A Journey of Playing the Numbers Game of Book Publishing

A formula and decision-tree to find the right next publisher (perhaps even you) for your next book

Photo by Lacie Cueto on Unsplash.

This is a slightly adapted version of an article first published by Pipeline Artists on December 13, 2021. It remains the article I share the most with clients and others who come to me for help.

I know you know you can self-publish your novel on Amazon with a cover bought on Fiverr, a few hours of formatting, and a couple more hours of winding your way through the megalodon’s ebook posting labyrinth. You probably also know there are other publishing options for your books but may not know the range of options or how to process or pursue them.

Let me give you a plan. One formula you can follow no matter who you are or what your book is.

A way to play the numbers game that is publishing in a confined amount of time knowing that you gave the best options your best shot. By working the system, you will know in the end that you have — more or less — the optimal publisher for your particular book at this time. Next book? Next time? Start over at the beginning and see if you get a different outcome.

I was an indie book publisher for 25 years and have counseled hundreds of would-be authors in…