Dominican Republic authors Ericarol Carlo and Joan Prats have outlined the complex steps writers face when publishing books in Santo Domingo.
The writers explained that authors in the Caribbean nation must navigate between pitching traditional publishing houses and managing self-publishing processes, with both routes requiring extensive work far beyond writing the manuscript.
Publisher Duties Fall on Dominican Writers
Carlo, who has published six books and assisted in publishing more than 30 others, noted that local writers usually take on responsibilities handled by publishing houses in other markets. She said the Dominican Republic lacks publishers that manage the entire process, pay royalties, and promote the book.
Her work has gained international recognition. Her book Las hijas de Enrico Russo won the Silver Medal at the International Latino Book Awards in 2025, while Dos hermanas earned an Honorable Mention at the 2024 ceremony.
Carlo explained that self-publishing has expanded because it allows authors to make decisions that would otherwise rest with third parties. She observed that the publishing model has changed, noting that social media and the community an author builds can influence publication opportunities.
Comparing the transformation to electronic media, Carlo said books are not disappearing but evolving in format, much like television shifted to streaming services. She advised authors to speak about their books, promote them across available channels, and avoid storing manuscripts in drawers, stating that every book holds value regardless of critical reviews.
Unplanned Routes and Production Delays
Prats, author of three books including El dedo mayor de la realidad me saluda, Débora y la casa al borde del infinito, and Crónicas de una vida sin filtros, described entering the publishing world without a fixed plan. Upon completing his first manuscript, he said he did not understand the reality of what publishing entailed.
While waiting in a clinic, Prats found a magazine article mentioning a contact linked to a local publishing house. He researched the reference, obtained the contact, and submitted his manuscript several months later. The process introduced him to industry timelines involving manuscript corrections, approval stages, and publishing schedules that did not match an author's sense of urgency.
His first book took years to reach publication, while his second work, submitted in 2018, was released to readers in 2020. Prats emphasized that each case is unique, depending on the type of book, the market, and the publishing house involved.
Editorial Control and Digital Platforms
Both writers identified thorough revision as an essential stage before submitting a manuscript. Prats recommended delivering text that is as prepared as possible, particularly regarding spelling corrections, even when a publisher handles formal editing.
Prats noted that while self-publishing offers complete control, that control requires authors to handle editing, publication, promotion, and distribution independently. He described promotion as more demanding than editing, stating that financing editing was difficult, but making a book known and reaching readers requires continuous time and effort.
Both authors highlighted Amazon as the primary platform for writers opting for self-publishing in digital and print formats, alongside alternatives like Goodreads and Barnes & Noble. They emphasized that publishing is only the beginning of the craft, requiring ongoing work to connect books with readers.
