Aspiring authors are often not sure about how they should approach a publisher or if they should even approach one. Writing a novel or a book is one thing, but having it published is another. While many published authors believe that the process of getting published is as simple or difficult as authors want it to be, there are certain things that every author should consider before taking the plunge.

Here are some questions in the minds of many aspiring authors that they want answers to. Read below to learn what you should consider before getting your novel published, as it will help you make a good decision.

Decide How You Are Going to Publish

Traditionally, books are published for the masses while financed by a third party. The publishers will be taking a look at your book to see if this is something that they will make a profit from. Another method to publish your book is by doing it all by yourself. You will be responsible for the printing, distributing, financing and even promotion of the book. Going with the traditional publishing process, your publisher will not only be financing the printing and distribution and even designing of the novel but also the accounting, editing and even the promotion of the book. You will have a say and you will be present in most of the promotion and marketing of the book, but you will not be doing the grunt work.

Print or Digital

Another thing that you should consider is if you should print your book, make it digital or go both ways. While paperbacks and hardbacks have their immense market, the digital market has skyrocketed in the past decade and more and more people prefer this over traditional printed books. For this, you need to know your genre and your audience to see what your reader will prefer. Many authors print their books as well as make them digital if it appeals to a wider audience, so the ball is completely in your court on this one.

Agent or Not

As long as you are not going to have your novel published by a third party, you don’t need an agent since you will be financing the publication process. However, if you are going to choose the traditional way and approach a publisher, you need an agent. Agents have their sway and you need an agent to have your novel considered by the publishing house. They often act as the filter that helps publishing houses find authors that work for them and vice versa.

One last thing that you need to consider is if this is going to be a one-time thing for you or if you have more work to share with the world. If you believe that you have more to offer then it is in your best interests to get a publisher. If they see the spark in you, they may even sign you up with them and you can enjoy some great perks along with gettinging your books into the hands of more people.