In February 2019, I posted my reasons for not forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC). At the time I thought it would have added more complications to an already complicated self-publishing route I was taking. Now that I’ve self-published my first book with plans to publish others, I decided an LLC might help with marketing and promotions.
Many people say don’t form an LLC. They cite taxes to be paid and an LLC does not protect against a lawsuit. Also, an LLC is something to keep track of along with other self-publishing duties.
I discovered that setting up an LLC was not complicated and there are few additional duties other than what I would do anyway as a sole proprietor (which most self-publishers are). There is an LLC tax to be paid each year (it’s a reporting fee, but still a tax), which I am treating as a marketing expense.
As an LLC, I found my book listed in more places worldwide than under my name. Distributors and bookstores seem to pay more attention to a business rather than a person running a business. The LLC provides some legitimacy to my self-publishing.
To some people, an LLC or corporate entity means the author is serious about their publications. This may or may not be true, but if an author goes to the trouble to form a company they are more likely to put more effort into their books. Also, under U.S. law my LLC name is more protected than a name under a sole proprietorship.
I’m glad I formed an LLC. I don’t know if it will help me sell any books, but it makes me take my self-publishing efforts more seriously.
P.S. My LLC is “Every Word Rise, Ltd. Liability Co.”
P.P.S. The logo is a work-in-progress. Anyone have ideas for a logo?