Choosing Professional Self-Publishing over Traditional Publishing (Ep. 5)

Jan 28, 2025

Discover how a surge in cryptocurrency is boosting book sales. Hear about one author's return to success with his crypto-themed book. Learn about the strategic choice of self-publishing a sci-fi novel, focusing on maintaining creative control and faster market entry. Explore the pressing challenges of querying literary agents and the comparison of traditional versus self-publishing experiences. Dive into effective marketing, distribution strategies, and the essential nature of manuscript revisions and professional partnerships.

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ANECDOTE

Crypto Confidential's Cyclical Success

Nat Eliason's book, Crypto Confidential, saw renewed success during the 2023 crypto bull run, validating his initial theory.
This renewed interest led to increased sales and a number one ranking in Amazon's crypto category.

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INSIGHT

Book Advances as Loans

Book advances function more as loans against future earnings than bonuses.
Authors don't repay advances, even if their book doesn't earn out its full amount.

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ADVICE

Prioritize Book Quality in Queries

When querying literary agents, focus on showcasing the book's quality and your understanding of the genre.
Mention your platform as a differentiator, not the primary selling point.

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Navigating Book Marketing in the Crypto Space

02:20 • 3min

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Navigating Royalties and Publishing Advances

05:00 • 5min

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Mastering the Query Letter

10:27 • 8min

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Navigating Comparison Titles and Storytelling Strategies in Self-Publishing

18:26 • 3min

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Navigating Manuscript Submissions and Self-Publishing

21:32 • 7min

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The Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing and Hiring Professionals

28:21 • 2min

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Navigating Self-Publishing

In 'Red Rising: The Washington Capitals Story', Ted Starkey chronicles the transformation and resurgence of the Washington Capitals. The book includes original interviews with key figures from the team, providing a detailed and personal look at the team's history, challenges, and successes.

Can't Hurt Me

Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds

David Goggins

In 'Can't Hurt Me,' David Goggins shares his astonishing life story, from a childhood marred by poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse to becoming a U.S. Armed Forces icon and one of the world's top endurance athletes. The book reveals Goggins' philosophy, known as the '40% Rule,' which suggests that most people only tap into 40% of their capabilities. He provides a wealth of practical strategies and principles for personal development, emphasizing self-discipline, accountability, and the necessity of embracing discomfort to unlock personal transformation. Goggins' story and advice serve as a blueprint for readers to push past their perceived limits, confront their fears, and unleash their full potential.

Crypto Confidential

Winning and Losing Millions in the New Frontier of Finance

Nathaniel Eliason

Crypto Confidential is Nathaniel Eliason's unfiltered account of his experiences in the hyperactive and highly speculative world of cryptocurrency. The book chronicles his journey from learning to code to becoming a key developer in a token valued at billions of dollars. It exposes the behind-the-scenes workings of the crypto market, including bull runs, breakdowns, scams, and the intense emotions and high stakes involved. Eliason's anecdotes are both entertaining and instructive, providing valuable insights into the warning signs of disaster in the crypto market and how to be a more educated participant.

The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins

Set in a post-apocalyptic North America known as Panem, The Hunger Games follows Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl from District 12, who volunteers to participate in the 74th Hunger Games to save her younger sister Prim. Alongside Peeta Mellark, the other tribute from District 12, Katniss must use her hunting skills and wits to survive the arena. The Games are a tool of oppression by the Capitol to remind the districts of their defeat in a past rebellion. As Katniss and Peeta navigate the treacherous arena, they also manipulate the audience and sponsors to gain advantages, while sparking the beginnings of a rebellion against the Capitol's tyrannical rule.

Building a Second Brain

L'Almanac de Naval Ravikant est une compilation de ses pensées et réflexions sur la vie, la richesse et le succès. Il explore des concepts clés tels que la création de valeur, l'importance du travail acharné et la nécessité de développer des compétences rares. Ravikant encourage une approche non conventionnelle de la richesse, en mettant l'accent sur la création de valeur à long terme plutôt que sur la recherche de gains rapides. Il aborde des thèmes tels que l'apprentissage continu, l'importance des relations et la nécessité de trouver un équilibre entre travail et vie personnelle. L'Almanac est une source d'inspiration pour ceux qui cherchent à construire une vie significative et prospère.

The Will of the Many

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James Islington

This book is the first in the Hierarchy series by James Islington. It follows the journey of Viz, a young man who finds himself embroiled in a complex political conspiracy. The story is set in a world with a unique magic system and blends elements of fantasy and science fiction. Viz's journey is filled with challenges, friendships, and betrayals as he navigates the treacherous world around him. The book explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the consequences of power.

The Martian

Andy Weir

R.C. Bray

The Martian tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney, who is presumed dead and left stranded on Mars after a fierce storm. With limited supplies, Watney must draw upon his ingenuity, wit, and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Meanwhile, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring 'the Martian' home, while Watney faces numerous challenges in his quest for survival. The novel is praised for its blend of science, humor, and suspense.

The Magicians follows Quentin Coldwater, a brilliant but miserable high school student who is secretly preoccupied with a series of fantasy novels about a magical land called Fillory. Quentin is unexpectedly admitted to Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy, where he receives a rigorous education in modern sorcery. However, he soon discovers that magic does not bring him the happiness and adventure he dreamed of. After graduation, Quentin and his friends make a stunning discovery that Fillory is real, but it turns out to be much darker and more dangerous than imagined. The novel explores themes of growing up, the complexities of human emotions, and the true cost of power.

Get the full notes and bonuses for this episode https://betweendraftspod.com/episodes/5

Nat and Nathan dive into the latest developments in their respective publishing journeys. They discuss how Nat's crypto book is seeing renewed success during the current bull market, and Nathan shares promising early results from querying his fantasy novel to literary agents.

The heart of the episode focuses on Nat's decision to self-publish his upcoming sci-fi novel "Husk" through Scribe Media, breaking down the strategic and creative considerations that led him to choose this path over traditional publishing. He explains his vision for creating a professionally produced book while maintaining creative control and a faster timeline to market. And he compares how the experience is comparing with publishing his previous book through Penguin Random House.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:25] How the Crypto mania is driving book sales

[05:12] How book advance and earning out works

[10:32] Nathan's querying progress update for his fantasy novel

[23:27] Why Nat's self-publishing Husk

[29:42] Partnering with Scribe for professional self-publishing

[38:17] Marketing and distribution strategies for self-published book

[41:15] Cover design process and working with designers

[44:21] Manuscript revision timeline and feedback process

[48:01] Comparing Nat's traditional vs self-publishing experiences

[50:20] Final thoughts on manuscript editing approaches

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