Monthly Deals from Self Publishing Websites

I love to ask questions!


Especially if I am parting with money!


I want to know it all before I agree to anything and many times when a deal seems too good to be true it usually is!


I am in the final stages of publishing my first book and although I have done my own marketing, I am at the final stages of proof reading it (even though someone else has done this but I'm a perfectionist! It's my flaw! lol) and have created my own website, I still need a little help with the front cover, so I contacted a self publishing website to see what they do for the price they quote on there website as it is quite expensive (I think).


So, I emailed them and the answers were quite vague, so after approx three to four emails, I found that the same woman who was providing me with the information had changed her tone in the emails.

In the beginning, when I told her I was very interested, her emails were upbeat, friendly and quite informative, whilst also giving my the sale speech.


However, the last two emails were quite diluted, they went back to being vague and in the beginning she used to send a reply straight away, however the second to last reply was a few days late and I am still waiting for my last reply.


I am slightly nervous to spend over £100 for someone to tweak my front and back cover as I have done most of the work myself and I am still unsure on how they justify there fees.


I am going to go onto their forums to speak to some other users of this site, however I have learnt that when they want your money and think your interested they are very quick to keep in contact and give you all the information about these fantastic deals they have, however, when you want to delve deeper it's slightly disturbing that they go quiet like there is something to hide.


Just a thought!

Literary Agent's Contradiction!

As a new writer, I find it unbelievable that every literary agency only advertises for experienced writers!


Like I was 15 yrs old looking for my first Saturday job, I got more and more frustrated being knocked back from each retailer due to having no experience.
However, when and how do you get the break? 

After many knock backs, I realised I needed a new approach and was advised to go down the 'Self Publishing' route.


Obviously, I would be much happier having an agent as I would receive a lot more publicity, the marketing would be taken away from me and I would be free, in general, to just concentrate on what I love...writing!


Researching a few 'Self Publishing Website's' I agree, these are great options for new writers to get their work published and out to the world, however, the free services compared to the 'small fee' services differ greatly.


I have realised that unless you have your own proof reader, a decent cover designer and have created a basics, marketing plan yourself (a website, blog, advertising in forums for your genre of book, on social networking site, etc.), these 'small fees' will add up to be huge fees and you need to think objectively to judge whether you think your work will make this money back in the time frame you want.