Here is a quick overview of how the Morgan James Publishing Model compares with other publishing models.

Items listed are in no particular order. If we left anything out, let us know. It is important to know that we expect our authors to actively support the marketing of their books, both before they are published and in the months (and years) thereafter. Towards this end, we do want to work closely with our authors to educate them in book marketing approaches.

Old-School Traditional Publishing

Morgan James Publishing®

Typical Self-Publishing Models

Acquisitions

Publishers acquire manuscripts.

Morgan James acquires relationships.

Self-publishers acquire customers.

Author Rights

In old-school traditional publishing models, the publisher maintains control of the intellectual property rights.

Morgan James authors maintain ownership and control of the intellectual property rights.

Self-published authors maintain the intellectual property rights.

Exclusivity

Some old-school traditional publishing houses have been known to publish 15,000 titles per year.

Morgan James publishes an average of…

  • 150 Nonfiction
  • 25 Faith
  • 15 Fiction
  • 10 Kids

…roughly 200 total titles per year.

More than than 1.6 million books were self-published last year.

Time to Market

In old-school traditional publishing, books are typically brought to market in 18-24 months.

Morgan James titles are rolled out to market usually within…

  • 3 months for authors
  • 9-10 months for bookstores
  • 12 months for KIDS

Self-published books are typically made available to the author within 3-6 months.

Royalties & Advances

In old-school traditional publishing, royalties and advances…

  • average 7% to 12%
  • depend on mode of sale
  • are typically based on net sales
  • are usually paid twice per year
  • average $1,500 annually.

Morgan James offers authors 20-50% royalty across the board, of net sales, depending on format, paid monthly. And, small advances are paid.

Self-published authors receive 20%-100% of net sales depending on whether you “do it yourself,” or use a publishing service or company. No advances are paid, and costs typically range $10,000-$15,000.

Design, Editing, Printing

In old-school traditional publishing, books are given a custom-designed interior and cover, and all printing costs are covered. The publisher typically takes over design, editing, and final manuscript content and quality.

Morgan James books are given a custom-designed interior and cover and all printing costs for distribution are covered by Morgan James. Authors provide a fully edited, proofread manuscript that we then perform an analysis on to ensure quality before formatting and printing.

Self-published authors assume all costs associated with design and printing. An author services company may offer template-driven designs or custom design services to purchase.

Bookstore Distribution

Old-school traditional publishing offers full bookstore distribution, both online and off, via Ingram Publisher Services or other reputable distribution solutions.

Morgan James Publishing offers full bookstore distribution both online and off via Publishers Group West® who also has an extensive, well-established international distribution network, including partners in Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and India.

Self-publishing models offer no bookstore distribution or limited online availability, unless the author hires a distribution company directly.

Translation Rights

Old-school traditional publishing handles translations rights.

Morgan James titles may be translated into multiple languages. Our foreign rights director has more than thirty years’ experience and close personal relationships with foreign agents and publishers around the globe.

Self-publishing typically offers no access to the foreign publishers for translation.

Continuing Education

Old-school traditional publishing models offer no continuing education.

Morgan James offers include, individual, Entrepreneurial Vision Masterminds, as well as a Morgan James exclusive Marketing Resources to help authors with the business behind the book.

Self-publishing typically offers no, or expensive, continuing education.

Masterminds

In old-school traditional publishing, the publisher takes over and makes all decisions regarding the book.

Morgan James authors become part of our trademarked Entrepreneurial Vision Mastermind to establish the best future for their title.

Self-published authors make all decisions on their own, or hire a professional to guide them.

Publishing Fee

In old-school traditional publishing, no Publishing Fee is charged.

At Morgan James, no Publishing Fee charged–hidden or otherwise.

In self-publishing, a Publishing Fee is charged and can vary from extremely expensive to relatively affordable.

Author Book Discounts

Old-school traditional publishing models typically provide discounted author copies at 50% of retail price, and typically limit authors to a certain amount.

Morgan James authors may purchase books at print cost plus a percentage, and receive volume and quantity discounts.

Self-published books are typically available to the author at 20-65% off retail price, depending on format and quantities purchased.

Book Purchase Requirement

Many major, traditional publishing houses require authors to purchase 5,000 copies or more of their book upon its release, usually at a 50-60% discount off retail.

Morgan James authors are asked to commit to purchasing, during the life of the agreement, up to 2,000 copies of their Book at print cost plus $3 each. A deposit against that commitment to purchase will be required.

When self-publishing, the author is typically expected to purchase however many copies required to sell to the general public.

Return Rate

Old-school publishing models expect, on average, a 45%+ bookstore return rate, and books are usually shredded for tax benefit.

Morgan James’ books average a less than 25% bookstore return rate. They are then restocked for resale, offered to the authors, or donated to Habitat for Humanity.

Self-published books are typically sold on a non-returnable basis and are not available in bookstores.

PR Support

In old-school traditional publishing models, unless the author is one of the top 6%, no PR Support is offered.

At Morgan James, authors are promoted on the Morgan James website, social media, and email platforms. Authors are also provided with resources to inform them of best practices for promoting their books.

In the world of self-publishing, no PR support is provided.

Marketing

In old-school traditional publishing models, unless the author is one of the top 6%, little to no Marketing is offered.

Morgan James facilitates direct consumer marketing of the Work via various cooperative opportunities with online retailers, corporate social media, newsletters, and email lists of up to 3+ million readers to drive highly qualified traffic to the retailer product pages to assist each Author in their Marketing.

In the world of self-publishing, no Marketing Budget is offered.

Partner Status

In old-school traditional publishing, authors are sometimes treated as a partner.

At Morgan James, authors are treated as valuable partners in the publishing process, and are the most important member of the Mastermind group created for each project accepted.

Self-published authors are treated as a customer.

Giving Back to the Community

Typically, in old-school traditional publishing models, no cause-related marketing is associated at the publisher level.

Morgan James has been a Partner in Building with Habitat for Humanity since 2006, and proudly supports other local and national causes and nonprofits.

In self-publishing, no cause-related marketing is typically associated at the publisher level.