Know the Basic Differences in Publishing Strategies

Explanatory notes to the chart:     #1-3      #4     #5      #6      #7      #8-9      #10

Already Rejected? Or just plain confused? We help breathe life into your manuscript and agent search.

• Have you been rejected by literary agents and believe your writing project is dead?
• Do you have a manuscript, nonfiction proposal, or book idea and wonder what to do with it?
• Have you paid a fee to a literary agent and wonder what s/he has done with your manuscript?
• Are you confused about publishing options (POD, self-publishing, e-publishing, traditional publishing) and wonder which is best for you?
• Have you been offered a variety of book promotion services costing hundreds of dollars and wonder if they're right for you?
• Do you want to promote your writing career, for example, by entering contests?

We provide the objectivity and expertise to help you map a publishing strategy based on your project and your goals.

Cost: We offer an affordable consulting package or we will include publishing strategy with other AuthorAssist services -- such as query material development, proposal development, or editing.

To get started, complete our convenient form or e-mail us the following information:

• the working title
• the specific genre, e.g. mystery, memoir, how-to, children's fiction/nonfiction, etc.
• the stage you've reached in the project, i.e. first, second, third, fourth draft
• the total number of words (Hint: open the document in MS Word, click TOOLS, WORD COUNT)
• any concerns you have about your work
• the service(s) you are seeking
• anything else we should know about your project

E-mail your information to us.

PLEASE NOTE: We do not handle poetry.

AuthorAssist Saves Time and Money -- Regardless of Publishing Strategy

    Traditional Publishing:

Take a targeted approach with our agent directory.

You will know exactly how to begin your search using our list of top-selling agents interested in your genre. Choose from 16 fiction categories and 27 nonfiction categories or we can create a custom list for you. We update our database weekly to capture research on recent agent sales.

Streamline the contact process.

Our 15 Tips for Getting on the Fast Track to Agents provides step-by-step directions for contacting agents efficiently and effectively. You'll quickly identify those agents who are excited about your writing project.

Eliminate wasted mailings.

You will learn specifically who is interested in reading your sample chapters or manuscript. Otherwise, you'll waste money every time you mail your manuscript to an uninterested agent -- $40 for the average 300-page manuscript. (Copying manuscript @$.10 per page=$30.00; manuscript box=$3.00; Priority Post=$7.00)

Avoid agent scams.

Our agent directory lists only legitimate agents interested in your genre. We help you avoid unethical agents who make their money by charging up-front fees, rather than selling manuscripts to publishers.

Consult with an objective expert who has your best interest at heart.

You hear about a new agent, but have no idea if s/he is reputable. How do you find out? You're contacted by an agent. How should you respond? As questions arise about the agenting process, you have access to our expertise 24/7. When you become a client, we're happy to answer your questions and help you determine your best publishing strategy.

    Self-publishing:

Ensure your manuscript ready

Before you self-publish you will want your manuscript to be in mint condition. That's where AuthorAssist comes in. We'll take a look at your manuscript and recommend editing for your needs. Our editing services range from proofreading to copyediting and developmental editing. More on our editing services .

Select a reputable self-publishing company.

Your vendor choice is based on your goals for your book and your readership. You'll need to decide on distribution first--print (POD) and/or an e-book for Kindle, Sony Reader, iPad, and/or mobile phones. Next come decisions regarding format, services, and specific publishing companies. Self-publishing companies are different in terms of price structure, services, royalties, and quality.We can help you sort through the various options and prices--based on your publishing goals.

Avoid unnecessary services and expenses

Self-publishing companies offer a amazing number of high-priced add-on packages to pump up the cost of publishing your book. We take a personal approach--helping you create a marketing plan designed to feature on the unique aspects of your book and capitalize on current social media marketing opportunities. We create a marketing plan tailored to your goals so you will avoid unnecessary services and save money.

Determine how best to market and promote your book

If you want to increase the readership of your book, you must be ready, willing, and able to take the steps to promote and market online. That means creating a presence with an author web site or blog and Facebook page at a minimum.

Avoid disappointment by having realistic expectations about your book

You want to have a reasonable understanding of where to sell your book and the level of book sales and royalties to expect--and if you should quit your day job.

To get started, complete our convenient form or e-mail us the following information:

• the working title
• the specific genre, e.g. mystery, memoir, how-to, children's fiction/nonfiction, etc.
• the stage you've reached in the project, i.e. first, second, third draft
• the total number of words (Hint: open the document in MS Word, click TOOLS, WORD COUNT)
• any concerns you have about your work/li>
• anything else we should know about your project

PLEASE NOTE: We do not handle poetry.