FAQ

You've got questions, we've got answers.

How long will this take?

The answer to this is dependent on three main things:

1 – Where you are in your process – If you’ve already finished the first draft of your manuscript and are ready to move into the editing and publishing phase, it could take as little as three months to launch your book. However, if you’ve just decided that today is the day to start writing your book, we’ll need to dedicate some time to brainstorming, outlining, and writing.

2 – How much time you can devote to your book project – If your weeks are already brimming with non-negotiable commitments, it will be important to add writing and editing to your calendar like any other appointment. We will meet you where you are and help you stay accountable on a schedule that makes sense for your real life.

3 – How much of the work you are planning to do yourself versus how much support you’ll receive – Some folks are die-hard DIYers who find pleasure in taking on as much of a project as possible and learning every angle of publishing, while others prefer to bring in the big guns to get shit done quickly and correctly. Both paths are 100% valid, and both will lead to a published book. You just have to decide which direction feels more feasible and pleasurable to get you to your goal.

How long does my book have to be?

If you throw this question into an internet search bar, you’ll quickly come up with these general statistics:

Non-fiction books are, on average, 60,000-80,000 words.

The average chapter length is 4,000 words.

That said, word count is less important than writing a book that provides great value and engages the reader from beginning to end. If you can say what you have to say with fewer words, do that! If you are solving a problem, solve it completely. If you’re answering a question, answer it completely. If you’re telling a story, cut out the boring parts. (I sometimes read chapters to my teenage son to see where he nods off and then edit that part out.)

It’s more important to write a great book than stuff a book with filler to achieve an “ideal” word count. If your book feels like it’s a little on the shorter side, just set the expectation for your readers by calling it a journal, a guide, a workbook.

What if I only have an outline?

We LOVE helping authors develop their rough ideas and outlines into best-selling books. We offer personalized services to help you clarify and organize your ideas and set up a process and timeline to painlessly turn your outline into a complete manuscript.

How do I pick my first idea?

Through our Discovery Process, where we send you a detailed questionnaire, followed by a ninety-minute phone consultation, we will flesh out your best ideas and choose the topic that best aligns with your vision and goals.

What if I want to do a workbook to go along with my book?

Our professional copywriters and designers will collaborate to create any supplementary products for your book, such as workbooks, lead magnets, etc.

What if I don’t already have a large audience or following on social media?

To start things off, every Sulit author receives a ninety-minute consultation with a social media specialist who will review your current social media platforms and design a personalized posting strategy for you that includes a deeply researched hashtag bank for your book. We offer advanced marketing options at every level that include posting to social media for you, both leading up to and following the launch.

Remember that while a robust social media presence helps you sell more books during launch week, publishing a book is also an awesome way to build your audience online.

What’s the difference between Sulit Press and vanity publishers?

Hey there,

Michelle here.

One of the reasons I started Sulit is I was repeatedly gobsmacked by the way many hybrid publishing houses (also called vanity publishers) treat their clients. Not all, but many, hybrid publishers have flashy websites and fantastic sales teams that get you in the door, but the second you sign your name on the contract, the problems begin. I’ve seen too many authors struggle to have their publisher execute and deliver on the simplest terms of their contracts.

I want my authors to know I value how much time and heart goes into becoming a published author, and I take on their mission fervently. I believe in maintaining excellent communication and in setting clear and realistic expectations (not in blowing smoke up your caboose to get a sale!). Our team is the best in the biz, and if something isn’t quite right, we fix it.

We will encourage you when you need it most, use our expertise to strategically advise your next steps, and become the accountability partners to help see this project through to the glorious end.

How do I know if I should self-publish, submit to a large publishing house, or use Sulit?

This is a big topic, so let me distill it down to its essential parts with some pros and cons.

Pros of self-publishing:

It’s fairly inexpensive since you’ll only need to pay out-of-pocket for professional editing, formatting, and cover design. How much you pay for these services can range widely, but there are plenty of people on services like Fiverr or Upwork who can help you.

You can create your own publishing imprint with a DBA so it still has a publisher’s logo on the cover.

You are in control of the speed of the project.

You keep all the royalties from the sale of your book.

Cons of self-publishing:

You have to spend a lot of time learning how to actually do it.

You don’t have a guarantee that the service providers you hire will do a good job.

Without book coaching and deadlines, it can be hard to stay on track to finish the book.

You don’t have the strategic marketing advice to teach you how to connect with readers or how to leverage the book to level-up in your life and business.

Pros of a major publishing house:

Distribution is the biggest benefit to going with a big publisher since they will have connections to every major bookstore and library across the nation.

You get the bragging rights of saying your book was picked up by a well-known brand.

Sometimes you get an advance (but don’t hold your breath because these are becoming rare and smaller when they do happen).

Cons of a major publishing house:

Access to big publishers generally needs to happen through an agent.

They take a gigantic percentage of your royalties (usually 70%).

Even after you get a contract, it can take up to two years for your book to come out.

They only agree to publish your book if you already have a large email list and social media following, in which case you don’t need them to sell your books and would make a LOT more money through self-publishing or hybrid publishing.

Pros of publishing with Sulit Press:

With a 70-30 split, we give our authors a larger percentage of royalties than most other hybrid publishers.

Our highly skilled team of professionals provide high-touch support at every level – from writing, editing, publishing, marketing, and coaching!

We save you time and eliminate the overwhelm by guiding you through every step.

To us, you are never just a “number” being pushed through a publishing pipeline; you are part of our family. Above all, we are honored to help you create your legacy and value that you are helping us build ours!

Cons of publishing with Sulit Press:

We will never be your cheapest option. If your number one concern is publishing on a shoestring, we are not for you.

Our name is not yet hailed by all (but it will be!)

Because our company culture extends beyond our team to the authors we serve, we are selective about the authors we choose to work with. You have to be kind (no Bookzillas, please!), and you need to be as dedicated to your project as we are. Our founder, Michelle, runs her business like she parents her three teenagers; she’s endlessly loving and strict with boundaries. If you are bananas, or don’t want to show up to the party with your whole self, we are not a match for you.

HAVE A DIFFERENT QUESTION? ASK HERE