The publishing industry has been around for a very long time. Currently, a business person who wishes to publish a book professionally will hire a company called a “publisher.” This type of publisher is either known as one that will publish your work from scratch or take an already completed manuscript and edit it into something professional-grade. Several reasons can force you to work with a reputable publisher, including:
1) They know what a good manuscript looks like
Every book publisher has been on the receiving end of hundreds, if not thousands, of submissions from authors across many genres and subject matters. They have seen the best and worst manuscripts that an author can offer – whether self-published or on some other channel, via a literary agency, or directly to the publisher. It is worth remembering that these editors are professionals who look at books every day. Therefore, you should always be open to their advice and guidance before submitting your work.
2) Ensure your text is right for publication
A professional editor will ensure your text is in grammatically correct English (or whichever language you choose to write in), that it flows well, that events happen in a logical order, and all your facts are checkable. They will also ensure it is the right style for your target readership, from age group to the subject. That means the editor may ask you to change certain words or expressions or even move sections around so that the book flows better – but these edits will be in your best interests as an author and a reader.
3) Help you reach new readers
Publishers know who is likely to want to read books like yours and how best to reach them. They will decide what kind of cover design works on the bookshop shelves, how much it should cost, where it can be stocked, what advertising campaigns are feasible to promote your work. For instance, Bentham Science Open claims that all these decisions are made around the commercial reality of the book market. That means that if you are successful, it is much more likely that publishers will be willing to invest in you again.
4) Provides offers security
One advantage of using a traditional publisher is that you will be paid for your manuscript upfront, even before publication – whether an eBook or print-on-demand publication. You are also more likely to get access to exciting new opportunities because publishers have several ways of reaching readers. For instance, Bentham Open publishers do that through their websites, social media channels, and good old brick-and-mortar shops.
Further, many professional publishing houses offer advice on marketing your work and having a strong web presence, so you don’t have to do it all yourself. However, it is critical to know that if your book does not sell well, there might be no second print run, which means your investment (time and money) has effectively been ‘wasted.’