223. The Publishing Discord: My Answer

I am more than delighted to tell people why I am pleased with the handling I’ve received from WestBow Publishers.  However, it has worked splendidly for me because this was what I wanted to do whole heartedly and not as a rebound because I could not get published otherwise.  I will expand on that later.

Secondly, although WestBow is more expensive than other self publishers what weighs heavily in their favour is that they are an imprint of the renown Thomas Nelson publishers and consequently an author gets an almost automatic feeling of security in working with them since they have a reputation to live up to otherwise they will not be able to stand out from the hundreds of other self-publishers who will do the job, probably just as well- but it just isn’t the same thing- and that is what makes all the difference.   The fact that WestBow states Thomas Nelson monitors the sales progress of a book did not have any effect on me at all since any self-published book that hits the NY Times Best Seller list is going to be picked up by a number of traditional publishers without saying.

People often ask me why didn’t I publish with other independent or self-publishers which would probably have cost me next to nothing and the reason I did not do so is because, what then?  My book would go nowhere, it would all be left up to me and I would be completely alone in this venture.  Publishing with WestBow isn’t like that at all.

         Here’s why:

1.  If you send them an email- they answer you- pretty soon.  They are polite and you get the feeling you are treated like a “client” but they also emanate an atmosphere of warmth and friendliness.

2.  They phone you, and it doesn’t really matter if you are not the world’s best speaker in self-expression, they make you feel at ease, I even shared a joke...

3.  I have never had it so simple in filling out bank, income tax and such bureaucratic dilemmas before, if you don’t understand, all you have to do is ask.

3.  When it comes to submitting the content of your book, you can be an “old age pensioner” like me, but you will get there safe and sound if you just follow the instructions: again, if something is amiss, just ask.

4.  At any time, when in doubt, just ask and someone will sort you out.

5.  They have the most amazing art and printing department that beats any traditional publisher.  Recently I had a look at various book covers by traditional publishers, to me so many seemed tatty, cheap looking, confusing, even unattractive...  I can say with unhesitating certainty WestBow is a leader in great book covers... I’ve noticed traditional publishers are taking note... take the latest Stephen King book for example.  On Twitter they were saying there was no greater cover than on his latest release: “Full Dark, No Stars”.  Yes, I answered, they had used the same elements as in mine:  black background, a realistic figure in the centre and the lettering that matched the colour of the figure in the centre- same combination as I had used in “Rajput”. 

6.  They are quick.  Your book is published within weeks, it takes years with traditional publishers.

7.  They have an author’s discount in buying books which is competitive and fast delivery- was most useful for me as I live in Italy and needed copies on hand.

8.  I have several links to where I know the book is on sale and I know it is also in bookstores since some of  my friends have asked WestBow when they would be available in bookstores.  However, I have not gone into this because it is beyond my sphere to do so.  I can only say how well the distribution system is when I get my first set of royalties in a year’s time, which is 20% - bearing in mind this is not a popular women romance story that sells for five dollars.

9.  You retain full copyright, and this is the main reason for my wanting to self-publish because this will allow me to publish the books with an Indian printer in India and make them available on the Indian economy at their prices.  I will be going to India in September to oversee this and also connect with those teachers who want to use this book in schools to teach English and history.  I realize I will not be making any money on this and all proceeds in the selling of “Rajput” in India will go to a fund to promote the English language by Indian authors.  Securing my research through the US copyright system by publishing “Rajput,” has enabled me to put this project into motion.  And if it weren’t for WestBow this would not have been in the least possible. 

10.  Because of the research involved,  I personally needed a printer who would print my manuscript exactly as it was presented.  Which traditional publisher allows you to do that?

Those are my reasons not only to go through an independent publisher, but that particular publisher- was my decision good or bad?  Over to you.

To buy or read a preview of RAJPUT clic on the title of the "Page" above  "Rajput, Princely Warriors of Rajasthan"


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Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”