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Getting Published

with SHADES CREEK PRESS

Man with Book

Shades creek specializes in new, unpublished authors or others who have a document or manuscript to be published.
 
Shades Creek Press is a great option for family reunion books, family genealogy books, first-time unpublished authors, new authors with previously published books, and college & university professors who wish to publish books in support of their classes.

Why publish as a self-published author? 

Self-publishing any document or manuscript allows you, as the creator or author, to have complete control of the outcome of sales and distribution. You control the outcome. You also keep all profits from sales of your book.

 

What are some potential challenges?  

Some of the challenges might include editing your document and getting to a final publishable document. This is achieved by working with your rep at Shades Creek Press.

 

What to expect?  

Publishing is like wrestling an octopus in the rain. There are many moving parts. Self-publishing requires a give-&-take attitude. As a self-published author, you must have patience with the process. Ask questions when in doubt. Because you will be so close to the process, you will experience the frustration of the learning and awareness curve. Remember, your publisher has mastered this process; however, each project is unique and may present unexpected challenges.

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What are the expected timelines?  

Each project is different, so timelines will be discussed at the time of the contract agreement.
 

Download Shades Creek Press Pricing Guide

MORE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How to Increase my self-published Book?

As a publisher, a sole proprietor of a small self-publishing company, it has always been my mission to help people who aspire to publish their book, to achieve that goal. 

 

This mission statement always has been researching and inquiring about the most effective marketing strategies, as well as the overall market conditions. According to Wordsrate.com, the Self-publishing Industry is estimated at $1.4 Billion, with a “B”!, as of 2022. This business sector continues to grow and increase market share, both in sales and in the publishing entities.

 

So, do you need a traditional publishing house to publish a book: No!  

However, it is very difficult to make a significant amount of money if you self-publish your book. On the flip side, it is even more difficult to find an agent who loves your book as much as you do, and then have that agent hook you up with a traditional publishing house. 

 

Can I make money selling my self-publish book? Yes!  

However, while you need a great eye-catching cover, a snappy title, and an intriguing story, getting you self-published book published, is only about 30% of the effort required. The other 70% is in Marketing, which is this day & time, is mostly social media and online. Utilizing your network of friends and acquaintances is essential in marketing your book.

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Then, Why Self-Publish my book?  Great question!!!

Creative control: One of the benefits of going the self-publishing route is the ability to retain full control over your own book. The traditional publishing world is full of gatekeepers who will have opinions on the content, book cover, and even the title of your book.
 

Since we covered this above for the most part, let's give a quick overview of what author royalties look like. Self-published authors can make between 40% – 60% royalties on the retail price of a single book while traditionally published authors usually make between 10%-12% royalties.

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Do self-published books ever sell?

Three hundred million self-published books are sold each year. The number of self-published books has increased by 264% in the last five years. $1.25 billion worth of self-published books is sold each year. The average self-published book sells for $4.16. Jan 30, 2023

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What are some of the Best Marketing Strategies for Self-published Books?

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  1. Have your own blog or website. ...

  2. Increase your online presence to spread the word about your book. ...

  3. Use social media. ...

  4. Learn from the most popular books in your genre — what helps them sell? ...

  5. Get reviews for your book. ...

  6. Write an enticing book blurb.​

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Book Promotion Strategies That Work for Self-Published Authors

  1. Get a professional website. ..

  2. Get Amazon reviews. ...

  3. Run a niche outreach campaign. ..

  4. Join Facebook groups in your niche. ...

  5. Try Amazon ads. ...

  6. Create a Goodreads strategy. ...

  7. Record video interviews

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Book Promotion Strategies That Work for Self-Published Authors

https://www.launchmybook.com › Book Marketing

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With the growth of the self-publishing business world, why should I publish with Shades Creek Press?

This is a great question and one that I’d ask if I were looking for a place and mechanism to publish my book. In fact, this is how and why I created my company. At first, it was purely for myself, for publishing my own books.

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It began with my doctoral dissertation. Completed in 1999, I always wanted to turn it into a book, thinking of course, that it’d be of great interest to the world at large, right?!

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I first published a version of my dissertation through a company called Xlibris, a self-publishing company. The cost was approximately $1800, including no editing, and limited assistance with cover design, although those services were offered as optional auxiliary services for additional costs. There were no marketing services involved.

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After that experience, I began to think about how to do that myself since I was also writing my first novel, which had been a lifelong goal and aspiration. So, I researched how to publish your book and began to learn about self-publishing. I ran across the book, Print-On-Demand Book Publishing, by Morris Rosenthal, published in 2004. This book started it all! Rosenthal explained all the processes and progressions, terms and challenges, in great detail. It was a road map, a treasure map.

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So, why go with Shades Creek Press?

With the publishing process, this becomes an experience. As the owner and sole-proprietor, I strive to provide each author with authentic and specialized service. Each book is different. Thus, the service and experience of publishing will be unique to each author, even if they publish more than one book. So, personalized, professional service.

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If you read the info in this Blog, you will see that most self-publishing companies provide the author with 30% - 70% of royalties. I have structured my company to allow 80% to 100% of net royalties back to the author.

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And in addition, I provide an avenue for continued consulting with your book and its marketing. In this capacity, I will play the role of Book Coach, Guide, Adviser, and quasi-partner in your effort and goal of publishing and marketing your book.

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So, what does Shades Creek Press get out of it?

Well, I’ll make a little money,  although if you cost it out by the hour, it isn’t much. But I love the process.

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And, if I’m lucky, I’ll have a new friend through the process. I believe this is what makes my company, Shades Creek Press, different from the 17 listed in the link below.

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https://blog.reedsy.com/best-self-publishing-companies/

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Best Wishes on your journey with your book!

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Randy Hale
Shades Creek Press

As an educator with the goal of being a published author, I have benefited from the support, guidance, and expertise provided by Dr. J. R. Hale. Dr. Hale helped me share my stories, my experiences, and my journey with an insight into how to present them to a larger audience without losing my voice or inhibiting my message.
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Dr. J. R. Hale led me through the publishing process including layout, print style, and cover design. He has a complete understanding of this process and how to make each book unique, individual, and interesting. 
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Throughout my 40-year career in education, my goal was to share my stories and call myself a published author. Dr. J. R. Hale made this possible and I am forever grateful for his expertise and support.
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John K. King, Principal & Author
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