Choose a dream or choose reality

Hello, nice to meet you.

Congratulations on “winning the competition.”
That was great. Above all, I'm happy that my creative activities have come to fruition.
The fact that not only my own world but also objective evaluations from others are added is proof that I was able to share it with more people, so my joy probably doubled in that sense as well.

I've published one book, and I'll talk about it from that narrow experience.
Genres are also different, and the current situation where online-only books are common is different from before Oita, but for reference only.

I made something called the Jodo Shinshu Edition Ending Note and brought it to the publishing company. That was 17 years ago from now. The publisher liked it, and the discussion settled down because all costs related to publishing were on the other side. I think this means that the publisher took on that risk because there was an expectation that it would sell to some extent even if the company covered the costs.

In conclusion, I think it would be better to think about “winning a competition” and publishing separately. In other words, I don't really recommend publishing.

First of all, you must not “be burdened” with excessive “debt” due to excessive “big money” payments. There is a possibility that your life itself will become unstable due to the rapid financial burden.

Next, I think “self-publishing” of “3.5 million” is the cost of being able to publish whether you “win a competition” or not. In other words, if anyone wants to publish at any time, it's probably a condition where they can submit it (in the first place, there is a feeling that it's pretty expensive). Paper media (how many copies are issued? , what about the binding?) I don't know if it's online, but it will take quite a while until the expenses are recovered.

Also, such amounts are intended to be risk-free and return, where only profit remains on the publisher side whether the book is sold or not.

Therefore, I am delighted with the fact that I have “won a competition” now, and I think that focusing more on creative activities with the aim of further stepping up will lead to full-scale publishing later.

It seems to pour water on your joy, so it's hard to say, but if you like, please use it as a reference for yourself.

supplemented
I have the impression that the amount of “3.5 million” is too expensive.
In the unlikely event of an emergency, there is also a possibility of fraud pretending to be a publication, so be aware of that as well.

Nice to meet you, Inunomiya. I read your question.

A novel written by Inunomiya as a hobby won a prize, and there was an invitation to publish it.
I'm going to give you an answer based on my experience of receiving a similar invitation.

There are 2 types of publications. Commercial publishing and self-publishing.
The difference is who bears the costs associated with publishing.
The publisher pays the full cost for commercial publishing, and the author pays the full amount for self-publishing.
As for the content of the project, commercial publishing is “the publisher wants to publish it!” It must be a plan that you think. Whether or not to publish will be examined through in-house editorial meetings, etc.
On the other hand, self-publishing can be published as long as it does not violate social morals. Manuscripts can be bound in the shape of a book, and it is possible to create a track record of being lined up in bookstores with just the shape.

Inu no Miya has been invited to self-publish.
Publishing costs 3.5 million yen per book, even if it is a commercial publication. Why don't you publish it at the author's expense? Please understand that this is an invitation.

If Inunomiya has any idea of people who can sell it when it takes the form of a book, and it will lead to future results, I think it would be a good idea to consider self-publishing as well. However, I think it's better not to think that it will drastically change the future. I also experienced self-publishing, and the parishioners were delighted, but I haven't been able to get the money, and my track record is insignificant.

Anyone can self-publish. You can publish without winning a contest.
Probably, as a future development, “I won a contest, so a discount is applied, and I can get a discount of up to about 1.7 million yen, but how about?” It's going to be an invitation.

In the field of novels, it takes time for continuous publication. For this reason, it was submitted to novel magazines published by publishers, and it began to be published, and after being able to enter the training quota, it received a public award and debuted. I think it would be good for you to know that the award at this time is based on the assumption that it is an award sponsored by a publisher that publishes commercial publications.

I think it would be nice to receive this award as a spiritual foundation for continuing to write novels.

Hello, Inunomiya. My name is Tomoyuki Somekawa, the chief priest of Kongoza-ji Temple.

First of all, congratulations on winning the novel. That's great. I hope they can make more and more new works.
Now, companies that are in the self-publishing business will contact such winners and start a self-publishing business. In the first place, sellable works are applied for by publishers, so there is no need to pay money. As a writer, publishing my own book is my dream, so many people request it.

The content of the publication is pinky. In that sense, if you try to publish a self-written book with a publication code, the market price is around 1 million yen for 100 books. 3.5 million yen is too expensive. The number of first editions is probably at the level of 3000 books compatible with nationwide bookstore distribution, and there is a possibility that it has been recommended. But the reality is that most books don't sell. Even if it is in circulation, if there is no request, it will not be placed on the bookshelf, and 99% will be returned in 1 month. There isn't necessarily a possibility that it will sell, but in reality, the risk is huge. However, the publisher says that since you buy 3000 books, you won't be in the red.

In the old days, that was the only way to go, but now we have the internet. Also, without printing or issuing a publication code, you can easily make 100 books even for 300,000 yen if the printing is well-bound. If it's a booklet, it could be done for 100,000 yen. If you want to commemorate it yourself, all you have to do is make a bookbinding according to your own budget and sell it online.

If you want to work or succeed, it is more realistic to increase the number of fans by creating your own site in conjunction with an internet novel introduction site. Among them, if it sells a lot, you should declare yourself a pro and concentrate on writing.

If you want to live as a professional writer, it is calculated that if your living expenses income is at least 200,000 yen per month, you must sell at least 2000 copies, even if the 1000 yen book royalties are 10% 100 yen. 24,000 copies per year. After all, there must be at least 10,000 fans on the internet.

By all means, don't give up on your dreams, and first write to build your fans on the internet while working. Let's start by building 10,000 fans. It's best to start there. I'm in a hurry.

I'm rooting for you. (^people^) clapping hands
　

Inunomiya-sama
Congratulations on winning a prize in this competition. Shaku Osho also commented, but I'll write it as a supplement.

I'm currently writing my second book at the request of a publisher, and I intend to understand recent publishing industry stories to some extent... (Please note that the field is completely different from novels.)

I think the proposal from the company I came to this time is ridiculous. First of all, the burden of 3.5 million yen for self-publishing is too high! (How many books will be published?)

Also... if you already have a manuscript...

1. Prepare a proposal and send it directly to the publisher
How to make a proposal will come up in how-to books and internet searches.

2. Use of brokerage sites (there should have been a decision on what percentage of royalties, fees, etc. after establishment)

3. Use of publishing producers, etc.

*There are various ways to get money (royalties) for the initial fee, from 0 yen to the form of receiving money (royalties) *

I'm not recommending it, but I'll post some information for reference.

The planned egg shop

https://hon-tama.com/

Textbook for people who want to publish books
https://www.amazon.co.jp/本を出したい人の教科書-ベストセラーの秘密がここにある-吉田-浩/dp/4062189070/ref=nodl_

There is also a solid manuscript, and if you have won a prize in a competition, you should have a good relationship!

If you act on your own, I think various paths will open up! We hope to have a relationship with the publisher. Gassho

What are your dreams?

Are you going to be a novelist?
If that's the case, let's not talk about it this time.
Let's aim for publication where we can win prizes and receive royalties.

More than that
Do you want to publish a book first?
Then you can self-publish at a lower cost.

Something like this (give money first)
It's all suspicious.
It's a cowardly move into your dreams.
Have the courage to say no.

　Congratulations on winning the prize. I think it's the result of hard work up until now.
Now, I'm talking about self-publishing, but first I contacted that publisher,
① The location of the staff who have been solicited
② Are you soliciting self-publishing?
Let's listen to things like that.
Now if you search the internet, the publisher's reputation and posts are listed, so don't forget to do some preliminary research.
It is said that a year ago, new writers created self-publishing books, operated their own bookstores, had books placed, held autograph sessions at lectures, etc., and had them buy books. The fact that I was working steadily is also a reality.
That's all the advice I know. The judgment is up to you.