Get the right information before you publish!

Publishing is 30% book production and 70% marketing and selling. So while it’s relatively easy to make a book, the real challenge (and most of the work) lies in marketing and selling it.

There are many important decisions that must be made to create a marketable product. Whether it’s positive book reviews you’re looking for, or the confidence of bookstores who will order stock, the decisions you make now could affect the future success of your book. For instance, some publishing options are just not suited to bookstore distribution, whilst others may be expensive and unnecessary for authors with humbler, smaller-scale needs. Our job is to help you navigate this confusing maze so that you can make the right decisions.

Because publishing is quite a complex business, we offer two types of consultation:

Editorial consultation

This consultation focuses mainly on the editorial aspects of publishing, some of which include:

• Identifying your vision for the book and your motivations for publishing.
• Content development and how to structure your book.
• Determining the relevance of the content to your target market.
• Making your book as accessible as possible to your reader.

Editorial consultations may progress into author coaching and mentoring, depending on your needs and resources.

This is an excellent first step, regardless of whether you choose to publish independently or through a traditional royalty-based publisher. A good, well-developed manuscript always stands a better chance in the market.

Publishing consultation

Publishing is a business and, like any business, requires that authors do their homework. Unfortunately, too many authors lose thousands of rands and end up limiting their distribution options because of bad decisions, mostly the result of inadequate or misleading information. This consultation is designed to give you the inside scoop on the world of publishing and how book production, marketing and distribution really work. If you are entering the world of publishing for the first time, this consultation should be considered mandatory.

A publishing consultation will help you answer the following questions:

• What does independent publishing entail?
• What are the different publishing options available, what do they cost, and which option is best for you?
• Independent publishing versus traditional publishing – which route should you go?
• Should you publish locally or overseas? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
• Your book is published, now what?
• How does book marketing and distribution work, and how do you get into online and bricks-and-mortar bookstores?
• How do you sell your book internationally through Amazon, Barnes & Noble,  Waterstones, and other leading retailers.
• How much do book marketers, distributors and bookstores take for selling your book?
• How do you market and promote your book?
• How can you maximise your profits when selling your book?

Unbiased, practical advice best suited to your needs

Our publishing consultations are not designed to pressure you in a particular direction, nor are they used to ‘sell’ you our services. Instead, through open discussion with you, we find out exactly what your needs and requirements are and we present the options available in the market that would best suit those needs.

We look at important factors such as:

• Available resources (financial and time)
• Personal and entrepreneurial skills
• Target market access
• The type of book you are publishing
• The kinds of costs involved in publishing and distribution
• Your vision for the book.

By the end of the consultation you will have a much clearer idea of the direction you need to be taking, as well as the next step forward. Should you choose to continue along the independent publishing route, this may be done with a different author services or publishing company altogether.

How are the consultations conducted?

If you’re based in Cape Town you can book an appointment to see us. If not, we will gladly consult with you telephonically or via Skype, WhatsApp, Viber, or Messenger. For non-telephonic consultations, a good internet connection is needed.

Because many of our consultations are done remotely, upfront payment is required and a scheduled time is agreed upon by both parties.

Who will be consulting with you?

You can choose to consult with either of our two highly-experienced publishing professionals, Vanessa Wilson and Georgina Hatch, each of whom has their own area of expertise and who co-wrote the book Publish Like A Pro: The Complete Guide to Successful and Profitable Self-Publishing, South Africa’s leading guide to independent publishing.

How much is a consultation and how long does it last?

• R500 for ½ hour
• R650 for 1 hour
• R750 for 1,5 hours

We consult telephonically, or via Skype (with or without camera), WhatsApp, Viber, or Messenger (with or without camera). Regretfully, face-to-face consultations will only be available again when lock-down has been lifted.

How do I book?

Simply click the button below for our online booking form. You will be asked for information about your book, which Vanessa or Georgina will review before the consultation, to ensure that you derive the most benefit from your meeting with us.