5 Publishing Services Every Author Needs in 2024
/
In the ever-changing literary landscape, authors find themselves wearing many hats — from the diligent writer to the savvy marketer. As someone publishing a book in 2024, the role has become more like an entrepreneurial (or authorpreneurial) endeavour than ever before.
In order to thrive in this competitive industry, it’s crucial to leverage professional services that not only enhance the quality of your work but also streamline the complex process of publishing.
Here are five indispensable publishing services every author should consider in 2024:
1. Professional Editing
On your journey from rough manuscript to shelf-ready book, the first and perhaps most important step is professional editing. Professional editors bring a fresh perspective to your completed (or still-in-progress) work — catching errors, refining language, and helping to preserve your vision along the way.
Professional editing reduces distractions that diminish your book's readability, such as convoluted content structure, incorrect grammar, and persistent typos. From developmental editing to proofreading, our vetted editing team will match you with the editorial services you need to create the best book possible.
A well-edited book makes a polished product, but it’s also a testament to the author’s professionalism and credibility. Dedication to precision and clarity not only enhances the overall reader experience but also establishes a foundation of trust between the author and their audience. As the publishing landscape grows increasingly competitive, this trust becomes a valuable asset, setting the stage for positive reviews, word-of-mouth recommendations, and a more favourable reception in the marketplace.
As an author, investing in professional editing is not just about perfecting your prose, it’s about refining the impact of your message and the marketability of your work.
2. Promotional Support
With the rise of self-publishing platforms and services, authors no longer have to rely solely on the traditional publishing route and their way of doing things. In 2024, you have considerable freedom in how you approach your book’s publication and beyond. In the digital age, marketing for yourself is one of the best examples of why being an author has become so synonymous with being an entrepreneur.
Unfortunately, it can be quite overwhelming to learn the ins and outs of book marketing on one’s own: figuring out the esoteric tools, learning best practices, establishing your target audience… and then applying them in a consistent and effective way to yield sales.
Services that offer assistance in developing reader engagement and online community building are invaluable to a busy writer. Here are two core services that all authors should consider:
Book Promotion Plan: Book marketing demands time, energy, and meticulous planning. A promotional strategy outlines your objectives, unique selling proposition, target audience, and preferred retail platforms. While authors often find themselves treading unfamiliar terrain in marketing, a professionally crafted book promotion plan can serve as a meticulously structured roadmap to help you navigate the dynamic publishing landscape.
Author Website: It’s more than just a digital calling card, it’s a strategic asset. A professionally designed author website is an indispensable hub to sell your book (or redirect to bookstores), solidify your brand identity, and engage with readers. It offers a way to showcase your bibliography, share testimonials, and establish an atmosphere of professionalism that resonates and builds trust with readers.
While no one can replace you as the most passionate advocate for your written work, a helping hand in marketing can make a world of difference. Outsourcing some of your promotional tasks allows the experts to focus on the most time-consuming and specialized marketing tasks and leaves you to handle the big picture with confidence.
3. Cover Design
The old adage “don’t judge a book by its cover” may hold philosophical weight, but in the publishing world, cover design remains an important factor in capturing readers’ attention. In a time dominated by visual content, readers are looking for compelling book covers before they ever read the back cover blurb.
Professional cover design services go beyond pleasing aesthetics; they incorporate market trends, genre expectations, and reader preferences. Leveraging the expertise of designers who understand the nuances of your target audience is a major step above a simply beautiful cover. Custom illustrations, typography, and color palettes are carefully curated to convey the essence of your story and entice potential readers, all while creating a unique brand identity that will carry over into your promotions efforts.
With so many book sales happening through online retailers — where thumbnails and small images often dictate consumer choices — investing in a standout cover is crucial. A professionally designed cover is your book’s best chance of making a lasting impression in a crowded marketplace.
4. Print on Demand
There once was a time when warehousing books, inventory management, and the uncertainty of print runs was prohibitive for many authors. These days, with the revolutionary advancement of print-on-demand (POD) manufacturing, the logistics authors once struggled to grapple with has become simplified and much more cost-effective.
POD allows books to be printed only once they are ordered and shipped directly to the purchaser, allowing for easy global outreach. Through expansive distribution networks, authors can effortlessly make their literary creations accessible to readers worldwide — without the logistical challenges of traditional distribution models.
POD also offers unparalleled agility to update or revise books, ensuring readers receive updated versions without lengthy delays. This flexibility significantly shortens the time to market, contrasting starkly with the often protracted timelines associated with traditional publishing print runs.
Readers demand convenience and accessibility, and POD bridges the gap between authors and their audience, making distribution a seamless and efficient process that empowers the author in an increasingly interconnected literary landscape.
5. Book Return Insurance
Book Return Insurance (BRI) is a service designed to maximize the appeal of independent authors to brick-and-mortar and online retailers by shielding them from the potential economic loss of book returns. Profit-driven businesses from small independent bookstores to the largest e-commerce platforms all aim to mitigate risk and maximize their profits. BRI offers a safety net for these financial risks and puts you in a better position to have copies of your book purchased up front.
Recent changes to the retail landscape have resulted in many booksellers (both online and physical) now requiring a returnable status to list print-on-demand books. A book without returnability will likely have limited accessibility and sales potential. There have also been several issues with books not being accurately displayed, listed as unavailable, or experiencing long shipping delays when they aren’t set up with returnability. This widespread industry shift impacts every publisher and author who uses POD to produce and sell their books.
Unless you have a well-developed personal sales funnel for direct or consignment sales, it’s vital to keep BRI in mind as you plan for publication. This return policy encourages retailers to take chances on lesser-known authors, all while having the assurance of returning unsold copies, if necessary. Being listed by more retailers boosts visibility and that can lead to increased sales — a win for authors and booksellers alike.
The publishing landscape in 2024 demands a strategic and multifaceted approach. Authors aren’t just writers: they are entrepreneurs navigating a dynamic industry. By embracing professional publishing services like editing, promotional support, cover design, print on demand, and book return insurance, authors can position themselves for success in an ever-evolving and competitive marketplace without the limitations of the traditional publishing approach.
As you embark on your publishing journey, remember that these services are not just conveniences; they are indispensable tools that empower you to share your stories with the world and achieve your publishing goals!
