Thursday, October 17, 2013

Self-Publishing the Arts


Recently, I have been learning about self-publishing and the various resources available to a writer. Now, I know some of you may think what does self-publishing have to do with performing and culture arts? When we think about theater and the roles that come into play to bring a production to stage, it begins with an idea penned to paper. The idea is birthed into a full play production, and the creator is a writer. And though that writer may copyright his/her work, a writer may decide to expand upon script writing and turn ideas into a collection of published work. Self-publishing is a great way for an author to get their work published without the additional red tape.

There are many self-publishing sites available, however diligent research is needed to find the right and legitimate company. Otherwise, you could find yourself in a situation of loss over control of your creativity and work. Here are a list of some of the top sites:
  •   CreateSpace
  •  Tate Publishing
  •  Dog Ear Publishing
  •   Lulu
  • Trafford Publishing


Depending on your needs, each site provides an array of services to help with building and publishing your work. One of the key factors to keep in mind when selecting a site is control. As an author, control is key to reaping the full benefits of your work.

In doing research on the topic of self-publishing, I thought of how it could be helpful and beneficial to my business. Although, I do intend to write books someday, that is a personal goal not directly related to my business. After much thought and research, I realized that as a nonprofit, ticket sales will make up roughly 30-40% of income and the remainder will come from sponsors and donors of the arts. The question is what other means can be used to generate income? Answer published work. Published work could include a book of photos featuring the dancers of the company, a dance calendar, and original work of scripts and performances. Through the right site, the company maintains control of the work produced and can reach a broader audience to generate new fan base and income.

So, what are your thoughts? Do you believe self-publishing can be beneficial for you and/or your business? Below are some great sites to visit for more information on self-publishing.




Thanks for reading,

LaKesha, xo

1 comment:

  1. Great post on self-publishing. Many people are not aware of the endless benefits of self-publishing and distribution. I believe that self publishing will be beneficial to my business, which is entertainment (tour) management. Being that I will be working with independent artists, self-publishing will assist in getting their original works out to the public.

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