Answers to Your Questions
About Self-Publishing

Why do I have to pay to get published?

Have you ever heard an indie film maker or band complain about investing his or her own money to get their work produced and distributed? Indie film makers and musicians invest in their work because they believe in it and want to make it available to their fans. Indie book publishing does the same for authors. Your goal is to get published, not wait patiently for rejection letters from publishers. Get your book out to readers and let them decide if they like it.

Who owns the rights to my book once it's published by an indie book publisher?

You do. Indie book authors maintain all publishing and film rights nationally around the world. This means that if a traditional publisher wants to offer you a large advance, you're free to accept. Increasingly, authors choose to publish with indie book publishers as a way of attracting traditional-publishing deals.

To find the indie book publisher that will best help you reach your publishing goals, click here.

If I self-publish, can I still pull out my contract and publish with another company?

Yes. Choose a self-publishing company that offers open-ended and nonexclusive contracts.

To whom will you give the first copy of your book?

Odds are there is someone who has been supportive of you along the way of completing your manuscript. A parent? A spouse? A teacher? A friend? Someone who has encouraged you or even cajoled you to get your book done. Imagine the look on his or her face when you hand them a copy of your finished book. A big smile, an expression of amazement—what will they say? Let FYP help you find out. Complete the information form, request the publishing guide, expect the recommended book publisher to contact you and discuss how you can get your book done and in the market. Then start making your list of who gets copies of your book.