Re:Tips for Writing a Technical Book
by ghaff on Sunday June 02, 2019 @11:57AM
(#20076209)
I'm sure it's how some people are thinking but there are other reasons you might want to self publish even if you take money 100% out of the equation.
- As someone else noted, you can put free eBooks online. If you're writing a book for visibility, being able to distribute free copies (or customized versions of free copies) might be a benefit.
- You don't need to conform to publishing industry length standards. If 75 pages cover the topic, you get most of the benefit of publishing "a regular book" for a lot less effort.
- You're on no one's deadline but your own. This has pros and cons but does let you better work a book around life, work, and other projects.
- The style, format, etc. is all up to you. Again, pros and cons.
I have made (a bit) more money with publishers than self-publishing. I'm also not sure if I'd go with a publisher again barring a strong reason to do so.
- As someone else noted, you can put free eBooks online. If you're writing a book for visibility, being able to distribute free copies (or customized versions of free copies) might be a benefit.
- You don't need to conform to publishing industry length standards. If 75 pages cover the topic, you get most of the benefit of publishing "a regular book" for a lot less effort.
- You're on no one's deadline but your own. This has pros and cons but does let you better work a book around life, work, and other projects.
- The style, format, etc. is all up to you. Again, pros and cons.
I have made (a bit) more money with publishers than self-publishing. I'm also not sure if I'd go with a publisher again barring a strong reason to do so.