What Every Author Deserves to Know Before Publishing

Deciding how to publish your book is a big decision, and once you've signed on the dotted line, it can be hard to undo. Before you commit to anything, here are a few things worth looking out for.

• Pressure to decide quickly. A good publishing partner will give you time to think. If you're being rushed with “limited-time offers” or urgent deadlines, take that as your cue to slow down.

• Fuzzy costs. You should know exactly what you're paying, what you're getting in return, and what might cost extra down the road. If the answer is hard to pin down, that's worth noticing.

• Unclear rights. Who owns your book, your cover, and your files? Can you leave if you want to, and what happens if you do? These answers should be easy to find and easy to understand.

• Vague royalties and reporting. How much do you earn on each sale? How often are you paid? Will you have access to your sales data? You deserve to see the whole picture.

• Big promises. No one can guarantee bestseller status or a specific number of sales. Be cautious of anyone who tries.

• Contracts you don't fully understand. If something is confusing, ask. If the explanation is still confusing, that tells you something too. The right publishing option should leave you feeling informed and confident, not hurried or unsure. You're trusting someone with something deeply personal, and that trust should be earned.

Our Comprehensive Roadmap to Independent Publishing session is designed to help take the mystery out of publishing your book. We want you to feel confident knowing what questions to ask and what to be on the lookout for.

Visit us at lightofthemooninc.com to learn more or book your Roadmap session.

— Alyssa, Founder, Light of the Moon, Inc.