So you’ve finally completed your book and are ready to take the next step: self-publishing! While self-publishing is a very viable strategy to get your work into the hands of potential readers, it can be tricky to navigate. Many writers, despite their literary savoir-faire, can become lost when dealing with the technical and business sides of self-publishing their work. And while some self-publishing companies are competent organizations that try to help writers succeed—this isn’t always the case. Some self-publishing companies exist mainly to hard-sell services you really don’t need or that they can’t really deliver. When testing the waters of a potential relationship with a self-publishing company, Self-Publishing Relief recommends asking five important questions that could save you time, money, and heartache.

5 Questions To Ask A Self-Publishing Company Before You Sign A Contract

Will there be any hidden charges?

Some self-publishing companies simply ask for a flat fee for their services. Others, however, may ask for a percentage of your royalties or a portion of your sales. And keep a close eye on the  fees for additional services so they don’t start to add up. It’s up to you to decide whether or not these extra charges are worth it!

Who will be my primary contact?

Make sure that you’re aware who your point person is. Self-publishing companies employ many people to help their clients, and it’s easy to get caught in a never-ending loop of “press one, press seven, and press one again.” Solidifying your main contact up front is a good way to make sure that you are always getting the best service possible. This way, you’ll know who to get in touch with for any questions you may have, and that person will be familiar with you and your project.

Can other authors use my same cover design in the future?

Self-publishing companies can help you design and create the cover for your book, but fully custom-made covers can be very expensive. To offset costs, most companies will utilize stock images to create their clients’ cover art. Stock images can, naturally, be used by anyone, but the individual cover that the company creates for you should never be used on another book designed by that self-publishing company.

What are the deadlines for my project?

Making sure that both parties are aware of the deadlines from the start of the partnership can save a lot of stress and trouble down the road. The self-publishing company should be able to give you a good estimate—barring any unforeseen delays—of when your book will be published.

Where will my book be sold?

Amazon is the number one place to sell print and e-books online. But can you make your book available to extended markets? What about local bookstores? Know what your distribution options are—and what additional fees may be involved if you want to expand your locations.

Don’t Go It Alone!

Self-publishing your book can be a fulfilling—yet stressful—experience. But you don’t have to go through it alone. At Self-Publishing Relief, our experts help you navigate every step of the process so that you have a book you can be proud to put your name on. With no hard-sell, ever! Contact Self-Publishing Relief for your free, no-obligation consultation today!

Question: What would you ask a self-publishing company you’re considering?