It is very unlikely that an unknown first time writer will land a big contract with a traditonal publishing house.  The odds are similar to those of winning [...]]]> Now that you have written your book, you have to answer the question:  Do I self-publish or look for an agent?

Traditional Publishing (OR can I find an agent?)

It is very unlikely that an unknown first time writer will land a big contract with a traditonal publishing house.  The odds are similar to those of winning the lottery. You may send your query letter to agent after agent and publisher after publisher with no results. The process may take years.   If you DO find someone to publish your book you may recieve a small advance and  you will sign away the rights to your work for years.  You probably won’t see a big push to market your book. Most authors, even those who are under contract with large publishing houses do the majority of the book promotions themselves.  And it’s usually for less money per book.

Self-Publishing

When you choose to self-publsh your book you retain all the rights to your work. At SgtBlu Press you also receive a reasonable royalty per book.  Royalties are calculated using the number of pages printed and your retail price, and usually equals about $5 per book when you sell it yourself, and a little less when it is sold on Amazon, or at a bookstore.  You will want to promote your book.  You will be responsible for most of the marketing, but SgtBlu Press will put your book in the proper places to make that possible and supply you with an author blog so you can start promoting.

Self-publishing may be your only real option in this market. Never fear though, this is an excellent choice for most people.   You write the book, and we’ll publish it.

Your work will bear our ISBN, and it will really be published.  We are experts in the industry and have been book publishers since 2000 when on-demand printing was in its infancy.

There is nothing more rewarding than to have others read your ideas.

• Poetry is commentary that comes from the heart. Do you have what it takes to open your heart to others?
• Fiction is the imagination at work. Let others discover the dark side that resides within themselves by opening the doors to their fantasies, fetishes and desires through your writings.
• Do you have a message you want to get out to others and make money doing it? Put those thoughts on paper and let us help you publish them.
• Everyone in this day in time is looking to save money. Do you have the ability to tell others how to make a certain toy, or how to do something new? If you can write and accompany those writings with pictures, you have a book waiting to be published.

Good luck as you make your choices!

Michael Breslow
Publisher

There is a big difference between publishing and the lottery. The main difference is that you can make your [...]]]> How often have you thought about publishing the “Great American Novel”?  I know we have all dreamed about this at one time or another. Of course… we have also spent the lottery several times in our heads.

There is a big difference between publishing and the lottery. The main difference is that you can make your book a reality, and the lottery is all dependent upon chance.  When you self-publish you take control of the process.  You are the one who makes it happen. When you look for an agent or send your manuscript to a traditional publishing house, your hard work may become part of the “slush” pile; in other words, work that never gets seen.

The advise given most often to first-time authors is to send out a query to traditional publishing houses prior to writing a single word.  The problem with that is,  is that writers write! We don’t sit around and only think of ideas that we send to representatives. We write and put things on paper.

In the new year I’d like to encourage you to go ahead and take that step. Turn your writing into a book. Send us a note on the contact page and we’ll call you or email you.

Sincerely,

Michael Breslow
Publisher

We are pleased to announce that books published by SgtBlu Press will be available in the new Espresso Book Machines in the U.S., [...]]]> I am again amazed at the transformation that takes place every year in the print and publishing industry. Print-on-demand was the new new thing and now suddenly on-demand gets even more demanding!

We are pleased to announce that books published by SgtBlu Press will be available in the new Espresso Book Machines in the U.S., Canada and Europe. This means that a customer may go to a store, search your book by author, title or ISBN and order your book. No more waiting for orders. The book will print, bind and trim and be ready for your reader in a matter of minutes!

The royalties will still come in and business will be good. We are pleased to take our authors on this journey along with the rest of the world!

Michael Breslow
Publisher