subject: Important Book Publishing Services [print this page] As an aspiring writer, you are probably aware that there are scores of book publishing companies out there, both national and international. It goes without saying that you will in all likelihood have to send your manuscript to many such publishers before your work gets picked up by one. Right now concentrating on the realm of traditional book publishing, it is wise to know what book publishing services these publishing companies offer while short-listing the ones you wish to send your manuscript to. All companies are not created equal and usually vary in terms of the services they offer their clients and it is definitely wise to know what you are signing up for and make an informed decision.
In a self publishing scenario, you would probably be approaching a print on demand publisher who will print as many copies of your books as you decide to and pay for. These kind of book publishing set up rarely offer marketing services for your book, one of the key essentials when it comes to making sure your book is seen and heard off, thereby affecting commercial success and sales. While choosing a traditional publishing house, do find out what and how their marketing and PR functions and policies are. A good publisher will spend time and money in making sure your book is marketed well and is promoted via the right avenues like physical and internet based marketing. A good marketing strategy can work wonders.
Another vital service would be that of editing. However well you think you have written your manuscript, there are usually ways to edit it to a more ideal version. A good publishing company will generally have a talented team of editors and editorial staff whose job is to make sure your book matches a high quality standard which can affect how readers perceive your work. A shoddy and messy book will definitely not be well received however rich the actual content is.
Another big advantage that some traditional publishing houses offer is that fact that they have comprehensive book distribution services. This ensures that books printed under their banner are distributed through a comprehensive network or distribution channels encompassing various avenues. Some publishing companies offer a strong distribution network covering various retail book stores and book store chains, online book stores, bulk sales, and more. Some even have the option of converting their books into digital format for retail, used on devices like e-readers, computers and phones, which is definitely an avenue worth considering in todays digital age. Book publishing services are many and vary, as does the degree of involvement a publishing house adheres to; so make sure you find out all the relevant information before entrusting your work to someone.
