Advertising was completely up to them and I don’t think that it was one of their strong points. Their books were available in online outlets like Amazon but their sales were dismal.

I’m not particularly good at marketing myself or the things that I create either. Pushing this blog and some of the better articles that I’ve written for online publications have taught me a little about it but I still feel way too novice to take such a risk with something as precious to me as my manuscript. I have this romantic idea that a traditional publisher would market my book better than I could, but I think that’s a whimsical fantasy. Many of the publishers I’ve researched actually state in their documentation that they expect you to take an active role in advertising (through social media, locally, etc.)

Because this book is so special to me, can anyone else really push it as hard as I would? Can I ever expect anyone else to be as steadfast or diehard?

No.

I can’t.

Maybe I should think about self-publishing. I have a few more agents and publishers that I’m waiting to hear back from, but if they don’t give me the news that I’m looking for, then I may move in the direction of next-level, big-name self-publishing houses like Barnes & Noble Press and McNally Jackson Books. Seems like I’ll end up marketing my own shit either way.

Take a look at the full prologue of my novel here ⤵