Writing a book is one of the toughest tasks ever. It requires mammoth hard-work and gruelling long months. Yet this is simply half of the challenges one has to face while becoming an author and getting the right publisher is the other half! There’s a long-struggling story behind the success of any author.
If you are new to the world of professional writing, you must know about the process of getting published in India. There was a time when only a few publications existed in India but since the past decade, it has divided among so many smaller parts. The publishing sector is briefly divided into two parts and both of them follow a different process of getting published:
Traditional Publishing
The most widely known; traditional publishing is literally, the most traditional process of getting published in India. Maximum best sellers are usually published through traditional method only. But this entails a very time taking and challenging journey ahead. There is only 2% or lesser chance of getting published in this way.
Here is the process of getting published in India, traditionally:
1) Identify the right traditional publishers who accept entries from themes and topics related to your book.
2) Go through the process of submitting the manuscripts and also read the rules and regulations thoroughly before submitting the title (please consider that the editors are extremely strict about the rules and regulations. A rational writer would follow it diligently and be truthful about it).
3) Send three to four sample chapters of your manuscript along with an author biography. You may be asked to upload this on their website or submit it through e-mail.
4) After sending the titles, you will need to wait for the editor’s call of action. Usually, it takes around 1-2 months to hear back from them. If they like your title, then they will ask for the complete manuscript. There are some publications which ask for the complete manuscript on one go with the author biography.
5) In that case, it takes around 3-6 months on an average to hear back from them. But it also totally depends upon the number of submissions they receive; they’re usually flooded.
6) After submitting all the details, the final selection decision will be shared to you by the editors which cannot be estimated as it totally depends upon their decisions and remarks regarding your manuscript.
7) If the title gets selected, it will be added to the bucket list of titles which are finally shortlisted by the editorial team. This is not the moment of happiness as the next phase is even more difficult. It’s really hard to predict any timeline to know when the publishing process starts.
It depends upon the decisions of the higher authority/editorial team of the company who is solely going to invest in your title. If you are amongst the fortunate ones, then yes, you will make it! Normally it takes more than a year to get your book published through traditional publishing.
Partnered Traditional Publishing
Another option which is provided by some traditional publications is known as partnered traditional publishing, where you and the publisher will invest 50%-50% on the title. While going through the partnered publishing, you will not have to wait to get it selected. It quickly gets picked up after all the previous process of selection.
Self-Publishing
Self-publishing is the easiest way of getting a book published. Nearly any title can get published and be found in the market within a month or two. Self-publishing is a self-investment wherein you will pay for all the services required by you. The packages of self-publishing offered in India starts from around ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 (on an average). Each self-publication provides three packages: basic, advanced and premium. These packages may differ by name but the levels will be the same.
Here is the process of getting self-published in India:
1) First, you need to send your title to the self publishing team.
2) A publishing consultant will be assigned to you who will then connect with you and help you in getting published.
3) You will have to select a publishing plan, send your manuscript and then your process will start.
4) Within 3-4 weeks, the team will design the cover page and interior files and send you for approval. Once approved, the same goes live in the market within a few days. Within a week, you will receive your author copies through courier.
The Difference
There’s a major difference in getting self-published and traditionally published. Traditionally published books stand unique and are separated out of the floods of titles on the internet. The quality of a traditionally published book is highly rated as each designing and editing is done by the experts. But on the other side, the designing and editing will depend upon your publishing package and generally, it doesn’t match the standard of traditionally published books.
If you have the potential and creativity in your book, then you can succeed from self-publishing only. But for that, you need to believe in yourself and splurge on self-marketing of your books. Both are good ways of getting published and convenient from different angles.
Note: This article was first published here.