Frequently
Asked
Questions

Below you will find the answers to some of our most popular book publishing questions. Feel free to contact us with any additional inquiries. We are here to help.

​

​

Am I required to purchase books from you?

Many publishers require authors to purchase hundreds of books exclusively through their companies, which bolsters their profits. On the contrary, with Writer’s Tablet you are not locked into purchasing any books. We will walk you through how to purchase author copies at the lowest rate possible.

​

How long does it take to publish?

Traditional publishers can take a year or more to publish your book. On average, our complete publishing process takes approximately 20 weeks for a novel, and possibly less for smaller projects. Of course, this depends on the responsiveness of each client or if custom illustrations are needed.

​

In any case, in working with Writer’s Tablet, you get to strike while the iron’s hot, instead of twiddling your thumbs while your book sits on an editor’s desk for a whole year.

​

How many rounds of edits do you offer?

We offer two initial rounds and one final round after receiving the printed proof. To streamline this service, we ask that clients refrain from adding new text to the manuscript once submitted. Post-submission content not requested by Writer’s Tablet may incur an additional charge.

​

Do you design book covers?

We design unique, eye-catching book covers. Our experienced graphic designers bring your vision to life, while ensuring your book is relevant and attractive to your target audience. We also welcome your ideas and images to incorporate into the design.

 

Should I publish my manuscript as a printed book, an eBook, or both?

Print books still out number eBooks by four to one. It remains the most popular and most profitable reader format for adults and children. However, each author’s goals are different. Contact us to discuss the pros and cons of digital publishing for your specific genre.

​

What is an ISBN?

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. This is the 10-digit number assigned to all printed books. It indicates to publishers, retailers, libraries, distributors, and other supply chain participants who the publisher is, as well as the specific title, edition, and format.

​

How do I know if I’m ready to publish?

It’s hard to know when your writing is done. And turning over your manuscript for editing can be scary. Still, working with an expert provides much-needed feedback that you won’t get on your own. A fresh pair of eyes on your manuscript can help fine tune your words and enhance your story.

​

If you’re still not sure your manuscript is ready, we advise our clients to step away from their manuscript for three to four weeks, then read it again. If you are happy with it, then it’s time to send it to the professionals. Don’t worry, we will give you the feedback you need to make the necessary corrections.

​

Where can I sell my book?

You can sell your books online, or in stores (the latter will require the help of a book distributor). You can also sell your book at book signing events, book festivals, or conferences. Amazon is the biggest online book seller in the world, but you also can create a website and sell books directly to your readers, retaining more of your profits.

​

What types of publishers are there?

Traditional publishers will publish your book with no front-end cost to you. They use their industry knowledge to select and publish books that they believe to be most profitable, allowing them to earn money from the sale of your book. The royalty received by the author from book sales is around 10% to 12%. Here is a list of the top traditional publishing houses:

​

• Penguin Random House

• Hachette Book Group

• HarperCollins

• Macmillan Publishers

• Simon & Schuster

• Scholastic Corporation

​

Independent publishers function similarly to traditional publishers, but they are smaller and may be more willing to take a chance on a new author if they believe the book will be profitable. However, the author usually earn between 40 and 60% in royalty.

​

Self-published authors do all the work upfront by themselves and incur all the costs themselves. However, they keep 100% of their profits.

​

Vanity publishers charge a hefty fee to publish your work and they are generally less picky when deciding which project they will accept. Authors have very little control over the cover design and interior layout. In addition, there is generally a contract involved where the author does not own the rights to their book. It remains with the self-publisher for some period of time. 

​

Writer’s Tablet provides assisted self-publishing. We handle all the tasks required to publish your book and charge a reasonable fee. Once complete, we publish your book on your behalf and turn over your final deliverables. You keep 100% of your profit.

 

How many books should I keep on hand?

We advise against over-ordering. If you have a big book launch coming up, begin with 50 books. After that, keep 25 or so on hand until the next big event.

 

We can't wait to meet you and hear about your project. There’s never been a better time to get started than now. Schedule your FREE consultation today—we’ve got your back!

​