To write what is worth publishing, to find honest people to publish it, and get sensible people to read it, are the three great difficulties in being an author.
Charles Caleb Colton
Let’s talk about the second one; to find honest people to publish it. The publishing industry has progressed from publishing women writers under pseudo names to self-publishing. If you have got a manuscript and some money, you can become a published author in quick steps all the self-publishing sites advertise. It looks easy, and they say the same but is it really?
It’s easier as compared to the traditional method where you have to wait for months in the end for the publishing house to reply and most of the times with a rejection letter. As an author who wants to reach out to its readers, self-publishing is a great choice. Though there are some things to keep in mind.
India has about 9000 publishers and to pick the right one, keep in mind the worth of their content package, the price offered, services included, author’s feedback about them and delivery time. And especially, the intent of the publishers. Most of the publishers just print your book and list it on the online channels. Then some publishers are readers too, they pay attention to every script and choose the best for it.
Here’s a list of 10 self-publishing houses in India in no particular order:
Notion Press: The company started out in 2012 in Chennai. They claim to have published more than 2300 titles. Their package prices start from Rs 22,990 + GST. Notion Press has some good authors in the bag although it is not affordable for most. Certainly not with the marketing included, which is very important for a new release.
Power Publishers: They began operations in 2008 in Kolkata. They claim to have more than 1500 titles. Their package starts from Rs 14,990 + GST. They promise to publish within a month and offer extra services a la carte.
24 by 7 Publishing: It is based in Kolkata started in 2013 under the current name. They say they are India’s first Authors-owned publishing house where you will always find some sort of personal touch in each book they publish. Their packages start at Rs 8,899.
Blue Rose Publishing: You can find the main office of Blue Rose in Delhi. Their site says they have published more than 1000 titles. They publish books in different languages such as Bengali, Gujarati, Malayalam, Marathi and other regional languages. Their packages start at Rs 12,990.
Zorba Publishers: It is the brainchild of Shalini Gupta. It was born out of her love for reading who felt new authors didn’t have any other options other than traditional channels. They started out in 2010 in Gurgaon. Their packages start from Rs 13,900 going up to Rs 89,900
Pothi Publishers: They operate quite differently as compared to other publishing houses. There are no publishing packages. All the services are a la carte including the charge of printing. The company planted its roots in 2008 in Bangalore.
APK Publishers: It’s based in Pune and started the journey in 2008. It’s founded by Prashant Karhade and Anagha Karhade. Prashant is a writer himself who didn’t find a suitable match for his book. And instead of compromising, he started his own publishing house. APK has published more than 50 titles. The site doesn’t mention package costs.
Become Shakespeare is based out of Mumbai and has about 900 titles in its name. Their packages start from Rs 19, 950. They provide other services at a la carte.
Cinnamon Teal Design and Publishing is from the favorite city of all young people; Goa. It started in 2007. Before that, the founders had a peer to peer bookselling website. In 2010, they were awarded Young Creative Entrepreneur Award in the field of Publishing. The site doesn’t mention the cost of self-publishing.
Paper Towns India: A company born in Jaipur out of love for reading and the lack of opportunities for new authors to publish in a budget. Paper Towns India is fairly new and has about 10 titles under its name. They customize packages according to the need of the author. Their packages start from Rs 11,590.
Make sure to research well before signing with a publisher. Your book deserves the best.
