Hi there! I wanted to ask if any of you have had any new experiences with Novum Publishing?
No personal experience, but looking at the thread they were a vanity publisher, and looking at their website, they are still a vanity publisher.
I want to be clear about this, because it confuses many: a vanity publisher is not a publisher.
A publisher makes money by buying books from authors and selling them to readers.
A vanity publisher makes money by selling authors their own books.
The business model and the product created is entirely different.
It would be important for him to get professional proofreading
Vanity publishers do not proofread. Proofreading increases value for readers, but readers are not part of the vanity publishing business model.
editing
Vanity publishers do not edit. Editing increases value for readers, but readers are not part of the vanity publishing business model.
and general feedback on his book
Vanity publishers do not give meaningful feedback. The goal of feedback or critique is to improve the book so it will attract more readers, and readers... well, I’ve said, haven’t I?
After all, publishers know the market much better and you’ll surely have more success selling your book with a publisher than if you do all by your own.
Vanity publishers do know their market, but their market is authors. The entire goal of a vanity publisher is to convince an author to pay a large lump sum of money to see their own book published, using statements like these:
We believe that every author with a good manuscript is supposed to have a fair chance on the book market.
You want to publish a book, but you are still uncertain about which way to go? We will give advice and support you on your way to publication.
We are pleased with every manuscript submission.
Especially new authors found and will find here the perfect start to the world of publishing.
(All quotes from the novum-publishing.co.uk website)
They neither know, nor care, how to market books to readers. That is not their business model. If a vanity published author wants to get their book in front of readers, they’ll have to do all that legwork themselves... just as they would if they were self-published.
Vanity publishers are perfectly aware of the confusion they create — that is part of their business model. But you — and your friend — should be perfectly clear on this distinction. Vanity publishers will not work with an author to proofread and edit their book into a product that appeals to more readers. They will not put anyone’s book in front of readers. All they care about is getting you to pay them for your book.
How do you deal if you don’t get any answer from publishers? Just keep trying or try something new? Thanks in advance for the help!
So about 15 years ago Tobias Buckell did a survey asking how many novels authors wrote before they sold one. About a third of those surveyed sold their first novel. The rest either had significant short story sales or several unsold novels. 13% had written seven or more novels before they sold one.
It’s older data, but I don’t think that aspect of the industry has changed.
My best advice to your friend is, if they’re not getting bites from publishers with this book... write another one. Book-writing is a skill, and sometimes your first crack at it just isn’t that good. Even if it is a good book, “trunking” isn’t forever. Many writers sell their second or fifth or seventh book and — with that proof of success under their belt — go back and dust off good ol’ #1 for another round.
My second-best advice would be to self-publish. Freelance editors, copy editors, and cover artists can be hired for a fraction of the cost a vanity publisher will charge; likewise you can get your book printed in any number of places for a modest sum, and list ebooks at almost no cost at all. It’s true that, without a publishing house behind it, it’s difficult to reach readers. It will be hard work.
But it is exactly the same amount of work your friend would do if they published through a vanity, and they won’t be out $10K or more when they start doing it.