Knowledge Base
Find Answers to Your Self-Publishing Questions: Search Our Knowledge Base and Master the Terminology
Starting
Introduction To Childrens Book Publishing
Creating The Ideal Writing Environment For Childrens Book Authors
The Importance Of Crafting An Effective Book Summary
Brainstorming And Conceptualizing Ideas For Your Childrens Book
Planning
Setting Your Title And Author Name Before Applying For Copyright
How To Plan The Plot And Key Conflict Of Your Story
How To Plan The Theme Of Your Book
How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story
How To Write An Impressive Author Bio For Your Book
How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story
How To Develop Engaging Characters For Your Book
Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company
How To Plan Your Story Using Flow
Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type
How To Enter The Author Name For Your Book
How To Plan And Choose The Right Genre For Your Book
Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction
How To Plan Where Your Story Begins
How To Plan Distribution Options For Your Selfpublished Book
How To Conduct A Competitive Analysis For Your Book
How To Plan The Plot Climax Or High Point Of Your Story
How To Define The Time Setting For Your Story
How To Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books
How To Plan Your Narrative Pointofview Pov
Typography And Text Design In Illustrated Books Best Practices
Understanding Book Types Formats And Sizes In Childrens Publishing
Structuring Your Childrens Book Plot Climax And Falling Action
Your Childrens Book Tone Theme And Point Of View
How To Define The Place And Setting For Your Story
Writing
How To Plan Page Turns With Spread Breaks In Made Live
How To Add Tags To Your Manuscript In Made Live
Crafting A Compelling Plot In Childrens Books
The Milestone Of Completing Your First Draft
Overcoming Writers Block In Childrens Book
How To Selfedit Dialogue In Your Book
How To Plan The Language And Tone For Your Book
Effective Techniques For Childrens Books
Registrations
How To Set Up And Modify Your Copyright Information In Made Live
How To Enter Your Isbn In The Section
How To Officially File For Copyright Protection As An Author
How To Secure An Isbn For Your Book A Global Guide
Designing
Adding A Dedication Or Acknowledgements To Your Book
Choosing The Right Fonts For Your Book
How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book
How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book
How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard
How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience
Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books
Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book
How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book
Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow
How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book
How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book
How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book
How To Delete Extra Spreads To Avoid Blank Pages In Your Book
How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover
How To Add Back Matter To Your Illustrated Book
How To Check Your Storyboard And Design For Continuity
How To Insert Copyright Information Into The Storyboard
How To Set Up And Select Color Choices For Your Book In Made Live
Prioritizing Accessibility In Childrens Book Design
Selfediting Your Book Layout Fitting The Story To The Format
Choosing The Right Illustration Style For Your Childrens Book
How To Find And Hire A Professional Illustrator For Your Book
Editing
How To Selfedit For Filler Words
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Illustrations
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Consistency
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Clarity
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Vocabulary
Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Your Audience
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Theme
How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Story Structure
How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue
How To Selfedit And Proofread For Grammar Punctuation And Spelling
How To Review The Cover Design For Your Illustrated Book
How To Edit With A Final Read Aloud Before Sending To An Editor
How To Provide Clear Illustration Notes For Your Illustrator
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Redundancy
Steps To Finalizing Your Manuscript For Childrens Book Publication
How To Find And Hire A Professional Editor For Your Illustrated Book
How To Get Feedback On Your Manuscript
Publishing
Choosing The Perfect Title For Your Childrens Book
Preparing For International Distribution Language Translations And Multiple Formats
Going Global Preparing Your Childrens Book For International Distribution
Understanding Isbn Pcn And Pcip For Childrens Book
Navigating Legal Aspects Of Copyright And Infringement In Childrens Book
Navigating Contracts And Rights For Childrens Books
Navigating Self Vs Traditional In Childrens Books
Marketing
Building An Author Brand And Online Presence
Navigating Book Reviews And Publicity For Childrens Books
Connecting With Key Players Engaging With Schools Libraries And Bookstores
Mastering Book Launches And Promotional Events For Childrens Books
Maximizing Your Reach Utilizing Social Media And Online Platforms For Childrens Books
Mastering Effective Strategies For Childrens Books
Community
Joining Writing And Publishing Communities For Childrens Book Creators
Enhancing Skills With Workshops Webinars And Learning Opportunities In Childrens Book Publishing
Maximizing Your Publishing Success With Made Live Resources And Support
Building Connections Networking With Other Childrens Book Authors
Business
Navigating Literary Agents And Query Letters For Childrens Books
Advanced Marketing Techniques And Analytics For Childrens Picture Books
Leveraging Technology In Childrens Book Publishing
Staying Ahead Keeping Up With Industry Trends And Changes In Childrens Book Publishing
Embracing Diversity Exploring Diverse Themes And Representation In Childrens Books
Mastering The Query Process In Childrens Book Publishing
Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company?
Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company?
Overview: While establishing your own publishing company is not necessary to self-publish, it can provide several benefits that enhance your author brand, offer financial protection, and even provide tax advantages. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of starting your own publishing company, and how it can support your goals as a self-published author.
What is a Publishing Company?
A publishing company is a business entity established to publish and distribute books. Authors who choose to start their own publishing company can self-publish their own books under this business, rather than listing themselves as the individual publisher. This setup can provide a professional appearance, boost credibility, and offer additional opportunities to expand into other areas of publishing.
Benefits of Establishing a Publishing Company:
- Boosts Author Brand: Publishing under a business name can add legitimacy and help establish your author brand.
- Provides Financial Protection: Establishing a company separates your personal and business finances, reducing personal liability.
- Offers Tax Benefits: Depending on your location, a publishing company may offer tax advantages such as deducting business expenses.
Pros and Cons of Establishing Your Own Publishing Company
Pros
1. Boosts Author Brand and Professionalism - Publishing your books under a business name can enhance your professional image and distinguish your books from those of other self-published authors. It can also help build a recognizable brand for future books and publications.
- Enhanced Professional Image: Publishing under a company name looks more professional on book covers, websites, and marketing materials.
- Stronger Brand Identity: Establishing a brand name helps readers associate your books with quality and consistency.
2. Provides Financial and Legal Protection - Creating a separate business entity, such as an LLC or corporation, separates your personal assets from your business liabilities. This can offer protection in the event of legal disputes or financial difficulties.
- Reduced Personal Liability: Separates personal and business assets, minimizing personal risk.
- Financial Security: Creates a clear division between personal and business finances, making it easier to track expenses and income.
3. Offers Potential Tax Benefits - Establishing a publishing company may allow you to deduct business-related expenses, such as printing costs, marketing, and office supplies. This can reduce your overall tax burden and improve your financial situation as an author.
- Business Expense Deductions: Deduct costs associated with publishing, marketing, and other business expenses.
- Improved Financial Planning: Create a structured financial plan for your publishing activities.
Cons
1. Requires Additional Time and Effort - Setting up and maintaining a publishing company involves additional administrative tasks, such as registering your business, filing taxes, and keeping financial records. This can take time away from writing and creative activities.
- Administrative Workload: Managing a business involves more paperwork and compliance requirements.
- Time Commitment: Time spent on business tasks could reduce the time available for writing and book promotion.
2. Initial Costs and Ongoing Expenses - Establishing a publishing company may involve initial setup costs, such as registering your business and obtaining necessary licenses. There may also be ongoing expenses, like accounting services or legal fees.
- Setup Costs: Registration fees, licensing, and initial marketing costs.
- Ongoing Expenses: Accounting, legal, and administrative costs.
3. Not Necessary for All Authors - For authors who only plan to publish one or two books, establishing a publishing company may not be worth the effort or expense. Consider your long-term goals before deciding whether a publishing company is the right choice.
- Evaluate Long-Term Goals: Determine if establishing a company aligns with your long-term publishing plans.
- Consider Publishing Frequency: Authors with a limited number of books may not need a separate publishing entity.
How to Establish Your Own Publishing Company
If you decide that establishing a publishing company is right for you, follow these steps to get started:
Step 1: Choose a Business Structure
Select a business structure that suits your needs, such as a sole proprietorship, LLC (Limited Liability Company), or corporation. Each structure has its own benefits and requirements, so choose the one that best fits your goals.
- Sole Proprietorship: Simple setup, but no separation between personal and business liability.
- LLC (Limited Liability Company): Provides personal liability protection and flexibility in management.
- Corporation: Offers the highest level of liability protection, but involves more complex setup and management.
Step 2: Register Your Business Name
Register your publishing company’s name with the appropriate government agency in your region. This process may involve checking the availability of the name, registering a DBA (Doing Business As), and filing necessary paperwork.
Step 3: Obtain Required Licenses and Permits
Check local regulations to determine if you need any licenses or permits to operate your publishing company. Requirements vary by location and business structure.
Step 4: Set Up Business Finances
Open a separate business bank account and keep financial records for your publishing company. This will help you track expenses, income, and taxes more effectively.
Step 5: Create a Business Plan
Outline your goals, target audience, marketing strategies, and financial plans. A business plan will serve as a roadmap for your publishing company and help you stay organized.
Final Notes:
Establishing your own publishing company is a strategic decision that can boost your author brand, provide financial protection, and offer tax benefits. While it’s not necessary for self-publishing, it may be worth considering if you plan to publish multiple books or expand into other areas of publishing. Use this guide to weigh the pros and cons and determine whether starting your own publishing company is right for you.