| Repeatedly I hear individuals state that they either | | | | extensive marketing campaign and require several |
| have written an unpublished book or have always | | | | hundred copies you will need to find a printer. |
| had a desire to write a book. Well, I just finished | | | | Printers usually give volume discounts based on |
| my second and learned a great deal from the | | | | the number of copies you order from them. |
| process. | | | | (Keep in mind that most books sell less than 600 |
| Doing the writing is just one element of the | | | | copies so don't order too many or you may |
| process. You also need to know about graphic | | | | develop resentment for the fact that your |
| design, interior layout, editing options and | | | | money is tied up in inventory). |
| marketing. In fact, it doesn't matter who you | | | | 3. PRINT ON DEMAND: Many companies have |
| have as a publisher, you will still be responsible for | | | | sprung up which offer you a number of print on |
| the major part of the marketing. | | | | demand publishing options. You can purchase |
| One of the most important things to know as an | | | | services through package deals or in piece meal |
| author is the different types of publishing options | | | | fashion. For example, you might provide your own |
| you have. | | | | photo which they will incorporate into the cover |
| 1. TRADITIONAL PUBLISHERS: Everyone seems | | | | design. You might want them to prepare the |
| to think that they will have the best seller which | | | | copywrite and distribution. |
| will catapult them to fame and riches. Well, that | | | | The key to this type of publishing is that you |
| very rarely happens. In fact, having a publisher | | | | don't order books until you want or need them. |
| who will give you a huge advance to write a book | | | | You can order one book at a time if you wish. |
| is almost unheard of. All you have to do is walk | | | | The unit cost is more than for quantity print |
| into a bookstore to realize the competition you | | | | orders but you can get volume discounts and |
| have. Usually those who are given an advance to | | | | don't have to see your money tied up in |
| write their book are people who have already | | | | inventory |
| achieved great success or celebrity in their lives. | | | | 4. EBOOKS: The least expensive method for |
| A traditional publisher might offer that person an | | | | publishing is to type your work into a document |
| advance for their "story" because they KNOW it | | | | and then promote it through your own website or |
| will become a best seller. | | | | an eBook publisher on the internet. No paper, no |
| 2. SELF PUBLISHING: This has become more | | | | inventory, no printing costs - just electrons. The |
| popular in recent years. If you are willing to do a | | | | people who want to read or print the book can |
| lot of research and all of the work required to | | | | then access it through their own computer. If you |
| turn your idea into a finished product, you can | | | | decide to sell it you will need a shopping cart |
| accomplish this. In fact, there are books written | | | | program but the profit is huge as your costs are |
| to teach you about copywrite, font size, cover | | | | minimal. |
| design and all the other details that you will need | | | | A publisher will help you to produce an attractive |
| to know. | | | | finished product but they will not generally sell it |
| There are several aspects of preparation and | | | | for you. The more help you need from them for |
| publishing, however, that you might want to | | | | services, the more it will cost you and that all |
| contract out. For example, hiring an editor, | | | | comes out of the profits that you are hoping to |
| photographer or graphic designer can add a | | | | earn. |
| professional look and feel to your book. Once you | | | | Writing a book is a lot of work but marketing it |
| have the final manuscript completed, you will need | | | | can be even more demanding. Before you sink |
| to produce the copies that you will sell. | | | | your hard earned savings into this, be realistic |
| If you have a family history book with a small | | | | about how and to whom you will sell it. Otherwise, |
| audience, you might decide to use your computer | | | | you might just end up as a frustrated and |
| printer and then purchase an inexpensive coil | | | | resentful author who owns a lot of your own |
| binder which you can use yourself at home. | | | | books! |
| On the other hand, if you are planning an | | | | |