How to Publish Self-Help Books

At some point, the self-healing manuscript lingering on your hard drive will beg you to find a home for it. Whether you are new to the industry or have previous publishing credits, getting a book into the market can be an exhausting process. Knowing where to start and what problems to avoid can help you publish your self-healing books promptly and successfully.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Learn to write and edit your own work, or consider joining a critique group to help you with the process. If you absolutely must, get a book doctor, a professional who can help you evaluate and fix your book to meet the standards set by the industry.
2. Try self-publishing if you already have a following. If you are a speaker, a celebrity in your field or a teacher of seminars or workshops, self-publishing may work for you. When you publish your own book, you are free to set prices and have complete control over the content.
3. Publish your book through traditional venues if you want to sell it to the general public rather than to a select group of students or workshop participants. This will involve sending letters to prospective publishers and waiting for acceptances or rejections.
4. Research what you need to publish your book long before you start approaching potential publishers. For larger houses, you may need an agent. Most publishers, however, take manuscripts as long as you send a query letter and proposal to introduce yourself and your work.
5. Look for self-healing books similar to yours and research their publishers. You are more likely to find a space in a company that has a track record with books matching your subject than you are to break into a general publisher's list.

Tips & Warnings

• Be ready to keep working long after your book is sold. Editors may request changes more than once, and you are expected to review the manuscript as often as needed.
• Selling a non-fiction book may require you to prove to a publisher that you have a platform from which to promote the book. Show that you are an expert on the subject or at least that you have the connections to get the word out.
• Differentiate between vanity publishing and self-publishing. When you self-publish, you usually pay little to no money in advance, and you retain full control over the final product. Vanity publishers often charge high prices and take over the book for the duration of your contract, paying a small royalty for sales.