Self Publishing Learning the Publishing Industry From the Bottom Up
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Lessons I've Learned
I have combined my passion for art and my knack for developing curriculum to write and illustrate my latest book Molly Q's Trashy Travels through the Water Cycle. However I have done it the hard way! Self publishing isn't for light weights! I am very fortunate. My job with the school district affords me the time I need in the summers to pursue my writing career. And time is the most important element in self publishing. Molly Q's Trashy Travels through the Water Cycle is our seventh book. We had a traditional publisher publish our first book. We have self published the last six. I am sharing the lessons I have learned along the way and other information about self publishing. I will continue to post lessons and information so check back often.
What Kind of Publisher Are You?.
This list was compiled by Brad Grochowski of authorsbookshop.com check out his link below.
True Self Publisher - The author owns the publishing company, ISBNs, hired the editor, layout designer, cover artist, does marketing.
Subsidy Publisher - The author paid a subsidy press - Authorhouse, Lulu, Xlibris, etc to to publish their book. Usually an upfront fee, then a percentage of each book sold. Author does not own ISBN.
Vanity Publisher - The author paid a large sum up front to have a number of books published, and then receives a few cases of books.
Indie Publisher, Small Press - a non corporate-owned small press that covers all costs of publishing and distribution. Authors are paid a royalty, but rarely an advance. Catalogs can range fro 1 book to hundreds.
Independent Publisher - Any author or publisher who has followed one of the above "paths to publishing." Consider the similarity in nature and spirit to the independent film maker or independent musician.
Traditional (Trad) Publisher - You know who they are. They pay a smaller-than you would think royaly, keep 98% of the cover price, and expect the author to do most of the marketing.
Print On Demand, or POD - Not a publising process. POD is a printing strategy, though subsidy publisher are often erroneously referred to as PODS. Most subsidies use POD, but it is not accurate to say that they are PODS. Please try not to.
Subsidy Publisher - The author paid a subsidy press - Authorhouse, Lulu, Xlibris, etc to to publish their book. Usually an upfront fee, then a percentage of each book sold. Author does not own ISBN.
Vanity Publisher - The author paid a large sum up front to have a number of books published, and then receives a few cases of books.
Indie Publisher, Small Press - a non corporate-owned small press that covers all costs of publishing and distribution. Authors are paid a royalty, but rarely an advance. Catalogs can range fro 1 book to hundreds.
Independent Publisher - Any author or publisher who has followed one of the above "paths to publishing." Consider the similarity in nature and spirit to the independent film maker or independent musician.
Traditional (Trad) Publisher - You know who they are. They pay a smaller-than you would think royaly, keep 98% of the cover price, and expect the author to do most of the marketing.
Print On Demand, or POD - Not a publising process. POD is a printing strategy, though subsidy publisher are often erroneously referred to as PODS. Most subsidies use POD, but it is not accurate to say that they are PODS. Please try not to.
Your Publishing Options
Sorting out your self publishing options can be confusing. Below is a list of publishers offered to self publishers.
I will be adding information and companies.
Lulu.com is a web based digital print on demand book store. They do not require payment up front. They will sell you a single book. They own the ISBN number and so they are the publisher of record. Your cost is higher over all, but your initial investment is lower.
InstantPublisher.com is a web based digital printer. They offer a variety of services including printing your books, supplying ISBN (you should buy your own from Bowkers.com if possible) and creating promotional materials. They have a pricing sheet on the web so it is easy to figure your cost. I have used them and their quality is great. Colors are not always true, but they are vibrant and within the acceptable range.
Lulu.com is a web based digital print on demand book store. They do not require payment up front. They will sell you a single book. They own the ISBN number and so they are the publisher of record. Your cost is higher over all, but your initial investment is lower.
InstantPublisher.com is a web based digital printer. They offer a variety of services including printing your books, supplying ISBN (you should buy your own from Bowkers.com if possible) and creating promotional materials. They have a pricing sheet on the web so it is easy to figure your cost. I have used them and their quality is great. Colors are not always true, but they are vibrant and within the acceptable range.
Author's Book Shop
Sell your self published books here.
- Author's Book Shop
- This site promotes self published authors. You will get a better deal here than from other web based sales sites.
Self Publishing Don'ts
Things Self Publishers Should Avoid Doing
Don't vanity publish. It is tempting to pay someone to do it all for you, but all they are really doing is selling you one of their ISBN numbers and printing your book they don't have much incentive to sell books because they already have your money. They do not have credibility in the publishing industry and they're expensive!
Don't try printing it yourself on your own printer. This is expensive! The quality is not up to trade standards and you will burn out quickly. Saddle stitching (stapling) and plastic binders are not up to the quality of a perfect bound book.
Don't buy your ISBN number from anyone but Bowkers at Bowkers.com they are the only original source. If you buy your numbers any where else they will get publishing credit.
Don't worry about finding an illustrator unless you are ready to self publish. You do not pick the illustrator when you publish through a publishing house so finding one for submissions is a waste of everyones time. It could also cause your book to be rejected.
Don't try printing it yourself on your own printer. This is expensive! The quality is not up to trade standards and you will burn out quickly. Saddle stitching (stapling) and plastic binders are not up to the quality of a perfect bound book.
Don't buy your ISBN number from anyone but Bowkers at Bowkers.com they are the only original source. If you buy your numbers any where else they will get publishing credit.
Don't worry about finding an illustrator unless you are ready to self publish. You do not pick the illustrator when you publish through a publishing house so finding one for submissions is a waste of everyones time. It could also cause your book to be rejected.
Self Publishing Dos
Things self publishers should do
Do share your work with colleagues, friend, teachers, and anyone else that can look with a critical eye and give you a relevant critical critique. (Your mom is not your best choice for this she will probably love everything you do)
Do pay an editor to edit your book. If you can't find a professional editor ask an English teacher. (Pay him or her a fair wage, it's worth every penny)
Do join the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. They are a group of people just like you that share your interests and can give you good information, intelligent critiques and encouragement.
Do buy your own ISBN numbers from Bowkers.com They are the only true source. If you buy them from anyone else you are giving away your self publishing credit. The ISBN number establishes the publisher of record; if you buy it from a second hand source they get the publishing credit.
Do build a website to promote your book. This is your opportunity to tell everyone how great your book is and how owning it will benefit them. Hire a web designer if you must, but building it yourself will allow you to change it often and keep it fresh.
Do your homework. Know your topic. You loose credibility if you don't check your facts.
Do pay an editor to edit your book. If you can't find a professional editor ask an English teacher. (Pay him or her a fair wage, it's worth every penny)
Do join the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. They are a group of people just like you that share your interests and can give you good information, intelligent critiques and encouragement.
Do buy your own ISBN numbers from Bowkers.com They are the only true source. If you buy them from anyone else you are giving away your self publishing credit. The ISBN number establishes the publisher of record; if you buy it from a second hand source they get the publishing credit.
Do build a website to promote your book. This is your opportunity to tell everyone how great your book is and how owning it will benefit them. Hire a web designer if you must, but building it yourself will allow you to change it often and keep it fresh.
Do your homework. Know your topic. You loose credibility if you don't check your facts.
- Do enjoy everything about the process of becoming publish. Your passion will guide you to become better than you thought possible.
Lesson 1; Our First Publishing Offer; Boon or Bust?
What happens when the first publisher you send work to make you an offer?
My publishing career began when I decided to gather up years of cartoons Dad and I created along with a stack of his poetry and sent them off to a publisher. I hadn't even given it much thought. About a week later my phone rang with an offer. The publisher was interested! Even though we only received 50 copies of our books as a royalty I dreamed of dollar signs as she published our first book. My blissful ignorance soon dissolved. She did little to promote our book. We received one or two meager checks and then nothing. Somehow I had stumbled into a vanity publisher. Although we didn't pay her, she did not have the distribution thing worked out. However a lucky phone call saved this venture. We were looking for a new publisher for our first children's book. We called our first publisher for advice (I guess we hadn't learned our lesson yet) and she happened to be packaging up our books to send to a warehouse wholesaler. We bought the entire stock for a song and have been promoting them ourselves ever since.Lessons learned:
Don't use a vanity publisher.
Do you homework check everything out before you sign a contract.
Lesson 2: Do Your Homework; You Can't Bull Sh*t Your Way through Writing and Publishing
Your readers know recognize bull when they see it.
I learned that my readers are savvier than I am. I received a note in the mail that read something like this. (Read with a slow southern accent) "Honey, I like your cartoons just fine but that bull you drew for that "bulldozer" cartoon ain't a bull. Ya see bull horns are straight. The steers have horns that curl up the way you drew them. They curl after you cut em." She was dead on! I had mistakenly drawn a "steerdozer" instead of a "bulldozer"
Lesson learned:
Do your homework! Everyone: illustrators, writers, fiction, nonfiction needs to know their topic and that's no bull.
Lesson learned:
Do your homework! Everyone: illustrators, writers, fiction, nonfiction needs to know their topic and that's no bull.
CafePress
Check out the variety of items I have created to promote my books.
CafePress is a great site to get a few promotional items to sell your book. It also offers your fans a place to buy t-shirts, mugs and more. Check out my page then make your own. It's easy!
www.cafepress.com/folsomfallies
www.cafepress.com/folsomfallies
Molly Q's Women's Cap Sleeve T-Shirt
It's your water cycle keep it clean!
Price: 19.99
Alas, poor Chuck BBQ Apron
The Longhorns of Folsom Fallies have their own take on BBQ. You will enjoy wearing one our favorite cartoons on your BBQ apron.
Price: 17.99
Everyones and Art Critic Journal
Everyone at Folsom Falls Ranch has an opinion to share with the artist. This journal featuring one of our favorite Folsom Fallies cartoons will make you smile.
Price: 10.99
Cattlelitic Cowverter Mug
Price: 11.99
Self Publishing; Questions, problems, tips. Let me know whats on your mind.
Sharing information makes independent publishing easier.
If you have tips to share, questions to ask, problems to solve, or just a comment about this site; let me know what you are thinking.
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- Joe Danna Joe Danna Jun 17, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
- I'm a newbie. I have my first ms and have been researching for months on how to approach publishing. So called TP seems way out of range as well as lit agents, so I looked at outskirts press. It all sounded good, but then I discovered a quality printer through word of mouth who is connected to a book fulfillment company. It will probably cost around $5,000 after professional editing and formating according to how many books I order. The fulfillment company offers promotion and gets you into B&N and Borders. Of course I will be promoting too. I don't even know how to begin weighing out the differences so I keep talking to people like you. I need to figure things out like shipping costs and whatever else. Thank you so much for any info you can offer.
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Reply
- rambler1144 rambler1144 Oct 18, 2007 @ 2:07 am
- Now the sales of my novel Clouded Crescent:Garrulous Goon is picking up.Thanks Squido web.
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- M.R.Rambler M.R.Rambler Aug 17, 2007 @ 7:00 am
- I am a first time writer from Pakistan,wrote a novel on the menace of Islamist terrorism and choose AuthorHouse,UK to self publish it.My advisor from publisher was indifferent from onset.It is now more than 3 weeks that my novel Clouded Crescent: Garrulous Goon published with no sale.Will you helpme
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Reply
- KimberlyDawnWells KimberlyDawnWells Aug 12, 2007 @ 9:48 am
- A great list of resources for authors to get started with! (And I know now the difference between a bull and a steer.)
Author Websites
Your website is your most important sales tool.
These websites are examples of the websites created for authors some are better than others. Looking at other author's websites can give you ideas for your own. (I'm still getting ideas and changing mine.) I'll let you rate them.
The most profitable expert advisor EVER
Number one expert advisor on the market9 points
Amazing New Forex Robot Blows The Competition Away
Make money on autopilot even if you know nothing a more...9 points
Channel Data Integrity
Channel Visibility - Zyme is the leading provider more...1 point
Penny Shares Guide
A rough Guide to Penny Shares. Buying Penny Shares more...1 point
http://www.folsomfallies.com
This is my website! One of my favorites, Duh! Chec more...0 points
Will Hobbs Official Website - Children's Book Author
Will Hobbs Official Website - Children's Book Auth more...0 points
William Steig, Children's Book author
William Stieg is an award winning children's books more...0 points
Children's and YA Author Cynthia Leitich Smith
Cynthia Leitich Smith has written both picture boo more...0 points
http://www.brucemcmillan.com/
0 points
Make Easy Money With Forex Robots
Make Easy Money With Forex Robots0 points
make money
IPC Instant Cash, allowing average people to earn more...0 points
Premium Wordpress Themes | Templatic - WordPress CMS Themes
Premium Wordpress Themes – Out of the box so more...0 points
Premium Wordpress Themes | Templatic - WordPress CMS Themes
Premium Wordpress Themes – Out of the box so more...0 points
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