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Self Publishing: Entrepreneur’s Step-by-Step Startup Guide, 3rd Edition, ISBN: 978-1-59918-492-0
Previously published as Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business, 3rd Edition, ISBN: 978-1-59918-437-1, © 2012 by Entrepreneur Media, Inc., All rights reserved. Start Your Own Business, 5th Edition, ISBN: 978-1-59918-387-9, © 2009 Entrepreneur Media, Inc., All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America
16 15 14 13 12 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Contents
Preface ...... xiii Acknowledgments ...... xvi
Chapter 1 The Write Stuff...... 1 Tradition, Tradition...... 2 Travails of a Novice ...... 3 The Star-Maker ...... 4 The Reasons Why ...... 5 No One Else Will ...... 5 Control Issue ...... 6 Money, Honey...... 6 Career Springboard...... 7 Make a Difference ...... 7 Do It for Love ...... 8 Profits from Pages ...... 9 Starter Fuel ...... 10 Personality Plus ...... 11 To Boldly Go ...... 12 All Walks of Life ...... 12 Caring for Your Own ...... 13 Machine Guns and Memoirs ...... 14 vi Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business Chapter 2 Chapter 4 Chapter 3 Your 31 Plotting Your . Bestseller:Research Market Self-Publishing101 19 . Seeing into the Future the into Seeing 18 . . The Potential of e-Publishing of Potential The 28 . Options Outsourcing 27 . 25 . Fiction the to Back 22 . Edge Nonfiction The Bestseller a of 22 Anatomy . Graces Three 20 The . Vanity.Ah, 20 . Creating an Image 42 an Creating . . Competition 39 the Out . Check Tapon Statistics 37 . 35 Your . Researching Base Reader YourTarget 33 Market . . TaskFirst The 32 . Publishing House: Office Publishing House:Office Branching Out Branching 14 . TooGood 30 . e-Advantage The 29 . 28 Internet . for Is e 26 . Formats Fictional 25 Format The . 24 . Clout with Constants Fact 22 or Fib . 21 . Mail by Books Up Fired All 21 . Name Fiction Name 42 . . 42 . . Game Name The TryTargetthe 39 . 39 . Net the on Get Look-Up Library 38 . . Central Hello 35 . . Letter a Me Send 35 . Yourinto Nudging Niche 33 . and Business Structure Structure 41 Business and . Contents vii ...... 66 Soft on Software ...... 55 Go ISP!...... 57 WeavingWeb ...... 57 Doing It Digitally...... 58 Photo Finish ...... 58 Printer Mania...... 58 ...... 67 Spanning the Industry ...... 69 IBPA Friends and Family...... 73 ...... Going 73 Plastic Of Logos and Letterhead ...... 44 ProprietorshipThe Soul ...... of Your 46 AffairA Taxing ...... 46 Expert ...... Advice 46 The Home Office...... 48 The Big Write-Off...... 48 Organized and Efficient ...... 49 The Storage Space...... 49 The Commercial Office...... 51 ...... Space ...... 51 Outfitting Your Pre-Production Basics ...... Pre-Production 78 Basics Computer Caveats ...... Computer 54 Caveats Fax ...... Facts. 60 Phone Fanatic ...... 60 ...... Misery...... 61 Electronic Money ...... 62 ...... 64 Domain Décor Pen and Paper ...... 65 Get Professional ...... 69 Read All About It ...... Insured? 70 Are You It Up ...... 70 Tally Romancing ...... the Bank 73 Laying Your ...... Foundation 45 Laying Your ...... 47 On Location More Bookkeeping: Production Costs More Bookkeeping: ...... 77 Your Startup FinancesYour ...... 53 Chapter 6 Chapter 5 viii Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business Chapter 7 Writing and Designing Your Book ...... 107 . . Designing Yourand Writing Book More Bang for Yourfor Bang More Book 99 . TalkPrint 87 . Numbers the By 82 . Page Primer ...... 111 Primer Page . . 109 Decisions Design . . and Layout 108 Panic. . and Exhilaration e-Book Reader e-Book 104 . . 104 . Publishers e-Book 103 Do-It-Yourself . The Site e! Going 103 . Madness Merchandise 102 . 100 . Camera! Action, Lights, Listening 99 Easy . 96 . Effect POD The Quirks 96 Other . Overs, Unders,and TagPrice Printing 95 . Pudding the in Is Proof 93 . Spectrum the Covering 92 . 91 . Wisdom Front-Line 87 . . VitalStatistics Youron CIP The Shoulder 86 . 84 . Carded Getting Information Advanced 84 . 83 Bookland . in Codes Bar 83 Number Serial . and Rank, Name, 13 Number 82 Lucky . 82 . Positive Proof Quality Copy 80 . 80 . Line the Drawing 79 Search. . Designer 78 . Cover Its by Book A Front Matter ...... 111 . . Matter Front 110 . . Signature The 109 . Writers Other and Ghosts Writing108 101 . Contents ix Distributor/Wholesaler Dance ...... 131 Distributor/Wholesaler Dance Distributor ...... Dating Game 131 ...... 133 Wholesaler Heaven The Bottom Line Revisited ...... 134 ...... 136 Return to Sender ...... 137 Storage Story Bookstore Bonanza ...... 138 ...... Appearance Is 139 Everything ...... 140 Libraries and Educational Markets The Amazon of ...... Bookstores...... 140 ...... 141 Premium Grade The Catalog Game ...... 142 Specialty of the House ...... 142 ...... Museum-Quality 143 The Body ...... 114 The Body ...... Back Matter 115 Fit and Trim...... 116 Paper Stock...... 117 More Color...... 117 Fantastic Fonts...... 117 ...... 118 Point Taken the Lead OutTake ...... 118 ...... 120 Going Marginal Running Ahead...... 120 Head of ...... the Chapter 120 ...... 121 Front Cover Story Back Cover Sensation ...... 122 Growing a Spine...... 123 ...... Cover 124 Stock StockTaking ...... 124 ...... 125 Perfectly Bound The Sticker Price ...... 130 The Sticker Price ...... 130 Divvying Up Discounts Ship Shape ...... 135 Sales and Alternative VenuesTrade ...... 138 Got It Covered ...... 120 ...... 125 In a Bind Pricing and Selling...... 129 Chapter 8 x Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 eln nCbrpc 173 Cyberspace . in Selling 159 . Marketing and Advertising Spotlight:the Publicity into Stepping 145 . Adventures in Autographing ...... 157 Autographing in . Adventures 154 Spot Guest . . Traveling154 . . Man 152 Revue Post-Pub The . Revue Pre-Pub The 148 . 146 . Pow Pre-Publication Selling from a Website ...... 177 . . . Website a from Selling 175 . . WebsiteDesign Setting UpaWebsite 170 . . Time Seminar 163 . . Magic Order Mail Fair Book 162 Fair My . WordGolden The 160 . Reviewing the Package ...... 152 . Package the Reviewing 151 Others . Significant Reviewers Interest General 150 . 148 . TradeReviewers Accompaniments and Announcements 147 . Galleys 146 the for . Bound 146 . Date the Setting The Rest of the Site ...... 176 . . Site the of Rest The Down Drilling 176 . . 175 Your . . Homepage 169 . . Rules The 169 . . Broke for Going 168 . . Please Response, The List The 168 . WinningWays 166 . 165 Attention for . Prospecting 164 . . Hook The WingedSuccess 163 . 163 Take-Along . Kit 161 . Fever Headline ...... 174 . Contents xi Selling Out ...... 200 Selling Out ...... 200 The Acquisition Demanding More ...... 202 Phone Facts ...... Phone Facts 186 ...... 187 Access to the Net ...... 187 Host Web Getting Carded...... 188 ...... Best Pal 188 Your Paper Tiger...... 188 Paying the Piper ...... 189 Adding It All Up ...... 190 Raising Cain ...... 195 Crazy ...... Driving 196 Yourself ...... 197 Let Me Entertain You ...... 197 and Automobiles Planes, Trains, Shopping Cart ...... Shopping Cart 177 ...... 178 Payment Options eBay ...... 178 Amazon...... 178 ...... 179 Other Sites ...... 180 Trades Let’s Make a DealLet’s ...... 200 Selling Subsidiary...... 203 ...... 203 Hot Serial Join the Club ...... 204 Operating Expenses ...... 186 Operating Expenses ...... 189 Making a Statement ...... Getting a Grip 195 Uncle Sam Speaks...... 196 Other Ways to Sell Other OnlineWays ...... 178 ...... 180 Website Marketing Your E-Newsletters...... 181 Keep ’Em Interested ...... 181 CyberspaceAvoid Don’t ...... 181 ...... 182 Social Media Looking Ahead: Small Looking Ahead: Press to Publishing Giant ...... 199 Controlling Your Finances ...... 185 Finances Your Controlling Chapter 13 Chapter 12 xii Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business Appendix C Appendix B Appendix A Chapter 14 Bestseller or Bomb? 209 or Bestseller . Index ...... 251 . . Index 245 . . Glossary ResourcesSelf-PublishingBusiness 235 . 231 GrassrootsMarketing Great for . GrassThe IsGreener: Tips and Tricks . . . . a One Day at . Time:227 the PublishingProcess Basicsof Success and Failure ...... 223 . . Failure and Success Words210 Wisdomof . Continues Adventure The 206 . 205 Story. . Reel The Affairs Foreign 204 . A Job Well-Done ...... 225 Well-DoneJob . A Honors 225 . 224 Bumps! . . Goose 223 Success to . Springboard Stress! 223 . Factor Happiness The 222 . YouWhat Love Do 221 . Low Swing 221 . 220 Erratic Ever . Thousands Helping 219 . Page 218 One in . . All 216 . Authority with Publishing Lulu Self-Publishing A 215 . 213 . Book a and Dinner 211 . Publishing Custom 210 . Revolution A Else’sSomebody Baby 206 . . 206 . Pad Launch Preface
You’ve chosen this book for a very special reason: You’re planning on starting your own business as a self-publisher.
You’ll be treading ground that most people fantasize about but never actually do. You will be writing your own book and then see- ing it through production and promotion to success on bookstore shelves.
You’re stepping into exhilarating—and frightening— territory. Owning your own business of any kind means you’re the boss; you make the rules and lay down the law. It also means you cannot let somebody else worry about making enough to cover xiv Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business left somespaceforyour creativitytosoar. manageable sectionson everyaspectofstartup,production,andpromotion. Andwe’ve owners, seeAppendix C atthebackofthisbook.)We’ve brokenourchapters into with youplacedrightinthethickofthings.(For alistingofthesesuccessfulbusiness and givetheirownhard-wonadvice—asort of virtualround-tablediscussiongroup successful self-publishing.We’vesetasideplaces forthemtotelltheirownstories all aroundthecountry—tolearnnitty-gritty, hands-ontasks,tips,andtricksto a tremendousamountofpersonalandprofessionalsatisfaction. learning andalotofhardwork.Theycanalsoinvolveheckfun,aswell of theseresponsesisentirelycorrectsolongasyourealizetheyallinvolvealot following reasons: But concernisnotthesameascan’t, sodon’t worry. Instead,keepreading. soul—out inpublicwhereyouriskfailureandrejection.Theseareallvalidconcerns. anxieties theverynaturalfearofputtingyourwritingproject—yourcreativeheartand higher authority. You are thehigherauthority. Addtoallthesenormalnew-business expenses, andyoucan’t passthatintimidatingdistributororpeskyprinterontoa We haveinterviewedmanypeopleoutthere on thefrontlinesofindustry— Successfullypromoteyour book • Getyourbookwrittenand yourbusinessstarted • Decidewhetherself-publishingistherightbusinessforyou • Our goalinthisbookistotellyoueverythingneedknowto: Which didyouchoose?Itdoesn’tmatter,becausethereisnowronganswer.Any You believetheself-publishingindustryisbooming,andyou’reeagertoshare • You haveamessagethat’s importantandcanhelp people,andyoubelieveyour • You wanttoestablishyourselfasanauthorityinyourfield—beitmedicine,law, • You’ve writtenbooksthathavebeenproducedbyconventionalpublishers,but • You’ve beenanauthorforyearsandhavecollectedenoughrejectionslipsfrom • You’re probablycontemplatingbecomingaself-publisherforoneormoreofthe in theexcitementandwillingtotakeachanceonsuccess. own bookonthesubjectwillbeaneffectivetoolforgettingwordout. practice, soyoualreadyknowhowtorunabusiness. will beasmartpromotionaltool.Maybeyouevenhaveyourownsuccessful golf, culinaryarts,orwhatever—andyoubelieveyourownbookonthesubject work. now youwanttotakecreative,editorial,andfinancialcontrolofyourown conventional publisherstopavetheFloridaTurnpike. Preface xv We’ve packed our pages with helpful tips so that you can get up and running as can get up and tips so that you with helpful our pages We’ve packed quickly as possible, complete with contacts and sources in the Appendix to jump- in the Appendix and sources with contacts as possible, complete quickly turn down the a deep breath, of coffee, take pour a giant mug research. So start your mode, and let’s go! the TV, set your brain to learning phones, turn off Acknowledgments
To Jere—time to write a book!
My great appreciation goes to Rich Mintzer, freelance colleague who provides moral support and a helping hand when I need one, including with the interviews in this book, and Karen Billipp, Eliot House Productions, with whom it is always a pleasure to do a book project. 1
The Write Stuff
Self-publishing is a hot industry today and growing hotter all the time. New self-publishers as well as new services for self-publishers and authors are springing up all over the country. Writing stars like Stephen King to publishing power- houses like Random House are rushing to join the new generation of self-publishers. 2 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business all goeswell,thetraditionalpublishermaycomeknockingonyourdoor. new author,theyarelettingauthorstaketheriskofpublishingafirstbookandthen,if works togetnoticedbythetraditionalpublishers—insteadoftakingonriska bookselling gameintoday’sworld. demand orelectronicbooksoldfromaninternetstorefrontisasignificantpartofthe bookstores comesanincreaseinonlinebooksales—aself-publisherwithaprint-on- even greaterdemandforself-publishedwork.Withadecreaseinbrick-and-mortar dramatically changingcomplexionofthebook-buyingmarket—onethatcouldspell age grouptoreadand/orlistento.” reading forsometimenow,nottomentionthevarietyofproductsavailableany areas andwanttoreadalltheycanonaspecificarea.Schoolshavebeenstressing Book PublishersAssociation(IBPA). “Also,peoplehavedevelopednicheinterest or motivatethemselves,”explainsTerry Nathan,executivedirectorofIndependent “People havemoreleisuretimewithwhichtheymaychoosetoentertain,educate, and co-founderofSPAN,theSmallPublishersAssociationNorthAmerica. hungry forinformation,”saysMarilynRoss,anearlyproponentofself-publishing recipes forimprovinghealth,wealth,andspiritualitytosci-fi.“Weareanation has beenconducted.Bookconsumerseagerlygobbleupeverythingfromnonfiction previous study,thefirsttimereadingratehasrisenin25yearsthatstudy (defined asnovels,shortstories,plays,andpoetry)increased7percentfromtheir report fromtheNationalEndowmentforArts(NEA),adultreadingofliterature find ourselvessurrounded,Americansreadbooks—alotofbooks.Accordingtoa case offictionandpoetry collections)oran publishing, anauthor pens awork(inthe his orherown. and thengoesoutsellsmarketsiton cover totypesettinganddesignprinting— production—from theartworkforfront writes abook,seesitthrougheachstepof have probablyfiguredout,it’sapersonwho This changingmarket,ironically,hasalsoopenedsomedoorsforself-published An R.R.Bowkerreportonthestateofpublishingin2010,however,showsa Despite theproliferationofmovies,TVprograms,andvideoswithwhichwe In thetraditional world ofbook So, justwhatisaself-publisher?Asyou Tradition, Tradition jungle hunk Burroughs,the original creator of Chatterley’s Lover the infamousLawrence of Twain, WaltD.H. Whitman, published authorsincludeMark new. Famous self- Self-publishing isn’t Fun Fact Tarzan , andEdgar Rice . Lady 1 / The Write Stuff 3 , series) and According to a to According The New York Times York The New Stat Fact The Hunger Games 2008 article in the published through most titles Xlibris and giants self-publishing than 200 cop- sell fewer iUniverse of are to 40 percent sales their ies; the authors themselves. series, for instance, was a first-time writer and series, for instance, was a first-time Harry Potter Travails of a Novice Travails This is not to say it can’t be done. New voices are heard all the time. J.K. Rowling, This is not to say it can’t be done. True, you don’t need to worry about the cost of the production of the book, but youTrue, you don’t need to worry about the cost of the production The novice author’s travails don’t end when the sale is made. Let’s say you’re clever The novice author’s travails don’t end when the sale is made. Let’s The major publishing houses (as well as The major publishing welfare mum when her first book was bought by a British publisher, Bloomsbury welfare mum when her first book thousands of aspiring actors who haunt Hollywood Children’s Books. But like the more hopeful authors than published ones. hoping for a break, there are far author of the celebrated James Patterson, or business, finance, and self-help books by professional speakers James Patterson, or business, of dollars per engagement. The unknown writer who already command thousands idea to present faces an uphill battle. with a new story to tell or a new don’t get much input either. Although typically you will get to look at a couple possibledon’t get much input either. Although typically you will get to the money, will get thecover designs for your opinion, the publisher, who is fronting all to be made and you arefinal say—sometimes just for the simple fact that decisions need best they can to includenot in the room. Publishers with good author care will do the veto—editing, butyou in the key decisions about your book, you will get to review—and need be—unless you areultimately, the publisher gets to make decisions without you if a key author and can negotiate checks and balances in your contract. as well as lucky—you’ve written a top-notch book, and you’ve managed to sell it to as well as lucky—you’ve written a top-notch book, and you’ve back and wait for the a publishing house. Your work is done, you think. You can sit money and the fame to pour in. Well, not quite. many of the midsize houses) have become many of the midsize and will the point where they cannot ever on the bottom line to more fixated than that does not come with as close to an automatic not take a chance on any project Tell-all biographies of fallen royalty and rock stars, guarantee of success as possible. of movie stars and megafinanciers are shoe-ins. So, and ghostwritten autobiographies like Suzanne Collins ( too, are novels by proven winners in-depth proposal (typically for nonfiction, for nonfiction, proposal (typically in-depth the if not more on as much which relies of than the quality provided information then goes out shopping the writing) and Usually this is on par with for a publisher. home loan with trying for a million-dollar and no fixed address. In bad credit, no job, not easy. other words, it’s 4 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business a success. you wanttodo—tomake yourwrittenbaby whatever youdecideitwill takeandwhatever tours, internetexposure, mediaarticles— of pressreleases,mediaappearances,author maker. Youconceiveand the salesandpromotions.Youbecomeastar- through catalogs,online. on howyou’llsellit:throughdistributors,by directmail,throughspecialtyretailers, the coverprice,whichisamajorfactorinhow wellthebookwillsell.Youalsodecide text), tipboxes,orpullquotes(oversizedpulledfromthetext).You decideon layout—whether you’llhavesidebars(thosemini-articlesthatfitbesidetherunning You decideonhardcover, softcover, e-book—allorsomeofthethree.You choosethe book itself.Youchoosethegraphics,lineart,orphotosthatdecorateitinsideandout. from thesizeandstyleoftypetomarginsdimensions total creativecontrolofyourwork.Yougettochoosehowitwilllook—everything alternative—you cantaketheself-publishingroute!Asaself-publisher,youmaintain and consignedtobooklimbofortherestofeternity. months toayear,they’reyankedoutofthestoresanddistributor’swarehouses, to languishontheshelves.Iftheydon’tsomehowsellthemselvesinamatteroffour all thosepublishedbooksdieaquickanduntimelydeath.Theydon’tevenhavetime writers’ fantasies.Andwithnopromotionstohelppavethewaybestsellerdom, advertisements, andnewspapermagazinearticlesturnouttoexistonlyinthe parties, booksignings,mediaappearances,authortours,bookstoredisplays,print that thepublishermakesnopromotionaleffortswhatsoever.Allthoseautograph had exceeded hardcover sales. their Kindlebooksales that of 2010 the summer Amazon in reported Perhaps most important of all, you handle Perhaps mostimportantofall,youhandle If allthissoundslikeunrelentingdoomandgloom,takeheart.Thereisanupside Mashable (mashable.com), Sa Fact Stat According to carry The Star-MakerThe out acampaign or moneyonpromotingnewbooksfrom publishing housesspendlittletime,effort, be releasedandthenabandoned.Most have pouredintoitsbirth,yourbookmay tears you(andpresumablythepublisher) published authorsdiscover,totheirdismay, unknown writers.Thevastmajorityof Then, afteralltheblood,sweat,and boy, oracop. characters: a baby, abride, acow- the following oneof as least at eachbookcontainthat insisting for novels are notorious Publishers ofromance Fun Fact 1 / The Write Stuff 5 No One Else Will No One Else The Reasons Why TheReasons A main ingredient that publishers (and literary agents, who sell projects to publishers) A main ingredient that publishers (and literary agents, who sell projects Once upon a time, editors who detected a spark of genius (or just plain mass-market Once upon a time, editors who Some writers take the self-publisher route because no one else will publish their Some writers take the self-publisher Like just about everything in life, there are some cons that go with the pros of of some cons that go with the pros everything in life, there are Like just about are looking for is an author with an established “platform.” If you are a professional are looking for is an author with an established “platform.” speaking circuit drawing (lawyer, doctor, psychologist, accountant) who already has a ready-made “platform” sell-out crowds to your lectures and workshops, you have a of your audience will from which to sell a book you’ve written. A large percentage people at a whack, a want to buy your book. If your audiences are comprised of 1,000 to sell a book—if you publisher will find your platform to be a strong one from which you can do the math. do two speaking engagements a month that draw 1,000 each, such engagements a year can sell several thousand books and produce Twenty-four lecture and bought the enough word-of-mouth promotion (people who went to the buy the book without book will tell their friends and colleagues, some of whom will saleability) worked with writers, nurturing and guiding them to the development of saleability) worked with writers, fierce concentration on the bottom line, editors have a terrific book. Now, with the department instead of shepherds of creativity. So become minions of the marketing can’t offer a contract even when they spot a new writer with budding talent, they mold to a tee. unless the book fits the marketing department’s “blockbuster” work. Traditional publishers send rejection slips for many reasons other than bad work. Traditional publishers send fit the publisher’s mold because they’re too long prose. Often manuscripts don’t is too narrow, the subject matter is too obscure, the or too short, the target market a predetermined matrix, or they “don’t quite fit our characters or setting don’t fit dozen elusive factors. current guidelines” for any of a becoming a self-publisher. One is expense. You, not the New York (or New Jersey Jersey not the New York (or New One is expense. You, becoming a self-publisher. is production and printing. Another pay all the costs of or wherever) publisher, out energy to plan and then carry to be willing to expend the effort. You have potential incur more costs. A third for which you will a marketing campaign, able to must be ready, willing, and you have to have moxie. You negative is that more so owner, but even horn. This is true for any small-business blow your own these you won’t get far. Despite If you are a shrinking violet, for the self-publisher. reasons that lead bright, creative people down the cons, there are a host of good self-publishing lane. 6 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business back? Whynot,indeed! you arelikelygoingtomakeyourinvestment not producethebookyourselfknowingthat are drawingthecrowdstobeginwith,why give thatbusinesstothepublisher?Ifyou that publisherswanttobeguaranteed. is, thesedaysespecially,arethefigures having gonetoalecture)—well,theupshot small: Aslittleas$3,000 fora50,000-wordbookisnotuncommon. another dime,whichis whathappensinmostcases.Andadvancescan beshockingly are theroyalties.If book neverearnsmorethantheadvance,author neversees between 3and7.5percentofthebook’snetsales (moreon“net”inaminute).These the publisher’ssatisfaction.Afterbookhits thestores,writergenerallyreceives contract andbeginwritingthebook,other halfwhenthebookiscompletedto expects thebooktoearn.Authorsusuallyget halftheadvancewhentheysign royalties, orasumofmoneythatoftenrepresents theminimumroyaltiespublisher quantum physics,butbasicallyitworkslikethis: Thewriterispaidanadvanceagainst instead referstothepercentageofprofitsfrom thebook.Itcangetascomplex with beingcrownedkingorprincess,even beinghandedaminordukedom,but traditional publishing,theauthorispaidonaroyaltybasis.Thishasnothingtodo publisher, youdon’thaveanyoftheseworries. all concernedornot,especiallyifyoufeeltheyill-treatedthepreviousbook.Asaself- publisher getsfirst-refusaloptionsonyournextbookortwo—whichcanbegreatfor publish ityourself,youhavelostallthattime.Somecontractsarewrittensoyour sit ontheprojectwithoutgettingitouttomarket—butthen,ifyouchoose should beaclauseinyourcontractthatlimitstheamountoftimepublishercan standard) contract,theycanobtaintherightstoyourbookbutfailpublishit.There tamper withtheintegrityofyourbook.Andtherearemore.Withproper(often creative control.Wehavealreadytalkedaboutsomeofthewayspublisherscan hopelessly mangled,sometimesturnself-publisherfortheirnextbookstomaintain Why, youmaybethinking,should Writers oftenbecomeself-publisherstokeepthelion’sshareofprofits.In Authors whohavebeenpublishedbytraditionalhouses,onlytofindtheirwork Money, Honey Control Issue of otherauthors. the works also publish work but their own two maypublish latter produces herownwork,the while a small press? Aself-publisher publisher,an independent and between aself-publisher, What’s the difference Tip Smart 1 / The Write Stuff 7 Make a Difference Make Career Springboard Career Still other authors self-publish to make a difference in the lives of the people aroundStill other authors self-publish to make a difference in the lives It goes without saying, of course, that you do need to know your stuff when you It goes without saying, of course, that you do need to know Sometimes making a direct profit on your book isn’t the main goal for publishing Sometimes making a direct profit As a self-publisher, you get to keep everything your book earns over and above As a self-publisher, you get to This means the publisher, which isn’t exactly knocking itself out to promote the knocking itself out to promote publisher, which isn’t exactly This means the Notice we said the royalties are paid on net sales, not gross. A book that retails for gross. A book that net sales, not are paid on said the royalties Notice we them. They see a need and a way to fill it through their writing, and they feel compelledthem. They see a need and a way to fill it through their writing, wrote and published her first Texas, Anna Jaworski of Temple, to put the two together. in 1994.book after her infant son was diagnosed with a serious heart defect write nonfiction. If you offer people information, it’s up to you to deliver the real write nonfiction. If you offer people information, it’s up to self-published—is the thing. But it is also true that a book—whether traditionally or sort of validation you can’t get from anything else. the book. Many self-publishers use their books as career jump-starters. If you’re the book. Many self-publishers position into a new life as a professional speaker planning to segue from your current a lot of doors. It gives you instant credibility. People or consultant, a book can open author who’s written a book on website marketing think that since you’re a published your subject is), then you must be an expert. It never or financial planning (or whatever publisher are one and the same entity—and they occurs to them that you and your don’t need to know. the actual expenses involved with production and promotion. Instead of cents on the actual expenses involved themselves. Self-publishing is not a get-rich-quick the dollar, you’ll earn the dollars it can definitely be more financially rewarding than operation by any stretch, but you also need to do the sales and marketing to going the traditional route. However, to cover the cost of creating it—and more, if you want sell enough copies of your book to make a profit. book, must sell a fraction over 4,477 books for the author to earn back that $3,000 the author to earn back that a fraction over 4,477 books for book, must sell 5,000 that many publishers only print royalties. When you factor in advance on her going to can see that the author is not (and probably final) run, you books on an initial on the books’ proceeds. keep body and soul together, get rich, or even $14.95 on the bookstore shelf is not bought by the bookstore for $14.95; they have to they have to for $14.95; by the bookstore shelf is not bought the bookstore $14.95 on percent to the as much as 60 the book publisher discounts profit. So the make some royalty The author’s 7.5 percent pays only $8.97 to the publisher. end seller, which in at 67 cents. Kind of scary, huh? from this tallies 8 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business publishing andoffersherbooksinelectroniceditions aswell. and twocollectionsofessayssheedited.Anna alsosawtheopportunitiesine-book trouble.” Anna’sBabyHeartsPressnowhasfourbooksinprint,twothatshewrote even ifweonlysoldonebook,andithelpedfamily,wouldbeworthourtime my intendedaudiencewastoosmall,”sherecalls.“MyhusbandandIdecidedthat publisher Icouldfind,andallofthemsentmebacknicerejectionlettersstatingthat information. Butconvincingapublisherwasanotherstory.“Iqueriedeveryappropriate My bookletgrewtothesizeofabook!” I researchedandwroteup.Thenaddedmyson’sstoryatthebeginningofbook. and askedthemforfeedback.Theyrequestedmoreinformationoncertaintopicsthat had startedwriting.Icalledorsentletterstotheparentssharedinformationwith country), wecouldn’tfindanythinginprint.In1996,Idecidedtopublishthebooklet most commonheartdefect(anddefectsarethenumber-one birthdefectinthe my sonwasinthehospital,”sheexplains.“Eventhoughourchildrenhadfourth children withthesameproblem.“Ihadstartedarudimentarysupportgroupwhen surgery orcomplications.” could referbacktowhenwewerehaving I wanteda‘reference’book—something remember everythingIneededtoknow. because Iwasafraidwouldnotbeableto put togetherabookletofhelpfulinformation inspirational andinformative.Idecidedto and verydiscouraging.Iwantedsomething only informationIcouldfindwasdated started toseekinformationmyself.The the doctorswouldn’tgivemeanything,I about theheartdefect,”Annasays.“When to betold,andtheyfeel theyhavetogetitdownonpaperandout in print.There’s writing, reading,andpublishing. Theyhaveastoryinsidethemselves that’sbursting you mustlovedoingit. That’showthemajorityofself-publishers feel.Theylove effort, energy,creativity,andthecontentsof your wallet.Soifyou’regoingtodoit, sheer joyofit.Thisisabusinessthatgoing totakeupagreatdealofyourtime, Anna knewshehadaproductthatcouldhelppeoplewhodesperatelywanted Anna soonbegansharingherresearchandinspirationwiththeparentsofother “I immediatelyaskedforinformation A final—butoh-so-important—reasonforbecoming aself-publisherisforthe Do It forDo It Love respectively. Books andSimon&Schuster, up bymajorpublishers—Warner were self-published,then picked by Richard Paul Evans. titles These Redfield and The Celestine Prophecy two ago.tury or Two hitsare happenedacen- that those to stories aren’t limited Self-published success Fun Fact The ChristmasBox byJames
1 / The Write Stuff 9 The financial picture doesn’t have to be disappointing unless the author has a workable plan to sell the books.” reflect doom and gloom. “Books are fairly inexpensive to produce, and the markup is high,” advises Dan Poynter, a self- publishing guru and author of best-selling titles on the subject. “You can produce one for $2 and sell it for $20.” There are many expenses that will bridge the gap between these two figures considerably. But, according to Poynter, your gross does Profits from Pages from Profits The big discussion Stat Fact in publishing, and in publishing, Mary Embree, founder of and now a consultant for SPAWN (Small Publishers, Mary Embree, founder of and Industry experts are loath to quote potential annual earnings because they can vary Industry experts are loath to quote How much can you expect to earn as a self-publisher? It really depends on how hard It really depends on how you expect to earn as a self-publisher? How much can especially in self-publishing, is in self-publishing, especially book Publishing your the e-book. is cost effective, electronically as options are the e-reader and, the market and expanded, refined with more e-reading is embracing enthusiasm. and more Artists, and Writers Network) and a literary consultant, agrees with this line of Artists, and Writers Network) wrote and self-published a book aimed at the home- thought. “I know one author who copies the first year,” Embree says. “I know a lot schooling industry and sold 5,000 a printing of 1,000 books and still have 950 gathering of self-publishers who ordered or four years. That’s the norm. Self-publishing may dust in the garage after three radically from publisher to publisher. Gross annual incomes among the publishers we radically from publisher to publisher. from under $10,000 for a newbie to an anticipated interviewed for this book ranged “Marketing is the key,” says Ross of SPAN. “You can $500,000 for a 15-year veteran. living, or you can starve on the vine.” Self- make a living, you can make a comfortable and not just an artistic one. publishing is a business venture you choose to work at it, what your vision is for your company and your products, and your company and your products, at it, what your vision is for you choose to work habits of definitive tome on the mating appeal. You may pen the your books’ market prose and four-color photos, but you’re unlikely the earthworm, featuring breathless mass-market bestseller on your hands. If, on the other to find yourself with a runaway that appeal to a significant market, you have the hand, you plan and produce books market research secrets later on in Chapter 3.) potential to do well. (We’ll explore no choice. Even when the actual writing process seems painful (as it does to just about to just about painful (as it does process seems actual writing Even when the no choice. the call of the way. Answering it any other they wouldn’t have at times), every author just plain fun. addictive, and muse is fulfilling, creative 10 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business expert inyourfield—onewithahigherearningpotential. write andpromoteabookonbackcare,youpositionyourselftobecomesought-after ability tosellothergoodsandservices.”Ifyou’reachiropractor,forexample,you not havetomakealotofmoneyasself-publisherifyourbookcontributes net ishigher. not havetobeashighinotherindustriesbecausewithloweroverheadcosts,your Carlson, aself-publisher inHinesburg,Vermont, whonowalsooffersconsulting and startingtopromote yourfirstbook. you canexpecttospend$10,000$29,000 getupandrunning,includingprinting to be,andhowcreativeyou’llgetwithyourpromotional budget.Asaballparkfigure, (such ascomputerandprinter)you’llneedtobuy, howelaboratethatequipmentneeds as welloutsidedimensions—howmuchartwork isinvolved,howmuchequipment and howmuchyouwillhavetohireout(such aseditingandtypesetting).” printer, howitisprinted(hardcoverorpaperback), howmuchyoucandoforyourself, Embree ofSPAWN.“Itdependsonhowmany copiesyouaregoingtoorderfromthe the successfulones.” to nichepublishers,whopublishotherpeople’sworksinaspecificgenre.Theseare publishers have.However,manyofthesehavemovedfromself-publishers can workoutofyourhometostartandgrowintoacompany,asmanysuccessfulself- letterhead, phone,answeringservice,fax,andemailaccess,”saysNathanofIBPA. “You expenses willbeforbookprintingandsalespromotions. and internetaccess—andyoumayalreadyhavesomeoftheseitems.Yourothermajor funds forspecializedequipmentandinventory. won’t needemployeesrightoffthebat—ifatall—andyoudon’ttoplunkdown out homebased,whichmeansyouwon’tneedtoworryaboutleasingofficespace.You owners, likethosewhodecidetoopenacoffeehouseorhardwarestore.Youcanstart need startupfunds.Asaself-publisher,you’vegotitbetterthanmanynewbusiness Poynter makesanotherpositivepointforenteringintoself-publishing:“You do “Our firstbookcostus about$11,000toprintthefirst5,000copies,” saysSteve Startup costsarealsoextremelydependenton thesizeofyourbook—pagecount “Startup costsareanotherquestionforwhichthereisnoclearanswer,”advises So what’sthebottomline?“Itcanbeminimal:aDBA[“doingbusinessas”]license, All youreallyneedisacomputer,software,printer,faxmachineand/orscanner, As theoldadagegoes,“Youneedmoneytomakemoney.”Inotherwords,you Starter Fuel Starter 1 / The Write Stuff 11 Personality Plus Personality esides earnings and startup costs, two other important aspects and startupesides earnings costs, B Self-publishing is likely to be around for the long haul. We live in live the We haul. the long for likely is to be around Self-publishing mysteries to entertainment—from in the market for always also are Readers the success guarantee can’t You is moderate. risk factor The self-publisher’s Besides earnings, startup costs, and risk and stability factors, there’s one more there’s Besides earnings, startup costs, and risk and stability factors, Information Age, and people are interested in getting “content” from all sources, sources, all from “content” in getting interested and people are Age, Information and healthier, happier, about how to lead smarter, books, including printed lives. wealthier it up with and follow a book that can produce fulfills If you this need, romances. got a winning you’ve readers, same interested the geared toward another volume ticket to a successful business. market choose your But if you adept ball. with a crystal of a book unless you’re got a you’ve at promotions, and and work diligently sales target it closely, wisely, chance at success. fair to consider are risk and stability. There’s no point in throwing yourself and your and your point no yourself in throwing There’s risk and stability. are to consider as a first- about as risk-free only a new business thatmoney into to discover it’s whose time has already a fad or that it’s Titanic, class ticket on original the a business that want has staying power. You passed. The Factor Risk important element to consider when deciding if self-publishing is the business for you: important element to consider when deciding if self-publishing pro. This is a career personality. Not everybody has the makings of a self-publishing and nobody else. If that calls for lots of time spent one-on-one with your computer world, with lots of other you’re the type who thrives in the hustle and bustle corporate to think twice. bodies and brains sharing your work space, then you may want services and publishes books by other writers. “Fortunately, they sold out quite quickly services and publishes books by The business has always paid for itself, although and we went on to a second printing. enough to give ourselves there were lean times in the early years when we didn’t make decent paychecks.” 12 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business had avarietyofalternate careersincludingeducator,congressional assistant,and in—your ownbooks. self-published book,soyou’llhavetobegutsy atsellingaproductyoutrulybelieve really wanttosucceed,you’lldoboth.Salesand promotionsarethelifebloodof discreetly behindthescenessendingoutpress releasesandnewsarticles,butifyou get outthereandpromoteyourbooks.Youcan boldlygoonTVandradio,orstay a timelymannerandthenseeitthroughallthe stagesofpublishing. wishful thinkingstage.Asaself-publisher,you’llhavetobeablewritethatbookin self-publisher. Lotsofpeoplewouldliketowriteabook,buttheynevergetpastthe a penchantfordroppingprojectsbeforethey’rehalf-finished,youwon’tgetfaras a dabbler,whothinkswritingandthenpublishingbookmightbefun,butyouhave through. Therestyoucanlearn. know yoursubject,thatyou’repassionateaboutit,andpassionshines in highschoolneedapply.Oneofthemostimportantaspectswritingisthatyou mean thatonlyPulitzerPrizewinnersorthosewhowoneverycreativewritingcontest this countsfornonfictionaswell!),youdefinitelyneedtoreconsider.Thisdoesn’t minute QVC airings! sold 22,000three copies eight- in From OurGrandmothers’ Kitchens yearever inbooks.their best Their Cook’s Illustrated tion of Test Kitchen, saidinarecent edi- Kimball, founder ofAmerica’s the printed book. Christopher the demiseof minute dismiss electronic content, don’t for a Self-publishers comefrom allwalksoflife.Theonesweinterviewed forthisbook As afinal,butterrificallyimportantcharacter trait,you’llneedthechutzpahto To accompanythetalentandcreativity,youmusthavefollow-through.Ifyou’re rapidthe ageof risein Publishers Weekly Sa Fact Stat Despite the publisherhad that the that All All Walks ofLife To BoldlyGo
that willkeepyourreaderspellbound(and spelling, butifyoucan’ttellarivetingstory assistance withgrammar,punctuation,and and creativity.Youcangetallsortsof particular audience. the topicsthatwillstrikeachordinyour condition—need anunerringinstinctfor the experienceofachildwithheart Texas, whohadintimateknowledgeof nation, butyoudo—likeAnnaJ.inTemple, have yourfingeronthepulseofentire market wantstoread.Youdon’thave have astrongsenseofwhatyourtarget You willalsoneedmegadosesoftalent Self-publishing alsorequiresthatyou 1 / The Write Stuff 13 was written was Frankenstein, Fun Fact Fun Good writing tran- The and time. gender, scends age, popular eternally of man- tale botched attempts at cre- kind’s ation, Shelley Wollstonecraft by Mary just 21 years old. when she was The tip here is that all these entrepreneurs entrepreneurs is that all these The tip here branch manager of a state environmental state environmental manager of a branch agency. protection to make their interests and figured out how work for them in their their backgrounds have taken the skills and new careers. They had already acquired and enthusiasm they the self-publishing business. applied them to Caring for Your Own Your for Caring According to foner. to According Stat Fact com, bookstore sales were up were sales bookstore com, “Publishers’ Assistant is used by hundreds Since then, Lisa has left publishing to become executive director of a national Since then, Lisa has left publishing “I started in 1986,” Steve recalls. “I had left my job as a congressional assistant at “I started in 1986,” Steve recalls. Steve C. in Hinesburg, Vermont, has been a successful independent publisher for Steve C. in Hinesburg, Vermont, by around $1 billion, from approxi- from $1 billion, by around mately $13.5 billion to $14.5 billion, to 2009. in 2010 compared of publishers, mostly relatively small presses,” Steve says. “However, that has now become a partnership with my programmer’s company, so my involvement is reduced. As a result, my publishing house is now a full-time, one-person company, and I am devoting almost all of my working hours to publishing books.” nonprofit organization to protect the rights of consumers in their dealings with the nonprofit organization to protect the rights of consumers in presses, including a funerary industry. Steve has developed other businesses for small since sold and a business software company that he’s fulfillment, or order-filling, program called Publishers’ Assistant. that time to care for my mother, who was dying of AIDS. My wife, Lisa, was also tiring that time to care for my mother, researched how to care for one’s own dead without the of her job as a teacher. She had eager to write a book on the subject. Her book was help of a funeral director and was the first we published.” 15 years, with more than 20 titles under his belt. “We describe our niche as nonfiction describe our under his belt. “We 15 years, with more than 20 titles Steve says. “That’s a much broader niche than most to improve the quality of life,” I’d rather publish any book I like than stay with a small presses take on. However, of our titles have been on death and dying, but there’s specific narrow niche. Several a personal enjoyment time on those issues.” That’s no way I’d want to spend full decision. Although their company has expanded into decision, not a sound business books by other people, Steve and his wife started consulting services and publishing in self-publishing. 14 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business out assoonpossible,andthiswasthequickestwaytoaccomplishgoal.” publishing workedbestbecausethemenforwhomIwaswritingwantedtheirstories soon realizedtherewasaneedforthistypeofproductveterans,”Garysays.“Self- “I startedtoself-publishin1999,afterIwrotemyfather’sWorldWarIIaccount,and generals, butaveragesoldierswiththeirownexcitingstoriestotellfromthefrontlines. with astafftohelptheworkload. She transformedherone-womansoleproprietorshipintoanonprofitorganization out topublishtheworksofotherauthorswhowriteonsimilarhealth-relatedtopics. parents throughherownexperience,alsopublishedaninspirationaltitleandbranched “over thetransom.” to bereceivedan agent—is said representedauthor whoisnot by tive publisherbyanunknown to aprospec- script—one sent An unsolicitedmanu- Fun Fact with traditionalroyalty publishers. and hasproducedseveral ofherbooksthroughthiscompany.Shealso hasbooks and SellYourBook to writingandpublishing,the 300-page suchas many others.two dozen books,than the authorofmore Sheisalso many related Independent, Entrepreneur,MatureOutlook,The WorldandI,YourHealth different magazines, suchas Patricia Fry withSPAWNAn Interview Executive Director SPAWNing aSuccessfulStartup Anna J.,whoself-publishedabookaboutchildrenwithheartdefectstohelpother P atricia Fryhascontributedhundredsofarticles toabout260 (MatilijaPress,2006).SheestablishedMatilija Pressin1983 Branching Out Writer’s Digest veterans—not thecelebratedcaptainsand niche isthebiographiesofWorldWarII by dayandself-publishernight.Gary’s is astateenvironmentalprotectionagent Gary S.inPanamaCityBeach,Florida, Machine Gunsand , Writers’ Journal,CatFancy,PMA The RightWaytoWrite,Publish Memoirs , and 1 / The Write Stuff 15 continued Currently the Executive Director of SPAWN, Patricia was in on the ground floor was in on the ground floor Director of SPAWN, Patricia Currently the Executive to writing and publishing. She she writes pertain mainly Today, the articles the fee-based . . . publishing service is For inexperienced, hopeful authors, trend I see most often is an attempt to get For the slightly savvy author, the the trend seems to be toward much greater For established small publishers, authors than I see more memoirs produced by small publishers and one-title are always Overall, in the industry, religious/spiritual/inspirational topics SPAWNing a Successful Startup, Startup, a Successful SPAWNing Mary Embree as she estab- ago working alongside founder of SPAWN 11 years organization. lished this networking on their projects and speaks other authors and freelance writers also works with throughout States each year. the United writers conferences at several publishing? 1. What are the hot trends in small his or her first book manuscript, they will big. Typically, when someone finishes a publisher. A Google search takes them promptly immediately start searching for The author or other such companies. PublishAmerica, AuthorHouse, to iUniverse, in his exuber- and, it is accepted on the spot, sends his manuscriptrequested, as is put in front of him. ance, he signs any contract that and/or land a contract with a major publisher. representation by a literary agent soon and either self-publishes or gives up alto- This author typically quits too gether. through research, more creativity in the way involvement, more industry savvy enthusiasm, more hands-on, more success. they promote their books—more stand out sales-wise? Is nonfiction still tops? 2. Are there any categories that well as stories of practically any other category. These are military memoirs as spiritual encoun- abuse, illness, death of a loved one, overcoming mental illness, Fiction e-books parent. of a Little League a journal and even ancestor history, ters, Memoirs had e-books. outselling nonfiction overwhelmingly and children’s are now unless their day, but I understand that they are not popular with publishers the author is a celebrated person. books are on the high on the list of bestselling books. Young adult and juvenile than does rise. But, yes, it looks as though nonfiction does sell in greater numbers fiction. 16 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business Press). Low-Cost TipsandTechniques fortheEnterprisingAuthor your bookpromotionplan.Andthenread do theyattend?Answeringthesequestions is yourfirststeptowardcreating What websitesdotheyvisit?magazines dotheyread?Whatconferences proposal willrevealyourtargetaudience.Where arethey?Wheredotheyshop? who publishedthem.Contactthosepublishers. look atbookssimilartotheoneyouarewriting inlocalmega-bookstoresandsee well asmarketdirectoriessuch Proven StrategiesandResourcesfortheEnterprisingAuthor research? 5. Where shouldaprospective newsmall/self-publisherto market inregard start intellectual propertiesattorneylookoverthecontract. everything youdiscusswiththesalesreporpublisherisinwritingandhavean book’s behalf,nomatterwhichpublishingoptionyouchoose,makesurethat homework. reach thisaudience.Inotherwords,don’trushblindlyintopublishing.Doyour acutely awareofthevalidityyourbook,targetaudience,andhowyouwill the consequencesofyourdecisions.Andwriteabookproposalsothatyouare Study thepublishingindustrysothatyouknowyouroptionsand relationship withafee-basedpublishingservicetaketwoimportantstepsfirst. here atSPAWNstronglyrecommendthatanyauthorwhoiscontemplatinga 4. Wouldyourecommendfee-basedpublishing?Whyorwhynot? e-books—many are andane-bookversion. publishingbothaprint have definitelycomeofage.Someindependentpublisherstodayareoptingfor the variousto e-bookformats,and programs manuscripts convert that e-books 3. thoughtsWhat areyour one-books? aviablemarket Isit for small/self-publishers? SPAWNing aSuccessfulStartup, In regardtobookpromotion,startbywriting abookproposal.Your With regardtosearchingforapublisher,Isuggestmybook, Once armedwithenoughknowledgetomakeanintelligentdecisiononyour I rarelyrecommendthemtoauthors,butdon’tbad-mouththem,either.We the adventto services ofsophisticatede-bookreadersWith andeasieraccess Literary Marketplace Promote YourBook:Over250Proven, and byPatriciaFry(Allworth continued Writer’s Market (AllworthPress),as Publish YourBook, . Also, 1 / The Write Stuff 17 continued In most cases, I would rather see an author self-publish (establish his/her own (establish his/her own rather see an author self-publish In most cases, I would writers and publishers conferences revolvesMy hallmark presentation at and Independent Association (IBPA) Book Publishers I would recommend Publishers, Artists, and Writers Network) Mary Embree founded SPAWN (Small turned to the About ten years ago, we ceased the face-to-face meetings and publishing company) instead of going with a fee-based POD publishing service. fee-based POD publishing service. instead of going with a publishing company) more committed to his book— self-published author is generally I believe that a one who turns the responsibili- relationship with it—than has a more intimate a self-published author generates service. In most cases, ties over to a publishing goes with a fee-based POD pub- more profit than does one who more sales and lishing service. I strongly recommend that any author of any typearound the book proposal. And important decideThis is especially when you of book write a detailed book proposal. business plan. is your book proposal and a Publishing is a business, to self-publish. (besides yours) that you think are valuable for a 7. Are there any organizations small publisher? North America (SPAN). Small Publishers Association of 8. Tell us a bit about your organization. as a face-to-face networking organization in 1996 in Ventura County, California, She envisioned having meetings where for anyone interested in publishing. where graphic artists could connect with authors could connect with illustrators, writers could freelance writers who needed brochures designed, etc., and where three chapters meet publishers, for example. Within a few months, there were were sharing meeting once a month each in three different counties. Authors formed, were relationships working with one another, and resources information every meeting. and everyone was learning from the various expert speakers at and networking internet where we continue to provide information, resources, for SPAWNews at opportunities. We have a free monthly newsletter. Sign up Update that is www.spawn.org. Members receive the newsletter, plus a Market anyone interested absolutely brimming with opportunities and information for plus discussion group, an online have We in the publishing field. in or involved 6. What’s your best advice for someone considering their own publishing business? advice for someone considering 6. What’s your best SPAWNing a Successful Startup, Startup, a Successful SPAWNing 18 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business the self-publishingtrendhastakenoffinavery positiveway. titles. Thisisawin-winsituationthatisn’tlikely tochangeinthenearfuture.Inshort, to betheincubatorsofnewtalent,andthennegotiate lucrativedealsforsuccessfulnew and takecreativechancesintheirowncorporate worlds,theyleaveittoself-publishers take smallpressesseriously. and distributorstotakeself-publishersseriously.Ithasalsoforcedmajorpublishers This, coupledwiththedemiseofmanymajorpublishers,hasforcedwholesalers of theworkthatoncehadtobefarmedoutsomebodyelseatconsiderableexpense. With homedesktopcomputersandpublishingprograms,self-publisherscandomuch publisher tocompeteonafarmoreevenfootingwiththebigguysthaneverbefore. on-demand ande-publishingserviceproviders,thepathiswideopenforself- five years.Andwithnewoutletsforself-publishers,fromdotcombookstorestoprint- of thelasttwoorthreedecades,buthasreallycomeintoitsowninpastfourto of months? well intothefuture,orwillitgowayofcassettetapeandpetrockinamatter logue withotherwritersandpublishers,[email protected]. com andherblogsiteatwww.matilijapress.com/publishingblog.Shewelcomesdia- at variousbookfestivalsthroughouttheyear. SPAWN CatalogofMembers’BooksandServicesdisplayselltheirbooks we offermemberstheopportunitytoincludetheirbooksandservicesin SPAWNing aSuccessfulStartup, Since manymajorpublishersnolongerhave the go-aheadtonurturenewtalent Technology hasmadeitpossibleforsmallindependentpublisherstosucceed. Self-publishing hasslowlyandprogressivelybecome“legitimate”overthecourse One finalissuetoconsideristheindustryprognosis:Willself-publishingbearound Check outPatricia’swebsitesatwww.matilijapress.comandwww.patriciafry. Seeing into the FutureSeeing into continued 2
Self-Publishing 101
OK, you’ve read through Chapter 1 and decided that self-publishing is the business for you. Terrific! But before you can produce that bestseller, you have to know what you’re doing.
So don your virtual school jacket and step into the hallowed halls of Self-Publishing 101. 20 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business publishing businesswithasubsidypublisher. designer, printer,publicist,distributionhouse,etc. à lacartetothevariousoutsidecontractorsthatyouneed—copyeditor,proofreader, higher thanthegoingratestohavethiskindofworkdoneifyouwerecontractit sold totheworld.Thepriceschargedbysubsidypublishersaretypicallyconsiderably needed todoallthetasksrequiredgetyourmanuscriptintoprint,publicized,and risk. Younotonlyhandoveryourmanuscripttothembutyouthemoney traditional publishersinthatasubsidypublisherdoesnottakeonanyofthefinancial turned toavanitypublisher—alwaysbadmove. was soawfulthatnooneelseinhisorherrightmindwouldprintit,andyouhad collective noseatwriterswhowereself-published.Itgenerallymeantthatyourwork was basicallythejurisdictionofeccentricfew.Theliteraryworldturnedupits James Joyce—wentthedo-it-yourselfroutewithgreatsuccess. now considerliteraryluminaries—includingEdgarAllanPoe,VirginiaWoolf,and still exist. for morethanayearortwo,despitethefactthatconsiderableuntappedmarketmay per month.Incontrast,traditionalpublishinghousesmaynotkeepyourbookalive in printforaslongyoucanmakesales—evenifthosesalesarefewfiveorten then nurturesitssalesandpromotion.Asaself-publisher,youcankeepyourbooks nonfiction book,butalsoseesitthrougheverystepofproductionandprinting, the self-publisher.Youknowthatself-publishernotonlypensgreatnovelor order, whichlendthemselves ideallyto businesses—seminar promotions andmail bond withtwoother complementary publishing isthatitformsaperfect As abuddingself-publisher,don’tletanyoneconfuseyourownlegitimate Subsidy publishersareaseparatebreedofpublisher.Theydistinctfrom But untilfairlyrecently—withinprobablythelast20years—self-publishing Self-publishing isn’tnew.It’sbeenpracticedforhundredsofyears.Writerswe We’ve alreadyexploredthedifferencesbetweentraditionalpublishinghousesand One reallyfavorableaspectofself- The Three Graces Three The Ah, Vanity backlist. are steadysellers, arethe called are nolongernewbut that books its frontlist. Oldstandbys,the released arehas just called apublisher that titles New Tip Smart 2 / Self-Publishing 101 21 All Up Fired Books by MailBooks We’ll come back to seminars and mail order in Chapter 10. For now, keep these We’ll come back to seminars and mail order in Chapter 10. As a self-publisher, you don’t have to go solely with the distributor route. You’ll As a self-publisher, you don’t have to go solely with the distributor Distributors typically demand a discount of anywhere between 40 and 60 percent Distributors typically demand a discount of anywhere between Another top-notch way to sell your books is through direct mail, which is another Another top-notch way to sell You might think that giving talks is not your style, but think again. As an author/ You might think that giving talks One of the best ways to promote your books and encourage sales is by giving and encourage sales is by giving ways to promote your books One of the best options in mind, since they can work wonders for the self-publisher. have targeted a special market niche that’s already interested in your particular topics have targeted a special market niche that’s already interested directly to those readers even before you print your first book. It makes sense to sell don’t have to cough up via mail order. This gives you a portion of your sales that you costs. heavy discounts for —and your readers even pay the shipping off the cover price of a book, which effectively skims the cream off the publisher’s off the cover price of a book, which effectively skims the cream and promotions. profits before he or she has even considered other costs, like shipping sell for small presses as In addition, book distributors frequently don’t work as hard to they do for the giants like Random House. term for mail order—where you are promoting directly from your business to the term for mail order—where you publishers have sold their products to their readers end consumer. Traditionally, distributors who sell the products to bookstores indirectly—through special book This method isn’t always the best one for the new self- (that sell them to consumers). not be the only one. publisher, and indeed it should publisher, you’ll be promoting your products at everything from miniworkshops at publisher, you’ll be promoting to media appearances on local TV. Chances are, your local library and bookstore you know quite a lot about. Seminars are a logical you’ve written a book on a topic extension, and they can be fun! seminars, workshops, and lectures. People who listen to your presentations get fired listen to your presentations and lectures. People who seminars, workshops, what to take immediate action. And about the subject and want up. They are excited room? displayed at the back of the to buy your books, conveniently better action than making concept, which is known as have long understood this Seminar professionals BOR or back-of-the-room sales. one another and to the business of self-publishing. Together, these businesses businesses Together, these self-publishing. business of and to the one another ultimate trio. make the 22 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business Los Angeles,isnonfiction,soit’sclassifiedas “true crime.” making self-publishing fictionawholenewballgame.Beforewe get tothat,let’s new options,especially inthee-bookworld,thathaveonlyrecentlybecome available, this mayseemlikeexactly whatyoudidnotwanttohear.Buttake heart—there are heart-pounding mystery,aheart-wrenching romance, orsomeotherinventedtale, wiser choicefortheself-publisherthanfiction. Ifyou’vebeenscribblingawayata with areal-lifemystery,likewhokilledthewomanknownas as wellthe“what”ofwhatwasdone,ispureinvention.However,abookdealing and PrinceRainierofMonaco,butsinceit’saboutrealpeople,nonfiction. heroine. Abiographycanberomantic,forinstancethelovestoryofPrincessGrace be entertainingtoreaders,butitrelaystrueinformationratherthananinventedtale. the purposeofentertaininghisreaders.Nonfiction,onotherhand,isfact—itcan which, butit’ssimple,really:Fictionismake-believe,astorytheauthorinventsfor is whetherthey’refictionornonfiction.Peopleareoftenconfusedaboutwhich sizes, shapes,andsubjectmatters. about 55percent. about time,the than half arate at of choose literary works alittlemore choose non-fiction. Women 62 percent ofmenwhoread (NEA),Arts yes. over Just the National for Endowment the fromAccordingto arecent report their female counterparts do? Which shouldyouwrite?Industryexpertstend toagreethatnonfictionisafar Mysteries likethosewrittenbyAgathaChristiearefiction.The“who”inwhodunit, A romancenovelisfiction—aninventedstoryaboutamake-believeheroand Perhaps thebiggestdifferenceintypesofbooksthatarecommonlysold more nonfiction than more nonfiction Sa Fact Stat Do menreally read The Nonfiction Edge Nonfiction The Fib orFactFib graphics inbetween.Buttheycomeall back coverwithtextandoccasionallysome a theme.True,theyallhavefrontand dozens, ifnothundreds,ofvariationson any bookstoreandyou’llseethatthereare talk aboutitsanatomy.Takeastrollthrough publish yourbookandhowyou’llsellit,let’s Now thatwe’veinvestigatedwhowill Anatomy ofa Bestseller Black Dahlia in1940s 2 / Self-Publishing 101 23 According to the According Stat Fact Association of American Association of American Publishers’ Bookstat study, overall overall Bookstat study, Publishers’ grew revenues publishing U.S. unprecedented in 2010 despite change in industry. the he more time you spend in the publishing business, the more spend in he more the publishing business, time you T If you harbor this thought yourself, think carefully before committing fingers committing before think carefully harbor this If you thought yourself, writ- have People success: autobiographical for not requirements These are all Nonfiction categories are experiencing strong gains in both production and sales. gains in both production and are experiencing strong Nonfiction categories First of all, Americans read far more read far more all, Americans First of you’ll hear people proclaim that their life story would make a great book. And a great book. that hear people proclaim you’ll story would make their life lots of itself—contain lives—due life of to nature the very while most people’s not great of prose. they’re necessarily the stuff and tribulations, trials, drama, disaster or historical some great natural lived through you Have to keyboard. gan- survived frostbite, having like story, a truly dramatic have Do you trauma? the world sailing around peak; on a snowy mountain cannibalism and/or grene, back hours and coming to four tell about it? or being dead for single-handedly; a really have handicap? Do you or mental a terrible physical overcome you Have Mafia star, movie hunter, bounty like job or hobby, and extraordinary interesting or ghostbuster? CIA spy, hit-person, up a child of ten winning in the Depression tomes based simply on growing the you’re unless But as with fiction, kid in the 1950s. Cleaver-clone 1930s or a Beaver an facing you’re hook on which tale, base your to a stellar writer with an excellent success. to self-publishing uphill road Hold the Autobiography Hold the You don’t have to be a “name” to sell nonfiction. When readers head to the bookstore When readers head to the bookstore to be a “name” to sell nonfiction. You don’t have they look first for a name they already recognize, like on the prowl for a good story, John Grisham. So if you have penned a tale of horror, Stephen King, Jackie Collins, or or a legal whodunit, you’ve got stiff competition. lust among the monied classes, bookstore to find a book on cooking hors d’oeuvres However, when readers go to the they look for content rather than celebrity authors. or creating healthy relationships, nonfiction than fiction. In a Gallup survey, nonfiction than said they have 46 percent of respondents on their nightstands, nonfiction books percent have their noses while only 35 or other works of fiction. stuck in novels explore why nonfiction is generally a better is generally a better why nonfiction explore self-publisher. bet for the 24 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business your bookgivesreadersinformationtheycanuse,chancesarethey’llprobablybuyit. Sure ithelpsifyou’reMarthaStewartorDr.JohnGray,butit’snoteverything.If constants ofthebookstoreshelves: genres, however,havemorecloutwithreadersthanothers.Takealookatthese to communicatingwithyourdogconductingelectricity—andlotsmore.Some • • • • Nonfiction comesinallsubjects,everythingfromconnectingwithyourcomputer tional bookscanbemega-sellers.Justlookat all those Inspirational/motivational ity, chances areyoucanturnitintoabook. If you’reeitheraschooledorself-styledexpert injustaboutanyhands-onactiv- quilting, carrepairtocomputerrepair, fleamarketdecoratingtoscubadiving. You canwrite—and probablysell—abookonanythingfromwoodworkingto How-to self-help canbeagoodnonfictionbaseforyou. social worker, orothermentalhealthprofessionalwithatheorytopropound, build psychologicalwell-being.Ifyouareapsychologist,psychiatrist,minister, confidence, tostrengthengoodrelationshipsorcutoffbadones—inshort, are alwayslookingtoimprovetheirownself-esteemorchildren’s self- Self-help or harriedworkingparent. special niche,likeheart-healthy, diabetic,vegetarian,vegan,picky-kid/spouse, a flairforfood,youmightconsiderthisgenre,especiallyifcantarget do nothavetobeanonprofitorganizationwritecookbook.Ifyou’vegot junior leagues,churchgroups,andchambersofcommerce.Theysell!Butyou have seenthroughtheyearsthatwereputtogetherasfund-raisersbycountless collectibles insomecircles.Thinkbacktoallthosespiral-boundvolumesyou publishing avenuelongbeforeanyothergenre.Today theyareevenconsidered Cookbooks in readers,youmightdo wellwiththisgenre. you cancomeupwithinspirational ormotivationalmaterialthatstrikes achord Notes oftheGreat Poets,Grandbabies Are forSpoiling and you’llseethatmostofthemareinspirational: around bookstorecheckoutcounters(wherethey maketerrificimpulsebuys), plus volumesandcounting!Perusethescores ofminibooksdisplayedonand (Health Communications)books—ofwhichthere arenowanastounding100- . Anotherenduringfavorite,thehow-toguiderunsgamutoftopics. . Thisisaperennialfavoriteonthenonfictionshelves.Americans . Cookerybooks,astheBritishcallthem,werean“acceptable”self- Constants withClout . Alsoperenniallypopular, inspirationalandmotiva- A SisterIsaKindred Soul,Love . Thelistgoesonandon. If Chicken SoupfortheSoul
2 / Self-Publishing 101 25 , etc. 10 Cool Things The New York , 81 percent of people feel of people feel 81 percent , The Fairies’ Flower Language According to a survey According published in Times a book in them. they have Fun Fact Fun , or The Format . These are smaller than books (unless they’re produced . These are smaller than books . We’ll explore book sizes and page counts in depth in Chapter . We’ll . These are generally of the inspirational/motivational variety we . These are generally of the . This is a relatively unsung genre in which the self-publisher can often can often the self-publisher genre in which a relatively unsung . This is Full-length books a book by traditional definition is a collection of bound say that let’s 7. For now, pages, not including its front and back covers. material that contains 48 or more Pamphlets and reports and focus on a single narrow topic. by an office of the federal government) self-publishers do very well buy reports, but some intrepid Bookstores won’t the internet as e-publications. Self-publishing selling them via mail order or on sells 51 specialized reports on different aspects for instance, guru Dan Poynter, plus offers quite a bit of free information (see of the business at his website, publish might for contact information). You Appendix under “Consultants” domestic travel, the how-tos of clearing up your reports on aspects of foreign or producing various handcrafts, design- credit or obtaining college scholarships, breeds of dogs—or anything else that’s ing a website, or grooming different a specific audience. short, informative, and will interest Minibooks talked about earlier and are impulse buy and/or gift-oriented: Perfect People About Cats, Daughters Are Regional a res- consider writing toured area, city or a heavily you live in a big excel. If local local history, a volume featuring Or how about or attraction guide. taurant book toward families with might target the ghost stories? You lore, or even area Use your imagination! seniors, or the physically challenged. young children, Now let’s take another look at fiction. As • • • Nonfiction doesn’t necessarily mean a 400-page volume of closely spaced text. It volume of closely spaced necessarily mean a 400-page Nonfiction doesn’t • Back to the FictionBack to the we have explained, fiction has traditionally been a harder sell for the self-publisher. This doesn’t mean it can’t be successful. What it does mean is that you’ll need to double up on your marketing smarts. can encompass books—or perhaps more accurately, documents—of all lengths and documents—of all lengths books—or perhaps more accurately, can encompass one of the following: and sell your text as any sizes. You can format 26 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business still notanywherenearasprofitablenonfiction. new avenuesofdistribution.However,keepinmindthatformostself-publishersit’s for writers.E-publishingismakingfictionamoreviablepropositionbyopeningup about everyotherkindofbusiness,theinternetseemstobelevelingplayingfield as wellinChapter6—thefiction-writer’shandicaphasbeguntofade.Aswithjust author.” invested, inmostcases,totelltheworldaboutbookandmakeastarofits of successasanindependent.Butgeneralmainstreamfictionstillneedslotsdollars specialized fiction[e.g.,gay/lesbian,mystery, western,andsci-fi]canstandachance a hookandyouneedpublicity.” need tobecalculating,”Rosssays.“You serve asanauthorityonthosesubjects.“You will bewhenyourbookcomesoutsoyoucan project whattheimportanttopicsofday cave-explorers willwanttoreadabout.Really interesting job,likespelunking,thatother will sellregionally.Giveyourprotagonistan Ross ofSPAN.How?Makeitregionalso novel commerciallyviable,advisesMarilyn from, butsomearemorepopularamongreadersthanothers. With therecentadventofe-publishing—whichwewillexplorelaterinthischapter Terry NathanofIBPA agrees.“Ithinkit’s mucheasierwith nonfiction,but You needtoconsiderhowmakea • • OK, sowhatkindsoffictionshouldyoupublish?Therearemanyformatstochoose of 1950sartandartifacts, andtraditionalpublishinghousesarepumping out however, theshort storyhasboundedbacktolifedueperhaps thetrendiness published inmagazines, andevenfewerfoundtheirwayintobooks. Recently, cessful author. Thenthisfictionformatfellonhardtimes:Ascant fewwere Short story fiction, novelsarealsotheeasiesttosell. egories. Andbeingthemostrecognizable,as well asthemostpopulartypeof loosely includesanystorythatdoesn’t fit neatlyintoanyofthetraditionalcat- genres likemystery, thriller, romance,horror, sci-fi,or“generalfiction,”which the likesofDanielleSteele,DeanKoontz,or J.K.Rowling.Novelscomein Novel . Thisistheoneeverybodyrecognizesasa“book,” afull-lengthtaleby . Onceuponatime,shortstorieswerethelifeblood ofmanyasuc- Fictional Formats Fictional like mad! tation asliterature,they sold but pennies. They didn’t have arepu- youthem for could buy mere and adventure, socalled because sive, sensational novels ofcrime penny dreadfuls were inexpen- the 19thcentury,In Fun Fact 2 / Self-Publishing 101 27 want to publish, you’ll have to market assertively. assertively. have to market publish, you’ll want to . People often have the misconception that writing a chil- . People often have the misconception Outsourcing Options Outsourcing . A novella is shorter than a novel but longer than a short story. It’s often It’s a short story. than a novel but longer than . A novella is shorter . Let’s face it: Most folks consider poetry to be “arty” and basically face it: Most folks consider . Let’s . Long, long ago in a century far away (the 19th, to be exact), serials were in a century far away (the 19th, . Long, long ago the collected short stories of various writers with zeal. Keep in mind, how- Keep in mind, writers with zeal. of various short stories the collected as in in short fiction as interested nearly isn’t general public that the ever, you this is what novels—if grouped with two or three other tales of the same length by the same author, same length by the same author, or three other tales of the grouped with two Stephen King or Nora Roberts, book. Again, unless you’re into a full-length it a novel, but with e-publishing to be a tougher sell than this format is going than ever before. is more of an option Serial several installments and actually novels divided into They were very popular. magazines or newspapers. Eagerly devoured by printed in successive issues of were a sort of pre-electronic version of the legions of devoted readers, serials after a very long hiatus, the serial has been resurrected, TV miniseries. Today, thanks in no small part to e-publishing. Poetry or college penance. Even with e-publishing, unreadable, except as high school If you’re a poet at heart, do it for enjoy- seller. this is not going to be a major plan on it as a source of sufficient income. ment but don’t book picture Children’s A successful picture book is a carefully designed not! It’s book is easy. dren’s that creates a verbal as well as a visual world. mélange of artwork and words as to parents on several levels, who will have to It has to speak to kids, as well give mean you should again. But this doesn’t read it over and over and over be timeless bestsellers, and there is books can up before you start. Children’s not an illustrator yourself, find one whose always room for one more. If you’re each scene on each page with care and with its vision matches your own. Plan did with her Texas, own message, just as Anna J., the self-publisher in Temple, book. children’s Novella • • • • If you’re reading this book, you’re probably a writer already—or you’ve at least got If you’re reading this book, you’re probably a writer already—or a pretty fair idea of the topic(s) you plan to write about. However, if you love the idea a pretty fair idea of the topic(s) you plan to write about. However, own that people will of publishing but are not sure you can pen an entire book on your from which to choose actually want to read, fear not. There are several other sources letting someone else do that will still give you the creative power of the press, while the brunt of the writing: 28 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business publish abookthetraditional way,youhaveitprintedonpaperand boundbetween without furtherado,let’sdelveintoe-publishing andfindoutwhatitinvolves. • The “e”standsfor“electronic,” butwhatitmeanstoyouis“internet.” Whenyou We’ve madeenticingallusionstoe-publishing throughoutthischapter.Sonow, • • or cleverouting.Howabouta1890s a catchyintroduction,youcanturnallsortsofdatedmaterialintocharming information andalwayscheckwithyourattorney. With alittleimaginationand at www.loc.gov/copyright formore to theLibraryofCongresswebsite of copyrightcanbecomplicated.Go domain. Whenexactlyaworkisout old booksthatarenowinthepublic stores, andyoucanturnupterrific sales, fleamarkets,andusedbook Out-of-copyright books or asweetforayintoVictorian mannerswithanantiqueweddingplanner? Anthologies orcollections nurturing andthenpublishing. You’ll probablyfind anauthorinoneofthesegroupswhoseworkisworth which youcanfindinyourhometownortheglobalvillageofinternet. love tohaveyoupublishtheirbooks.Ifdon’t, joinafewwriters’groups, that authorswillflocktoyou.You mayalreadyknowseveralwriterswhowould Other writers’books on subsidiaryrightsinChapter13). rights tothestoryareactuallyavailablebeforeyouincludeit(seesection have alreadyappearedelsewhere.Ifyoutakethelatterapproach,makesure UFOs. You mightcommission newmaterial,orreprintstoriesarticlesthat anything fromdyslexiatothebusinessofjewelrydesigntruthabout factual approachandputtogetheracollectionofarticlesonparticulartopic— yarns forsailors,orgemsgardeners.Alternatively, youcouldtake amore authors. Eachstoryshouldhaveacommontheme,likeVictorian ghosttales, Soup fortheSoul The PotentialThe ofe-Publishing publishersandputtogetherananthologyoftalesbyvarious . Onceyouhangoutyourpublishingshingle,you’lldiscover . Hauntgarage . Take anoodlefromthebowlofprolific e Isfor Internet Boys OwnPaper a serial. Twist the lowerclasses,among boysandlarcenytale oflost tal Charles Dickens’ immor- Fun Fact , was originally published as bookoncampingskills, Oliver Chicken 2 / Self-Publishing 101 29 , was self- was , Fun Fact Fun www.self- The website points publishingresources.com first book, out cummings’ that e.e. The Enormous Room it He dedicated to published. the The it. rejected 15 publishers who a master- book is now considered piece. The e-Advantage language computers use to translate your text into a downloadable format and language computers use to translate your text into a downloadable then back again to plain English. expense of finding and then paying an illustrator. “shelf space” title from among all the others offered, thus providing you with without having to go through traditional avenues of distribution. e-books often sell that of the list price of each title. Keep in mind, however, from $5 to $8.95, for less than conventional p-books. The norm is anywhere the computer’s monitor, or print a hard copy using their own printer or print a monitor, the computer’s print a copy most e-publishers) them (an option not offered by material to be read on screen) of a paperback book, which allows 2. “cover” art for your book, which saves you the Some e-book sites provide 3. where readers will hopefully choose your The site acts as a virtual bookstore 4. royalty schedules—generally from 30 to 70 percent E-book sites offer generous 1. let somebody else do all the work of converting your text to a PDF file, a You As a self-publisher, you can put up your own site, or you can upload your book on As a self-publisher, you can put • so they can read it using their computer or Purchase the material in CD form • dead tree or p-book that will be mailed to Purchase the material as a printed • device about the size Download the material onto an e-book reader (a hardware • hard drive and then read the text on Download material onto their computer’s When you e-publish a book, you place a book, you place When you e-publish one of the dozens of e-book sites that are springing up all over the internet. There are one of the dozens of e-book sites numerous advantages to the latter: your text on an internet website where it internet website where it your text on an directly by readers. This can be purchased two of the self-publisher’s neatly eliminates printing and distribution. biggest costs: offer consumers several Most e-publishers book. electronic bytes to readable their work from options for transforming Consumers can: cardboard covers. Then you take your dead you take your covers. Then cardboard and distribute books tree, paper-and-ink libraries, specialty bookstores, them to mail customers. stores, and direct 30 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business a brick-and-mortarbookstore. languish onthevirtualshelfofe-booksite justasitwouldlanguishontheracksof success. Ifyou’renotwillingtomakethatcommitment,yourtitlewillprobably time, effort,andtalenttoachievetrue e-publishing demandsscadsof than everbefore. accessibility (i.e.,lowercostsforthereaders) improvements ine-bookreadersandgreater in thatyear.Themarkethasrespondedwith for 19percentofHarperCollins’overallsales increase ine-booksales2010,accounting figures areencouraging,witha2.4percent to www.selfpublishingebooks.com, sales accepting ofthee-bookformat.According out. Themarketisbecomingmuchmore and issueshavestartedtoironthemselves However, someoftheearlyresistance many industryspectatorswereanticipating. exciting. Thedawnofthee-bookcameandwentwithoutearth-shatteringsales However, like any other form of publishing, However, likeanyotherformofpublishing, If allthissoundstoogoodtobetrue,it’snot.E-publishingisphenomenally . Moste-booksitesaremorethanhappytoacceptfiction! 6. Somesiteshaveeditorialguidelinesanddon’t accepteveryauthorand 5. title, whileothersarehappytoletanybodyuploadanything. higher pricemight. sell exponentiallymorecopiestoreachhigherearningsinthelongrunthana although pricescansoarto$19.95.Orthey“sink”$2.99butperhaps promotional Too Good schoolteacher and write full time. schoolteacher andwritefull hisdayjob as a to quit money the Kingofhorror withenough script—called manu- that Doubleday bought to forgehim ahead. In1974, Tabitha, andconvinced out dugit progresstrash.the into Hiswife, novels,tossed awork-in- King two earlier the rejection of ing wastepaper basket. After suffer- the career endedupin almost Stephen King’s writing Fun Fact Carrie —providing 3
Plotting Your Bestseller Market Research
Authors often believe that they should write a book first, then find an audience later. This is a fine approach for fiction. And it may be a viable proposition for the nonfiction writer who’s a dabbler or hobbyist—but it’s not necessarily profitable. As a self-publisher, you’re writing and producing a book with a specific goal in mind: to make money. You may have other goals in mind as 32 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business what specificelementsyourtargetmarketwantstoreadaboutinbook. book. Yourresearchshouldtellyouhowlargethatmarketisandevennarrowdown This willhelpyoudeterminewhetherthereisinfactanaudience,ormarket,foryour potential marketfirst. least forittopayitself,youcan’t besuccessfulwithoutunderstandingyourbook’s critically illchildren.Butifagoalofyourpublishingventureistomakemoney, orat well, likeAnnaJ.,inTemple, Texas, whoseprimarygoalistohelpthefamiliesof the followingguidelines: a wide-openfieldinfrontofyou.Eitherapproachisfine,solongasyoukeepmind may alreadyhavemadethisdecision,downtothetiniestdetail,oryoustill So yourfirstmissioninbecomingaself-publisheristoconductmarketresearch. • • • • The firsttaskyouwillhaveistodecidewhatexactlyyourbookbeabout.You power, orslimandtrimtummies. legion ofreaderswiththeirpromisesstress-free partygiving,boostedbrain bigger flowersoraneed tofeedafamilyonhome-grownvegetables. Besides a desiretofindhusband oraneedtosavemarriage;desire togrow gamut: adesiretoretire richatage40oraneedtofindbetter-paying job; needs, thirststhatyouasaself-publisher can slake.Theserunthe Quench athirst Frazzled Folks any specificinterest,need,orgoal.Butacookbook called book called Fixate onyourfocus research, andresearchsomemorebuildcredentialsforyourself. If youdonotknoweverythingaboutyoursubject,getoutthereandresearch, gives yourwordsconfidenceandcredibility—thefirststepstobestsellerdom. Be intheknow chance ofexcellingatit. if youwriteaboutsomethingfeeltrulypassionateabout,standabetter something you’recompletelyuninterestedin,anditwillshowinyourtext.But fatally dullhighschoolandcollegetermpapers.It’s nofuntowriteabout subject youthinkisdeadboring.Castyourmindbacktotheagonyofallthose Be acheerleader Good Food . You musthavea thorough knowledgeofyoursubject.Knowledge , or . Rememberthatreadersbuybooksbasedon theirwantsand . Enthusiasmsellsbooks.You can’t writeawinningbookon . Makesureyourbookhasawell-definedsubject.Acook- Brain-Booster Cookery won’t attractanybody inparticular—itisn’t focusedon The First First The Task , oreven Cooking Lean Festive Partiesfor willattracta 3 / Plotting Your Bestseller: Market Research 33 with Home Driveway Auto Repair Home Driveway If you are serious about are If you mostaccurate, finding the and market up-to-date sales purchas- consider information, ing a membership to Nielsen same the is this Yep, Bookscan. the Nielsen for responsible group They extended system. TV rating and music, their reach to books, can harness You software. even the power of Nielsen research informa- sales for and search . . category . author, tion by title, the Though pricey, name it. you is worth its weight in information Check out bookscan.com to iPads! find out more. Smart Tip tion topics, readers of all ages, genders, and walks of life have and walks of life ages, genders, readers of all tion topics, Your Target Market Target Your hard-core nonfic hard-core of fiction, in the form and inspiration for entertainment thirst an unquenchable and humor. autobiographies, biographies, If your target market is too small, small, If your target market is too If you write a self-help guide on the power of positive thinking, you’ll have to If you write a self-help guide on the power of positive thinking, As you target your market, start thinking Now that you’ve decided what you’ll write about, you’ve probably already figured you’ve probably already figured decided what you’ll write about, Now that you’ve Nudging into Your Niche Your Nudging into your book is unlikely to be lucrative. If lucrative. If your book is unlikely to be of your you write a genealogical history you’ll have immediate family, for instance, once your eliminated your entire market Aunt Ethel parents, your siblings, and (And they and Uncle Bill buy copies. those books probably won’t actually buy family they anyway. They’ll insist that as But if should get complimentary copies.) families you write a history of the Celtic one among of California (with yours just thousands them), you may find you have of readers to sell to. the goal of selling it to urban New Yorkers who do not have driveways, or to people the goal of selling it to urban New style and not a power tool. who think Makita is a furniture So you will want to compete with the scads of similar volumes already out there. market niche. This is your special corner of book, and what you havethe market, the area of expertise and interest that makes your are lots of books on theto say in it, stand out from any competition you may have. There working people whoshelves, for instance, on crafts. But if yours is specifically for busy Day doodadsdon’t have the time to fashion Christmas tree decorations or Independence constantly hectic.(until you show them how), then that’s your niche: crafts for the out—at least in part—who you’re writing it for. This is your target market. And it’s This is your target market. part—who you’re writing it for. out—at least in called You would not write a book very important. 34 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business no otherbooksexist. written forfamiliesthathaveachildwithheartdefect—aspecialgroupwhom there anddonethat”themselves.AnnaJ.’smarketnicheisthatherbooksare which setshisworksapartfromthetomeswrittenbyhistorianswhohadn’t“been are oralhistories,personalstoriestolddirectlybyparticipantsintheaction— niche inbooksthatdealwiththeexperiencesofWorldWarIIveterans.His you aroadmapofwheretotakeyouruniqueapproach. those commentsprovidecluesonwhatworkedinasimilartitleanddidn’t,giving what doesn’t,andconsiderthecustomercommentsofyourcompetitors.Manytimes, there ontheshelvesandfindatotallynewspinsubject.Seewhatsellswell positive thinkingforteachers? hopelessly pessimistic?Isitpositivethinkingforfamiliestopracticetogether?Oris consider amarketnichethatmakesyoursspecial.Isitpositivethinkingforthe Clarity Sells Clarity Gary S.,theself-publisherinPanamaCityBeach,Florida,foundhismarket Spend timeonlineandinbookstoresfindingoutmoreaboutwhat’salready you could chooseany oneofseveral intriguingto focus directions on: to writeandsell. willbeboth the easierit Ifyou’re anavid gardener, for instance, row itsfocus. The clearer you are yourtopic andwhoyou’re about for, writingit ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ Andlotsmore! Useyour imagination! therapy Abookongardening as forthe elderly Agardener’s cookbook Ananthology ofinspirational storiesbygardeners ofall agesandwalks of Amanual ongardening inyourthe country specificregion of Achildren’s bookforthe young beginninggardener Aguideforthe after-work gardener life O nce you decide on a subject fornce you your decideonasubject book, you’ll wantto nar- 3 / Plotting Your Bestseller: Market Research 35 Hello Central Another way to reach potential customers is through telephone surveys, which are basically the same as direct-mail or listserv surveys—with one important difference. People don’t always react kindly as a starting point for what and how to ask. Send Me a Letter Send Me a According to According Stat Fact ezinearticles.com, the ezinearticles.com, Researching Your Reader Base Reader Your Researching What should you ask? Check out the “Market Research Survey” on page 36. Your on page 36. Your What should you ask? Check out the “Market Research Survey” If you belong to an association, organization, or listserv (an electronic mailing list), If you belong to an association, If you’re writing an alternative therapy book for people suffering from arthritis, for If you’re writing an alternative One sure-fire way to ascertain the size and interest level of your target market is level of your target market to ascertain the size and interest One sure-fire way Once you target your market and develop your special niche, you’ll want to research special niche, you’ll want to research your market and develop your Once you target main on topic people buy e-books in Second money. is how to make while money, line is how to save is how time. third to save queries will relate to your own target market and written product, but you can use this queries will relate to your own target market and written product, and it just happens to be affiliated with your target market, you have it made. You may and it just happens to be affiliated with names and phone numbers at hand. If not, you already have a directory packed buy a directory from the organization’s main office. If may be able to beg, borrow, or more general, like a volume of inspirational thoughts your market niche is something might still start off with the members of your club or for each month of the year, you will act as your proverbial foot in the door. If you group. Your common membership about a church roster or neighborhood association? don’t belong to any groups, how Use your imagination! instance, you would send surveys to members of local, regional, and national arthritis instance, you would send surveys a book on closing techniques for real-estate agents, support groups. If you are penning the members of various real-estate boards. you’ll send your surveys out to via direct-mail surveys. You won’t blanket the entire state of Mississippi or the San entire state of Mississippi or surveys. You won’t blanket the via direct-mail you live) with questionnaires; this would be extremely Francisco Bay area (or wherever Instead, you’ll narrow your focus to the very expensive, as well as unproductive. potential readers you want to attract. it to make sure it’s large enough to support your publishing efforts. There are all sorts publishing efforts. There are it’s large enough to support your it to make sure to taking informal surveys. this, from gathering statistics of ways to go about 36 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business 3 If so,didyoufindithelpful?Whyorwhynot? 13. ______Haveyoureadabookorpamphletofthis typeinthepast? 12. Whatspecificinformationorproblemswouldyouliketoseeaddressedinrela- 11. ______Howmuchwouldyoubewillingtopayforsuchabook? 10. Would youbeinterestedinabookthatwouldguidetofindaffordable 9. Doyourchildrenorotherrelativeshelptopayrent? 8. ______Isyourrentsubsidizedbythegovernmentoranotheragency? 7. 6. What doyou What payfor rent permonth? 6. Where are you livingnow(i.e. apartment, house, condominium, 5. etc.)? ______Ifyes,whatavenueshaveyouexploredand weretheresults? ______4. ______Haveyouexperienceddifficultiesfindingaffordable housing? 3. ______Areyoulivingonafixedincome? 2. ______Ifyou’reaseniorcitizen,whatisyourage? 1. This samplesurveyisdesignedformarket for seniors. ❑ ______tion tothistopic? housing? ______$200to$700 ❑ Market Research Survey $701to$1,400 ❑ research forabook $1,401andup on affordable housing 3 / Plotting Your Bestseller: Market Research 37 (love, (love, like, continued Smart Tip the self-publisher Anna J., used Texas, in Temple, (email message-sharing listservs to help determine her groups) Since she belonged to market. of kids parents listservs for several able she was with heart defects, to judge the number of families who needed her books. Affordable Housing on a Fixed Income Affordable Housing Home Alone: Affordable Housing for Seniors Home Alone: Affordable Statistics on Tap Statistics on Market Research Survey, Survey, Research Market dislike, or detest, and why): ______and why): dislike, or detest, ______like, dislike, or detest, and why): ______Besides going directly to your prospective readers for your market research, you’ll Besides going directly to your prospective readers for your market However, if you use a membership list However, if you use a membership 14. on the title Please comment 15. the title Please comment on also want cool, calculated statistics. For that book on alternative therapies, you will also want cool, calculated statistics. For that book on alternative are in the United States. want to know facts like the number of arthritis sufferers there know how many people For a regional title on coastal home design, you may need to from an organization you belong to, you from an organization you belong call won’t may have a foot in the door. Your seem quite as unsolicited if you can say that you (or your sibling, spouse, or child) belong to the Upper Peninsula Chapter of Society, etc. the Antique Car Restoration Society or the Michigan Educators to unsolicited calls these days when telemarketers are striving mightily to unsolicited calls these days with their to drive us all around the bend you’ve got poorly timed appeals. Unless to make cold thick skin, it can be difficult pick their calls to people you don’t know and brains. 38 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business Try thefollowingsources. Where doyougetallthisstatisticalstuff? that numberislargeenoughtobelucrative. prospective readersyoucanexpectandif will helpyoudeterminejusthowmany Coast. build secondhomesontheFloridaGulf bed-and-breakfast inns, oradultswithAlzheimer’sthereareintheUnited States.She extra browniepoints.Tell yourlibrarianthatyouneedtoknowhow manyflorists, so thefactthatyou’rewriting onegivesyou to knowandwhy.Librariansliveforbooks, Pay heravisitandexplainwhatyouneed person wellworthmakingfriendswith. An AddedBonus Or, “ Tree Gardening sales material you onyour print backcover. How? Write upsomething like, “ readers willgenuinelybeinterested most in. subject for information ongrowingtomatoes inashadegarden, youthis isa canassume text, youthe same100ask topic aside. cansafely of leave if95peopleout that But to wantto readhundred growing about claims deadlynightshade inagarden your book. prospective readersto seeaddressed, wouldlike to includein you knowwhat respondents helpyou writeyour book! When you specificelements askwhat The answerstoquestionslikethese Ask yourlocalreferencelibrarian,a You informationthis survey canalso use inyour back-of-the-book blurb—the Of course, youthe results. have about to beselective ofa Ifonepersonout Shade TreeGardening Library Look-Up T answers the questionsAmerica’s answers homegardeners wantto know!” here’staking research market to surveys: bonus asecret Your is the bookAmerica’s is homegardeners helpeddesign!” count offer. open the tothe to survey dis- get of yourthey maynever emailor line your incentivethe subject in word your about book. Provide sales andalsothe helpsspread onadvancegives you aheadstart comes out.book whenit This coupon for 10percent off your creative! Give your recipients a aresurveys nodifferent, soget offerthem anincentive. Email return unlessyou amailsurvey peopleareto unlikelythat It’s longbeenaknownfact Tip Smart Shade 3 / Plotting Your Bestseller: Market Research 39 minute rankings on minute rankings Those up-to-the- Beware! Beware! Amazon.com are great, but great, are Amazon.com keep in mind keep that they don’t tell the whole story of a competitive snap- They provide sales. book’s shots of how a particular book is on a particularperforming day. with picture the sales Complete information sales comprehensive Nielsen Bookscan. from Try the Target the Try Get on the Net Check Out the Competition there on your subject? nesses compared with the one you plan? crowd? • What are their strengths and weak- • What sets your book apart from the This part of your market research is fun— • are already out How many books While you’re doing your market research, don’t forget to check out what sort of While you’re doing your market Sometimes the best place to go for information on a target market is the target itself. Sometimes the best place to go You’ll find the answers to all sorts of fascinating questions on the internet. For questions on the internet. answers to all sorts of fascinating You’ll find the it means that, darn it, you’ll have to abandon doing the laundry, mowing the lawn, or preparing your income tax return, and spend time in the bookstore. Peruse the shelves. competition your book will face. Ask any literary agent, and they’ll tell you that’s one competition your book will face. you want to look at these key questions: Specifically, of the first things they consider. If your market is crafters, for instance, you’d contact the National Craft Association If your market is crafters, for instance, and Creative Industries for counts of their members. and the Association of Crafts breeders, you’d talk to the folks at state and regional To find out the number of dog idea. breeding societies. You get the starters, check in with the U.S. Department of Commerce (www.doc.gov) and the U.S. Commerce (www.doc.gov) and with the U.S. Department of starters, check in number of general and specialized (www.census.gov). Click on any Census Bureau millions and get the scoop from from Yahoo!, to Google, to InfoJump, search engines, to your area of interest. and websites that relate of articles, publications, will provide you with stacks of demographic statistics; more facts and figures than you figures than you more facts and statistics; of demographic you with stacks will provide exist. could possibly might imagine 40 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business is whatbookstorecrawlingwilltellyou. on thosebookstoreshelvestoday.Andthat research hasshowntobeworthyofstacking want toknowwhatotherpublishers’market was popular5,10,oreven20yearsago.You will competewithyourvolume,notwhat what readerswillseetodayortomorrowthat several dozen—yearsold.Youwanttoknow most ofitsvolumeswillbeseveral—or place todothiskindofresearchbecause you wanttobe.Thelibraryisnotthebest respect tothekeyquestionsabove. match yoursandseehowitstacksupin Look atanybookthatcouldconceivably Keep inmindthatthebookstoreiswhere market formarket the subject. there’sbe avaluable that clue no cockroachabout farming,this can If you can’t findeven onevolume topic.ple arethe eagerreaders on issaturated;market meanspeo- it the doesn’t necessarilymean it titles onfinancial investments, or aminus. Ifyou findadozen the shelves canbeaplus— on like yoursthe least books there are no that The fact Tip Smart 4
Your Publishing House Office and Business Structure
Every publisher, from the mighty Time Warner Publishing to the smallest small press, has a “house,” or office.
As a self-publisher, you’ll need one, too. You’ll also need a sound
business structure that will take you from novice book producer
to seasoned publisher. In this chapter, we’ll investigate the issues
involved in getting established, including your legal business 42 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business off toagoodstart.Solet’s gettoit! tions andUncleSam.It’s notalldrudgery, anditiscrucialforgettingyourbusiness struc you’ll need to register it with your local you’ll needtoregister itwithyourlocal Press” won’tgiveyoumuchcredibility. for physicians,anamelike“AllThumbs publish seriousworkslikesurgicalmanuals your products.Forexample,ifyouplanto make surethatyournameproperlyreflects Publishing,” whichisperfectlyfine—just like “GlitterbugPress”or“ThreeJakes you mightdecideonsomethingquirky or “Moonlight&MagnoliasPress.”Instead, “Three TreesPress,”“SeasidePublishing,” misleading. repertoire bypublishingquiltingbooksinadditiontocookbooks,yournamewillbe from you—andthat’saplus.Thedownsideisthatifyoudecidelaterontoaddyour publisher. Theupsideofthistechniqueisthatreadersknowexactlywhattoexpect a publisherofgardeningguides,or“CookbookNookPublishing”forcookbook choose anamebasedonthetypesofbooksyou’llpublish,like“GardenersPress”for only yourfirstbookbutalsoalltheotherstocome,soplanitcarefully.Youmight basis thatyou’reaprofessional. reviewers, distributors,bookstores,andeverybodyelseyou’lldealwithonabusiness your companywillhaveisimportant.You’llwanttocraftonethattellreaders, segment oftheindustry,itcanstilleasilycarryastigmaamateurism.Soimage Once you’ve decided on a company name, Once you’vedecidedon acompanyname, You mighttrynamingyourcompanyafteralocalorregionalfeature,perhaps The firstelementofyourimageiscompanyname.It’sgoingtoreflectnot Even thoughself-publishinghascomeoutoftheclosetandisnowarespected ture, companyimage,anddomainname,aswelldealingwithzoningregula- Name Fiction Creating anImage The NameGame The feature. won’t beavaluablename onit to sellyourdecide press, your book seriously. Andifyou ever publisher and refuse totake your brand you anamateurself- movers-and-shakers willlikely reviewers andotherindustry Publishing orDoaks Press, book yourself, asinJoe Doaks Beware! If you nameyour company after 4 / Your Publishing House: Office and Business Structure 43 Smart Tip most panic if your Don’t name has obvious domain usu- there’s been taken; already com- If your it. around a way ally Book Press,” “Bell is called pany a already and there’s instance, for something try www.bellbook.com, or www. www.bbpress.com like Get creative! bellbookxpress.com. hile you’re registering your company name, you should also should also you name, company your registering hile you’re W Here’s what you need to do: Go into your web browser and type in www. browser web your Go into need whatto do: you Here’s In many states, this process has become electronic, at least in part. In both Florida In many states, this process has Obtaining a DBA is easy, although the process varies a bit in different regions of Obtaining a DBA is easy, although Your Domain Your consider registering your business website name, or domain name, which is the or domain name, business website name, your registering consider can be There thing people virtualtype in office. to access your www.whatever.com of versions to have think up several so you’ll per domain name, only one company been taken. in case one has already want the name you networksolutions.com. Once you’re at the Network Solutions website, which is at Once you’re the Network Solutions website, networksolutions.com. and check the easy directions follow to see if the domain name user-friendly, very find you until choosing alternatives keep If it has, chosen has been taken. you’ve already you The cost—if itthen register online. available; a permutation that’s other are There a one-year registration. site—is $35 for your a web host for have such as GoDaddy.com. as well, domain registrars and New Hampshire, for example, you can do a quick name search online (although and New Hampshire, for example, yours until the paperwork is filed and approved). your name choice is not officially for your trade name is also available online but The appropriate form for applying fill it out, and either hand deliver it or send it in by you must print out the form, receive an official letter or certificate and you can now mail. When approved, you will legally begin using your DBA. the country. authorities. In doing so, you need to make you need to In doing so, authorities. your area is already no one else in sure that that need to ensure name. You also using that area can legally take onno one else in your at a later date, and youyour business name its first legal status. This isgive your company will not give you a businessimportant: Banks a fictitious business nameaccount without a DBA, which stands forstatement, also called as.” And without a business“doing business will not deal with you. account, many vendors 44 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business also playsastarringrole inhowpeopleperceiveyourcompany. typefaces, andpaperstocks youchooseforeverythingfromstationery tobrochures— ❑ ❑ ❑ 3. ______2. ______1. ______(i.e., NewAge,eco-awareness,empoweringwomen,etc.). List threeideasforanamecombiningfavoritethemewithyourplannedproducts 3. ______2. ______1. ______(paranormal, romance,children’sfantasy,autorepair,etc.). List threeideasforabusinessnamebasedonthetypeofbooksyouplantopublish There’s moretoimage thananame.Yourvisualimage—thecolors, graphics, Checkedwithyourlocalbusinessname authoritytomakesureit’savailable? Checked your local Yellow Pages and/orto makethe the internet searched sure Trieditaloudtomakesureit’seasilyunderstoodandpronounced?(Has same orsimilarnameisnotalreadylisted? to sayit, andhearit, overthe phone?) passed musterwithyourfamily?Haveyouhadafriendcalltoseehowitsounds After you’vedecidedwhichnameyoulikebest,haveyou: Business NameBrainstorming Of Logos andLetterhead Of 4 / Your Publishing House: Office and Business Structure 45 Smart Tip your choose to have If you stationery professionally with instead of going printed own desktop publishing, your of a variety check prices with quick-copy printers, local vendors: and also Office, FedEx like centers like supercenters supply office Depot.Staples and Office Laying Your Foundation Your Laying through stuff that’s 20 pounds. You might try a style that’s specially textured for specially might try a style that’s 20 pounds. You through stuff that’s added interest. Go for stock with fine perforations out easily. perforated so you can tear them “punched” so they look professionally printed; avoid the sheets with raggedy edges. Your publishing house will need more of a foundation than a business name and Your publishing house will need more of a foundation than • see- the copier-grade Letterhead paper weight should be about 24 pounds—not • card cards that you print off your computer come in sheets with each Business • Envelopes should match your letterhead and your business cards. You can design and print everything from letterhead and envelopes to business cards You can design and print everything You expect people to pay you for what you do best—write books—so why not You expect people to pay you If you’ll publish books for the home publish books If you’ll a domain name. You’ll need to decide on a legal structure, check into sales tax, get a domain name. You’ll need to decide on a legal structure, the nitty-gritty insurance coverage, and line up an attorney and an accountant—all stuff that will give your company a solid base on which to grow. using your own computer system. Since the process does not have to be expensive, use using your own computer system. weight, class, and distinction: papers with oomph—those with plan to pay someone whose craft is graphic design to design a knockout logo for you? plan to pay someone whose craft that you will use forever and represents you and your After all, your logo is something provide it to you digitally so you can do things like company. Ask the designer to it to book cover designers. create online letterhead and email handyperson, for instance, design a logo that design a logo for instance, handyperson, or saws, wrenches, repair with says home your company name.hammers embellishing travel books, splash yourIf you’ll publish stickers, suitcases, or amaterials with travel And if you publish sci-fistylized cruise liner. a logo featuring a UFO or antales, how about You can play with designingextraterrestrial? or search the internet foryour logo yourself art, but this can often smackappropriate clip in an industry that has just crawled out from underof amateurism—something to avoid the amateur rock in a big way. 46 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business saves ontaxeswillenablehertohelpmanymorefamilieswithsickchildren. the assistanceofanattorney.ButAnnadecidedtogoforitbecausemoneyshe This istime-consumingandexpensive,it’snotado-it-yourselfoption—youneed to reformathercompanyasanonprofitcorporationafterfouryearssoleproprietor. and employees.AnnaJ.,theself-publisherinTemple,Texas,forexample,haschosen same option.It’stheleastcomplicatedandexpensive. is thesoleproprietorship.Ifyou’llbestartingoutonyourown,youmaychoose You’ll alsoneedyour lawyer toadviseyou printers, andotherauthors orpublishers. with wholesalers,distributors, bookclubs, her tocheckoveranycontractsyouwrite intellectual propertybusiness.Youwillwant good attorneyoncall—onethatknowsthe but asabusinessowner,youshouldhave want tothinkaboutthemuntilyouneedone, or shecanadviseyouonwheretogetyourlicenseandwhochargeforwhat. to handlethesituationischeckwithyouraccountantwhenyougetthatpoint.He who liveinyourstate—whenyoushipoutofstatedon’tchargetax.Thebestway level. Thiscanallgetabitcomplex.Youonlychargesalestaxtomailordercustomers for astatesaleslicenseorpermit.Salestaxesvarybyandareimposedattheretail at seminarsandworkshops,youwillneedtoregistercollectsalestaxbyapplying It’s easy! and payinganominal annual fee. involves asimple form fillingout license. Gettingonegenerally abusiness to askabout forget local municipality, don’t When you your contact Tip Smart You canalwaysswitchtoanotherformatlateron,ifandwhenyoutakeonpartners Attorneys arelikeplumbers:Youdon’t If youplantosellbooksbymailorder(whichincludesinternetsales)orinperson Expert Advice Expert A TaxingAffair with thesimplestandeasiestversion,which thereof. Manyself-publishing partnership, oracorporation,withvariations You canoperateitasasoleproprietorship, employees, yourbusinessmusthaveastructure. To appease those hard-working IRS To appeasethosehard-workingIRS your state. the laws are in what to findout check withyour insurance agent Requirements vary bystate, so workers’ c ees, you’ll likely need If youto hire employ- plan Tip Smart The Soulof The Your Proprietorship ompensation insurance. newbies go 4 / Your Publishing House: Office and Business Structure 47 On Location hile you’re setting up the elements of your publishing publishing up setting of your the elements hile you’re W Parent City Press is devoted to helping parents raise a new generation a new generation raise is devoted parents to helping Press City Parent among of community a feeling Our mission is to foster of caring kids. by and the world with a series of books around and children parents is steady and Our goal people. happy young of smart, parents for that profits growth increased will fund us and annually incremental in wisely. teaching its children village the global to raise A mission statement for a self-publisher of parenting books might look some- books of parenting a self-publisher A mission statement for One of the great perks of being a self-publisher by trade is that you can work at One of the great perks of being a self-publisher by trade is And don’t forget your insurance agent! He can be an invaluable source of And don’t forget your insurance agent! He can be an invaluable Along with that on-call attorney, you’ll want to look into hiring an accountant to Along with that on-call attorney, house, you’ll want to design a mission statement. This is a short and sweet sum- a mission statement. to design want you’ll house, The mis- goals. and market niche, philosophy, products, company’s mary of your notes you “sticky” sion statement is of version the business the positive-thinking a plan—and a style—which company It your gives mirror. bathroom put your on to and easily remembered. easily referred are thing like this: Mission Style Mission home. You don’t need a high-traffic or high-visibility location, so you don’t need to home. You don’t need a high-traffic or high-visibility location, information and expertise. If you’ll be homebased, you’ll need to find out if your information and expertise. If you’ll be homebased, you’ll need and equipment, or if you homeowners’ package covers your business assets, inventory, you need coverage for need additional coverage. If you’re based outside the home, these same items, as well as your physical location. fill out your tax returns and advise you of any special ways you can save money with fill out your tax returns and advise your business structure. on the fine points of general small-business law. You won’t need to call her every on the fine points of general there’s no point in waiting until you have a problem week, or even every month, but to establish a relationship. 48 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business outgrown yourhomeworkspacetoshoparoundforsomethingelse. a roommatewho’sanaspiringrock-and-rolldrummer,waituntilyourcompanyhas plus, andonethatyoushouldnotignore.Unlessyou’vegotaboisterousfamilyor or lunchesinthebuildingcafeteria. It’s alsoeconomical—youdon’tneedtospendmoneyonleasedspace,extrautilities, cabinets, andabookcase. The onlyspacerequirementisanarealargeenoughforyourdesk,chair,filing need anexecutiveofficewithclientseatingoraLucite-and-chromeconferenceroom. set upshopinatrendypartoftown.Becauseallyourbusinessisvirtual,youwon’t occupies. If,forexample, you’reusingone to thepercentageofspace yourhomeoffice deduct apercentageof expensesequivalent income-producing workspace.Youcan you’re usingaportionofyourhomeas to deductmoneyfromyourincometaxesif write-off. TheIRSwillgraciouslyallowyou ability tocountyourhomebusinessasatax at thesametime.Anotheradvantageis be athomewithyourfamilyandwork hours. quiet, clearthinkingthananookinthefamilyroomwithTVblaringatall however, acubbyholeinyourbedroomisliabletobemuchmoreconducive a cornerofthekitchen,oratdiningroomtable.Ifyou’vegotnoisyfamily, choose willbeyourworkstationandcommandcenter. garage), thegarageitself,orasparebedroom.Keepinmindthatwhateverspaceyou just forthebusiness.Youcanlocatethisroominaden,FROG(finishedover convenient; butideally,youshouldhaveadedicatedoffice,roomthat’sreserved the sameroute,youcanlocateyourofficeworkspaceanywhereinhousethat’s Working athomeisnotcompulsoryfortheself-publisher,butit’sadefinite The homeofficeisconvenient:Itcutscommutingtimeandexpensedowntozero. A bigadvantagetothehomeofficeisability toweartwohats—to If adedicatedofficeisnotanoptionforyou,youcanalsostationyourselfin The self-publishersweinterviewedforthisbookhavehomeoffices.Ifyougo The Big The Write-Off The HomeOfficeThe apply for that, too. sary. Ifyou needa zoning variance, whether any permitsare neces- fromout your citygovernment into zoning regulations. Find home, you’ll wantto check If youto workfrom plan Tip Smart 4 / Your Publishing House: Office and Business Structure 49 Smart Tip need enough space You’ll “ship- company your for you’ll an area ping department,” products your use to package It matter if doesn’t shipping. for the kitchen a special or table it’s so office, in your workstation adequate room long as there’s and materials outto spread your professionally. thatwrap package Organized and Efficient Organized The Storage Space The Storage You’ll need storage space for your books Whether you use the fanciest hanging Make sure you have enough space to neatly file bids from printers, distributors, Make sure you have enough space Find a desk or a table large enough to hold your computer, keyboard, phone, pencil Find a desk or a table large enough Even though you will be working at home, it’s important to remember that you Even though you will be working There is an “if” involved here. You can only use this deduction if you’re using a space if you’re only use this deduction here. You can an “if” involved There is after you get them from the printer. We’ll file folders in mahogany drawers, or simple manila ones in cardboard boxes, you must be able to access this information quickly and easily. It’s no fun digging through the back of the clothes closet or running out to the garage every time somebody calls with a question. and other vendors. You’ll also need a place to file manuscript pages in various stages and other vendors. You’ll also forms from customers. You’ll probably need a separate of revision, artwork, and order company brochures, catalogs, and other direct-mail room or storage area to stash your you’ll subscribe to and copies of your own materials, as well as industry magazines books! holder, stapler, etc., and that will be big enough to have room to spread out your holder, stapler, etc., and that working papers. are still a professional. Your work quarters, like yourself, should be organized and are still a professional. Your work a separate room with four walls and a door. Aim efficient. If at all possible, designate You’re going to be spending a lot of time in for pleasant, quiet, well-lit surroundings. comfortable. this space, so you want it to be in your home that serves solely as your office. If you have turned your spare bedroom If you have turned your spare serves solely as your office. in your home that then but conducting your business, and you don’t use it for anything into your office, you’re into a corner of the kitchen, and however, your office is tucked you qualify. If, (unless for the home office deduction in there, you don’t qualify still feeding people oven is actually some sort of quick-dry the IRS that the microwave you can convince printing device). room in an eight-room house, you can deduct one-eighth of your rent or mortgage, or mortgage, of your rent deduct one-eighth house, you can an eight-room room in utility bills. of your can deduct one-eighth plus you 50 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business Make aphysicalsurveyofeachlocation. 3. ______2. ______1. ______telephone. should includeaworkareaforyouandenoughspaceyourdesk,computer, ______Take asurveyofpossiblehomestoragespacesfor books. ❑ ❑ ❑ to locate anddesignyourhome office.this handyworksheet Use ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Willyouneedtoconstructspecialshelving oraddotherstoragespace?Ifso, Whatisthehumidityfactor? Isthereadequatelighting, ventilation,andspaceforyoutoeasilyaccessbooks? Optional:Howcloseisittothekitchen?(Thiscanbeeitheraplus orminus, Isthereroomtospreadoutyourwork? Whatisthenoisefactor? Doyouhaveadequatelighting?Ifnot,cancreateorimportit? Measureyourspace.Willcurrentdeskortable (or theoneyouhaveyour Arephone andelectricaloutletsplacedcloseenoughtoyourequipmentsothat Start bylistingthreepossiblelocationsinyourhomeforoffice,which make noteshere: ______depending onyourcurrentwaistline.) eye on)fit? snaking acrossthecarpet? they canbeaccessedeasily?Orwillyoufacedwithunsightly,unsafecords The HomeOfficeThe 4 / Your Publishing House: Office and Business Structure 51 Outfitting Your Space Outfitting Your The Commercial Office The Commercial Take into consideration, too, book storage and shipping issues. If you go with a Take into consideration, too, book storage and shipping issues. Whether in a home or commercial office, your computer should occupy a place of Whether in a home or commercial office, your computer should Whether your office is in an historic building, a modest office plaza, a downtown Whether your office is in an historic building, a modest office You could go with a downtown loft, a space in a light industrial park, or an older You could go with a downtown If you decide to go for an office outside your home, you can choose just about any If you decide to go for an office For Steve C. in Hinesburg, Vermont, storage is not a problem. “I live in the country storage is not a problem. “I live Hinesburg, Vermont, For Steve C. in If not, you’ll have to look into renting a space, as Anna J. in Texas does. “I used to as Anna J. in Texas does. “I used to look into renting a space, If not, you’ll have light industrial site, it will likely include a warehouse or work space in the back that light industrial site, it will likely include a warehouse or work honor, away from dirt, drafts, and blinding sunlight. The same applies to your printer honor, away from dirt, drafts, and blinding sunlight. The same with every worker’s and fax machine. And don’t forget to outfit your office space favorite piece of equipment—the coffee maker! office, or a barn by the river, you’ll need the same basic setup as in a home office. office, or a barn by the river, you’ll need the same basic setup a few pieces of visitors’ You’ll need plenty of room for your files, plus your desk, chair, furniture, and desks and chairs for any employees you may hire. house in a quaint historic district. Since you won’t need visibility, you could even start house in a quaint historic district. aspiring businessperson who could use help with out by subleasing space from another the rent. spot, so long as it’s clean, dry (books don’t like dampness), quiet, and accessible to the spot, so long as it’s clean, dry (books UPS courier for those book deliveries. on a big piece of land, and my favorite hobby is building and remodeling,” Steve says. is building and remodeling,” Steve land, and my favorite hobby on a big piece of that If I lived in a city apartment, storage facilities I need. “So I’ve built whatever with the publishers are signing up be an option. More and more obviously wouldn’t store large quantities—companies like Publishers’ kinds of fulfillment services that and Pathway. When they get an order from Ingram [a Shipping and Storage, Rayve, of books, they just call the storage company and have book wholesaler] for 90 cases course, there are still lots of self-publishers with one the books shipped from there. Of adequate for storage—as long as they don’t mind or two titles who find their garages parking in the driveway.” have all my books in my house, but since I printed 5,000 copies of each of my last two 5,000 copies of each of my in my house, but since I printed have all my books she says. storage facility,” to rent a climate-controlled books, I have had explore this issue further in Chapter 8. For now, consider having to store a print run a print run having to store consider For now, in Chapter 8. this issue further explore room where a garage or spare Do you have to 5,000 books. from 150 that’s anywhere splendor? dry, low-humidity store them in clean, you can 52 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business these areas. all therightplaces.Yourcomfortandyourhealth dependonmakinggoodchoicesin height, monitordistance,keyboardstyle—and besuretohavelotsoftasklightingin station infrontofacomputer.Considertheergonomics ofyourworkstation—chair site, climate-controlledstorageunittoholdallyourbooks. alternative, likearoominsomebodyelse’soffice,youmightneedtogowithanoff- can serveasanidealstorageandpackagingspace.Butifyou’lltakeonaquirkier Make aphysicalsurveyoftheinteriorofficespacepotentiallocations. 3. ______2. ______1. your home,rentalprice,andstoragespaceforbooks: ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ This worksheet willhelpyouplanyourcommercial office. ❑ Keep inmindthatthebookpublishingbizentails alotoftimesittingatwork Optional:Wherewillyouplaceacoffeemaker?Arefrigerator? Isthereadequatestoragespace? Isthereadequatelightingandproperventilation? Canphoneandelectricaloutletsbeaccessedeasilyatpotentialworkstations? Isthereenoughroomfordesks,computers,andtelephonesyou Start bylistingthreepossiblelocationsforyourofficebasedonproximityto employees whomayneedtheirownunits? The CommercialThe Office 5
Your Startup Finances
As you know, one of the really grand things about self-publishing is that your costs can be relatively low. You won’t need a commercial space, workroom, or equipment for scads of employees, and, if you publish electronically or on-demand, you won’t need thousands of dollars of inventory to put on store 54 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business promoting yourbooksinlaterchapters. company. We’llreturntothecostsassociatedwithbookproductionandselling basic categories: shelves. Butself-publishingisn’t cost-free,either. Your expenses willfallintothree tasks onyourown: tack on.Agoodsystemwillallowyoutoshineasaself-publisherbytakingonallthese drive, monitor,mouse,modem,andprinter,pluswhateverperipheralsyouchooseto In thischapter,we’llexplorethecostsinvolvedinstartingyourself-publishing 3. 2. 1. Communicatingwithrepeatandpotential customers,suppliers,vendors,and • Creating awebsiteandsellingviaanonlineor“virtual” brochureorcatalog. • Accessingresearchmaterials andotherresourcesonline. • Maintainingcustomerdatabases. • Performingaccountingfunctions andgeneratingfinancialreports. • Tracking royalties(yourownfrome-publishingsitesand/orthoseyoupay to • Generatingstationery, invoices,andorderforms. • Creatingyourownbrochures, displayads,andotherdirect-mailpieces. • Writing andeditingpromotionalmaterialslikepress releasesandreviews.(Yes, • Writing andeditingyourmanuscript. • Perhaps themostimportantitemonyourstartuplistisacomputersystem—ahard fall underthiscategory(seeChapter8). be coveredinChapters9and10.Distributors’feesshippingcostswillalso Sales andpromotionexpenses Chapter 6). lish; theyincludethingslikeprinting,illustration,andcopyeditingfees(see Book productionexpenses produce onebookorahundred. and membershipfeestovariousorganizationsthatyou’llincurwhetheryou Company expenses distributors viaemail. other authors). you willsometimescreateyourownforreviewerstoprint!) . Thesearetheexpenseslikeacomputer, software,telephone, Computer Caveats . Thesecostswillbedifferentforeachtitleyoupub- . Thecostsassociatedwithsalesandpromotionwill 5 / Your Startup Finances 55 Smart Tip com- can get your all You sepa- puter components to do which is an OK way rately, specific very things have it if you many times it However, want. you can be less expensive to purchase one indi- but upgrade a package component.vidual Soft on Software Soft . A good basic pro- Word processing Word or gram such as Microsoft Word had Office can be Corel WordPerfect • Most new computers come pre-loaded with all the software you’ll need for basic Most new computers come pre-loaded with all the software As beneficial as your computer is, it can’t help you unless you give it software to As beneficial as your computer Your new computer should be Pentium-class with the latest version of the Windows the latest version of the Windows should be Pentium-class with Your new computer For those readers young enough to remember when calculators first made it beyond first made when calculators enough to remember readers young For those office procedures, although the preloaded basic software may not office procedures, although the preloaded basic software be complex enough for your needs and you may outgrow it pretty fast. Like the specs of the hardware, you can often buy packages with software upgrades preloaded per your specifications (and increased cost into also need to look accordingly). You’ll the following programs: make it sing. A stunning array of software lines the shelves of most office supply stores, make it sing. A stunning array of business task—design and print your own checks, ready to help you perform every materials, make mailing lists and labels, even develop professional-quality marketing act as your own attorney and accountant. operating system, since this is what the majority of software packages are geared of software packages are since this is what the majority operating system, $1,000, if but for not much more than specs change almost weekly, toward. Computer of short- almost unbelieveable amounts get a desktop computer with not less, you can store any software you might want, memory that will run almost term and long-term drives are almost a thing of the past, they haven’t photos, etc. Although CD/DVD sure to get a computer with a drive. That same $1,000 quite reached that status so be the CPU, keyboard, and a 20- or 21-inch monitor can cover a package that includes but you Packages may include even a basic printer, with built-in webcam and speakers. sophisticated printer that can spit out a paper copy of a will want to have a reasonably of time. Even if you plan to do most of your editing your manuscript in a short amount for having a “hard copy” in your hands. electronically, there is still a place scientists and to the general public, they cost well over $100 and up. Now you can buy you can buy $100 and up. Now cost well over public, they and to the general scientists than your that is smaller scientific calculations most complex that does the a calculator the big a calculator) and costs $2.95 at most cell phones contain cell phone (in fact, a similar trajectory, with operating counter. Computers have gone box store checkout program. a calculator as an “accessory” systems that supply 56 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business • • • • the tuneof$2,245for the“Epic” or bereadytoshellout bigbucksto about $495forthe“Sonnet” version, manage yourmailinglists. Pencilin handle billingandorderentry; invoices, royalties,andinventory; you everythingneedtotrack Assistant byUpperAccessInc.gives especially forpublishers.Publishers’ the realthing:softwaredesigned gram andageneral-purposeaccountingprogram, youmightopttostartoffwith Software designedforpublishers pieces. organize maillists,createandimportdatabases,designavarietyof like MyMailListandAddressBookfromAvanquest foraround$30.You can potential participants,you’llalsowanttopurchasealistmanagementprogram Mailing listmanagement dent yourwalletforaround$700. will learntolovethem.ChooseAdobeInDesignorQuarkXpress,whichboth considered challengingtouse.Sobepreparedworkatit,andeventuallyyou materials. Thetwotruepublishingprogramsavailablearepriceyandoften will accept.You can alsousethissoftwareforcreatingsalesandpromotional you generatewithwordprocessingsoftwareintoaformatthatbookprinters Desktop publishing ness finances. and Business,IntuitQuickBooks,orPeachtreeAccountingtotrackyourbusi- You canexpecttopay $30to$180foraprogramlikeIntuitQuickenHome but alsogivesyouadiscountfornothavingtowadethroughallyourreceipts. showing howmuchyouspentforwhat.Your accountantnotonlythanksyou business traveltothechecksyouwrite,andattaxtimeprintoutareport make record-keepingabreeze.You assigncategoriessuchasofficesuppliesand Accounting Small Business,etc.—youchoosetopurchase. tion programPowerPoint,dependingonwhatversion—HomeandOffice, spreadsheet programExcel;thedesignPublisher;andpresenta- which alsoincludessomeconfigurationofthedatabaseprogramAccess; fancy. MicrosoftWord canbeboughtasapackagewithinMicrosoftOffice, respondence, contracts,pressreleases,articles,andwhateverelsestrikesyour for around$100.With thissoftware,youcanwriteyourbook,aswellcor- . ThesesoftwareprogramsareasortofcheckbookonCD,andthey . Thistypeofprogramwillhelpyoutransformthemanuscript . Forthosemailinglistsyou’redevelopingofpastand . Insteadofgoingamateurwithamailinglistpro- save valuable software dollars. If you negotiate wisely, you might yourprograms will suit needs.that word processing andaccounting can often preloaded with buy it your newcomputer, you When you purchase Stretcher Dollar 5 / Your Startup Finances 57 Smart Tip design and host- Website may be higher in ing fees It Shop around. large urban areas. in Atlanta, matter if you’re doesn’t can you Angeles; or Los Chicago, a webmaster in Pipsqueak, hire and work with the South Dakota, designer as easily as if he or she nextwere door. Go ISP! Web Weaving Web edition. You can download a free trial of any version of the program, but you program, but version of the free trial of any download a can You edition. popu- Other for contact information). the Appendix to 24 uses (see are limited Quality Solutions from Publishing programs include software lar publisher Trilogy. Publishing Manager from Solutions Inc. and Many entrepreneurs opt for outsourcing this task instead. What can What can Many entrepreneurs opt for outsourcing this task instead. The cost of putting up and maintaining a business site can vary considerably. If The cost of putting up and maintaining As a self-publisher, you should have your own website. If you plan to sell by mail As a self-publisher, you should As a self-publisher, you must have a safe and reliable ISP, or internet service reliable ISP, or internet service you must have a safe and As a self-publisher, you expect to pay if you outsource website you expect to pay if you outsource website construction? You can pencil in about $300 to $500 for hands-on help from a website designer. As a third option, you may be lucky enough to have a qualified friend or relative who’ll put up your site in exchange for lawn mowing, baby-sitting, or a steady supply of home-baked cookies. Don’t forget that you’ll also need a web host (see Chapter 11 for more information). For now, plan on spending anywhere from $10 to $75, and more, depending how much you’re lucky enough to have a computer brain in the family, or if you take the time you’re lucky enough to have a expert, you can pencil in a zero under website design to become your own computer a definite learning curve, but once you have it, you can and construction costs. There’s you like, without having to rely on an outside make all the changes you like whenever source. order (which includes internet sales), a company site can be a boon. And even if you order (which includes internet help promote your books. don’t go this route, a website can provider, such as America Online, AT&T, People PC, Net Zero, or countless others. PC, Net Zero, or countless America Online, AT&T, People provider, such as your command, you can go anywhere of the World Wide Web at With the power research, your own desktop. You can all from the comfort of on the globe instantly, as communicate with customers and vendors. And it’s promote, and sell books, as well or ISPs, charge about $20 to $25 per month cheap! Most internet service providers, email access. and give you unlimited web and 58 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business for onewithresolutionof4,800x9,600dpi(dotspersquareinch)orbetter. postcards, forexample.Youcanpickupabasicscannerabout$100to$200;look from justaboutanyprintedmedium—books,photographs,brochures,originalart,or Expect topayfrom$200$500foragood-qualitydigitalcamera. bit—and presto!You’vegotthepicturerightinyourdesktoppublishingprogram. title. Thenyouconnectthecameratoyourcomputer,movemousearounda internet, oronaportable driveandof e-publishing sitewillwant sentbyemail, your manuscript—which yourprinteror Photoshop, whichcostsabout$600. Photo, pricedatabout$100,toAdobe’s of programs,fromCorel’sPaintShopPro software. Oryoucanpurchaseanynumber a heckoflotfun!Somedigitalcameras, likeKodak,comecompletewiththis manipulating softwareyouhave.Thisstuffisnotonlygreatforbusinesspurposes,it’s like awatercolor,pastel,oroilpainting—adinfinitum,dependingonthekindofphoto- out onvariousfeatures;blurtheedgesforthatshot-through-gauzelook;makeitlook ways, actingasyourownphotofinishingexpert.Youcancropit;expandzoominor import it. import the material beforeto use you chures, youthat have permission the caseofothercompanies’ bro- own workiscopyright-free, orin the material you scaninto your ics, artwork,text. Make and sure copyright on, includinggraph- You mayalsowant to considerascanner—aniftygadgetthatdigitizesgraphics A goodprinterisa must. Notfor Once thephotoisinyourcomputer,youcanmanipulateitallsortsofinteresting somebody elseholdsa Printer Mania Beware! Remember that you can’t useanything Photo Finish on websites. basic webhosting.SeeChapter11formore you wanttoupdatethesitepermonthfor the craftsprojectsinyourcandle-making trim participantsinyouraerobicsbook,or you simplysnapphotosof,say,theslim-and- digital camera.Withoneofthesegadgets, (or both),youmightwanttospringfora website oryourownadvertisingmaterials If youplanonproducingyourown version. the standard as same functions the performs manyyou’ll of find it the bellsandwhistles, all without for around $100. Ifyou canlive the price,try PhotoshopElements can’t justify Photoshop but If you like Adobe Stretcher Dollar Doing It Digitally Doing It 5 / Your Startup Finances 59 ou’ll also want in to figure ou’ll want the cost also of buying ISBNs (International Y A single ISBN costs $125. If you are pretty certain you are only going only going certain are to publish pretty you are If you A single ISBN $125. costs can purchase them only You ISBN get numbers? your do you Where to spring may want you or carefree, sans souci, publishing life your make To payment and shipping separate have If you cost $150 per address. SANs Take a Number a Number Take Standard Book Numbers) as part of your company setup expenses. The ISBN is a setup expenses. as part company Book Numbers) Standard of your There’s and publisher. binding, number that is used a book by edition, to identify ISBN. attached to the price tag a one book, then go for it. But if you are likely to publish just one more book, go for go for likely to publish just book, are But one more it. if you then go for one book, can pur- You free. getting eight for like of 10 ISBNs purchase—that’s the group will You at a gulp. 10,000 or even 1,000, 100, chase as well: them in bigger bulks processing. expedited for pay extra which acts as Jersey, New in New Providence, Bowker R.R. one source, through your to order Go to www.isbn.org as well as the purveyor. the ISBN databank, one ISBN can order You form. a snail mail order numbers online or download book is available If your e-book. your an ISBN for can order and you at a time, one for need ISBNs, to order three you and as an e-book, softcover, in hardback, can pur- you where will find MyIdentifiers.com, you At isbn.org, each version. upon assigned instantly ISBNs are books. your chase ISBNs for and bar codes order. your paying for This is a number used by publishers, Number. Address or Standard a SAN, for and suppliers to give vendors, and other industry buyers, bookstores, libraries, on your With a SAN billing and shipping information. them instant computerized can you that from or bookstore purchases library any letterhead and invoices, ASAP. into their system and pay you address immediately plug your and then click on Go the SAN to www.isbn.org need you’ll two SANs. addresses, number(s). button your to order which you may likely print but one hard copy—but for all the other materials you’ll materials you’ll all the other copy—but for but one hard may likely print which you labels, contracts, mailing order forms, materials, You’ll have promotional produce. and professional. look polished that will need to other materials and sundry statements, of your company. produce will be a direct reflection The materials you 60 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business $300 for a color inkjet printer, and from $200 to $1,000 or more for a basic laser printer. $300 foracolorinkjetprinter,andfrom$200to$1,000ormorebasiclaserprinter. newsletters, thencolorshouldbeaconsideration.Youcanexpecttopayfrom$150 models do,butifyou’llbeprintinglotsofmarketingmaterials,likebrochuresand of commercialartwork.Color-capablemodelsprintmoreslowlythanblack-and-white before. Youcanpurchaseaninkjet,manyofwhichproduceallthewonderfulcolors One pageperminutecanseemlikeonehour. quite likethefrustrationofwaitingformaterialtotrickleoutaslow-goingprinter: aura ofconfidenceandsuccess.You’llalsowantaprinterthat’sfast.There’snothing and waityourturn. and there’snoearring jabbing youinthesideofheadwhile listentoMuzak financial dataoryourlatest advertisingmaterials,yourshoulderremains unhunched, banker, attorney,insurancecompany,orwhoever. Yourhandsarefreetoworkon A speakerisalsoanicefeature,especiallyfor allthoseon-hold-forevercallstoyour a two-linephonesoyoucanputonelineonhold whileyouareansweringtheother. what thesecostsareinyourarea. the rangeof$40to$60.Checkwithyourlocal phonecompanytodetermineexactly and don’torderbooks.Thephonecompany’s lineinstallationfeeshouldrunyouin it’s unprofessionalandresultsinlostorders.If customerscan’treachyou,theygiveup about phonebills.Andasabusinessperson,youcan’tletcallsgounanswered— multifunctional machineincorporatingfax/copier/scanner/printerfrom$250to$800. check theservicesyouwant. (request forquote)toprinters,whousuallyhavepre-printedformsonwhichyou products ontheinternetcanfaxtheirbookorderstoyou.AndyouRFQs hard-and-fast necessity,butit’sanicetouch.Customerswhocan’t—orwon’t—order Fortunately, the really hot-stuff printers are much less expensive now than ever Fortunately, thereallyhot-stuffprintersaremuchlessexpensivenowthanever You’ll wantsharp,boldgraphicsandhighprintqualitytogiveyourbusinessan If you’reworkingfromahomeoffice(oreven from acommercialone),you’llwant We assumethatyoualreadyhaveatelephone,inwhichcaseknowall You canpurchaseabasicplain-paperfaxforaslittle$50to$150,orfancy Now thatjustabouteverybodycommunicatesbyemail,afaxmachineisnot Phone Fanatic Fax Facts Fax 5 / Your Startup Finances 61 voice mail message mail message voice Don’t “enhance” your “enhance” Don’t Beware! Beware! with background music music with background or a cutesy script. It’s just not It’s or a cutesy script. use an And don’t professional. message—potential electronic to be sure customers want they reached the business they have a Create thought they called. message butpersonal keep business your Give it simple. clearly and care- name—spoken fully—and ask callers to leave a short phone message and a calling Thank them for number. them thatsomeone assure and will return their office your from as soon as possible. call —or seen the movie—you know how really —or seen the movie—you know Misery Misery If you’re a computer newbie, you may not realize that even a flicker of power loss If you’re a computer newbie, you may not realize that even a Why are we suddenly discussing the subject? To convince you to invest in an Why are we suddenly discussing the subject? To convince If you’ve read Stephen King’s If you’ve read Stephen King’s You also probably already have a cell You also probably You can expect to pay about $70 to $150 $70 to $150 expect to pay about You can can shut down your computer, causing it to forget all the data you have carefully can shut down your computer, causing it to forget all the horror—fry your entered during your current work session, or—the ultimate lose power to your computer’s brains entirely. With a UPS in your arsenal, you won’t flashes red and sounds system when the house power fails or flickers. Instead, the unit a warning, giving you ample time to safely shut down your computer. uninterruptible power supply, or UPS (not to be confused with UPS—United Parcel or uninterruptible power supply, if you live in an area Service), for your computer system. This is especially important if you have a pet or where lightning or power surges are frequent phenomena. (Or small child who thinks disconnecting the power is kind of fun.) traumatic it can be to lose that book you have been working on so diligently. (If you traumatic it can be to lose that our word for it. You do not want to chance losing a aren’t up on your King, take manuscript. It’s every writer’s worst nightmare.) phone. If you don’t want a dedicated cell phone. If you your business (many use it phone line for a landline at all), then you instead of having business landline number can still have your when you are forwarded to your cell phone want to get away from your desk but still run the business calls. Cell phone packages as more and gamut for costs, particularly phones more features are added. “Smart” can check and are handy for businesses—you the internet respond to emails and search from just about anywhere. for a two-line speakerphone with auto redial, with auto redial, speakerphone for a two-line lights, mute button, dial, flashing memory goodies. Add another $20 and other assorted answering machine, or $6 to to $100 for an for voice mail service. $12 per month 62 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business the surgeprotectoralsodefendsitsphoneline. money (expecttopayintherangeof$15$60).Ifyou’vegotafaxmachine,besure will belostifthepowergoesout,soasurgeprotectordojobforlotless not needabatterybackupbecausenodata printer, faxmachine,andcopier.Theydo other valuableofficeequipment,likeyour monitor, butyou’llwantprotectionfor your computer’sharddrive(orCPU)and backup willdoubleasasurgeprotectorfor during stormsoroutages.Yourbattery electronic equipmentfrompowerspikes these indispensableunits. pay between$70and$200orupforoneof phone lineprotection.Youcanexpectto you wanttobesurethatyourUPSincludes World WideWebthroughthetelephone, time ontheinternet,whichaccesses that’s goneoutofbusiness orhasupgradeditsunit. bargain hunterrouteand buyaused(butstillserviceable)machine from acompany can leaseorpurchasethe terminalitselffromthemerchantbank,or youcangothe mind thatthisisanindustry that’sgrowingrapidlywithbetterdeals all thetime.You a lookattheElectronicCardTerminal Feesonpage63foranidea,butalsokeepin factors, includingthecompanyyougowith and yourpersonalcredithistory.Take around (especiallyontheweb),andyou’llfind avarietytochoosefrom. to theSOHO,orsmalloffice/homeoffice,and totheinternetentrepreneur.Shop phone, ontheweb,orbyfax,andsendout orderimmediately. faster forcustomersandyoubecausecan takecreditcardinformationoverthe payments, andcreditcardsarethemethodofchoice.Theymakepaymenteasier stores, aswellthroughabookdistributor.Soyou’llneedmethodofaccepting that you’lllikelybesellingyourbooksontheinternet,bydirectmail,ortospecialty A surgeprotectorsafeguardsyour If you’llbespendingalargeamountof What canyouexpecttopayforanelectronic terminal?Feesdependonseveral More andmoremerchantcardservicefirmsare springingupthatcaterspecifically An electroniccreditcardterminalcanbeamajorboontoyourbusiness.Remember Electronic Money Electronic as $5amonth. backed up.it Costs canbeaslittle time yourthe last computer since youthat have anything stored on system updatesitsmemorywith twice aday,the cloudbackup MobileMe from Apple. Onceor as “cloud storage,” like Mozyor online backup system, known needs,to an to signon besure must,to really cover your backup andbatterybackuptector are a power supply/surge pro- Although anuninterrupted Tip Smart 5 / Your Startup Finances 63 $19 to fee per trans- address verification purchase or purchase $19 to . $72 per month $72 per month $62 per month
fee to send charges from the electronic terminal to the merchant Electronic Card Terminal Fees Terminal Electronic Card Fees daily batchout (If your monthly sales are less (Multiply each transaction by (Multiply each transaction the bank adds fee (another *Merchant card services charge higher discount rates for orders taken by mail, internet, or*Merchant card services charge higher discount rates for orders taken card terminal. Why?phone than for those handled in person, or swiped, through the credit there, you and theBecause if a customer signs for your product or service while he’s standing merchant service run less risk of a charge-back In addition to the fees shown here, you may be charged an action, a to ask and negotiate service in batches or chunks, and an annual membership fee. Be sure before you sign up!
Programming fee Electronic card terminal usually free with $300 to $600 with usually free $300 to $600 equipment lease or or purchase purchase equipment lease or purchase Application fee $0 to $75 $0 to $75 Monthly minimum than the minimum amount, you pay this amount.) $10 to $20 $10 to $20 Discount rate ticket fee x this rate, i.e., $200 Item the bank 1.59% = $3.18 that the charges you to process transaction.) Transaction fee 1.18% to 1.89% each transaction on for processed) (Swiped*) Fees statement fee Monthly 2.09% to 2.50% 20 cents Internet Order) $5 to $10 or Phone, (Mail, 25 to 30 cents $5 to $15 lease option lease option 64 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business minutes! YoucanalsooptforUPSorFedExshipping;dropitattheclosestbox. at theendofyourdriveway(ornearestpostoffice).Fulfillmentorderscantake the package,andputitinUSPSmailbox label, printitoutonyourprinter,attachto couple buttonstocreateapre-paidmailing shipping aphysicalbook,youcanclick for shipping(ifapplicable),andifyouare to yourPayPalaccount,yougettheaddress in youraccountandforwhat.Whenyougo notice fromPayPalthatsomeoneputmoney PayPal accounttoyours.Yougetanemail types ofcreditcardsordirectlyfromtheir can payforyourbookswithseveraldifferent on thelevelofserviceyouchoose,customers to PayPalandsetupanaccount.Depending online paymentserviceownedbyeBay.Go that yourworkenvironmentiscomfortableandergonomic,butifyouarehomebased for information PitneyBowesauthorized about digital postagemeters. meter/electronic scaleto $100permonth. for $18 about CheckPitneyWorks.com or purchase. Asaballpark figure,to rent acombination postage you canexpect viaphoneorcomputer. it reset reset, it to get and standinline you but don’t haveto anymore! Nowyou simply you’dthat to be used it officethe post have to lugyourto postagemeterdown staple, insert, seal, label, weigh, sort, stack, wrap, andstampyour mail. Phew!And, from “going postal.” Dependingonhowsnazzyamodelyou choose, you canfold, Not GoingPostalNot You canalsosimplyusePayPal,the Office furnitureforyourpublishingdomainisanotheroptionalitem.It’simportant The fancier andfasterthe machine, to rent,the more willbe expensive it lease, I f you mail, planonsellingviadirect apostagemetermaykeep you Domain Décor leasing ahigher-end model. to your heart’s content, consider up. Ifyouto collate feelthe need range fromto $2,000 $200 and the needarises.time Copiers the copy centerto everyrun down your ownofficethan havingto to runoffeasier afew copies in fliers, andothergoodies. It’s far for runningoff forms, brochures, anecessaryluxury may findit item, asyou but grow you The copier isanoptional Tip Smart 5 / Your Startup Finances 65 Pen and Paper Pen hile you’re investigating professional associations, check out associations, professional investigating hile you’re W SPAWN’s $45 annual membership fee includes a newsletter, a member direc- a newsletter, includes membership fee $45 annual SPAWN’s You’ll also need envelopes, business cards, pens, pencils, and all those miscellaneous You’ll also need envelopes, business Don’t forget that you’ll also need paper—lots of it—to print various drafts of your Don’t forget that you’ll also need Chairs are a very personal matter. Some people like the dainty secretary’s chair for like the dainty secretary’s chair personal matter. Some people Chairs are a very The big office supply warehouse stores typically offer midrange desks from $200 offer midrange desks from supply warehouse stores typically The big office Spawn of Publishers Spawn tory, chapter meetings, discounts on seminars and workshops, discount supple- discount on seminars and workshops, discounts chapter meetings, tory, discounts publishers, small for an online bookstore benefits service, health mental Plus—as an added bonus—SPAWN own web page. very and your on web services, members get on Association membership. a discount their Publishers Marketing SPAWN, which is the acronym for Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network. Writers Network. Artists and Publishers, Small for which is the acronym SPAWN, seeks to SPAWN as its name implies. mission, different has a slightly This group as well as editors and photographers, designers, graphic illustrators, authors, give and ideas. a place information to share and self-publishers, office supplies like paper clips, cellophane tape, and staples. And if you’ll do any sort office supplies like paper clips, book as well as press releases and correspondence. Plan on allocating about $45 for a book as well as press releases and paper. This will give you ten reams of 500 sheets box of good-quality printer/copier of paper, but it goes quickly!) each. (It might sound like a lot its economy of space; others want the tonier, high-back executive model. There are high-back executive model. There space; others want the tonier, its economy of pockets to pneumatic height adjustments. Prices chairs with everything from kangaroo range from $60 to $250 and up. to $300, computer work centers for around $200, printer stands from $50 to $75, two- printer stands from $50 to $75, work centers for around $200, to $300, computer $25 to as your printer stand) from file cabinets (which can double drawer letter-size for $25 to $70. $100, and bookcases it’s perfectly acceptable to start off with an old door set on cinder blocks for a desk for a desk set on cinder blocks an old door to start off with acceptable it’s perfectly real office the big step toward ready to go files. When you’re crate for your and an egg of possibilities a stunning array you’ve got look, for that oh-so-professional furniture to choose from. 66 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business and agun-styletapedispenser. collection ofshippingsupplies,includingsturdybubble-linedenvelopes,sealingtape, to sendoffyourproducts.You’llspendintherangeof$100$150forastarter of mailorder(whichincludesinternetsales),you’llwantshippingmaterialsinwhich probably jointheChamber ofCommerce Social Responsibility.If thatdidn’texistI’d book businessisVermont Businessesfor group Ibelongtothatisnotspecifica and organizations Ibelongto)are (other thanthoseassociatedwiththe service thatletsyoucreateorjoinemaillists(www.egroups.com/group/pub-forum)]. forum listserv[aforindependentbookpublishers offeredthrougheGroups,afree American BooksellersAssociation(ABA)andan activemember/participantinthepub- Publishers (NAIP), theVermontBookPublishersAssociation(VBPA),andIndependent Association ofNorthAmerica(SPAN),NationalIndependentPublishers that willhelpyousellbooks. abreast oftheconstantchangesinbookbusinessesandtoshareinsightsideas can sparetimefor,”advisesSteveC.inVermont.“Theyprovideopportunitiestokeep and doingthat.” questions, aswellasupportteamofotherpublisherswhoareactively“beingthere publishing world.You’llalsohaveaccesstoindustryguruswhocananswerpressing steps givesyouup-to-the-nanosecondinformationonnews,reviews,andissuesinthe professional organizationsandsubscriptionstoindustrypublications.Takingthese List” onpage67. Office EquipmentChecklist”onpage68,and“TheSuppliesMini-Shopping when youhittheofficeandcomputersuperstores.Youwillfind“TheSelf-Publisher’s and runningasaself-publisher—includingtwotake-alongcheckliststohaveinhand “Among themagazinesItake “I belongtoIndependentBookPublishersAssociation(IBPA), SmallPublishers “It’s goodtobelongasmanyorganizationsandnetworkingopportunitiesyou But there’sstillmoretocome!Youshouldalsobudgetformembershipin We’ve nowgivenyouashoppinglistofeveryofficegizmoyou’llneedtogetup Publishers Weekly of NewEngland(IPNE),”Stevesays.“I’malsoanassociatemember ,” saysSteve.Another Get ProfessionalGet ForeWord
ance to shipping. on avariety ofservices, from insur- often qualifies you for discounts professional associations Membership in Stretcher Dollar 5 / Your Startup Finances 67 Spanning the Industry Spanning the The Office Supplies Mini-Shopping List Mini-Shopping Supplies The Office Bubble-lined envelopes Sealing tape dispenser Tape ❑ ❑ ❑ Computer/copier/fax paper paper Computer/copier/fax cards business Blank stationery letterhead Blank envelopes Matching mail orders): (for Shipping materials folders File $ Return address stamp or stickers cartridge printer Extra cartridge fax Extra discs CD-ROM backup for Flash drive pad Mouse etc.) Miscellaneous office supplies (pencils, paper clips, ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ The Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN—spannet.org) is a The Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN—spannet.org) Total Office Supplies Expenditures Supplies Expenditures Office Total $ Items terrific place to start your professional hobnobbing. With more than 1,100 members, terrific place to start your professional hobnobbing. With more this group offers all sorts of membership perks including: and Better Business Bureau, but being a member of a BSR group establishes to the and Better Business Bureau, but being a member of a BSR public that you are a highly ethical business.” 68 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business sheet onpage74!sheet item,total,the the addup this figure in anduse “Your Company Costs” Startup work- least halfonofficeleast equipment,to make youmay want modifications. ees, youspendat that the stipulation inheritedamilliondollarswith oryoujust the one-personhomeofficedesigned with inmind. partners, Ifyou’vegot employ- asashoppingguideforthis handylist equippingyouroffice.Use hasbeen It oa fieEupetFriueEpniue $ Total OfficeEquipment/Furniture Expenditures ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Not onthecriticallist ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ After you’vedecidedwhatyouwanttobuy,fillinthepurchasepricenexteach Bocs Bookcase Filing cabinet Desk chair Desk Copier Scanner Digital camera Postagemeter(costtolease) Electroniccreditcardterminal(costtoleaseorbuy) Calculator Surge protector Flash drive Uninterruptible power supply Answeringmachine(orvoicemail) Phone(s),twotothreelines Software: Faxmachine Laserorinkjetprinter Windows-based Pentium-class PC with VAmntr oe,adC-O $ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ SVGA monitor,modem,andCD-ROM The Self-Publisher’sThe Office Checklist Equipment pcat otae management Mailinglist Specialty software Desktoppublishing Word processing 5 / Your Startup Finances 69 IBPA Read All AboutRead It have to pay them royalties for being listed on their site) royalties for being listed on have to pay them There’s no dearth of reading material in the publishing industry—in fact, there’s There’s no dearth of reading material in the publishing industry—in • on publishing/advertising/marketing services discounts Various • Dispute resolution program • Exhibit opportunities at book trade shows • Discounted freight and mailing services insurance • Health insurance • Liability • Merchant credit card acceptance program • Discounted rate for Nielsen Bookscan newsletter • Monthly of employees in The cost for all these member services depends on the number Another handy organization to be affiliated with is the Independent Book Publishers Another handy organization to • including FedEx on book freight and shipping, Discounts • program Co-op advertising • of book wholesaler fee Waiver • library distribution services Access to At this writing, annual membership tallies in at What does it cost to join SPAN? • about all-things-publishing blog, IndyPub, to the SPAN Access • publications Discounts on industry • other exhibitions in book expos, fairs, and Participation • (i.e., you do not online bookstore SPAN’s sales of your books on Royalty-free so much that you could easily spend all your time perusing other people’s texts instead so much that you could easily spend all your time perusing other your company. For a publisher with one to nine employees (which will more than your company. For a publisher with one to nine employees is $95. likely describe you at this point), the annual membership fee Association, or IBPA. With more than 4,000 members, IBPA advances the efforts of IBPA more than 4,000 members, With Association, or IBPA. worldwide. Like SPAN, it also offers many book, audio, video, and CD publishers perks for its members, including: $89 per year, which isn’t a bad investment! $89 per year, which isn’t a bad 70 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business of thisbook.) publications. (YoucancheckoutmanymorethatarelistedintheAppendixatback speed inthefield.Werecommendyoustartwithsubscriptionstofollowingthree of producingyourown.Butasasavvyself-publisher,youwillwanttostayup spending significantlymore thanhercolleague,eventhoughbothcompanies willbe publishers, Glowworm PressandBell&CandlePublishing(seepages 71and72). and “Self-PublisherCompany StartupExpenses”chartsfortwohypothetical self- idea ofhowmuchyoucanexpecttobudget, checkoutthe“EquipmentExpenses” legal advice,andalltheothercostsintrinsicto anycompany’sbirth.Togiveyouan into, youwillwanttoaddotherexpenseslike businesslicenses,insurance, expenses we’veinvestigatedinthischapter.Besides theoneswe’vealreadychecked on yourgrossannualrevenues. omissions ordefectiveadvice.Budget$1,200to$2,500peryear;costsvarydepending add specialpublisher’sliabilitycoveragetocoveryouforhorrorsincludingerrorsand $100 to$500annuallyoveryourexistinghomeowner’spolicy.Thenyou’llwant and equipment,orifyouneedadditionalcoverage.Asaballparkfigure,allowfrom need tofindoutifyourhomeowner’spackagecoversbusinessassets,inventory, 3. 2. 1. As youperusethesepublishers’ setupcosts,youwillseethatBell &Candleis OK, nowit’stimetodonyourbookkeeping cap andtallyupthecompanysetup Don’t forgetinsurance.Sinceyourofficewillmostlikelybeinhome,you’ll body inthefield. publishing trade.It’s priceyat$240peryear, butreadbyeverybodywho’s any- Publishers Weekly helpful tipsandhints.Anannualsubscriptionof13issuescostsabout$20. for writersthanpublishers,butsinceself-publishersareboth,itisalwaysfullof Writer’s Digest small andindependentpresses.Amust-read,sobudget$40for12annualissues. ForeWord chocolate shop?Besidesunderstandingoneofthetrulyimportantfoodgroups, ForeWord does a wonderful job of providing news and reviews specifically about doesawonderfuljobofprovidingnewsandreviewsspecificallyabout . Whocouldn’t likeapublicationwithworldheadquartersover . Thisvenerablepublicationisasthenameimplieswrittenmore . Thenamesaysitall—news,reviews,andlotsmoreforthe Are YouInsured? Tally Up It 5 / Your Startup Finances 71 Equipment Expenses Equipment Expenses Furniture, Equipment Furniture, Equipment Glowworm Bell & Candle Computer system Computer system Total Expenditures $1,027 $6,341
(including printer) & Supplies Fax machine Software Phone system Uninterruptible power supply Surge protector Calculator Press Postage meter 0 Copier 0 Electronic credit card terminal $150 Desk Desk chair Publishing $70 Printer stand $300 0 File cabinet $2,500 0 Bookcase $125 Printer/copier paper $250 $24 $25 Blank business cards Letterhead paper $90 Matching envelopes $450 $995 materials No. 10 blank envelopes 0 Shipping $34 (for mail orders) 0 0 $117 Address stamp or stickers $25 0 $75 Extra printer cartridges 0 $6 Extra fax cartridge 0 $30 Mouse pad $35 $500 $3 Rewritable CDs Flash drive $100 $10 $300 $70 Miscellaneous office supplies $50 $70 $117 $50 $12 $70 $30 $35 $80 $6 $50 $10 $150 $7 $70 0 $25 $80 $100 $12 $10 $50 72 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business attributed tocomputer andwebsite-relateditems.Bell&Candle,for instance,will homebased withtheowner astheonlyemployee.Thebiggestcostdifferences canbe A $100 $205 0 $1,150 $120 $205 $300 (add roughly10percentoftotal) $500 $375 $850 Miscellaneous expenses $50 $120 $180 SAN $100 $219 ISBN(setof10) 0 Insurance(sixmonths) $375 $50 Webhosting(sixmonths) $50 $90 Websitedesignandmarketing $100 Publishing $6,341 (sixmonths) Internetserviceprovider $235 Miscellaneouspostage Press Legalservices $90 $1,027 Subscriptions Phone(installation/linecharges) $190 Licenses onpage71) (seechart Costs Equipmentandofficesupplies Professionalassociations
oa tru ot $,6 $10,764 $9,785 $3,561 $3,237 Total Costs Startup Subtotal Self-Publisher Company Expenses Startup lwom Bell&Candle Glowworm 34 $979 $324 5 / Your Startup Finances 73 Going Plastic Friends and Family Romancing the Bank the Romancing Another route many entrepreneurs take to obtain financing is through an entity as Another route many entrepreneurs take to obtain financing is If you go with someone from your own inner circle, you’ll have less paperwork to If you go with someone from your own inner circle, you’ll have Most entrepreneurs use a very exclusive source to finance their startup expenses— Most entrepreneurs use a very You might want to consider financing through your bank or credit union. In this case,You might want to consider financing Now that you’ve done all the arithmetic, you can determine just how much capital Now that you’ve done all the arithmetic, You can use the worksheet “Your Company Startup Costs” on page 74 to list the Company Startup Costs” “Your can use the worksheet You close as your back pocket—the credit card. Before you choose this option, take a look close as your back pocket—the credit card. Before you choose fill out, and you can let your financier share in the excitement as your company takes fill out, and you can let your financier share in the excitement of borrowed funds into off. But remember that you’ll still need to figure the repayment as seriously as you your costs, and that you should treat your repayment agreement would any bank loan. family and friends. You may choose to go this route yourself, especially because family and friends. You may businesses like bankers are generally not very gung-ho about so-called nontraditional self-publishing. your projected startup costs will be extremely important. The bank will want to see all ofyour projected startup costs will and carefully calculated. You’ll also want to show themthis information neatly laid out about the bright future of the self-publishing industry. all the statistics you can gather you’ll need to start your company. If you find that your bank account falls short of you’ll need to start your company. all these beautifully executed figures to prospective the necessary funds, you can show them that your business is a good risk and that lenders. This will help you convince difficulty. you’ll be able to repay a loan without expenses you will have for setting up your own company. If you make a few copies of company. If you make a few have for setting up your own expenses you will will them all, and decide which can work up several options, compare this sheet, you for you. be the best one go with an all-new, top-of-the-line computer system and software, while Glowworm Glowworm and software, while system computer an all-new, top-of-the-line go with computer-savvy Glowworm’s software. And system and the owner’s existing will use Candle’s owner while Bell & website, put up the company’s also design and owner will functions. will outsource these 74 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business
IB ISBN SAN Insurance Miscellaneous postage Mini-Shopping List” onpage67) total from Office supplies(insert “The Office Supplies Web hosting Websitedesignandmarketing Internetserviceprovider $ Legal services Subscriptions Phone (installation/linecharges) Licenses Office Checklist” Equipment onpage68) total from Office (insert equipment “The Self-Publisher’s Professional associations orTtlSatpCss $ Your Total Costs Startup Miscellaneous expenses(addroughly10percent oftotal) Subtotal $ Your Company Costs Startup 5 / Your Startup Finances 75 at your available credit balance and at the annual percentage rate. Card companies Card companies rate. the annual percentage balance and at available credit at your service; they up or to use their to sign rates as an incentive offer low, low frequently the one that of time. Go with a certain period rates after raise these interest usually for the longest period. offers the best rate
6
More Bookkeeping Production Costs
In the last chapter, we explored the costs involved in setting up your business office, including everything from com- puter equipment to memberships in professional organizations. But there’s much more to the excitement—and the expense—of self- publishing. There are also the actual costs involved in producing a 78 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business take. We’ll investigateallofthatinthischapter. book, fromproofreading,toillustrations,printing,ifthat’s therouteyoudecideto a worksheetfordeterminingyourownbookproductioncostsonpage97. 288 pages,withafour-colordustjacket,andnointeriorartwork.We’vealsoprovided for asnazzierpresentation,with6-by-9hardcover(orcaseboundbook)thatwillbe be 192pages,withafour-colorcoverandnointeriorartwork.Bell&Candleisgoing be. Glowworm Glowworm PressandBell&CandlePublishing,asaguideforwhatyourcostsmay through thischapter.Youcanusethecostsincurredbyourhypotheticalpublishers, someone elsetodothemforyou. competently performsomeoftheseservicesyourself,terrific!Ifnot,it’sworthittopay they willnotfeelthattheinformationlooksreliable.Ifyou’reaprofessionalwhocan worst formofself-publishing,andprospectivereaderswon’tbuyit—ifit’snonfiction, going tobuyit.Distributors,booksellers,andlibrarianswillperceiveyourbookasthe riddled withtyposandgrammaticalglitches,itsmacksofamateurismnobodyis to skimpon.Ifyourbook’sartworkisclumsy,thelayoutawkward,andtext copyediting, andproofreading.Theseareimportantelementsthatyoudonotwant production longbeforeit’sreadyfortheprinter,thingslikecoverandinteriordesign, be: Howmuchdoesitcosttoproduceabook?Alotofelementsgointobook’s from yourimaginationintoaboundgroupofpages.Abetterquestiontoaskmight book? Thisisaverygoodquestion,butprintingonlyoneaspectofgettingbook seconds tocommunicate itsvalueasasource seconds tomakeapositive impact—eight on theshelf.Thatmeans yourbookhaseight cover beforemovingontothenextselection astonishing eightsecondsperusingabook’s concerned. Theaverageconsumerspendsan world—at leastnotasfarreadersare its coverdoesn’tholdtrueinthepublishing Look atthechartcalled“BookProductionCosts”onpage92asyouread Prospective self-publishersalwayswanttoknow:Howmuchdoesitcostprinta The oldadagethatyoucan’ttellabookby A BookbyItsCover Press isgoingwitha6-by-9softcover(ortradepaperback)thatwill Pre-Production Basics cyan, magenta, yellow, andblack. you willseeabbreviated asCMYK: blue, red, yellow, andblack, which specific mixoffour basiccolors: hue andshadeisderived from a called four-color because every the rainbow.the colors in all It’s four-color refers actually to When discussinggraphics, Tip Smart 6 / More Bookkeeping: Production Costs 79 Designer Search which, while a considerable expense, may pay for itself in the long run. expense, may pay for itself in the long run. which, while a considerable ™ How much does it cost to have a cover professionally designed? Prices vary with How much does it cost to have “Don’t expect free work beforehand to see if she understands your idea,” Pam adds. “Don’t expect free work beforehand to see if she understands your Since the cover design of your book is so critical to its success, how do you find Since the cover design of your book is so critical to its success, Dunn & Associates is one of the savvy book design firms who have embraced the savvy book design firms who have embraced Dunn & Associates is one of “A designer who specializes in book covers knows about the appropriate positioning about the appropriate positioning specializes in book covers knows “A designer who the type of cover, colors, images, graphics, and effects. A one-color softcover book the type of cover, colors, images, a fancy four-color dust jacket with multiple images or will be far less expensive than As a ballpark, pencil in a minimum of $1,000 graphics embossed with foil lettering. There are many design companies offering cover to $2,500 for a “full-service” design. your homework. They may not offer original designs design for as low as $300, but do photography that you are likely to see pop up on or might make liberal use of stock what you are getting for your money. other covers. Be sure you know If you plan to do more than one book, you won’t be stumbling along learning the book, you won’t be stumbling along learning the If you plan to do more than one process on the fly. “Pay to see roughs only—maybe $200 for some very rough sketches to see if she’s on “Pay to see roughs only—maybe $200 for some very rough sketches book to look and there’s the right track. If you have an idea about how you want your know the title. She another book that looks similar, bring it along or let the designer can look it up on Amazon.com.” a designer that will do your project justice? Choose one with whom you can forge a a designer that will do your project justice? Choose one with at Opus 1 Design healthy relationship, counsels Pam Terry, owner and senior designer your work. See if you in Beverly Hills, California. “Feel that she’s enthusiastic about and critiques. like her style. Make sure she’s open for comments, suggestions, the burgeoning self-publishing world. Their website offers tips for self-publishers world. Their website offers tips for self-publishers the burgeoning self-publishing process go more smoothly. And for those that want that will help make the design of creating their book, they have created a Bestseller to be led through the process System of text and graphics, the power of the spine and back, the ‘rules’ for bar codes, how back, the ‘rules’ for bar codes, the power of the spine and of text and graphics, the book methods, how to speak for specific book manufacturing to prepare artwork book scheduling and positioning of your and understands the critical printer’s language, Kathi Dunn of Dunn & Associates the marketing process,” explains cover design in a graphic “If you choose to hire in Hayward, Wisconsin. Design (dunn-design.com) to invest design, be sure you have time not experienced in book cover designer who is for the results.” are willing to take responsibility in supervision and of information or entertainment. That is not much time. And it’s the reason that many that many And it’s the reason is not much time. That or entertainment. of information covers. Even to produce their book designers professional turn to savvy publishers need a “cover.” e-books 80 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business illustrations areinthesamestyleasyouenvision foryourbook. credit (usuallycitedonthecopyrightpage) booksyoulikewhosecoversand/or checking thecoverandinteriorillustrator You canfindnamesofillustratorsby (See contactinformationintheAppendix.) Illustrators ortheGraphicArtistsGuild. the SocietyofChildren’sBookWritersand needs. Shopforanillustratorbygoingto is togetquotesbasedonyourparticular to pencilthisexpenseintoyourbookbudget color, full-pagesplendor.Theonlyrealway line drawingsordozensofpagesfour- whether you’llneedafewblack-and-white carry it,anditwon’tgetreviews.You’lldiewithagaragefullofcopies.” it is—ifdoesn’tlookprofessionalandattractive,bookstoresdistributorswon’t book thatlookslikeamateursthrewittogether.Itdoesn’tmatterhowgooda hire aprofessional.Thebiggestmistakemanynewpublishersmakeisproducing illustrations,” saysSteveC.inVermont.“Ifyou’renotgoodatpackaging,youshould hire anillustrator. If you’reanartistorhaveoneinyourfamily,homefree.not,you’llneedto other artwork,youwillhaveyetanotherreasontothinkabouthiringaprofessional. versions. all versionsofthebook,fromhardcovertopaperback,e-bookprint-on-demand Creating acoverforyoure-bookgivesbookanidentifierthatcanbethesame tense frompresentto past andbackagainthroughoutyourtext, or thefactthat your materialisn’tgarbled, inconsistent,orotherwiseconfused. turn to.Thisbehind-the-scenesexpertwillread yourtextorcopytomakesurethat Prices forprofessionalillustratorsarealloverthemapanddependon “I hireagraphicartisttodomycoversandhavehiredotherartistsforinterior If youplantoproduceachildren’sbook,orothertitlethatincludesdrawingsand Don’t thinkjustbecauseyouarepublishingane-bookthatwon’tneedacover. Copyeditors lookforall sortsofmanuscriptproblems,likethefactthat youchange The copyeditor,alsocalledacontenteditor, isanotherprofessionalyoushould Drawing the Line Copy Quality to soundgoodonpaper!” your writingskills. We want you your feelings orslight to hurt Carolina.North “We don’t mean Editorial inDurham, Services counsels Laura Poole ofArcher the copyeditor personally,” take“Don’t any changesby Tip Smart 6 / More Bookkeeping: Production Costs 81 Smart Tip finished book Text in a should be single-spaced. your manu- But when you submit script or proof- to a copyeditor on, send it reader to be worked This gives them double-spaced. lines to make room between the also marks you as corrections and a professional. How do you know whom to choose? “Find someone who has experience editing How do you know whom to choose? “Find someone who has How much should you pencil in for a copyeditor? Ink in $2 to $3 per manuscript How much should you pencil in for a copyeditor? Ink in $2 Anna J. in Texas agrees. “I hired an editor and proofreader for my third book, Anna J. in Texas agrees. “I hired “I was a professional editor before I started this business, but even so, when I’m “I was a professional editor before the type of book you’ve written,” says Laura Poole. “Use someone with whom you are the type of book you’ve written,” says Laura Poole. “Use someone a whole chapter) for an comfortable. Be willing to submit a sample (from two pages to editor to do, and be willing to pay for their time.” page—which is double-spaced with one-inch margins and standard 10-point to page—which is double-spaced with one-inch margins and Editorial Services in 12-point font (see Chapter 7), advises Laura Poole of Archer by the hour; a ballpark Durham, North Carolina. You may also see prices quoted level of editing your range is $25 to $50 per hour, a lot of which depends on the particular book needs. which had a lot of text,” she says. “I’m glad I did. She has a degree in English, and she which had a lot of text,” she says. good for a number of reasons. She was a stickler for was wonderful. Hiring her was was ‘stylistic’ or sure if something when she wasn’t perfection and looked things up me throughout the process and asked me what kind just plain wrong. She worked with But most importantly, of editing/proofreading I wanted and adhered to what I said. authors, and her fresh she was unfamiliar with the jargon and experiences of the were a bit unclear.” perspective brought to the forefront any passages that to a layman editing a book I become too close to it to see all the mistakes, the awkward phrases, editing a book I become too close says Steve C. in Hinesburg, Vermont. “I usually do the the gaps in information, etc.,” to two or three freelancers. Some of the freelancers heavy editing, then send it out majors who love books and offer their services are professionals, others are English who go through a book to make corrections and for cheap. The more literate people will be.” suggestions, the better book it your character’s mom is named Thelma in is named Thelma mom your character’s (Hey, in Chapter 6. 2 and Nonie Chapter mid- the name in You change it happens. whatever reason and forget manuscript for correct earlier pages.) They to go back and like the fact that you said can catch errors in Chapter 3, but cold cereal is unhealthy good for you in Chapter 4. that granola is look for style glitches. Say Copyeditors also in every chapter except you put tip boxes you start each story with Chapter 8, or that through the book. In other words, they nitpick—but a quote but stop doing so halfway writing a manuscript, it’s hard to see the forest for the in the best way. When you’re do just that. trees, but a good copyeditor can 82 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business page. revised andrearranged.Ratesforagoodproofreaderrangefrom$1to$2.50per also isabletocatchmistakesthataremadeinthecopyeditingprocess,astext typo evenwhenithasstaredyouinthefacethroughtenrevisions.Theproofreader in yourownwork—you’resoclosetoitthatyoucanbecompletelyblindablatant is concentratingjustonthat.It’s extremelydifficulttodetectthesesortsofglitches your bookis“setintype,”youwillwanttohaveitproofreadagainbysomeonewho identification purposes. complement theglobal EAN.UCCIDsystemthatmostotherconsumer goodsusefor can beassigned.Inaddition, thenewsystemwillmakebooknumbering system the ISBNsystemtogrowitsnumberingcapacity andallowformorenumbersthat amount of10-digitnumberswasrunninglow. Thenew13-digitsystemwillallow In short,therewasanumbershortage.So many booksarebeingpublished,the of language versionwillhaveadifferentISBNthantheEnglishone.Andaudiobook revised secondedition.ThepaperbackeditionwillcarryitsownISBN.Japanese- first editionof each ofyourproductsasaspecificversiontitle.Theclassichardcover jacket aswellsomewhereinthefrontmatterorfirstfewpages. Every bookhasitsownindividual13-digitISBNprintedonthebackcoverordust name. Forbooks,thisnumberistheISBN,orInternationalStandardBookNumber. Providence, NewJersey(www.isbn.org). you intendtousethenumbers.TheymustbepurchasedthroughR.R.BowkerinNew need topurchasethesenumbersingroupsofatleasttenatime,regardlesswhen DVD versions. Raising Radishes Copyeditors typicallyalsoserveasproofreaders—atthemanuscriptstage.Once In 2007,thebookindustryconvertedits10-digit ISBNsystemto13digits.Why? The ISBNislikeafingerprint—itidentifiesyouasthepublisherandalso Every book,likeeverygoodsecretagent,hastohaveanumbergoalongwithits We placedbasicISBNcostsunderyourcompanysetupexpensessinceyouwill Raising RadishesforFun&Profit willhaveitsownseparateISBN,differentfromboththebookand By the Numbers Lucky Number13 Proof Positive willhaveadifferentISBNthanthe 6 / More Bookkeeping: Production Costs 83
on the ISBN-13 For Dummies The Butterfly Breeder’s Home Companion Home The Butterfly Breeder’s Bar Codes in Bookland Bar Codes Name, Rank, and Serial Number Rank, Name, magazine, issues 1 through 25, instead of one specific issue. They also describe magazine, issues 1 through 25, publications make available online. There are “continuing resources” that most does not require specific restrictions on what internet-based content does and example, dif- an ISSN, so check the ISSN website for more information. (For ferent language versions and media outlets get different ISSNs.) Number” on page 85 for comparison). There’s no charge for an ISSN. For more information, check out the ISSN There’s no charge for an ISSN. For more information, check In addition to your ISBN (or ISSN), you’ll need a bar code for each book title that In addition to your ISBN (or ISSN), you’ll need a bar code for • in particular (see “Anatomy of an ISBN mean anything Their eight digits don’t • They describe the whole of a series, like If you plan to publish serials—which include magazines, newspapers, annuals, If you plan to publish serials—which For more information, you can download a PDF of For more information, you can Another facet of the change is that all publishers will cease using the UPC barcode will cease using the UPC barcode the change is that all publishers Another facet of If you have already purchased a boatload of ISBN-10 numbers, you can convert ISBN-10 numbers, you can convert purchased a boatload of If you have already Two new prefixes were added to the system—978 and 979. The 978 prefix will be 979. The 978 and added to the system—978 prefixes were Two new International Centre website at www.issn.org. you publish in hard copy. This is simply the book’s ISBN and its price, rendered in you publish in hard copy. This is simply the book’s ISBN and with price code. Unless store-scanner format and called the Bookland EAN number or at your annual you absolutely, positively plan to sell only to passersby at flea markets frequently revised directories, and other ongoing publications—you’ll need an ISSN frequently revised directories, Number. ISSNs are basically just like ISBNs except or International Standard Serial that: on the back of books and will instead use the EAN barcode. Since some consumers EAN barcode. Since some consumers books and will instead use the on the back of to when ordering books, be prepared reference old ISBN-10 numbers will continue to discourage its use and spread the word about the new transact with that number, but system. them to ISBN-13 by visiting www.isbn.org and clicking on the “ISBN-13 Support” clicking on the “ISBN-13 by visiting www.isbn.org and them to ISBN-13 tool that’s a snap to use. will find a handy-dandy converter link. There, you added to the front of current ISBNs and one new digit will be added at the end. Voila! the end. Voila! will be added at one new digit ISBNs and the front of current added to be used to are gone and cannot all of the 978s be used once prefix will only The 979 a 10-digit ISBN. convert back to ISBN website. 84 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business information. from avarietyofsources.CheckouttheAppendixatbackthisbookforcontact it printedonthebackcoverofeachcopy.Thecostisreasonable,andyoucangetthem insist onthemsotheycanringupbooksattheirregistersequippedwithscanners. church bazaar,youmusthaveaBooklandbarcode.Bookstoresandtheirwholesalers drugstore racks);ande-books. mass marketpaperbacks (whicharethekindofnovelsfoundonsupermarket and 50 pagesinlength,except forpicturebooks;religiousschoolmaterials; workbooks; to assignLCCNsto.Amongthematerialsthat getthethumbsdownare:booksunder out ifit’snotlisted. private librariessubscribetothiscatalogandorder freelyfromit,yourbookwilllose books bythenumbersfromLibrary’scatalog. Sincethemajorityofpublicand assigned bytheLibraryofCongressandallows librariansalloverthecountrytoorder of CongressCatalogCardNumber.Thisis like anISBNforthelibrarytrade.It’s procrastinate onthat,either. the printingpress.YoumusthaveanISBNbeforeyoucanfilloutyourABI,sodon’t left ofthescreen.Makesureyouapplyaboutsixmonthsbeforeyourbookrollsoff publisher services,www.bowkerlink.com,andclickonthe“BooksInPrint”linkat do so.GototheR.R.Bowkerwebsitefor internet forfree,sothere’snoreasonnotto lost intheether. book isnotlistedhere,itmightaswellbe titles inprintandtheirpublishers.Ifyour in Print well aseverybodyelseinthetrade,use Books inPrint form getsyourbookintothebibleofpublishingindustry,R.R.Bowker’s Advanced BookInformationform.ThisstepiscriticallyimportantbecausetheABI You buyonedigitalfileoftheBooklandbarcodeforyourbook,andthenyouhave The LibraryofCongressisabitpickyaboutwhat typesofpublicationsitchooses Yet anotheralphabetitemtotackleisapplying foryourbook’sLCCNorLibrary You canfilloutanABIformonthe Once you’vereceivedyourISBNs,you’llneedtofilloutanABI,whichis asthesourceforinformationabout . Booksellersandlibrarians,as Advanced Information Getting Carded Books Sat Tip Smart about it. about you soyou won’t haveto worry Bookland barcode for assignment book covers,the handle she’ll whospecializes in artist If you gowithagraphic 6 / More Bookkeeping: Production Costs 85 Anatomy 0f an ISBN Number Anatomy ISBN 1-891984-06-3 ISBN ISBN 978-1-891984-06-8
You can find a complete list of unacceptable materials on the Library of Congress You can find a complete list of unacceptable materials on the edition of title of edition ISBN-13 looks like: New prefix Group or country identifier Specific title or New different “check digit” the publisher Identifies that validates the ISBN-13 As of January 1, 2007, the entire book publishing world converted to using a world converted to using 2007, the entire book publishing As of January 1, of numbers of various lengths, ISBN is divided into five sets 13-digit ISBN. Each and difference between the 10- Here’s an example of the separated by hyphens. 13-digit ISBN. ISBN-10 looks like: edition of title of edition Group or country identifier Specific title or or validates digit”; “check The Identifies the publisher ISBN; occasionally an X ends the LCCN website at http://pcn.loc.gov/pcn005.html. (Don’t be misled by the fact that, LCCN website at http://pcn.loc.gov/pcn005.html. (Don’t be It means Pre-assigned in true government-speak, the LCCN is called the PCN here. is printed.) You can Card Number because the number is assigned before the book asks is that you send also apply for your number on this site. It’s free—all the Library will be on the shelf at a complimentary copy after publication. This means your book the nation’s library in Washington, DC! 86 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business up byapublisherorits agent.QualityBooks,adistributorbasedin Oregon, Illinois, CIP websiteathttp://cip.loc.gov/. from yourcompany,bymorethantwoauthors. Formoreinformation,checkoutthe matter (thepagesthatprecedethemainbodyof abook)forseveralforthcomingbooks under yourbelt.AndtheLibraryofCongress willwantproofintheformoffront publishers, itwon’tgiveoutCIPrecordsuntil youalreadyhavethreeprevioustitles though theLibraryofCongresshandsoutLCCNs tobooksfromeventhenewestof classification numbers. of Congresssubjectheadings,Deweydecimal numbers,andLibraryofCongress registered booksthatgivesallthetechnicalstufflibrarianslove,includingLibrary free ofcharge.ThisistheblocktextyoufindoncopyrightpageLCCN- or CataloginginPublicationrecord,whichisalsoissuedbytheLibraryofCongress page whereitbelongs. printer. Ifyouwaituntilafterprinting,can’tlistyourLCCNonthecopyright Newly Revised and phonenumbers) haschanged, oranythereof. combination has beenadded, newresearch hasbeendone, information contact (like addresses ofmaterial amount significant hasbeenchanged—becausenewinformation to fixafewtypos).perhaps previously unspotted Arevision isabookinwhich tions. (except Areprintto it isanotherprinting ofabookwithnochangesmade publications, nicheindustrypublications, andotheropinionmolders. marketing campaignall over again. You’ll have newreviews from bookindustry brand-new book(withabrand-new ISBN), your pre-publication andyou canstart asarevisedchanges andreprint edition. it willbe a it that The beautyhere is shouldbeupdatedevery fewthat material years, you canmakethe necessary But there’shope.You can alsodevelopyourownP-CIP,whichis aCIPmade The CIPisimportantforanybookthathasan LCCN—butthere’sacatch.Even One moreitemtoconcernyourselfwithbeforeyourbookgoesprintistheCIP This isanothertaskthatyou’llneedtocompletewellbeforeyourbookgoesthe Don’t get confused about the difference confusedDon’t about get betweenreprints andrevised edi- P lan ahead when you write that nonfiction book. nonfiction lan ahead whenyouthat contains write Ifit The CIP on Your CIP The Shoulder 6 / More Bookkeeping: Production Costs 87 Print Talk Vital Statistics Before you can get any sort of printing estimate, you must know the vital statistics Before you can get any sort of printing estimate, you must know Keep in mind that you can’t know everything about book printing your first (or Keep in mind that you can’t know everything about book printing As we go through this chapter, we’ll delve into the most common printing choices thatAs we go through this chapter, we’ll There are over 40 book printers in the United States. Get estimates from as There are over 40 book printers In addition, printers’ bids can vary wildly from one company to the next, or even In addition, printers’ bids can Now that we’ve explored your book’s pre-production costs, it’s time for the issue costs, it’s time for the explored your book’s pre-production Now that we’ve of your proposed book including: even second or third) time out. Book printing companies, on the other hand, do this even second or third) time out. Book printing companies, on to help. Find a printer for a living. They know it all, and they’re usually quite willing and don’t hesitate to you trust and can communicate with; then explain your project ask questions. you’ll need to make. You’ll soon be speaking printer lingo like a pro. For now, though,you’ll need to make. You’ll soon be speaking printer lingo like see the response thattake a look at the sample “Quick Quote” form on page 88, and then Quote from a Printer.” you would get from the printer in the form on pages 89–90, “Price many as possible—it’s perfectly acceptable to send an RFQ or request for quote to many as possible—it’s perfectly letter; however, many print shops have “quick quote” them all. You can send or fax a online. This is a great convenience, except that you forms you can fill out and submit overwhelming number of choices, all of which are set immediately realize there are an (and seasoned publishers) understand. out in terminology only printers from one job to the next. It’s extremely important to get a variety of bids each time you from one job to the next. It’s extremely represents a large percentage of book creation costs, so have a book printed—printing at this stage of production. you don’t want any big surprises that first-time publishers are most interested in: printing costs. Here again, there’s no printing costs. Here again, there’s are most interested in: that first-time publishers is a separate entity and can be radically different from set cost for all books. Each book book, with full-color graphics on each page, will cost the next. A 32-page children’s text-only pamphlet on opal hunting in Arkansas. a heck of a lot more than a 32-page, of house plans will carry a different printer’s price tag And a 192-page softcover book novel that has a glossy, gold-embossed dust jacket. than a 288-page hardcover romance which specializes in library sales, will provide a P-CIP record for you for around $150. for around $150. record for you a P-CIP sales, will provide in library which specializes (You’ll find on its website. of CIP information explanation an excellent It also provides If you want “Distributors”.) of this book under the Appendix Books listed in Quality your local librarian for help. to go it alone, ask 88 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business details of the quote. details of that walksthe through all you formmultipage onlineRFQ Thomson-Shore alsohasa Quick Quote Provided courtesyofThomson-Shore Inc. 6 / More Bookkeeping: Production Costs 89 Price Quote from a Printer Pricefrom Quote Provided courtesy of Thomson-Shore Inc. 90 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business Provided courtesyofThomson-Shore Inc. Price QuotefromPrice aPrinter, continued 6 / More Bookkeeping: Production Costs 91 . printer is fine for is fine for printer A local, general-job general-job A local, Soaring on Invisible Wings Beware! Beware! printing up church newslet- up church printing ters, wedding announcements, wedding announcements, ters, garage-sale and neighborhood know don’t they However, fliers. about printing book much more and their prices are do, than you estab- Go with an astronomical. firm experienced that spe- lished, and has books in printing cializes them to thatallow presses the costprint books effectively. . Bell & Candle Publishing will ignite its sales with a . Bell & Candle Publishing will Front-Line Wisdom Front-Line The Night Garden disk or camera-ready) in cartons, etc.) “The biggest mistake many new publishers make is to have a book printed by a “The biggest mistake many new publishers make is to have Glowworm Press, seeking a niche in gardening books, plans to start off with a Glowworm Press, seeking a niche • Paper stock • Paper stock • Cover • of cover finish Type • of packaging (shrink-wrapped, Type let’s all the details in Chapter 7. For now, delve into Where to start? We’ll Wow! • or outside dimensions size, Trim • Number of pages • or soft) Cover (hard • of binding Type • of ink colors for text Number • of ink colors for graphics Number • (on material will be supplied How Bell & Candle will spend significantly more than As with the company setup costs, local general-purpose printer,” advises Steve C. in Vermont. “You need a short-run local general-purpose printer,” advises Steve C. in Vermont. will be better. Always book printer, because the cost will be half or less, and the quality print run of 5,000 of its inspirational-genre book titled print run of 5,000 of its inspirational-genre print run of 3,000, 192-page, perfect-bound (softcover book binding in which the print run of 3,000, 192-page, trade paperbacks with four-color covers. Its first cover is glued onto the page ends), title will be look at our hypothetical publishers’ costs in the “Book Production Costs” chart on look at our hypothetical publishers’ page 92. her colleague will. The greatest cost difference is in the printing—Bell & Candle’s print her colleague will. The greatest cost difference is in the printing—Bell than Glowworm’s. And run is 2,000 copies higher and almost 100 pages more per copy Bell & Candle will while Glowworm is going the inexpensive trade paperback route, options. You’ll note spring for hardcovers with dust jackets, both of which are pricey more than her garden- that the inspirational publisher is also spending considerably because she’s got more buff colleague for cover art and for copyediting—the latter pages to edit. Bell & Candle will go with 288-page hardcover with four-color dust jacket for this Bell & Candle will go with 288-page inspirational volume. 92 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business 1,000 to10,000rangeormore.” short-run bookprinters,goodtouseifyourfirstprintingwillbeinthe you networkwithothersmallpresses,you’lllearntoavoid.Theaboveareregular well-known becausetheyadvertiseheavilyinsmall-presspublications,butwhich,if smaller onethatIlikeisMasterPrintersofNewEngland.Thereareothers among thesmallnumberofprintersthatwouldbeonanybody’sbidlist.Another McNaughton andGunn,Hignell.That’snotacomprehensivelist,buttheyare are someprinterseverysmallpresslearnsabout,suchasBang,DataReproductions, go forseveralbids—theonethathadthebestpricelasttimemaynotthistime.There them mymanuscript. printer tovisitwiththem beforesending I shouldhavetakenthe timetotravelthe lawyer andintheprocesshavelearnedthat beautifully, andonedidnot.Ihadtohirea three differentprinters;twoworkedout Texas. “Ihaven’tdonethatyet,butI’vehad e-okCs 25 $3.85 0 for5,000copies $15,801 $250 $625 $2.51 $30 $2,500 for3,000copies $20 $384 $5,032 $192 $384 $1,500 $30 Per-BookCost $20 Bell&CandlePublishing GlowwormPress Printing Indexing Proofreading Copyediting Coverart Costs Copyright Barcodes oa rdcinCss $,4 $19,226 $7,542 Total ProductionCosts “Visit yourprinter,”urgesAnnaJ.in Covering the Spectrum Book Production Costs is the best school. screen. Sometimes,the oldschool typically “true” whenviewedona emailed PDFsbecausecolor isnot back. These are preferableto copies, for youto proof andsend match prints, whichare like color tions,the printer willsend If you have color illustra- Tip Smart 6 / More Bookkeeping: Production Costs 93 Smart Tip is not A hickey what you on smooching get from at dark, after porch the front least not in world. the printing it Here means a speck or a blotch on a page. Proof Is in Is the Pudding Proof “Once you’ve made a decision on a printer—and I recommend one as nearby as “Once you’ve made a decision on a printer—and I recommend June H., the horror-story maven, concurs. “Do get at least three bids from printers June H., the horror-story maven, concurs. “Do get at least three “Along those lines: Keep a phone/communication log. Every time you talk to your “Along those lines: Keep a phone/communication “Another must for a new publisher is to develop a good working relationship with “Another must for a new publisher “Join a publishing listserv (online) and ask other publishers for recommendations. publishers for recommendations. listserv (online) and ask other “Join a publishing “I would also suggest getting a lot of of getting a lot also suggest “I would possible because you’ll be working closely with them—make sure to get a contract in possible because you’ll be working closely with them—make to the size of the book writing that covers everything from artwork (including covers), and typesetting. and look at some of the work they produce,” she says. “The packaging of a book can and look at some of the work they produce,” she says. “The picks up your book to make the difference between whether a prospective customer off the shelf. look at the content. You can’t sell a book if no one picks it up printer, write down the date, time, and what was said. This way if you have problems printer, write down the date, time, log and say who you talked to and what was agreed later, you can refer back to your of documentation in case you have problems later,” upon. You have to have this kind offers Anna. your printer before you send the manuscript,” the mother of two suggests. “I thought your printer before you send the my lawyer says that we need to do more than what I put everything in writing, but contracts we sign benefit the people drawing up the printers traditionally do. The suggested that next time I work with a printer, I contracts—the printers. My lawyer benefit me—just in case mistakes are made during the have some clauses added which a couple of hundred dollars to hire a lawyer, and you printing process. It might cost but when you have a problem, you lose a lot more may not even need those clauses; not to mention a lot of sleep. than a couple hundred dollars, That’s how I got my second printer (and I would have used them for my third book, That’s how I got my second printer because they’re an overseas printer). but it wasn’t cost and time effective bids and a lot of samples,” Anna says. “I was was Anna says. “I a lot of samples,” bids and for in bids I got at the differences amazed quality of printing and my projects. The the spectrum. I also binding also covers long it took printers to kept track of how to me after I sent them an get their bids them a long time to get a RFQ. If it took told me something about bid to me, that that company. 94 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business time tryingtofinditfor theconsumer,”saysJune. your book’sidentifier;if it’sincorrect,bookstoreswillhaveadifficult if notimpossible extra forstickerswiththe correctnumberanddoeachbookbyhand. YourISBNis printer hadputthewrongISBNonmybook, and sinceIdidnotcatchit,hadtopay correct numberwhenyougototheprinter proof. Ioncehadanincidentwherethe them iswhattheyprint.Onimportantissues such asISBNs,takealongacopyofthe galley, orfinalcopy,beforethebookisbound; sodoproofcarefully.Whatyougive want togetthreequotesthatareessentiallycomparing applestoorangesmangoes. they arequotingonthesamequantities,color treatment, paperquality,etc.Youdon’t setting yourmarginstothesizeyouwant,say5-by-7,6-by-9,orwhateverchoose.” they doisreproducewhatyougivethem.Thiscanbeaccomplishedonanycomputerby the printerincamera-readyformat,”Michiganresidentexplains.“Thismeansall protocol)transferred sitewhere largefilescanbe electronically. long beforethe printer. you offto sendit willenduplooking. howit about You’ll andmaketo seeit any beable changes a PDFfromthe InDesignfile(s), you you what seeiswhat get. There’s noguessing company inDexter, Michigan. as much15percent, saysMariaSmithof Thomson-Shore, Inc., abookprinting PDF,to dofarthe printer has lesswork. saves It himastepandsaves you money, flash drive, orviaemailinazipfile, asanInDesignfile, oralready formatted in to $3perpage. format document filesforor portable you. This is expensive—about anextra $2 it,then into intoprintertypeset PDF AdobeInDesignand it willhaveto import more chargeyou. he’ll Ifyou sendyour asaMicrosoft workonCD Word file,the the printer.to deliver your manuscript to do,the printerThe more has work the the Program with Get “As alastnote,ifyoudoyourowntypesetting, youareresponsibleforproofingthe However, besureyouaregivingtheprinters samespecsforyourbookandthat “You cansaveyourselfafewdollarsifyoutypesetyourownworkandpresentitto Your printer mayalso providetransfer youtheir FTP (file to withapassword As anaddedbonus, whenyou format yourthen generate bookinInDesignand the printer onaCD-ROM,to If youthe workyourselfthe book do andsend A n important book-printingn important the format inwhichyou’ll issueis 6 / More Bookkeeping: Production Costs 95 Printing Price Tag PricePrinting Take another look at the “Price Quote from a Printer” on pages 89–90, and you’ll Take We’re not done yet. The price tag for each job will change, depending on how We’re not done yet. The price tag for each job will change, Once you send back the digital prints, the book goes to print. When the printing Once you send back the digital If you find errors the printer has made and point them out immediately, they can If you find errors the printer has The printer will send these digital prints to you for proofing. Be sure you examine for proofing. Be sure you examine send these digital prints to you The printer will After you submit your book to the printer on Microsoft Word (even better if you Word (even on Microsoft book to the printer submit your After you see that the bottom line jumps each time the quantity gets larger. At the same time, see that the bottom line jumps each time the quantity gets larger. has 1,000 books printed, however, the per-book cost gets smaller. If Glowworm press $1.44 per book; and for the per-book cost will be $2.68; for 3,000 copies, it will cost prints even more, say, 5,000 copies, the price plummets to $1.19 each. If Glowworm 6,000, 8,000, or 10,000 copies, the price will go even lower. many copies you want. Although the overall cost may be more, the more copies you many copies you want. Although the overall cost may be more, many books you can order, the cheaper the per-book cost. So you have to decide how can sell. afford for your initial run, as well as how many you estimate you is all done, it’s shipped to you. Take a moment out from all the heady excitement to is all done, it’s shipped to you. but several boxes of books. It doesn’t happen often, examine not just one book or two, can arrive with the covers glued on upside down or but printers do goof. Your books better to catch these errors in your garage than after an entire signature missing. It’s customers. books have been shipped to your be corrected free of charge. But if you shrug, pronounce the digital prints as OK be corrected free of charge. But let the book go to print, and then find errors—it’s without really checking carefully, point that, hey, maybe you’d like to add two pages or too late. And if you decide at this to page 12, it will cost you money. So don’t get creative move that sidebar from page 7 submit your manuscript. at this stage—do it before you them with X-ray eyes. Make sure no pages are missing, that they’re all in the right them with X-ray eyes. Make sure numbered. Look for missing lines of text, and text order, and that they’re all properly supposed to be. or images that are not where they’re can submit it on Adobe InDesign as a PDF file), he goes to work performing the performing the goes to work a PDF file), he InDesign as it on Adobe can submit mysterious and does exactly is the printer a real book. What turns it into magic that and other pieces of heavy machinery. of cameras, printers, binderies, involves all sorts pages center, which transforms your your text to a digital image Basically, he sends named known as bluelines, so flats of paper. What was formerly into signature-size plans architects and engineers exactly like those blurry blue-ink because they look case, the black and white. In this are now printed digitally in (usually) are so fond of, are your trim size. These digital prints like your book, down to the proofs look exactly before it goes into production. to make any changes to the book final opportunity 96 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business and howwellyourbooksells. marketing planandgetafeelforhowfast is unwiseunlessyouaresosureofyour but goingwithradicallymorethan5,000 about 3,000togetthefirstgoodpricebreak, books, butnomorethan5,000.Ittakes with aninitialprintrunofatleast3,000 experts generallyrecommendthatyougo hard time getting it listed with Ingram, so it would be hard for people to special-order hard timegettingitlisted withIngram,soitwouldbehardforpeople tospecial-order wholesaler]. Ifyouare printing abookthatmaysellonly300copies, youmayhavea [see Appendixforcontact information]isthatit’sadivisionofIngram [amajorbook- are probablyothersthatasgoodandcheaper. ButtheadvantageofLightningSource risk ofdyingwith5,000booksinyourgarage; youcanjustprintthemastheysell. conventionally printedbooks.Theper-unitcost ishigher,ofcourse,butyourunno press proSteveC.Booksareprintedoneat atime,andtheylookjustexactlylike do notforgetMomandDad! helped bringyourbookintotheworld,likeamentor,editor,designer,orartist—and publicity andadvertisingtools,ortosendastokensofappreciationpeoplewho $20 per100forthefour-color,perfect-boundvariety.Youcanusetheseoverrunsas Overruns areextracopiesofyourcoverthatyoucanrequest,whichcostaslittle Glowworm willbecharged82centseachforextracopies. would havetopayforoversandunders.Thesamplequoteonpages89–90showsthat for itonyourinvoice.Yourquotefromtheprintershouldtellyouhowmuch If yourruncomesoutover,you’llbechargedaflatfeeforeveryextracopy.Look overs andunders,printersareroutinelyalloweda10percentmargineitherway. end upwith5,106or4,923—orsomeothernumberentirely.Thedifferenceiscalled count. Ifyouorder5,000books,may But don’tgettoocarriedaway.Industry “The most popular [POD] printer by far is Lightning Source,” Steve explains. “There “The mostpopular[POD]printerbyfarisLightning Source,”Steveexplains.“There “An optionusedbyalotofsmallpressesisprint ondemandorPOD,”sayssmall- While youmightnotparticularlywantovers,askingfor“overruns”isasmartidea. Print runsnevercomeouttoanexact Overs, Unders, and Other Quirks The POD EffectThe see if they wantto purchase it. see if to browsethrough yourto book means customerswon’t beable ally shrink-wrapped books, which to unwrapless inclined individu- the localstaff bookstore willbe at in bundles of twoto four—the transit.in Havethem wrapped protects your books from damage should be “Yes.” Shrink-wrapping shrink-wrapped. Youranswer be asked ifyou want your books for(request quote), you’ll In the printer’s RFQ Tip Smart 6 / More Bookkeeping: Production Costs 97 Bright Idea of filling outInstead a “quick quote” different with different each printer for own RFQ your format variables, the Anna J., quote) as (request for Texas, Temple, from self-publisher Send it on to all the printers does. get bid list a standard so you your instead of having comparison, for sense of the jumble of to make possible choices. Your Book Production Costs Book Production Your Bar code Copyright Cover art Illustrations Copyediting Proofreading Indexing Printing Your Total Production Costs Divide by number of copies Your Per-Book Cost $ $ $ Print-on-demand providers are prolif- Print-on-demand CreateSpace is Amazon’s print-on-demand CreateSpace is Amazon’s Use this form to develop your own book production costs. Make several copies and copies several Make costs. production your own book Use to develop this form then choose the best—and least expen- sources, different several get from estimates sive—option. erating as quickly as e-publishing sites, and erating as quickly around for well over ten POD has been years. They act much like e-publishers—as with a virtual bookstore for your title—but addition to an all-important difference. In also print actual perfect-bound paper copies of your “shelf space on their sites,” they division. Other companies have similar division. Other POD programs. at bookstores. But if it’s printed by Lightning But if it’s at bookstores. by listed it will be automatically Source, easily will be able to and bookstores Ingram, obtain copies.” 98 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business printing pressbeforeyou investinalargerun. This wayyougetanidea ofhowmanybooksyou’llwanttoorderfrom thetraditional molders, andthensitback andwaitforordersbeforecommittingtoa largerprintrun. might print100to500 copies,sendhalf(ormore)ofthemoutforreview toopinion (www.trafford.com) thatchargeforprintingbut offerupto60percentroyalties. are farless—10percentto25ofasetlist price—asopposedtositeslikeTrafford POD sites,likeXlibris(www.xlibris.com),don’t chargeprintingcosts,buttheirroyalties under costsyougetwhengowithaconventional runofthousandsatatime.Some paperbacks printedPODcostfrom$6to$10 each, whichisafarcryfromthe$2and downside isthatthey’realotmoreexpensive than traditionallyprintedbooks.Trade costs fortraditionalpublishers,thePODoptionislookingmoreattractiveeachday. however, isthecostforbooksthemselves.Withrisingproductionandprinting add-on costsasopposedtooutsourcingthesetasksonyourown.Thebottomline, provider andtheserviceprogramyouchoose,somayornotbesavingon design, andyourownwebpage.Specificcostsvaryradically,dependingonthePOD how muchyouwanttospendonadd-onserviceslikecopyediting,layout,andcover Generally youcanexpecttopaynothingorup$1,200insetupfees,dependingon like traditionalp-books. sites canprovideasfew—ormany—copiesyoulikeonrequest.Andtheylookjust paper, insteadofonwebpressesthatmustbefedhugesignature-sizesheets,POD book. Becausebooksareprintedwithstate-of-the-artlasercopiersthatuseregular Why POD? International,top reasons ranks forthe ondemand. goingwithprint They are: So whywouldyouwanttogowiththismethod? It’scheaperintheshorthaul.You The upsideofPODisthatyoudon’tpayforbooks untilyouhaveorderstofill.The Like e-publishers,eachPODproviderhasitsownpricingandroyaltystructure. ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ Reducing riskinprinting decisions Reducing investment ininventory belost wouldotherwise that Creatingtitles sales from backlist gounsatisfied wouldotherwise that customerdemand Satisfying Generating profitable business A recent studyin Publishers Weekly , produced by Vista 6 / More Bookkeeping: Production Costs 99 Smart Tip soul the brave If you’re his to record who wants own audiobook in a home studio, some great computer are there add that will help you programs Sony Try polish. professional Audio Studio for Sound Forge or on the higher end, $70, around around use Adobe Audition for said to be tops for $350—it’s production. Podcast Easy Listening Easy More Bang for Your Book Your for Bang More Keep in mind that you will pay for a Audiobooks are fairly simple to produce—you’ve already got the ready-made to produce—you’ve already got the ready-made Audiobooks are fairly simple Since almost everybody is a commuter these days, audiobooks are in demand as Since almost everybody is a commuter Audiobooks are particularly popular with people who attend seminars and people who attend seminars particularly popular with Audiobooks are You can get even more bang for your book by producing it in a few alternative by producing it in a few alternative more bang for your book You can get even full-fledged audio production as well as for having the sound files mastered and duped (duplicated). Recording the program yourself with a home voice recorder at script to follow. Many audiobooks, however, are abridged (or condensed) to keep however, are abridged (or condensed) to keep script to follow. Many audiobooks, You can go with either version, but do your both costs and retail price down. which your niche market is more likely market research to determine to purchase. Digital audio files, like those available on iTunes, for example, have allowed more publishers the leeway to record books in their entirety, since there is no CD duplication cost involved. Today, you can find most complete books available in this format, with the abridged versions available on CD. antidotes to highway hypnosis. Audiobooks are also a wonderful way to provide your antidotes to highway hypnosis. or who are blind. In addition, they make fun gifts title to people who have poor vision by simple picture books so kids can “read aloud” to for children when accompanied are read-aloud versions of the print version— themselves. Even for adults, audiobooks up with actors playing different roles or with expensive it’s not necessary to fancy them the better, since adding too many special effects sound effects. In fact, the simpler tends to muddy the clarity. workshops, and they make terrific BOR or back-of-the-room sales products. You sell sales products. they make terrific BOR or back-of-the-room workshops, and seminar, while your audience is still hyped up and the CDs immediately after your You can make even more profit by offering a eager to hear more on your subject. available on iTunes or Audible.com, for example) downloadable version (like those that requires less production cost. formats. You can transform those printed words into an audiobook package, a video into an audiobook package, transform those printed words formats. You can goodies. create your own merchandising production, or even 100 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business 101 togetanideaofpricerangeforbothCDanddownloadableoptions. accessible medium.Takealookatthe“AudiobookProductionCosts”chartonpage and distribution)ispasseddirectlytotheconsumerinformofacheaper,more savings forpublishersofgoingexclusivelydownloadable(induplication,packaging, able tolistenontheiriPodorotherMP3device,includingsmartphone.The only adownloadableversionofyouraudiobook.Listenerssimplyexpecttobe other services,themoreCDsyoubuy,cheaperyourcosts. and willbedelightedtotakeonthejobatadiscountrate.Aswithprintingmost the internet,orcontactalocalradioDJwhowillhaveaccesstoprofessionalequipment will findaudiovisualproductionserviceslistedinyourlocalYellowPagesaswellon a BORproduct. them duringanactual session. Therecordingisthenedited,packaged, andsoldas is thetypeproducedby seminarprofessionalswhohireavideographer torecord cameraperson, cameras,etc.,thecostsareentirely tooprohibitive. and have(orcanget)thebudgetforactors, sets,locationshooting,adirector, this aviableproduct. own words,you’llhavetocarefullyconsiderwhat—if anything—youcandotomake audience isnotlikelytobefascinatedbywatching yousittinginachairreadingyour smartphone. to a to downloaddirectly ability audiobooks there now that is the generation isgettingmore into readers,the younger although with anaudienceofalready avid continueto bemore popular audiobooks that Association says Post Speaking ofimprovingyourbottomline,giveseriousconsiderationtooffering Spring foraprofessionalin-studiojobifyouareunsureofyourtechnicalskills.You But lotsofnonfictionlendsitselftofairlyinexpensive video.Thecheapestofall Fiction isprobablyout.Unlessyoualreadyown afull-fledgedproductioncompany Unlike audiobooks,videoproductionswon’t fiteverybookformat.Sinceyour ,the AudioPublishers e-book”the by Sa Fact Stat Called “the other Called “the Huffington Lights, Action, Camera! recording equipment. find themosteconomicandprofessional your localmusicoraudiosolutionsstoreto microphone. Yourbestbetistocheckwith duplication capabilityandastudio-quality including ahigher-endcomputerwithCD the mostupdatedequipmenttousewithit, remarkably professionaljob—ifyouhave software currentlyonthemarketthatdoa many brandsofqualityvoicerecording and amateurish).However,thereare end resultwillsounddreadfullytinny your kitchentableisnotagoodidea(the 6 / More Bookkeeping: Production Costs 101 Audiobook Production Costs Production Audiobook Editing $200–300 per finished hour hour finished finished per per Studio time Sound engineer Producer Narration talent hour, based on experience $200–1,000 per finished $200–300 Editing $100–200 Post-production Duplication (CD only) $250–300 per finished hour $125–200 per finished hour $275–400 per finished hour Laptop with CD burning capability Audio recording/editing software Recording equipment $1–3 per CD, depending Duplication (CD only) art Design software for creating cover $1,100–2,500 Jewel cases $70–400 $100–1,000, depending of units on total number up to you. at others it’s you; Some studios will handle for the printing covers. $100–700 $1–2 per CD on make and model $.50–1.00 cost Duplication per CD as increase units will decrease total album or (CD J-cards covers) your artwork forget that Don’t want for you’ll ❍ ❍ As with audiobooks, you must hire a video production professional. Even if your As with audiobooks, you must hire a video production professional. Cookbooks, exercise manuals, and how-to books can also lend themselves to lend themselves to Cookbooks, exercise manuals, and how-to books can also Book on CD or Electronic File Book on CD or Electronic DIY Recording brother-in-law has a nifty camcorder and does all your family’s reunions, he most brother-in-law has a nifty camcorder and does all your family’s to produce a saleable likely doesn’t know enough about sound, lighting, and duping product. video productions. People like to see a live person demonstrating how to frost a cake, how to frost a cake, video productions. People like to see a live person demonstrating stamps. Because you crunch those abs, build a deck, or make gift wrap with rubber of productions, you don’t need actors, special sets, or any of the rest for these types though. Keep things can keep your costs down. Make sure you keep it interesting, as if they’re actually in moving, use humor when you can, and talk to your audience the room with you. 102 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business your motivationalorinspirationalbook,acalendarbasedongardener’sdiarythat in yourchildren’sbook.Youmightsellcoffeemugsimprintedwithanadagefrom have achildwithheartdefect.Youmightdesignsimpleclothdollfromcharacter genre andsubjectmatterintoaccount,butyoucanalsogetcreative. calendars andnotecards,toT-shirtstoys.Again,youwillhavetakeyourbook’s ing the following: you’ve created any about creative it. Andjust workiscopyright-protected, includ- of America, your workisautomatically andimmediatelycopyrighted assoon they don’t copyrighttheir workif it. This israrely aproblem.the UnitedStates In Do Right, Copyright publication, your consult attorney. right,to: go www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.pdf. For your specifics about particular your protection exists until 70yearsafter your death. To read copy- specificsabout months. Copyright lawiscomplicated, thumb youthat asaruleof canfigure but materials, and you should receive four ofcopyright withinabout acertificate $35. Your copyright iseffectivethe Copyrightthe date Office on receivesthe all of the office’sobtainable on www.copyright.gov. websiteat Onlineregistration is registrationthe U.S. with Copyright Office. Allyou aform haveto doisfillout Anna J.sellsheart-shapedpinstoreadersofherbooksforandaboutfamiliesthat You candevelopallsortsofmerchandisetotieinwithyourbook—everythingfrom However, sinceyou’ll bepublishingyour book, you willwantto fileaformal ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ Sound recordings andgraphic Pictorial works, aswellsculptures Movies andaudiovisual works Playsandotherdramatic works Songsandothermusical works Literary works, whichcan encompass computer programs N eophyte writers frequently worry that someone will steal writersfrequently eophyte that worry Merchandise Madness 6 / More Bookkeeping: Production Costs 103 Going e! The Do-It-Yourself Site The Do-It-Yourself The big advantage here is that since the book is yours and the site is yours, you The big advantage here is that since the book is yours and Since you’ll probably have a website anyway, you may want to offer your title Since you’ll probably have a website anyway, you may want There are three ways to produce your own e-book: There are three ways to produce 1. sell online. Set up your own website and 2. (www.booklocker.com). like Booklocker.com Sell through an e-publisher 3. site. Sell through an e-book reader common is that you must make your book available The main thing they all have in E-publishing is yet another venue for your book. Although still in its infancy, book. Although still in its infancy, yet another venue for your E-publishing is You can buy all sorts of goodies, from coffee mugs to mouse pads to tote bags, to mouse pads coffee mugs goodies, from buy all sorts of You can don’t have to share the profits with anybody. The disadvantage is that you’ll have to don’t have to share the profits with anybody. The disadvantage do stellar marketing, take readers by the e-hand and lead them to your site. Unless you e-publisher. they won’t find you as easily as they might if you go with a big in downloadable format. You will already have your book in PDF—that’s how you in downloadable format. You will already have your book in of a step to upload it to delivered it to your printing house—so it’s not much more your website. in PDF or HTML (hypertext markup language) format so it can be downloaded. In in PDF or HTML (hypertext be computer-savvy—if they’re not, they’ll never addition, your niche market must at the advantages and find your book much less be able to read it. Let’s take a look disadvantages of each of these approaches. e-publishing is hot and getting hotter by the nanosecond, with everybody from giant with everybody from hot and getting hotter by the nanosecond, e-publishing is publishers to stars like Stephen King getting into publishers to small independent publishers because the cost of printing and binding the act. E-books are exciting for titles directly onto their computers and print them is eliminated. Readers download exciting for readers because they allow instant out on their own machines. They’re and then download and read them immediately. gratification: You can browse books than their paper counterparts. Publishers pass on to And e-titles are usually cheaper by not using a printing house. their readers the money they save fairly inexpensively and have them imprinted with whatever you like. You can also with whatever you like. You and have them imprinted fairly inexpensively Look for by specialty manufacturers. dolls and other toys made up have products like Yellow Pages or on the internet. manufacturers in your local suppliers and giftware shows readers when to perform various garden tasks, or a chef’s apron emblazoned emblazoned or a chef’s apron garden tasks, perform various when to shows readers name of your cookbook. with the 104 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business version. is “ontheshelf,”youmuststilldojustasmuchpromotionwouldforyourprint pay asetupfeeofupto$500. version foundinbrick-and-mortarstores.Somesitesarefree,butwithothersyou’ll remember thatroyaltiesarebasedonthebook’sprice,whichwillbelowerthan the site’se-list.Royaltyratesvaryfrom20to70percent,dependingonsite.And put upnewtitlesthathaven’talreadybeenmadePDF-ready. PDF foryou.Thisisaplusifyoudecideto e-publishers willtranslateyourtextinto to buyit.Anotheradvantageisthatsome in particular,mayhappenuponitanddecide be surfingthesite,notlookingforyourbook attracting lotsofbrowsers.Peoplewhomay e-bookstores andthushavethecapabilityof The advantagehereisthatthey’relikebig listing ofseverale-publishingproviders). e-publishing site(seetheAppendixfora purchase texts. bookstores. Ortheycan godirectlytothee-bookreadermanufacturers’ sitesto content). edit sites)orOEB,whichisopene-book(alanguage usedtoproducesomee-book PDF format,othersdemandHTML(thelanguage webdesignersusetosetupand line, orwhereveryouhappentobe.Whilesome e-bookreadersaresetuptoaccept You canreadabookon-screen,onthego—at airport,inthesupermarketcheckout book insecondsandstoredozens,ifnothundreds, inyoure-readerdeviceofchoice. from Barnes&Noble.AndtheiPadisane-reader andmore.Youcandownloada in acaveforfiveyears,youwillhaveheardoftheKindlefromAmazonorNook far asthoseniftylittlecomputers-as-booksareconcerned.Unlessyou’vebeenliving The importantthingtorememberaboute-pubsitesisthateventhoughyourtitle The disadvantageisthatyouwillhavetopayroyaltiesfortheprivilegeofbeingon You maychoosetogowithanestablished Consumers canbuytextsspecificallyformatted fore-bookreadersonlineatvirtual The technologyof“StarTrek:NextGeneration”isalreadyhere—atleastas e-Book Publishers e-Book Reader downright rights-annihilators. readers have reputations as some manufacturers ofe-book sokind,some sitesare not and offer, you’re up.to snapit free But five-figurethat comes along with trade whena publisher that so to give you allto your rights book lishers arethan happy more Beware! Read all contracts carefully. e-pub- Most 6 / More Bookkeeping: Production Costs 105 The e-book reader is making the evolution of the e-book move at lightning speed. move at lightning of the e-book the evolution reader is making The e-book Upgrades, enhancements, and improvements to existing e-readers are coming on the coming on the e-readers are to existing and improvements enhancements, Upgrades, the traditional have turned and the e-reader week. The e-book every market practically to keep you would be wise industry upside down; as a self-publisher, book publishing possible. as abreast of it as
7
Writing and Designing Your Book
At this point, you’ve done your market research—you know what type of book you want to publish and in what genre. You’ve done the math—you know what efforts and expenses are involved in setting up your office and producing your first title. 108 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business organization topaperstockandcoverdesign. keyboard. Inthischapterwe’llexplorethefacetsofbookcreationanddesign,from manuscript: it willgo.Try thesetipsforturningyourgermofanideaintoacompleted,savvy The moreplanningyoudobeforeactuallybeginwriting,theeasierandfaster own spacestation! of actuallyproducingabookwiththesamesortanxietyyou’dfeelbuildingyour other thantheonesforceduponyoubyschooloryourjob,mayfaceprospect about thejoys—andterrors—ofauthorship.Ifyou’venevertackledanywrittenproject stories andpublishing“newspapers”sincetheageof8—thenyoualreadyknowall things youcando.Ifyou’reabornwriter—oneofthosepeoplewho’sbeenscribbling If youhaven’talready,it’snowtimetoactuallyputpenpaper,orfingers • • • • • • The keytoanysuccessfulwritingproject,fictionornonfiction,isorganization. Writing abookisoneofthemostexhilaratingandalsodaunting keep sloggingahead,even ondayswhenthetaskseemshopeless.Set aweekly real writerswhofinish booksfromdilettanteswhodonotisthatreal writers writerhasgooddaysandbad Keep inmindthatevery you goalong. and yourbookhavenotreallygottentoknow eachother. Itwillgeteasieras new bookisusuallythehardestpart.You haven’t foundyourvoiceyet,andyou sit downatyourdesk,takeadeepbreath,and startwriting.Startingabrand- Make adeliberateefforttostartwriting chapter. Carefullynotewhereyougotthe informationfromandwhen. research andinterviews,stashyourmaterials infolderslabeledforeach If you’llusequotesandstatistics,startgathering material to writeamagnumopus,butlist,itembyitem,thepointsyouintendcover. Now goonestepfurtherandmakeadetailedoutlineofeachchapter that describeswhatinformationyou’llcover. Draw upachapter-by-chapter outline of afinished,polishedbookwhenithasanidentity. Give yourbookaworkingtitle Exhilaration andPanic Writing 101 Writing . It’s mucheasiertothinkofyourprojectinterms . Giveeachchapteratitleandparagraph . Pouryourselfanice,freshcupofcoffee, . Thetrickthatseparates . Makeupfilesforyour . You don’t have 7 / Writing and Designing Your Book 109 righted material in material righted If you quote copy- If you Beware! Beware! your book, you must get you book, your by King Henry VIII, with Irving by King Henry VIII, with Irving permission first. If you use sta- If you permission first. must cite you the source tistics, them. found you where (R.R. Bowker), or by nosing around by King Henry VIII, the title page of a co- by King Henry VIII, the title Literary Marketplace Do It Yourself Divorces Ghosts and Other Writers Other Ghosts and Do It Yourself Divorces Layout and Design Decisions Layout goal for yourself and stick to it: three pages a day, two hours a night, or six a night, or six two hours pages a day, to it: three yourself and stick goal for schedule. fit into your you can Saturday—whatever hours every If you write a book that’s published by someone else, you turn in your manuscript, and If you write a book that’s published by someone else, you turn in A co-author is like a ghostwriter, except that he or she shares writing credit except that he or she shares writing credit A co-author is like a ghostwriter, A ghostwriter is a writer who works A ghostwriter What if, despite your very best efforts, you can’t write your way out of a paper bag? write your way out of a paper your very best efforts, you can’t What if, despite You can find a ghostwriter or co-author at the American Society of Journalists and You can find a ghostwriter or co-author at the American Society The cost for a ghostwriter or co-author is entirely dependent on who you hire, how The cost for a ghostwriter or co-author that’s it. The book’s design pretty much remains a mystery until your complimentary that’s it. The book’s design pretty much remains a mystery until with you on the book’s cover and title page. Where the title page of a ghostwritten and title page. Where the title page of a ghostwritten with you on the book’s cover book might read behind the scenes to put your material into behind the scenes publishing. professional prose worthy of and you are Your name goes on the book, often “write” touted as the author. Celebrities talents of their autobiographies using the you can’t do ghostwriters. There’s no reason it too—except the added expense. Or you don’t have the time to devote to writing an entire book? You’ve got options. an entire book? You’ve got the time to devote to writing Or you don’t have and provide the ideas, information, ghostwriter or a co-author. You You can hire a the writing to them. research, and leave authored book would read, Authors, within the pages of much of the manuscript you may already have written, how much sprucing up and much of the manuscript you may additional research you want done, and what financial organizing it needs, how much ghostwriters or co-authors expect to be paid royalties, arrangements you make. Most you pay a flat fee and or they expect to be paid on a work-for-hire basis (which means that suits you and no royalties). But as a self-publisher, you can make any arrangement that spells out each of your writer. That said, be sure to do a simple written contract your responsibilities, timing, and payment. Levine. in various publishing and writing websites. 110 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business two? Becauseofsignatures. count demandsthem.Whywouldyourpage count “demand”anoptionalsectionor or youcanputtheminiflikeforinformation ordesignpurposes,ifyourpage a lotofdecision-makingtodo.Othersectionsareoptional—youcanleavethemout, and exceptforhowyoudesigntheactualpagewhatactuallysay,there’snot strange. deviate fromthebasicsetup,yourbookwilllookunprofessional,nottomention You alwayshavelotsofroomforcreativitywithinyourtext,course,butifyou up toyou.So,ready?Herewego! cover artistcanhelpwithothers.Butthefinaldecisions—andappearance—are People judgeabooknotonlybyitscoverbutwhetheritis: important roleinwhetherpotentialreadersperceiveitasatitletheywanttopurchase. The higheryourcosts,thesmallerbottomline.Yourbook’sdesignalsoplaysan type ofcover,totheamountandstyleartwork—playaroleinprintingexpenses. margin. Asyoualreadyknow,allsortsoffactors—fromthenumberpagesand dealt withforyou. you seeanddealwithallthosebehind-the-scenesthingsthatapublisherwouldhave the book’sdesign,layout,andappearanceasyouarewithitsmessage.Thisiswhere copies arriveinthemail.Butasapublisher,youneedtobeeverybitconcernedwith bound together. After printing,thesignatures areneatlyslicedinto16or32individual pagesandthen paper onwhich16or32 bookpagesarelaidoutandrunthroughthe pressatonce. through yourpersonalprinter.Instead,they’re printedonsignatures,hugesheetsof Some sectionsarestandardformat:Allbookshavetheminroughlythesameplace, All bookshavebasicallythesamelayout,whichmakesiteasytoplanyours. Your printercanhelpyouwithsomeoftheseelements.graphicdesigneror • Too amateurish Too cheap(pricedsignificantlylowerthanotherbooks—maybeperceivedas • • Too expensive Too skimpy(notenoughmaterialfortheprice) • Too long(toomuchofareadingtasktotackle) • The designwillaffectyourbook’sproductioncostsandultimatelyprofit Book pagesarenotprintedoneatatimetheway yourunapagefromyourcomputer not beingverygood) The Signature The 7 / Writing and Designing Your Book 111 . with a work-in-progress, a work-in-progress, with a . M . Fun Fact Fun who Churchill, Winston between 14 books the end wrote II and his death at War World of day at every began 8:30 age 90, A and his signa- glass of whiskey, cigar—in bed. ture Front Matter Front Page Primer Page The pages at the beginning of your book are called the front matter and consist of The pages at the beginning of your book are called the front Now that we’ve discussed some of the basics of book design and layout, let’s Now that we’ve discussed some of the basics of book design Use the “Book Layout Checklist” on page 112 to see what goes where and to check Use the “Book Layout Checklist” You won’t know exactly what your page count is until you finish writing the book You won’t know exactly what your You can always add material to the front or back of your book to fill out a signature, You can always add material to When you lay out your book, you strive for you strive lay out your book, When you everything up to the copy that makes up the body of your text. The best way to decide everything up to the copy that makes up the body of your text. books whose style you how you want your front matter to look and feel is to peruse signatures, page counts, admire, and see how they’re laid out. Then, keeping in mind investigate what the inside pages of your book will look like. A lot of this information investigate what the inside pages of your book will look like. applies both to printed and e-books. off the sections of your book as you complete them. Remember that the standard off the sections of your book a fiction book differ from those you would include in elements you would include in a nonfiction book. in your word processing program, import it into in a publishing program like Adobe in your word processing program, that’s OK. You can add or delete material as you go InDesign, and then lay it out. But along. like quotations, author or publicity blurbs, and extra order information. You can like quotations, author or publicity pages at the front or back if absolutely necessary. And always leave a couple of blank of eight pages—which is not the ideal, but isn’t too you can go for a partial signature drastic either. an even signature—i.e., one that’s a multiple one that’s a multiple signature—i.e., an even publishing why our hypothetical of 16. That’s to go with a 192-page book companies chose pages per signature) and a (12 signatures, 16 (18 signatures, 16 pages per 288-page book further away you veer from signature). The the more expensive your an even signature, because the printer has to print job will be that huge sheet of 16 or 32. chop pages from like to do that. And printers don’t 112 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business Peae Yourtext Preface Foreword Tableofcontents Quotation(s) Acknowledgments Dedication Copyrightpage Titlepage eto ok Bo Completed Book Book Halftitlepage Bookblurbs Section Idx Order Authorbio form/ Index Glossary referencessection Appendix/ Afterword Back matter Body Front matter contact information
Book Fiction Nonfiction Element
Book Layout Checklist tnad Standard Standard Standard Standard Standard Standard tnad Standard Standard pinl Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional pinl Optional Optional pinl Optional Optional pinl Optional Optional Standard Standard Standard Optional Optional Optional Optional
7 / Writing and Designing Your Book 113 magazine.” You magazine.” You should be required should be required Horticulture Bright Idea get a busy often can You “pen” to opinion-molder to write offer if you foreword your she has Then all to do is her. it for it and put her name approve to it. The Night Garden . This is where you recognize everybody who helped make . This is where you recognize everybody who helped make . The half title page is the first standard page of your book. It . The half title page is the first . Here’s where you put your copyright date, the person who owns where you put your copyright . Here’s . This is optional publicity . This is optional . You may want to set out a topical quotation from a great thinker may want to set out a topical . You . Here’s your chance to show your appreciation to a mentor for open- your chance to show your appreciation . Here’s . This is your title and subtitle again, with the author’s name, as well again, with the author’s . This is your title and subtitle need at least one page and preferably two or more of these blurbs. If you have need at least one page and preferably save them for the back cover. only a few, Half title page all. and that’s contains your title and subtitle, page Title name, logo, and city/state. as the publisher’s Copyright page or the author whose work you’re publishing, the copyright (you as the author, how you’ve set up your legal organization). perhaps your family trust, if that’s that your also add the words “All Rights Reserved” and a statement should You want to add may without your permission. You material cannot be reproduced you have not intentionally made any errors or a disclaimer to the effect that work that included excerpts from someone else’s If you’ve insulted anybody. lyrics or poetry), you say so here. This is also need to be attributed (like song and CIP record. where you put your ISBN, LCCN, Dedication you or ing your eyes to the joys of gardening or your spouse for encouraging A dedication is your parents for raising you to love fresh vegetables, whatever. short, sweet, and to the point—just a few lines on the page. Acknowledgments the refer- your book a reality—the industry experts who shared information, who caught all ence librarian who looked up countless statistics, the editor dishes and kept those nasty copy goofs, and your spouse who selflessly washed also be brief— the kids entertained while you wrote. Acknowledgments should no more than a page, tops. Quotations an excerpt from a (or Bart Simpson, depending on the tone of your book) or to the book poem or song. This can have a very nice effect, so long as it relates Book blurbs consist of one page material and can Use this section for or several pages. endorsements any pre-publication like, “ from opinion molders—quotes or just a soul-soothing who enjoys gardening, entertaining, reading for anyone Nature at the end of the day.— brush with Mother • • • • • • • and standard book layouts, set your own set your book layouts, and standard the elements style for addressing similar of your book: in the front matter that go 114 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business or self-help,etc.).Someauthorsmayneedmorechaptersthanotherstoeffectively your subjectmatterisandwhattreatmentyouhavechosen(fictionornonfiction,poetry information andinspirationyou’vepromised. chapters, charts,illustrations,andwhateverelsegoesintogivingyourreadersthe this stuff overnight. it. Andrealize noonelearns that gramsto speedonusing andup these pro-acquainted withoneof Instead, to get give yourselftime yourto layout book.time span of ation where you have onlyashort force yourself into adeadline situ- user-friendly.riously not Don’t What youdecidetoincludeinthebodyofyourbookwilllargelydependonwhat This sectioncontainsthemeatandpotatoesofyourbook.Itshouldinclude • • • five pagesorsoisfine. book andwhatitwillhelpthereaderachieve.Again,doesnothavetobelong; Introduction Gaga” onthecover. Forewordsarenotlong(threetofourpages). would bewritingabookaboutpopmusicandputting“ForewordbyLady your book,youcanuseitasaterrificPRpieceonfrontcover. Anexample can coerceamoverandshakerinyourtargetmarkettowriteforewordfor by someoneelse;aprefaceiswrittentheauthor. It’s notamust,butifyou merit, andwhyyouasitsauthorareaproonthesubject.Aforewordiswritten Foreword giving titlestofictionchaptershasgoneoutoffashion. wonderful it begins.Thisusuallyappliesonlytononfiction.With theexceptionof Table ofcontents enhance yourbook. as awhole.Don’t addsomethingjusttofillspace,especiallyifitdoesn’t really and QuarkXpress are noto- Beware! Publishing programs like AdobeInDesign . Thisisasortofpre-introductoryblurbaboutwhyyourbookhas Harry Potter Harry . Thisisabriefsectioninwhichyouexplainwhypennedthe . Listeachchapterinyourbookbytitle,withthepageonwhich (ScholasticInc.)booksandsomeotherjuvenileworks, The BodyThe page mini-articlesthat complement thetext. Sidebars areone-quarter-page toone-half- comic relief,orhighlight importantpoints. throughout thetexttoaddextracomments, one-paragraph factoidsthatyoucanscatter body text.Tipboxesareone-sentenceto if you’lladdtipboxesand/orsidebarstothe the bodyoftheirbook. authors haveapproachedputtingtogether in yourtopicareaorgenretoseehowother text; otherswillnot.Lookatsimilarbooks may wantillustrationstoaccompanytheir communicate theirmessage.Someauthors While you’relayingoutyourbook,decide 7 / Writing and Designing Your Book 115 Smart Tip list in sources When you sure make appendix, your as possible as accurate are you contact information. with your get sloppy and neglectIf you to check twice the information read- your go to press, you before you—repeatedly— ers will call locate your asking why they can’t has nobody sure Make source. changed phone numbers or URLs before etc., (website addresses), declare the appendix ready you print. for Back Matter . People always want to . Also called an epilogue, this is the finishing note of your book, the . Also called an epilogue, this . Here’s where you give readers resource information so they can go where you give readers resource . Here’s . This is a minidictionary in which you list the buzzwords specific to the . This is a minidictionary in which . If you’re writing nonfic- tion, an index is practically a must. must. tion, an index is practically a often Readers will refer to the book over the course of weeks, months, or nice to give them even years, and it’s an easy way to access specific infor- mation. If you’re extremely detail- oriented, you can put together your best to hire own index. If not, it’s a professional. Ask other profes- sionals in your field for referrals or approach publishing organizations/ associations that you belong to for suggestions. Author bio so know something about the author, Afterword reader with some final thoughts and messages. wind-up in which you leave your the afterword should be fairly short. A Like the foreword and introduction, adequate. half-dozen pages is more than Appendix orga- might list handy reference materials, You on to tackle their own projects. vendors, websites, or pertinent government nizations and associations, helpful one appendix, you call them appendices. bureaus. If you have more than Glossary your text. topic you have explored throughout Index • • • • • The sections that come after the body of your book are called the back matter. As book are called the back matter. come after the body of your The sections that In addition to imparting information, tip boxes and sidebars also serve to break up also serve tip boxes and sidebars information, to imparting In addition with the front matter, the best way to decide how you want this material to look is to you want this material to the best way to decide how with the front matter, a style you admire already. The back matter of your get ideas from books that have elements: book may include the following the text and create visually interesting pages. Pull quotes are another element that can element that can are another pages. Pull quotes interesting and create visually the text sentence from phrase or interesting quote is a particularly purpose. A pull serve this font, on the page in a much larger “pull” and reprint elsewhere your text that you page. interest to that face or italics, to draw the reader’s usually in bold 116 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business it’s besttostickthelarger trimsizes. will sellprimarilytothese typesofmarkets, newsstands. Unlessyoubelieveyourbook supermarket checkoutlanesandairport inches by6.75thatyouseeinthe refers toallthosenovelsmeasuring4.5 about ismassmarketpaperback,which industry types. bookstores, libraries,andotherpublishing that they’restandardforbookssoldtothetrade—inotherwords, text despitealargertrimsize. There areexceptions,ofcourse,suchaschildren’spicturebooksthathaveminimal The biggerthebook,moretextwillfitonapage,andfewerpagesyou’llneed. others, somakesureyoutalkwithaprinterbeforedecidewhatsizebooktoprint. printers mayhavecompetitivepricinginonetrimsizeandbehorriblyexpensive in yourpagecount.Thisisoneofthefirstthingsprinterwillwanttoknow.Some One othertrimsizeyou’llseebandied The firsttwotrimsizesaretradepaperbacksizes,meaningsimply 8.5inchesby11 • 7inchesby10 • 6inchesby9(alsoverypopular) • 5.5inchesby8.5(mostpopular) • The mostcommontrimsizesare: The trimsize,oroutsidedimensionsofyourbook,willnaturallyplayamajorrole • information, especiallyifyouhaveotherproductstosell. order one.You mightcombineyourorderformwithcompanycontact or relatives,someonewhoseesyourbookinanofficeshopmaywantto might imagine.Peoplewholikeyourbookwillwanttoordercopiesforfriends the booksoreaderscansendforanextracopy—thisworksmoreoftenthanyou Order contactinformation form/publisher the dustjacketatbackofbook. is fine.Forahardcoverbook,theauthor’s biomaybeplacedontheinsideof give themthegroupie-infotheycrave.Keepitshort,though;afewparagraphs Fit and Fit Trim . Alwaysputanorderformatthebackof higher. ordered, your costs willbemuch be must that a special paper Thomson-Shore Inc. Ifyou specify on hand, advisesMariaSmithof the printer alreadypaper has stick to floor stock— the To pricing,the best get Tip Smart 7 / Writing and Designing Your Book 117 More Color More Paper Stock Paper Fantastic Fonts Fantastic From the mod and trendy Allumi PTF to the staid and stalwart Garamond, stalwart Garamond, From the mod and trendy Allumi PTF to the staid and While we’re on the subject of artwork, if you’ve got photos or graphics that are While we’re on the subject of artwork, if you’ve got photos If you have color or black-and-white photos that you’ll want reproduced in black- If you have color or black-and-white Next, you’ll need to decide on the ink color for your text. This is generally the ink color for your text. This is generally Next, you’ll need to decide on First you need to decide on the weight of the paper. Your choices range from 40- to Your choices range from decide on the weight of the paper. First you need to Now you’ll need to decide what stock, or type of paper, you want for your text you want or type of paper, what stock, need to decide Now you’ll there are hundreds of fonts, or typestyles, to choose from. You can have a lot of You can have a lot of there are hundreds of fonts, or typestyles, to choose from. pages, but when you’re fun playing with different fonts for chapter heads or title centerfolds (covering a two-page spread), or that have no white space around them centerfolds (covering a two-page spread), or that have no white This means you have to on the page, you’ll need to tell the printer you’ve got bleeds. the binding or trimmed account for the portion of your material that’s tucked within off the book page during the binding process. and-white, the printer will have to re-shoot them as halftones. This means, in a and-white, the printer will have through a fine screen to make them sharp nutshell, that they get re-photographed If you don’t use halftones, you end up with the muddy and clear on the printed page. running a photo through a copier. If you want color mess you can achieve yourself by to ask for color separations, which simply means that photos in your pages, you’ll need into four separate negatives, one for each of the four the printer separates each photo print process colors. pretty simple: black. But if you are planning something different, or you’ve got a are planning something different, or you’ve got a pretty simple: black. But if you use another color or two. Don’t get too carried away kid’s book, you might want to choose, the more expensive the print job will be. with ink colors. The more you used cleverly—can make your book look And ink colors other than black—unless unprofessional. 70-pound papers, with a higher number indicating a heavier paper. As a general rule, a heavier paper. As a general with a higher number indicating 70-pound papers, anything less is on the flimsy side, and 60-pound paper. Anything you should go with cream to you need. Colors run from be more expensive than what more will probably white. pages. Like choosing which color of white you want from the house paint swatches at want from the house paint swatches which color of white you pages. Like choosing There are lots of choices. center, this can be tough. the home improvement 118 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business your finalproduct,too. take upsurprisinglydifferentamountsofspaceonapage,sothiscanbefactorin strain theireyestryingtodecipheraweirdtypeface—theywon’t.Differentfonts producing runningtext,stickwithsomethingsimple.Don’tforceyourreadersto with 12ptleading,which iswrittenas10/12andexpressed“tenon twelve.” consists ofyourfont’spoint sizeplus2.Forinstance,ifyouhave10pt type,you’llgo (from thebottomof firstlinetothebottomofsecondline). Standard leading looks amateurishandis hardtoread.Leadingismeasuredfrombaseline tobaseline This isanicefeaturesincepagewithcramped leadingorwithoversized text. Wordprocessingandpublishingprograms usuallyfiguretheleadingforyou. difficult toread. edition forthevisuallyimpaired).Ifyougosmallerorlarger,yourprintgetsmore printed in10pt(orpoint)to12fonts(unlessit’sachildren’sbookorlarge-print point, thesmallertype,andmoreprintyoucanfitonapage.Mostbooksare as your runningheads,the page. the bottom of them at insteadofplacing nate your runningheadsorbumpyour folios (pagenumbers)the sameline onto fonts, your margins, oryourto shave points offthose extra pages. You could elimi- than aneven 12signatures (16pagespersignature), youtinker withyour might takesto give your whatever bookaprofessional it sparkle. book form. You canalways re-size margins, changefonts, andmove graphics— to viewyourable willcome more final fromthe printer product orlessasit in daunting, it’s really not. withyour Rememberthat publishingprogram, you’ll be it’sbut offun. also alot the material we’reWhile exploringhere maysound Shaving Points Leading (pronounced“ledding”)referstothe amountofspacebetweenlines Typed charactersaremeasuredinpoints—72pointstooneinch.Thesmallerthe If you endupwith205pages, for instance, whichisanawkward 13pagesmore B ook design is as much art as technique. as ook designisasmuchart There’sto learn, alot Takethe Lead Out Point Taken 7 / Writing and Designing Your Book 119 Checklist Elements Book Design of Placement
Dimensions centered, Dimensions Design Element Main text margin right-hand (1-inch Top Graphics Font Bottom Point size (if any) margin, etc.) Left margin etc.) page, margin Right Leading Chapter heads Major heads Subheads (top of page, boxes Tip Sidebars Running heads Folios Quotations quotes Pull 120 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business you canloseessentialwhitespace,orevenworse,textonthepage. of “extra”marginfortheprintertotriminproduction.Ifyourmarginsaretoosmall, and yourbookwilllookskimpycheap.Also,youneedtoallowacertainamount thumb, you’llwanttoallowatleastahalf-inchofmarginonallfoursides—anyless margin, orwhitespace,thelesstextyoucanfitonapage.Asveryroughruleof proportion themmakesabigdifferencetothefinalsizeofyourbook.Themore only realwayyouhave ofattractingthatpotentialreader’sattention at thebookstore boldface. titles. Subheadsaregenerallythesamesizeas yourtext,butinadifferentfontor you like,inadifferentfontthanyourregular text—butnotaslargeyourchapter a subtopicwithinthemajorheadarea.Place headsinalargerpointsizeand,if the topicofaparticularsectioninchapter.Subheads areminiheadlinesthatdefine and subheads,particularlyinnonfictionbooks.Majorheadsareheadlinesthatdefine touch. point sizethanthetextandcanbeinadifferentfont,whichgivesthemnicedesign hand pageacrossfromthechapteropenerisblank.Chaptertitlesareusuallyinalarger up toyou.Again,peruseotherbookswhosestyleyouadmireandemulatethem. head, whileothersputitatthebottomofeachpage.Whereyouplaceyoursisentirely title asarunninghead;stillothersdon’tbotherwithheadatall. the chaptertitleattopofeachrecto,orright-handpage.Othersuseonlybook page. Somebooksplacethebooktitleattopofeachverso,orleft-handpage,and You’ve gotfourmarginstoconsider:top,bottom,left,andright.Howyou Your coverisnotonlyprotectionforyour book’s pagesbutalsoyoursalespitch—the Besides yourchaptertitles,you’llwanttobreakuptextwithmajorheads Chapters commonlystartonaright-handpage,whichsometimesmeanstheleft- Some publishersplacethefolio,orpagenumber,onsamelineasrunning A runningheadisthebooktitleorchapterthatrunsacrosstopofeach Head of the Chapter Head of Got It Covered It Got Going Marginal Running Ahead 7 / Writing and Designing Your Book 121
, for instance, Are We There Yet? There We Are Raising Radishes Bright Idea to get a celebrity— Try not necessarily Oprah but an expert in Cruise, Tom or a write niche market—to your can splash, Then you foreword. on your by so-and-so” “Foreword cover. front Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil of Good and Midnight in the Garden . Your cover is the ideal place to add anything that makes you an expert cover is the ideal place to add . Your . In nonfiction, a subtitle is important; it tells browsers what your book . In nonfiction, a subtitle is important; it tells browsers what . Simply stating your book’s title and your name doesn’t draw readers your name doesn’t title and . Simply stating your book’s . The human eye is attracted to color—that’s why so many packages on to color—that’s . The human eye is attracted . Print the title in letters large enough to make a statement. Remember, enough to make a statement. Remember, . Print the title in letters large Front Cover Story Cover Front doesn’t really explain what it’s about. If we add, “How to Vacation with Your with Your about. If we add, “How to Vacation really explain what it’s doesn’t we’ve got a Temper,” or Your Money, Mind, Your Kids without Losing Your book most parents would be interested in. Sales pitch topic, or that makes the book itself stand out from the competi- on your book’s and you’re an tion. If you’ve written a book on how to help kids excel in school, like, “California’s for instance, you could put something award-winning teacher, tells the reader only that it’s a gardening book. When we add, “How to Earn tells the reader only that it’s Garden,” we have a book that people Own Backyard Big Money from Your interested in making money will want to read. A book called (Random House Inc.). Design is why a book cover designer is so important. If in. A strong design does. This have a graphic arts-savvy friend or you don’t you’re not a graphic artist, and you, spend the money to hire one. relative who’ll design a cover for Title you’re selling the book here. Subtitle will do for them and what they can expect inside. the supermarket shelves are splashed with reds and yellows. Your book does with reds and yellows. Your the supermarket shelves are splashed if you go for just one or two colors, but, cover, not have to have a four-color and have a strong design to pull the eye in. For make sure they fit your theme photo with orange print that graces example, take a look at the black-and-white celebrated the cover of John Berendt’s Color • • • • • The front cover is your first-line sales pitch. As the element of your book that As the element of your book is your first-line sales pitch. The front cover prospective readers look at first, it has to sell your story in a critical eight seconds. prospective readers look at first, these components: Make sure your cover contains and guiding him to the checkout counter. As checkout counter. him to the and guiding tool, its makeup important sales your most Start affair. not be a hit-or-miss should early on in your book’s thinking “cover” and don’t stop thinking planning stages, until the final moments of and planning it preproduction. 122 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business life. Usethefollowingelementstopresshomeyourpoint: explaining howyourbookwillsolvethereader’sproblemsand/orenhance book tothatbrowser.Whilethefrontcoveractsasateaser,backclosessaleby • • • The backcoverisasimportantthefront—yourlast,bestchancetosellyour • to financialsuccess?The secretsofsuccessfulgardening?Howtolive longer they willleadbetterlives afterreadingyourbook.Will theylearnthesecrets book willhelpthereader accomplishandwithwhattools.Tell peoplehow Features andbenefits browser wanttoreadon. your subtitle—getcreativeandkeepitsnappy. Your headlinemust makeyour trip amemoryinsteadofnightmare.”Don’t usethesametextyouusedfor time,” nabthatbookstorebrowserwithsomething like,“Makeyournextfamily your reader. Insteadof,“Howtotravelwithyourkidssoyouallhave agood Headline store personnelcanfinditeasily. your backcover. That waythebookstoreknowswheretoputitsoreadersand ness, religion,etc.).Printthissectioninsmallbutlegibletextatthetopleftof section ofthebookstoreorlibraryyourbookfitsinto(reference,crafts,busi- Bookstore section by you. ful titleunderyourpublishingbelt,readerswilllookformorebookswritten one ofthemostsatisfyingaspectsauthorship.Onceyou’vegotsuccess- Author’s name parent—Dr. BenjaminSpock.” on helpingkidsexcelinschoolmightaddalinelike,“Amust-readforevery can addanicepunchaswell.Abook who’ve readapre-publicationcopy Testimonials fromopinionmolders dentials canmakeabigdifference. Kennel AssociationJudge.”Your cre- Obedience AcademyandAmerican and PresidentoftheDogCan-Do (tastefully) belowhisname,“Founder on dogobediencemighttrumpet for Parents.”Theauthorofabook Teacher oftheYear SharesSecrets . Here’s youropportunitytoreinforcewhatbook willdofor . Don’t forgetthisonyourcover—seeingnameinprintis . Bythisstageofyourpreproduction,youshouldknowwhat Back Cover Sensation . Nowwriteashort,concise descriptionofjustwhatyour too busy. detail-heavy cover come across as ofdetailandmayeven makelot a nail” photograph won’t reveal a tographs well. Asmall or “thumb- make sure your front cover pho- (which includesonlinesales), primarily bymailorder If youto sellyour plan book Tip Smart 7 / Writing and Designing Your Book 123 on her nightstand. —Queen Elizabeth.” on her nightstand. Growing a Spine Growing Simply Snubbing .—Albert Einstein.” Again, these words of praise do not .—Albert Einstein.” Again, these . After your features and benefits, add a few endorsements and/ and benefits, add a few endorsements . After your features . At the bottom of your back cover, write a short paragraph cover, . At the bottom of your back . Finish off the copy on your back cover with a bang—a final back cover with a bang—a final . Finish off the copy on your . List your book’s retail price in tactfully small print at the bottom right, retail price in tactfully . List your book’s or testimonials from opinion molders in your niche market. Endorsements niche market. Endorsements from opinion molders in your or testimonials paparazzi-hounded Royal about your book like, “Every are glowing words of should have a copy or healthier, or enjoy more romantic relationships? This section of your back of your back This section relationships? more romantic or enjoy healthier, or list of tid- written as a tempting chapter, of each a sort of mini-outline cover is helps, or other worksheets, illustrations, charts, book has pullout bits. If your appetite is to whet the reader’s Remember that your goal mention them here. take it straight to the checkout through the book and then so she will thumb register. Recommendations Testimonials are explanations of how your book changed or enhanced a life like, changed or enhanced a life are explanations of how your book Testimonials Theory of Relativity without first having read have developed the “I couldn’t Genius Hair-Raising celebrities, but they should be people recogniz- need to come from tabloid-type readers. able and impressive to your target author Author, on this subject. Let browsers know they’re in explaining why you’re an expert buy your book and take your advice. the best possible hands when they The big finale reader one more time your Tell into a buyer. hook that turns a looky-loo him: “Buy this book, and you’ll never suffer what your book will do for credit woes again.” Price tag and ISBN. If you have a hardcover book with along with the Bookland bar code the inside front flap at the top right. a dust jacket, the price goes on • This is yet another place where color can make a major difference. Go to the This is yet another place where color can make a major difference. Yes, even your book’s spine deserves design attention. This is usually the only part Yes, even your book’s spine deserves design attention. This is • • • bookstore; stand in the reference, religion, or romance section and look at which book bookstore; stand in the reference, religion, or romance section don’t want to color spines leap out at you. You’ll find that there aren’t many. You make your spine stand your background and print chartreuse and magenta simply to also helps to make your out from the crowd, but if you can use color wisely, do it. It boldly proclaim itself, print as large and striking as possible. You want your book to not timidly whisper. of your volume bookstore browsers will see on the shelf. There isn’t a whole lot you of your volume bookstore browsers will see on the shelf. There and legible, and that can do with a book’s spine, so make sure your title is clearly visible it stands out as much as possible. 124 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business your book’sspine. off yourscoreifyoudon’thavelogoon competitions, youcangetpointsknocked various publishingindustrybookdesign doesn’t hurteither,andifyouplantoenter another bookfromArithmeticPress!”Butit based onthepublisher,asin,“Oh,wow, logo. Peopledon’tgenerallybuybooks your publishingcompany’snameand should alsoincludeyourlastnameand minimal—about anickel moreperbookformattethangloss.And althoughyou like surfafterastormwhen anyhumidityispresent.Costdifferences inlaminatesare lamination providesashinyfinish;matte doesnot. a plasticcoatingthatprotectsagainstmoisture, scuffing,andfingerprints.Gloss lamination ormattelamination.Lamination means thepapercoveristreatedwith heavier than10pointand,therefore,moreexpensive. coated ononesidewithuntreatedstockthe other side.The12pointstockisslightly two standardchoicesare10pointC1Sand12 pointC1S.Translation:C1Siscover more impressiveandlonger-lastingpresentation. merit. Hardcoverbooksalsogetmoreseriousreviewattention. their fieldthananinexpensivesoftcover,believingthatahardcovereditionhasmore CEOs, andotherwhite-collartypeswillmorereadilybuyanexpensivehardcoverin some booksprintedascase-bound,orhardcovervolumes. both youasthepublisherandforyourbuyer—butlessisn’talwaysmore.Readerswant hard andsoftformats.Softcoverislessexpensive,whichanobviousadvantagefor printer decisions.Whileyou’redesigningyourcover,you’llneedtodecidebetween Besides thetitle,yourbook’sspine Make sureyouspecify a lay-flat,orcurl-resistantlaminate,yourcovers willroll You’ll alsoneedtodecideonacoverfinish. Thestandardchoicesaregloss If you’regoingwithsoftcover, you’llneedtochooseacoverstock,orpaper. The Coffee tableandgiftbooksarealsogenerallyboundinhardcover—itmakesfora Professional andbusinessbooksareoftencase-bound—doctors,salespeople, OK, withallthisadvicetuckedunderyourhat,it’stimetostartmakingpublisher/ Taking Stock Cover Stock content. sions are basedoncovers, on not and otherbuyers. Buyingdeci- to showbooksellers jackets dust tors carryonlybookcovers and booksales repsMost anddistribu- their covers?based on think booksDon’t sell Tip Smart 7 / Writing and Designing Your Book 125 Library books books that Library Stat Fact are bound in a standard bound in a standard are format, instead of a heavy-duty instead of a heavy-duty format, last only binding, through library falling before about 18 reads apart. In a Bind Perfectly Bound Perfectly For softcover books, you will probably want to stick with the publisher’s premier For softcover books, you will probably want to stick with the You’ll also need to specify how you will provide your jacket art. If you go with art. If you go with You’ll also need to specify how you will provide your jacket Your hardcover itself won’t look very Your hardcover itself won’t Once you make a decision on the hardcover vs. softcover issue and how you want softcover issue and how you a decision on the hardcover vs. Once you make choice, perfect binding. This is the type of binding used for virtually every softcover choice, perfect binding. This is the type of binding used for spine on which at the bookstore or library. The cover is glued onto a tidy, squared-off a professional book designer, you may send it to the printer camera ready, which camera ready, which a professional book designer, you may send it to the printer be photographed and basically means that you send the original artwork ready to means the artwork then printed. Or you might send your cover as disc to film, which a CD or zip disc for the has been done using a software program and transferred to printer to use. interesting, so you’ll need an eye-catching interesting, so you’ll need an jacket will dust cover or jacket. If your you’ll need consist of just a few artistic hues, you want to tell the printer what ink colors Matching to use by referring to the Pantone numbers System (PMS) of ink colors. PMS is sort of the designate specific ink colors. It you find at the home improvement store. PMS same thing as the house paint samples orange sienna” you have your heart set on is the same numbers ensure that the “burnt PMS colors come in swatch books that you can flip one the printer is looking at. and you’re in Nebraska, go to a local printer or through. If your printer is in Michigan at their PMS colors. Note the numbers you’ve chosen graphic designer and ask to look know. and let your long-distance printer the spine to look, you will need to choose a binding. If you go with hardcover, you will If you go with hardcover, you will need to choose a binding. the spine to look, with the “y” pronounced Smythe-sewn (pronounced “Smythe-sewn,” probably want a into the sewn together and then glued in which the signatures are as a long “i”) binding, case-boundcover. This is the most durable choose.binding, and the one most publishers may pay marginally more for lay-flat, you really only want lay-flat. You’ll be sorry, and be sorry, and lay-flat. You’ll really only want for lay-flat, you marginally more may pay use it. elect not to readers, if you so will your 126 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business Text ink—blackplusanyPMScolor(s): Color separations: Halftones: ______Bleeds: ______Paper stock(weightand Binding type: Four-color/PMS number(s): Disc-to-film orcameraDisc-to-film Gloss ormattelay-flat Cover stock: ______Hardcover orsoftcover: ______Trim size: to printers: send quote) you’ll for (request RFQ that to fillinyouridealspecsbeforeto yougoon this sheet Use ______laminate: ready: color): ______Ideal Specs ______7 / Writing and Designing Your Book 127 . This isn’t stitched at all but stapled through the center, all but stapled through the center, stitched at . This isn’t . Wire is used to bind the pages of a book together in spiral bind- the pages of a book together is used to bind . Wire . This type of binding involves a long piece of thin plastic covering . This type of binding involves . A plastic strip holds the pages (perforated at the left margins) . A plastic strip holds the pages “teeth” you often see holding Junior League cookbook pages together. “teeth” you often see holding Junior Saddle-stitch binding high school graduations or community theater like the programs handed out at pages or less, and you’re marketing it as an productions. If your book is 72 this could be the binding to use. inexpensive pamphlet or report, binding Velo memoirs publisher in Panama City Beach, Gary S., the military together. books. Florida, uses velo binding for his Spiral binding spiral or the supermarket are notebooks you find at Walmart ing. The blank bound. Comb binding • • binding if you are producing a workbook for You might go with spiral or comb • • If you are not concerned with these markets, though, and you’re planning to sell via and you’re planning to sell with these markets, though, If you are not concerned Perfect binding is more expensive than other softcover bindings but has the double bindings but has other softcover expensive than binding is more Perfect a seminar or workshop that will only be used by one reader during a brief period, or a seminar or workshop that will of commerce cookbook where buyers do not expect a for a Junior League or chamber else, stick to perfect binding. It’s the best! “fancy” binding job. For everything mail order, at seminars and workshops, or to specialty stores only, you’ve got several specialty stores only, you’ve got and workshops, or to mail order, at seminars other choices: advantage of being more durable as well as being the only one most bookstores and the only one most bookstores more durable as well as being advantage of being libraries will buy. you can print your title and author/publisher information. Perfect bindings can also can also Perfect bindings information. and author/publisher print your title you can be Smythe-sewn.
8
Pricing and Selling
We’ve explored the costs to set up shop as a self-publisher and the costs to have a book printed or e-published.
But just having your book in hand doesn’t mean your fling with financing is over. There are other factors that contribute to the cost of that book, from distributors to storage to shipping. You need a way to get your books from your storage facility to your readers. 130 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business that youwillencounterinadditiontoprinting. of $11.58,right?Well,notexactly.Nowwehavetotakeintoaccounttheothercosts marketplace, we’regoingtopriceitat$12.95.Thatleavesuswithaper-bookprofit at aper-bookcostof$1.37,andlet’sdecidethat,basedoncomparablebooksinthe your book. move. Inthischapter, we’llinvestigatetheelementsinvolvedinpricingandselling venues. Butnobodyisgoingtobegyousignon—it’s uptoyoumakethefirst You canusewholesalers,distributors,directmail,specialtystores,andahostofother will needtogiveapercentage ordiscountoffthebook’sretailprice. and notfrompublishers. Whicheverrouteyouchoose(andshould tryboth),you this isbecomingmoredifficult. Chainsgenerallybuyfromdistributors andwholesalers, directly tobooksellersyourself,butsincethere are morechainsandfewerindependents, is toengageadistributorsellthembookstores onyourbehalf.Youcanalsosell consider thatbookpricesarebasedontwodefiningelements: in Chapter6. traditional printingmethodsonly—notprintondemand(POD),whichweexplored price onyourproductioncostsmultipliedby5or8.Notethatthisruleappliesto if youdon’tknowhowmuchyou’llcharge.Anindustryruleofthumbistobaseyour The traditionalmethodforgettingbooksfrom yourofficeorgaragetoreaders Let’s takeanotherlookat 2. 1. In additiontoorperhapsinexplanationofthisrulethumb,you’llwant You’ll needtodecideonastickerpriceforyourbook.Youcan’tforecastprofits to getoutthereanddoyourmarketresearch! perceive itasoverpricedandgiveathumbsdown.Thisisyetanotherreason going tosell.Evenifit’s amilliontimesbetterthanthecompetition,peoplewill are pricedinthe$12.95to$16.95rangeandyoursisat$30,it’s not Comparable retail prices including notonlyprintingbutalsoeditingandartwork. Your productioncosts Divvying UpDiscounts Divvying . Obviously, youmustchargeenoughtocoveryourexpenses The StickerThe Price . Ifalltheothersoftcoverinspirationalbooksonshelf The NightGarden , thetitleGlowwormPressprinted 8 / Pricing and Selling 131 Smart Tip a distribu- Books, Quality deals tor based in Illinois, solely with library the weighty an require and doesn’t trade Books Quality contract. exclusive for reputation has an excellent so publishers, working with small with try a relationship to develop contact (See Appendix for them. information.) Distributor Dating Game Distributor/Wholesaler Dance Some distributors are generalists, while There are many distributors to choose from, and they may require different There are many distributors Steve C., the independent publisher in Hinesburg, Vermont, says the terms in Hinesburg, Vermont, says the terms Steve C., the independent publisher Distributors, on the other hand, act as sales representatives, designing catalogs that designing catalogs the other hand, act as sales representatives, Distributors, on Wholesalers and distributors play a big part in the publisher’s world. New publishers world. New part in the publisher’s play a big and distributors Wholesalers others specialize in niches like education, Christian themes, the outdoor-enthusiast market, the health and fitness market, or books for the business-oriented, etc. If your title fits neatly into one specialty, this might be the place to start. If not, investigate the generalists. discounts. Keep in mind that besides a hefty discount, distributors can and often will discounts. Keep in mind that besides set you up charge you for a slew of other services, including setup (to in their system), catalog advertising, book fair advertising, and warehousing. After you add all this up, you’re looking at as much as another $1,000 or more. “wholesaler” and “distributor” are often misused. “A distributor handles all your are often misused. “A distributor handles all your “wholesaler” and “distributor” sales, on an exclusive basis. It will generally take trade [bookstore and library] may even levy added costs that you will have to about a 67 percent discount and a large part of that big discount to the stores and pay. Distributors obviously give have to pay a percentage to their sales reps. Some wholesalers they sell to, and they Book Network, Publishers Group West, and distribution companies are National IPG,” explains Steve. showcase their publishers’ books, making marketing suggestions to help sales, and suggestions to help sales, publishers’ books, making marketing showcase their title (as convincing them to stock your with the sole purpose of visiting booksellers from also handle fulfillment, or orders their other publishers). They well as those of invoicing, and collecting payments—saving you lots booksellers, including shipping, of time. are often confused about the difference between wholesalers and distributors—and no, wholesalers and distributors—and about the difference between are often confused rafters a mega-warehouse stacked to the same. A wholesaler is basically they’re not the books; wait for booksellers to order books. Wholesalers sit back and with millions of sell. they don’t actively 132 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business general attitude.Forthe onesthatlookpromising,placeacallorsend anemailtothe the titlestheycarrystack upascomparedtoyours.Getafeelfortheir servicesand service thebookssimilar toyours.Thenvisitthedistributorsonline andseehow booksellers inyourarea andaskthemanagerorbuyerabout distributors who of choosingonesightunseen,getoutthere and dosomeadditionalresearch.Visit the onethat’sbestforyou. you don’tliketheirstyle,you’restuckforthe life ofthecontract.Socarefullychoose distributor, you’llrelyonthemforthemajority ofyourbookstoresales.Ifyoufind you arealsoworkingwithanotherdistributor. Andsinceyouwillbetiedsolelytothat here isthatdistributorslikeexclusivecontracts—they donotwanttodealwithyouif representing—and morethanthat,worthmakingasignificanteffortfor.Thetrick distributor datinggame.Youwillhavetoconvincethemthatyourbookisworth represent you? Turning Heads You’ll findalistofdistributorsintheAppendix atthebackofthisbook,butinstead Just becauseyoudecideonadistributordoesn’tmeanthey’llchooseyou.It’s 4. 3. 2. 1. you’re workingon,that’s if the case. Ifnot, don’t invent;true. won’t ring it the sales valueexcept push ofyour book. Youtitles canalso discussother their belts.titles under title,this isyour If first youtoo muchhere can’t do Your line product way aswell. more, you’ve amajorcampaign under-that got they wantto know but to sellyour bookwithcatalogs,part industryshows, boothsat and Your marketing planand promotional budget sharp andskillful,tests. you’vethe biggest passedoneof binding, layout, margins,the backcover—is leading,the blurbon and ofa professionalthe product like publisher.the Ifeverything—including Your bookcover anddesign Gates’ homedécor, related byhishousekeeper. interested inBillGates’ sales secrets,told byhissecretary, as than inBill Your book’s saleability S o what will turn adistributor’s will o what headandmakethem wantto . Distributorsprefer seasonedpublisherswithseveral .to befar Abusinessbookdistributorislikely more . cover Abookwithasavvy looks jacket ordust .their Distributors willdo 8 / Pricing and Selling 133 Wholesaler Heaven Interviewing Potential Distributors InterviewingPotential airport shops, or convenience stores)? airport shops, or convenience stores)? ______“The fact that a distributor has sales reps may get you greater distribution, but “The fact that a distributor has sales reps may get you greater These are questions you should ask any potential distributor in order to evaluate distributor in order to evaluate you should ask any potential These are questions and their services. a good fit between your needs whether there is 5. do you expect for my book this year? What sales volume ______6. ______What percentage do you pay for each sale? 7. When do you pay sales? ______8. How do you handle returns? 9. ______What do you charge for warehousing? 10. Will you insure my books? ______11. Do you pay shipping? 12. What extra fees can I expect to incur? ______13. What is the standard length of your contract? ______1. handle? What book genres do you 2. ______do you have on board? How many publishers ______3. service? How many trade accounts do you 4. libraries, specialty stores, What other types of accounts do you service, if any (i.e., if you can create demand for your book (through good reviews, radio shows, etc.) if you can create demand for your book (through good reviews, Steve C. advises. “You you can get very good distribution without these people,” new-accounts reps. These are the folks you want to woo. We’ve provided a list of the new-accounts reps. These are the folks you want to woo. We’ve above. questions you should ask when interviewing potential distributors 134 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business to helpyouwiththisprocess. same manner. You canusethe“InterviewingPotentialWholesalers” formonpage135 out apotentialdistributor,andthengoaboutcourting theirbusinessinessentiallythe demand adiscount,generally55percentoffthe listprice. examples (seetheAppendixforcontactinformation).Likedistributors,wholesalers reputation fordealingwithsmallpresses—BookpeopleandNewLeafaretwoshining as booksellers.Therearealsoanumberofsmallerwholesalerswhohavefarbetter the leadposition,andBaker&Taylor,whichfocusesonservicinglibrariesaswell some courting.ThetwogiantsofthewholesalingworldareIngram,whichholds for tworeasons: book andwanttoorderit,theygenerallypreferitfromawholesaler, librarians whohaven’tbeenapproachedbyyourdistributormayhearabout for you,you’llstillneedarelationshipwithwholesaleryourself.Booksellersand a wholesaler.” easier iftheyorderhundredsofbooksatatimefromthesameplace—inotherwords, bookstore ownerwantstoorderbooksoneatatimefromsmallpresses.Theirjobis Books areexamples).Hardlyanylibrarianor to small-pressbooks(NewLeafandQuality consignment wholesalersthatareveryopen certain markets,includingafewremaining number ofsmalleronesthatcanhelpreach Ingram andBaker&Taylor.Therearea a 55percentdiscount.Thebigonesare do needwholesalers—thepeoplewhotake percent upto67percent. Gulp!Thismeansthatifourhypotheticalpublisher has Decide whichwholesaleryouwanttoworkwith inthesamewayyouwouldseek Wholesalers arenotquiteaspickydistributors,butyouwillstillhavetodo Intermsofpaperwork,it’s fareasiertoordertheworksofhundredspub- 2. Publishershaveareputationforfillingordersinmatterofweeksinstead 1. Even thoughyoumayhaveadistributorthatsellsyourbooktowholesalers Now youknowthat distributor andwholesalerdiscountscanrange from55 publisher foreachtitle. lishers fromthewholesalerandreceiveasingleinvoicethantopaydifferent overnight aswholesalersdo. The BottomLine RevisitedThe today. seller in 1950—andisstillahot Junior League, to print went first the Charleston,by SouthCarolina, fundraising cookbook published Charleston Receipts Fun Fact , a , a The 8 / Pricing and Selling 135 Ship Shape Interviewing Potential Wholesalers Interviewing Potential priced at $12.95, and the distributor or wholesaler demands a 60-percent priced at $12.95, and the distributor Yet another expense to consider is shipping—to and from the distributor’s Yet another expense to consider is shipping—to and from To evaluate potential wholesalers, be sure to ask these questions: wholesalers, be sure to ask To evaluate potential ______1. handle? What book genres do you 2. ______you pay for each sale? What percentage do 3. When do you pay sales? ______4. How do you handle returns? 5. ______warehousing? Do you charge for 6. Will you insure my books? ______7. Do you pay shipping? 8. What extra fees can I expect to incur? ______9. What is the standard length of your contract? ______warehouse, to the independent bookseller, from the printer to you. Shipping is another warehouse, to the independent bookseller, from the printer to sites, destinations, of those costs that can vary dramatically depending on departure you have to do is think and the number of books being shipped. It is not cheap. All with books home from back to the days when you schlepped a bag or backpack filled What this means for high school every day, and you’ll remember that books are heavy. UPS, or the U.S. Postal the self-publisher is that, rather than going through FedEx, Service, you’ll need to get bids from freight services. Night Garden selling its title at $5.18. They still have to deduct discount, Glowworm Press is really book, so the per-book profit comes in at $3.81—less production costs of $1.37 per a tidy profit margin. than before the discount but still 136 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business books andinaccuratebillsforreturned).I’mcurrentlyintheIngramExpress now Idon’tgetordersfromthem(whichisbetterthanreceivingdamagedreturned She hadtroublewithawholesalerforoveryear. “Ifinallygotthe problem settled; And ifthebooksaredamagedinreturnprocess,youcan’tresellthem. add insulttoinjury,youhavepayshippingbothgoingandcoming(andagain). thought you’dsoldanderasethepaymentsyouwerecomingyourway,but,to then reorderthemonWednesdayafternoon. 100 booksfromyouonTuesday,returnthemtoWednesdaymorning,and sentiment isthatsomecompaniesgoextremelyheavyonthereturns.Theywillorder emphasis on“evil.”Onereasonforthis consider themanecessaryevil,withthe their distributorsandwholesalers;others publishers haveaterrificrelationshipwith that’s returnsanddamages.Someself- Cinderella Story Cinderella story,they feeltitles are saleable are picked upfor distributionbyIPG. is adistributor, reviews submissionsfrom IBPA members. ofCinderella Inasort Noble; booksellers; independent PublishersGroup andIndependent (IPG), which from Ingram andBaker & Taylor (the “Big Two” ofwholesaling); Borders; Barnes& the publishingindustry. Each summerandwinter, acommittee madeupofreps Distribution AcceptanceProgramthis difficultyto deal with for to newcomers news coverage, andendorsements. Soonerorlater, say,they’ll “Yes.” them every fewthem withyour months andwoo solidsales figures, reviews, great insult. Distributorscanbesnooty,direct time. youthem in but canwin Re-contact a distributor.those reviews Like you get, maynot oflifethis isafact a andnot though your booklooks professional andhasgoodsales potential, you can’t land “Unfortunately, Ihavenothadagoodexperience,”saysAnnaJ.inTemple,Texas. This canplayhavocwithyourprofits—younotonlyhavetotakebackthebooksyou There’s yetanothervariablehere,and IBPA BookPublishersAssociation)hasdevisedaspecial (Independent Trade Return to Sender A s a neophyte in the book trade,the book in s aneophyte you maydiscoverthat, even been included. ifshippinghas to findout fully Check your estimatecare- print the estimate.ping costs in Printers often includeship- Tip Smart 8 / Pricing and Selling 137 Steve C. warns that “every publisher Steve C. warns program, which is specifically for small small for which is specifically program, order They and it is a headache. publishers, them I have to give I send them; books that discount. Then they send a 55-percent to me even while they’re the books back of the same books! It has ordering more been most frustrating.” returns, which are a big hates the Ingram purchases—and usually in percentage of its you are expected damaged condition—and Storage Story Storage The , December 9, 9, December , Although e-books e-books Although Stat Fact still comprise only still comprise If you live in an area where dampness and/or humidity are not significant factors, If you live in an area where dampness and/or humidity are not If you print 5,000 books and have them shipped to your home office, you’re going to If you print 5,000 books and have them shipped to your home office, You do have some small measure of control here. Although your printer, of control here. Although your printer, You do have some small measure Your best bet is to check references with other self-publishers and go with the Your best bet is to check references Not every self-publisher we interviewed has had a bad experience with a wholesaler Not every self-publisher we interviewed around 10 percent of trade book of 10 percent trade around Association to the (according sales in of American Publishers Street Journal Wall “the fastest- they represent 2011), segment of growing the book no returns. And are there market.” you could warehouse your books in your garage. Otherwise, you’ll need to rent a you could warehouse your books in your garage. Otherwise, have to decide where to stash them. You could cover them with tablecloths, slipcovers, have to decide where to stash them. You could cover them with this scenario, you’ll and bed linens, and use them in place of furniture. But barring have a problem. distributor, and wholesaler will insist that you pay shipping to and from them, you insist that you pay shipping to and from them, you distributor, and wholesaler will any returns they send in turn can insist that independent booksellers pay shipping on but you can let them back to you. You’ll still have to absorb the cost of the books, policy in your book pick up the transport tab. Just make sure you state your return sales contract. one that has the best reputation. To some extent, you will have to accept that the one that has the best reputation. In some instances, it may be better to make certain process may not always be smooth. expense of return postage, in order to achieve the tradeoffs, like budgeting for the How much should you allow for returns? Industry sales goals that you set for yourself. in a figure as high as 20 percent. experts recommend that you pencil or distributor. “Wholesalers and distributors are a necessary evil as the chain stores or distributor. “Wholesalers and June H. in Michigan. “I have a contract with Partners will deal only with them,” says and Ingram Books in LaVergne, Tennessee. I’ve had Distributors in Holt, Michigan, no problems with either.” to pay for their return postage!” But Steve concedes that, “if you want to sell to to pay for their return postage!” bookstores, you deal with Ingram.” 138 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business bill themselvesas“used book”sellers,buttheyoftencarrynewtitles as well. quaint orfunkydowntown areasandoutlyingsuburbanstripmalls,if youlook.Some independent booksellers. Thesearethemom-and-popplacesyou can stillfindin showcase theworksoflocaltalent. local authorsandpublishers.Somebookstores evenhaveaspecialsectionsetasideto it. Butyoucanask.Sometimesthey’llgoaround theirownrulestocarrythetitlesof order directlyfromyouunlessyou’vegotawholesaler—corporate policywon’tallow catch hereisthatthemajorchains,fromBorders toBooks-a-Million,usuallycan’t But youcanselldirectlytobookstoreswhether you’vegotrepresentationornot.The it’s easiertoletthemmakesalesthetrade while youconcentrateonothervenues. discount. Thisistheindustrynorm,andtheyexpectit.Ifyou’velinedupadistributor, libraries, andtheneverythingfromdirectmailtopremiumsmuseumshops. alternative venuesinwhichtosellyourbooks.We’lltakealookatbookstoresand successful inliningupadistributor. sit backandwaitforthesalesrepstosellyou,especiallyifyouhaven’tyetbeen distributors andwholesalers.Good!Butyou’vestillgotlotsmoretotackle.Youcan’t with yourfinishedbook,sentthemofftoeverybodywho’sanybody,anddealt receive your products. to pay customers willcheerfully the norminmailorder, andyour charge onto your invoice. That’s the FedEx,ing UPS, orU.S. mail them forcharge shipping byadd- order form? This one’s easy. You who order from your websiteor to readers time three a books at whenyouabout shipone,two, or orpallets ofbooks.cartons What items— ping big-ticket We’vetalked ship- about Tip Smart Local talentaside,ifyoudon’thaveadistributor you’lldobettertofocuson When youselldirectlytobookstores,you’llneedgivethema40percent Besides thetraditionaltradeoutletsofbookstoresandlibraries,therearemany OK, you’vegotthoseboundgalleysout,bundledupyourreviewpackages,along Bookstore Bonanza per month. ballpark figureyoucanpencilin$70to$100 location andthesizespaceyourent,butasa curl. pages, oryourcoverstosticktogether don’t wantcreepingmildewtospotallyour climate-controlled storagefacility.You Alternative Venues Storage priceswillvarywithyour Trade Salesand 8 / Pricing and Selling 139 bestseller list for the tenth Bright Idea and reps to sales Talk special- distributors who to want in you ize the markets The best to find way them reach. who is merchandisers to ask local check can also You are. their reps in organizations with national instance, For those specialties. you selling a cookbook, if you’re with check could the National which Association, Foods Specialty leads and dis- to reps you can give shops thattributors for gour- buy met goodies. The New York Times ou may think that since you’ve ordered 3,000 copies of your book of your copies 3,000 ou may think ordered that since you’ve Y And you’ll have to add in shipping by postal carrier for each one of those books. each one of those books. carrier for to add in shipping by postal have And you’ll Those snazzy cardboard displays, called dumps or point-of-purchase displays Those snazzy cardboard displays, Even when chain superstores stock your Even when chain superstores stock Because these stores generally do not generally do not these stores Because from the printer, you’ve got 3,000 copies to sell. But if you do all do all Butthe publicity if you that copies gotto sell. 3,000 you’ve the printer, from various free—to as 500 copies—absolutely as many away give you’ll should, you program TV and radio industry experts niche market, in your sources, book review The numbers add up fast. and other opinion molders. producers, can figure that Mail, you a 1-pound Standard book shipped Special As an estimate, send out a If you dur- of 500 books total $1.59. mail costs via the U.S. or book rate, $795! that’s publicity campaign, ing of your the course Publicity Freebies Appearance Is Everything Appearance week running. (POPs), are generally reserved for the products of the major New York publishing (POPs), are generally reserved been on houses and the books that have book, you won’t find it on view in the window or on display at the front of the store. book, you won’t find it on view out of sight on the shelf with all the other business Instead it will be tucked discreetly books or romance novels or whatever. have the budget for major orders, you won’t orders, you budget for major have the them canvassing spend months want to the manner of an itinerant door-to-door in you should definitely salesperson. But independent bookseller in approach every you’re a local author your area. Remember, which means you’re a local and publisher, will be charmed to celebrity. Independents and they’ll do their utmost carry your title, Expect to give independent to sell it for you. list price. booksellers 40 percent off your 140 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business when asmallcounterdisplaywouldbemoreeffective. prefer tohaveitplaced.There’snopointinspringingforafive-foot-highfloormodel Interview localbooksellerstofindoutiftheycanuseadumpandwherewould research showsitcanreallybeeffective—andyourwallettakeit—giveashot. your owndumps.Thiswilladdconsiderablytoadvertisingbudget,butifmarket sell themselvesbasedonyourothermarketingandPRefforts,ordesignbuild sell thebestorthosethatcomewithdumpsfordisplayareas. so muchdisplayspace.Naturally,they’regoingtogiveitthebookstheyexpect author interview,abook blurb,yourcommentsaboutbook,asample passageof provide youwithapublisher’s website;scaninyourbook’sphoto;set youupwithan booksellers’ world—Amazon.com. Amazoncaterstoindependentpublishers. They’ll forget toofferafairdiscountofup40percent. book subjectwouldbeofinteresttoany these groups,trytomakesales!Don’t organizations; andhospitalscorporations housetheirowncollections.Ifyour synagogues; genealogysocieties;film,art,and sports institutes;professionalandsocial libraries alloverthecountry.Manychurches; can alsoselltothethousandsofprivate they canfitintotheirbudgets. think willbegoodfortheirpatrons—that market andmaybuyjustaboutanythingthey get. Publiclibrarianscanbeaterrificbuying percent discountbutwilltakewhattheycan (and moreexpensive)librarybinding.Formostotherbooks,theyexpecta40 just findabuyeramongpsychology,sociology,orwomen’sstudiesprofessors. nonfiction titlelike is romancenovels,forinstance,youcancountthemout.However,ifyourbooka However, educationalmarketswillonlypurchasecertaintypesofbooks.Ifyourniche Your bestsolutionistoeitherstopworryingaboutitandtrustthatyourbookswill There’s notawholelotyoucandoaboutthissituationsincebooksellersonlyhave A niftyalternativetobrick-and-mortarbookstores istheaceofvirtual Besides traditionalpubliclibraries,you Libraries, whichcanbesizablebuyers,willpayfullretailpriceforbookswithspecial Colleges andothereducationalbuyerswilloftenaccept20percentdiscounts. Libraries andEducationalLibraries Markets My Hero:HowRomanticFictionAffectstheFemaleMind The AmazonThe of Bookstores spending seasons. around appropriation budget and during JuneorDecember—right book to public librarians is to pitch yourtime The best Tip Smart , youmight 8 / Pricing and Selling 141 Smart Tip sell customized When you publishing or premiums, customer discounts your give 40 based on volume—perhaps copies, 500 to 1,000 for percent over amounts for and 50 percent the customer pay for Have that. shipping. What’s the catch for all these goodies? What’s the catch your choice, and space for readers’ reviews. for readers’ reviews. and space your choice, site’s on the appears prominently Your title your another bonus, and, as search results, with 24-hour shipping—and book is offered order fulfillment. Amazon.com handles no contract to sign Not much—there’s All they ask is that you and no exclusive. in stock and give them a keep your titles on the list price of your 45-percent discount you got to lose? book. What have Handy Handy Premium Grade Premium (by Or you might not Or you might not According to a a to According Stat Fact December 2011 articleDecember 2011 The Wall Street Journal Wall The Your customization might be as Your customization might be as Your book just might be the stuff of a terrific premium. Take a look at your subject Your book just might be the stuff There are lots of creative venues for making sales other than bookstores and There are lots of creative venues in Alexandra Alter), “30 authors have “30 authors have Alter), Alexandra copies sold more than 100,000 Amazon’s through books of their program” Kindle self-publishing sales $878 totaled “e-book and And not a one million in 2010.” cost penny a to ship. Hal Superstore’s Home Remodeling for the Hal Superstore’s Home Remodeling for the Hammer-Impaired. change anything—a lingerie manufacturer change anything—a lingerie manufacturer might like to give each customer who simple as adding the store’s name to the simple as adding the store’s name to the title. A home improvement chain might be interested in selling copies of your do-it-yourself remodeling manual to its customers. You would simply add the store name to your existing title: matter and evaluate it in terms of what companies or organizations might benefit matter and evaluate it in terms dessert cookbook to a dairy products company to from it. You could pitch a sinful or to a chocolate manufacturer to feature recipes showcase their butters and creams the term custom publishing comes in. You may need for their product. This is where of “2 pounds of chocolate,” your recipes read “2 to customize your text so that instead pounds of Chocoholic-brand chocolate,” or whatever it may be. libraries. One of these is custom publishing or premiums, two different names that libraries. One of these is custom with premiums—those freebie cookbooks given mean the same thing. You are familiar the local natural gas board, the amortization books out as advertising incentives by and even the oven mitts emblazoned with the name of handed out by the local bank, a nearby supermarket. 142 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business Maternity Hospital,”forexample. or titlepage,onesthatsaysomethinglike“WithBestWishesfromGraceAvenue in thegame—beforeyourinitialprintingorbeforeanyreprints. to approachpotentialcustomersveryearly your booksarealreadyprinted.You’llneed can’t changeyourcoverortextafter the moreadvancenoticeyouwillneed.You kits forparents. inspirational bookintotheirtake-home like totuckcopiesofyournew-baby romance novel.Andhospitalsmight spring cataloga“free”copyofyour orders overacertainamountfromits to choosefromincluding: match yourbookcanmake withwhatsortofshop.Therearehundreds ofspecialties same criteriaweexplored aboveforcatalogmerchandisers.Thinkabout whatkindof also allsortsofspecialtystoresandboutiquesthat canbeterrificsalesoutlets.Usethe You canfindcatalogmerchandisersbydoinga searchontheinternet. assertively, pushyourbook’ssalespotential,and offerafairdiscountforvolumesales. especially aroundFather’sDay. inspirational giftbookonfathersandsonscouldsellwellinageneralinterestcatalog, An aromatherapytitlemightbejustthethingforahealth-productscatalog.Andan techniques mightbetheperfectmatchforacatalogofgoodsnovicegolfer. kind merchandiseforitspages.Yourbookcouldbeideal. thousands ofmailordercatalogsoutthere,andeachoneworkshardtofindone-of-a- selling quantitiesofyourbookstoathird-partymailorderretailer.Thereare Don’t confusethisarenawithyourownmailordersales—herewe’retalkingabout Your otheroptionistopurchasestickersorrubberstampsaddyourcover Obviously, themorechangesyoumake, Bookstores aren’ttheonlyretailshopscapable ofstockingyourbook.Thereare Sell tocatalogmerchandisersthewayyou do toanyoneelse—sellearly,sell As withpremiumsales,matchyoursubjectmattertothecatalog.Abookongolf Another nontraditionalvenueforsellingyourbookisthroughmailordercatalogs. Specialty of the House Specialty of The Catalog Game The all at the same time. the same all at erate alittlemoneyandpublicity cause,helping aworthy andgen- deep discount, feel goodabout printing orasis? You canoffer a tions, eitherasacustomized to nonprofit organiza- sellyourWhy not book Idea Bright 8 / Pricing and Selling 143
A Tour of Southern Ghosts of Southern Tour A and [have] done quite well. Look Look done quite well. and [have] at or local around stores the small of the types into that tie events June. offers produce,” stories you Smart Tip sheet a ghostly from Take “I sell book. sales June H.’s says the hor- I can,” anywhere Hills, Rochester writer from ror lastyears, the two “For Michigan. at sold books a Halloween I have Georgia, in Stone Mountain, event called Museum-Quality hiking gear, or canoe outfitters or hiking gear, Once again, think about how your title might match the subjects on display or the Once again, think about how your When you think alternative retail, don’t forget about museum shops. There are When you think alternative retail, • Boating • Boating • and vitamins Health food • and hobby shops Arts, crafts, • Toys • infants’ supplies and Children’s • Automotive • and travel Luggage shops • Beauty • Gardening • Computer and software • Educational • Fine furniture and home décor • and gifts Cards, stationery, • Outdoor activities—camping and and Outdoor activities—camping • general ambiance of the museum or historic home. A book about World War II or the general ambiance of the museum or historic home. A book about a fixture during both Depression might do well at the Roosevelt home, since he was a big seller. traumas, but a regional title on travel in Georgia might also be thousands of museums and historic homes all over the country, from the mammoth thousands of museums and historic to the diminutive Franklin D. Roosevelt vacation- Metropolitan in New York City Georgia. Each one has its own shop crammed with home site in Warm Springs, be on display as well. merchandise. Your book could
9
Stepping into the Spotlight Publicity
As a general rule, books don’t sell themselves. Unlike hot dogs at a ball game or iced confections peddled from a cart on a steamy city afternoon, people don’t notice books without prompting. One of your biggest tasks as a self-publisher is to pub- licize your book as effectively, creatively, and energetically as pos- sible. Start thinking about your book, your personality, your budget, 146 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business venues. by thepeoplewhocount,frompre-publicationreviewerstopost-publication package. Inthischapter, we’llexploretheverybestwaystogetyourbooknoticed and yournichemarkethowyoucantiethemallintoaglitteringpromotional a boundgalleytosend to reviewers.Thisisyourbookonstandard8.5-by-11 copier- their attention. Their reasoningisthatifthebookalreadyprinted, it’snotnewenoughtowarrant down thepike,andtheywon’treviewanything thatlookslikeafinishedproduct. publicity. Buttradereviewersarepicky.They won’trevieweverybookthatcomes review inatradepublicationcannetsignificant salesandgenerateterrificadditional book thanjustaboutanyothermarketingtechnique youcanemploy.Afavorable on bookstoreshelves. that prospectivereadersareprimedtosnapitupbythetimeyourbookactuallyarrives Time pre-publicationreviews,mediaappearances,pressreleases,andnewsarticlesso book isreadyforshipmentfromtheprinter.Thenswingintopre-publicationaction! with yourmarketingblitz.Setpubdateatsixweekstotwomonthsbefore and intostores,wellbeforeenteringthewelcomeglareoflimelightyou’llgenerate not. Abook’spublicationdateisentirelyfictional. comes backfromtheprinterand(hopefully)floodsthosebookstoreshelves.Well,it’s date” or“pubbandiedabout.Mostpeopleassumethisreferstothedatebook product. Theyonlywanttoseeaworkinprogress. your bookiseverreleased.Infact,mostmajorreviewerswon’tacceptafinished volumes backfromtheprinter—theprimetimetostartyoursalescampaignisbefore time tofocusonsellingit.Notethatwedidn’tsayyouhavereceivedyourcompleted Instead ofatidybookwith adustjacketorshinyfour-colorcover,you puttogether Pre-publication reviewscandoasmuchor moretoensurethesuccessofa Its purposeistogiveyoutimegetyourproductfromtheprinterdistributor Once youareactiveinthepublishingindustry,willseeterms“publication After you’vewrittenanddesignedyourbooksentitofftotheprinter,it’s Pre-Publication Pow Bound forthe Galleys Setting the Date 9 / Stepping into the Spotlight: Publicity 147 Announcements Announcements and Accompaniments You’ll also need to make up an announcement form to glue onto the galley itself. You’ll also need to make up an announcement form to glue If at all possible, give your letter a hook to attract special attention to your topic. If at all possible, give your letter a hook to attract special attention You can’t send a bound galley out into the cold review world all alone—it will You can’t send a bound galley If you leave out the table of contents, index, illustrations, or other matter, make If you leave out the table of contents, Since this is an advance promotional copy of your book, it’s perfectly acceptable your book, it’s perfectly acceptable advance promotional copy of Since this is an Because of the avalanche of books reviewers often get buried under, your galley can Because of the avalanche of books reviewers often get buried And this information easily get lost from your vital information if you don’t use glue. ISBN, publication date, or price tell the public your book’s is critical: Reviewers can’t at the sample “Book if your galley has gotten separated from your letter. Take a look Announcement” on page 148. For instance, if the headlines are filled with news of a scientific breakthrough on aging For instance, if the headlines are filled with news of a scientific into the media frenzy. and your book is about living longer and healthier, you could tie current news stories on If your sci-fi adventure is about life on Mars, you could tie into Mars exploration, for example. immediately get lost in the crowd. Fashion a one-page cover letter to accompany it. immediately get lost in the crowd. book and explain why you, the expert, are the perfect This should briefly describe the author for this subject. sure you note that they’ll be included in the finished book. And of course, make sure sure you note that they’ll be included and proofreading. You want the galley as clean and you’ve done all your copyediting state on the cover that it is an “unproofed” galley sharp as possible. That said, always galleys and final printed book. since things do change between to send it without the table of contents, dedication, acknowledgments, index, or acknowledgments, the table of contents, dedication, to send it without It’s also OK to send a bound galley without other final round of layout material. it’s a children’s picture book or other title that depends illustrations—unless of course on illustrations to tell the story. quality paper, regardless of what the actual trim size will be. The pages are perfect are perfect will be. The pages actual trim size of what the paper, regardless quality a in black ink on page printed but a title cover: nothing but with a plain-Jane bound, printer copy and have a general it’s fine to is one place where This white background. Odyssey Press (acquired in November printers such as bind your book—short-run of their business in Pennsylvania) focus a lot Press in Landsville, 2011 by Yurchak printer with a POD printer. The book Or you can check prices bound galley printing. pages of signature you F&Gs, which are the folded-and-gathered you use will send bound by a general printer and are what you can have quick-copied your book. These galleys. to make your bound 148 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business gone toTahitifortwo months, hissubstitutecanreceivethematerials. to himandaddhistitle aswell—thatwayifhe’smovedontoanother publicationor editor foryourgenre(withthecorrectspelling ..).Addressyourpackagespecifically sure theystillexist—thisbusinesschangesfast!). Whileyou’reatit,getthenameof check witheachpublicationtomakesurethey reviewyourbook’sgenre(andtomake others shyawayfrommass-marketpaperbacks andpoetry. guidelines. Somewillacceptonlychildren’sbooks; somewon’treviewtextbooks;and list. Whilemostareinterestedinawiderange ofmaterials,theyallhavetheirown pre-publication reviewsyoucangarner,thebetteryourbook’schanceofsuccess. are interest publications. to fourmonthsbeforeyourpubdate.Youshouldtargetbothbooktradeandgeneral Contact: SallyLuna(850)555-0000,www.glowwormpress.com Distributed by:Friendly&ReliableDistributorsInc. Publisher: GlowwormPress,1FireflyLane,Luminescent,FL10000 Number ofPages:192 Vital statistics:Tradepaperback,6inchesby9inches,illustrations,andindex ISBN: 0946555-23-X Price: $12.95 Publication date: 15, October 20xx Author: PeterMoss The NightGarden:HowtoEnjoyYourGardenAfterDark The twotopdogsinthe generalbookpublishingworldare: Although we’veprovidedyouwithsometips on whoreadswhat,it’suptoyou The followingisalistofpublicationsyou’llwanttoincludeonyourmailing The majorpublicationsfortradebuyers—theonesthathavethegreatestimpact— Once youhaveyourboundgalleys,you’llwanttosendthemoutforreview—three Publishers Weekly and The Pre-Pub RevueThe Library Journal Book Announcement Trade Reviewers . Don’tneglecttherest,though.Themore 9 / Stepping into the Spotlight: Publicity 149 , is reviews looks for is read by Library Journal is read by book- Library Journal . You can pay to be , ALA Booklist Library Journal PW Select Kirkus Reviews School Library Journal Smart Tip Be sure send a bound to galley Books, to Quality that a company based in Illinois, distributes independent publish- Unlike products to libraries. ers’ most and distribu- wholesalers to see wants Books Quality tors, productthan rather pre-pub your the finished book. for wait Publishers Weekly takes on fiction and nonfiction of just
is just Kirkus Reviews . The junior version of the venerable reviews fiction and nonfiction for children and teens, Publishers Weekly . This is the penulti- . This is . Almost as powerful as . Another major trade reviewer, . Another major trade reviewer, Publishers Weekly . The ALA stands for American Library Association, which tells . The ALA stands for American Library Association, which listed in the supplement ($149 at this writing) and you can submit your book for listed in the supplement ($149 25 titles to review each quarter. Your book, potential review; the editors pick to the general reading public. however, must be deemed of interest Library Journal mate pre-publication review machine. review mate pre-publication here, you’ve a rave response If you get it made. The entire just about got trade goes by what as well as for librarians all over the country, the reviewer of choice for public An A-plus here can mean sales of 1,000 to wholesalers who sell to libraries. run. Not surprisingly, 5,000 copies—an entire print Publishers Weekly Publishers libraries, says is good—bookstores, alike. The main area and wholesalers of interest for about anything that will appeal to the about anything On top of which, the general public. to acknowledge that magazine began had changed. “In recognition of the boom in the world of self-published books that valuable works are being pub- self-publishing and as an acknowledgment PW is giving self-published authors an lished outside traditional publishing, to the publishing trade.” This “opportunity” opportunity to present their titles supplement called came in the form of a quarterly Kirkus Reviews books that will appeal to the broad readership of a public library. books that will appeal to the broad sellers and librarians. School Library Journal including picture books. Despite the name, about any genre but poetry, mass-market paperbacks, and picture books for the mass-market about any genre but poetry, toddler set. School Library Journal public librarians, as well as those in school settings. ALA Booklist you that this is another journal targeted toward librarians. 2. 1. Other magazines that are very important to the book world include: Other magazines that are very important to the book world include: • Both of these important trade publications have a heavy online presence and can be Both of these important trade publications • • subscribed to as digital editions. 150 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business change theirguidelines. PartofeffectivePRisstayingontopdetails. sending outyourgalleys. Lifeisnotstatic.Reviewersmoveonorretire; newspapers with tradejournals,it’s uptoyoudouble-checkallthecontactinformation before Molding Opinions people who have the power to suggest it to families inneed. it to suggest people whohavethe power towardtargeted siblingsofcriticallyto nursesandsocial illchildren workers— who’s anopinionmaker. AnnaJ.,the self-publisher in Temple, Texas, herbook sent shelves. You mayeven make advance sales. in your readers lookingforward bookandget to itsappearance onbookstore publications. If your book’s nicheiscrafters,to notedcrafters sendgalleys to crafting and able review,testimonial, or anendorsement the foreword. orperhapseven write toward physicians, for instance, whocan give youto doctors sendcopies afavor- to opinionmoldersinyourto sendcopies nichemarket. Ifyourtargeted bookis The followingisalistofpublicationsthatreview booksforthegeneralpublic.As • • Send asmany creative boundgalleys asyour willallow andget about budget to opinionmakersSending galleys isagoodwayto generate earlyinterest Although theydon’t wanttoseetextbooksortechnicaltomes, ers, ForeWord Marketing forDummies Carroll’s useofearlierchildhoodliterature,aswellthelayperson-oriented documentary historyofsportsinNorthAmerica,avolumeexaminingLewis or scholarlybent.Recentreviewsincludeanencyclopediaofdinosaurs,a and researchsettings. Choice adults. fiction, nonfiction,andreference(butnottextbooks)forchildren,teens, to justabouteverythingelse,includinge-books andaudiobooks. ForeWord . Thisjournalalsotargetslibrarians,withafocusonthoseinacademic W . Atradejournaltargetedtowardbooksellers, librarians,andpublish- specializesintheproductsofindependentand universitypresses. General Interest Reviewers hile you’re inyour boundgalley review phase, don’t forget (JohnWiley andSons). Choice istheplacetogoifyourbookhasatechnical ForeWord isopen 9 / Stepping into the Spotlight: Publicity 151 of the . takes on most is not as big a Smoky Mountains Times Times Publishers Weekly Publishers ALA Booklist and Smart Tip Sending a bound galley guar- doesn’t review for book will be antee that your or general written up in a trade Most major publication. interest thousands publications receive each galleys of upon thousands more than ever they could year, in to review room and make read by be deterred Don’t their pages. failed you’ve feel and don’t this, get don’t if you or been slighted reviewed. . If your budget will stretch to it, also . If your budget will stretch
Library Journal The Times The Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, The Philadelphia The Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, is interested in just about everything but technical just about everything but technical is interested in , you can expect the orders to roll in. A bonus to a review bonus to a review to roll in. A expect the orders , you can Significant Others review will help ,” Steve says. A Book Review Section. This is the Section. Book Review Publishers Weekly The Times Book Review Section. The West Coast The West Book Review Section. San Francisco Chronicle The Times , don’t send it to out-of-the-area reviewers. send it to out-of-the-area , don’t , and Publishers Weekly tomes. Los Angeles Times draw as the Big Apple version but can do well by you. This Apple version but can do well draw as the Big books. general interest major newspapers such as Inquirer at newspapers in Atlanta, Louisville, St. send galleys to book review editors But use com- other points around the country. Louis, San Diego, Seattle, and strong regional appeal, as in mon sense. If your book has a Gardening The New York Times York The New general interest world—the supreme review mechanism. If you’re a smash in If you’re a review mechanism. supreme interest world—the general of the pages here is that it may be syndicated, which means it will appear in other newspa- be syndicated, which means here is that it may pers nationwide. The New York Times “Other significant publications that need • • to other newspapers. Send galleys at other major metropolitan Book reviewers Steve C., the independent publisher who has produced more than 20 books, Steve C., the independent publisher • advance galleys include Without review there, you sell no books to Without review there, you sell chance to libraries and miss out on the best quickly. make back your initial investment and believes in the power of advance reviews. “There are some important publications believes in the power of advance three or four months in advance of the official that need to receive bound galleys they won’t review the book,” the Vermont resident date of publication—otherwise, these are says. “The most important of favorable probably won’t review your book—certainly not if the editors notice that you are a self- publisher. But it’s worth trying anyway with bookstore sales and is useful to quote in your publicity to show that you’ve been reviewed by a prestigious publication. That can open doors for you that might otherwise be closed to a new self-publisher. 152 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business because iftheydo,areviewfrom include inyourreview package: and promoteyourbookatthesametime. types canusetofillintheirownblankspaces TV andradioproducers,othermedia package fullofgoodiesthatreviewers,editors, finished book,you’llputtogetheranentire (which we’lldiscussinthenextsection).Sendyourfinishedbookto: of boundgalleys,you’llsendthefinishedproduct,alongwithatidyreviewpackage submission cancostareviewandmanybooksales.” particularly ifthepublicationissubject-orgenre-specific.“Makingwrongtypeof to publicationsotherthanthebiggies,itisimportantcheckintotheirpolicies— finished bookswhentheyareavailable,”saysSteve.Whensubmittingyourgalleys propel thebooktocontinuingpublicityelsewhere. • Here aretheelementsyou’llwantto When yousendreviewcopiesofyour Bookreviewmagazines • Themajorwholesalers:Baker&Taylor andIngram • Nationalmedia(Your chances forsuccessherearefarslimmerthanwithlocal • Localmedia,includingnewspapers,regionalmagazines,TV, andradio • Any opinionmakersyoudidn’t catchthefirsttimearound,orwhomyouwould • Magazines,journals,andotherpublicationsinyournichemarket • Allthesourcestowhomyoupreviouslysent boundgalleys(Often,thereceipt • Once yourbookhasbeenprinted,youcansendoutmorereviewcopies.Butinstead “A greatmanyotherpublicationsdonotwantadvancegalleysandprefertoreceive same letterastheonethat accom Cover letter media, butifyoufollowup—overandoveragain—youcangetnoticed.) like tothankorwoowiththefinishedproduct of theactualbookwillpromptareview.) . This can be basically the . Thiscanbebasically the The Post-PubThe Revue Reviewing the Package The Times panied allbyitselfmaysell10,000booksand niche andyours. the press beforein their market totheir names get opportunity giving them an absolutely free ing you, inreturn you’re but street. Opinionmakers are help- to ask.ments is It’stwo-way a timonials andendorse- tes- wayto get The best Idea Bright 9 / Stepping into the Spotlight: Publicity 153 Smart Tip Some budget-conscious publishers send a press letter to instead of a cover release butall the most important and This way, most reviewers. likely they can ask that the recipient request if interested. a book only . Print up a page of testimonials and endorsements, . Print up a page of testimonials . If you’ve allowed for a demo interview videotape in . Add good-quality copies of other reviews of your book. . Add good-quality copies of other . Make up a list of ten questions for interviewers to ask for interviewers to ask . Make up a list of ten questions . Don’t send a copy . Don’t . Write up your own review of your book—it’s not tacky; it’s not tacky; it’s of your book—it’s own review up your . Write . This is your review written like a news story. Make it as topical written like a news story. . This is your review . Add a professional-quality, . Add a professional-quality, your bound galleys. Update it to reflect your finished book and any newsworthy and any newsworthy your finished book it to reflect galleys. Update your bound can devise. hooks you review Sample smart. Editors often don’t have the time or the person-power to read and have the time or the person-power often don’t smart. Editors a it in their pages. If you write but they’d like to include review your book, as with their own comments they can use it as is, use snippets review for them, it will you know the review, it. And if you have written a frame, or paraphrase to yours to get ideas of how reviews of other books similar be favorable. Read to write your review. News release use reviews will use a news don’t as possible. Publications that and newsworthy As with your sample on a page or on the air. release—it helps them fill space unless they choose to because you’ve they do not have to write it up review, done it for them. Copies of other reviews is to blow your horn, and the more A-plus Remember that the purpose here publicity the better. and endorsements Testimonials TV shows, letting your budget, add a sheet to the packages you send to national Producers like them know that you have a demo available for review. demos so they can see for themselves that you’re personable, presentable, and interesting. Photo black-and-white photo of your book or of yourself. Most of the time this hurt but it doesn’t be used, won’t either. shiny new book Your that has been damaged in transit or and add it to your package. Word-of-mouth—even on a printed page—sells. on a printed and add it to your package. Word-of-mouth—even Interview questions especially like this feature, but print media you. Radio and TV interviewers have to take the time to read your book don’t writers also find it a plus. They about it. Design your questions to highlight to ask you intelligent questions book and to divulge a few tips. Once you whet the important points of your get if they buy the book, they’ll be eager appetites for what they will people’s to do so. Demo tape announcement • • • • • • • • 154 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business wears off—andasairtime nears—youmay TV show.Ofcourse,you’ll say,“Yes!” asking ifyou’dcaretoguestonaradioor thrill ofthatfirstphonecallfromaproducer the media.There’snothingquitelike copies, youmaystartgettingrequestsfrom reasonable. If youhavealimitedbudget,therearemanywaystokeepyourtravelexpenses friends andrelativeswithwhomyoucanstay,oranRVtouseasatemporarybase? route. Perhapsyouwon’tevenneedtobudgetmoneyforlodging.Dohave by limousineisnotamust.It’sperfectlyacceptabletogotheMotel6-and-minivan allowance atall. conduct fromyourhomephone?Inthiscaseyouwillnotneedmuchofatravel of yourpromotionsthroughtheinternetandradiointerviewsthatyoucan conventions, orshows)withina400-mileradius?Ordoyouplantothemajority local market,withaplantodriveeverynichemarketevent(likegames,meets, around thecountryaswillhaveyou?Oryoustaymorefocusedonyour If youdon’tgetthewordout,sellbooks. afford tospend.Promotionisoneoftheverymostimportantaspectsself-publishing. How muchdependsonhowyouplantopromoteyourbookandcan But after the initial glow of accomplishment But aftertheinitialglowof accomplishment Once you’vesentoutallthosereview Sending yourselfonanauthortourwhereyoustayattheRitzandgetaround Are youthinkingall-outmediablitz,flyingouttoguestonasmanyTVstations You’ll wanttotakeintoaccountsomesortofdollarfigureforpromotionaltravel. result inhavingitsentbacktoyouforcredit. This waynobodycanreturnyourreviewcopytothebookstore—whichcould the surfaceformedbyoutsideedgesofpageswhenbookisclosed. so itmustlooksharp.Orderarubberstampthatsays“ReviewCopy”and splashed withcoffeewhilegracingyourtable.Thisiscallingcard, Guest Spot Guest Traveling Man card! to encloseyourBe sure business the line. interviews down further tion andleavesthe dooropenfor shows yourthat apprecia-touch producer. This isanicepersonal the show’syouto notes and host thank-interview with Always follow upan Idea Bright 9 / Stepping into the Spotlight: Publicity 155 are are Good Good Morning Apalachicola . OK, maybe not Jim Carrey, but every other but every other Jim Carrey, . OK, maybe not . You have written an entire book about your have written an . You may have more than they can handle already. And national And national more than they can handle already. may have t’s fairly easy to get an interview on local radio and TV—depend- and easy to get radio fairly on local an interview t’s I Realize that everybody gets butterflies have also inside and out. You time, you know your material subject. By this star of stage and screen. This is healthy. It keeps you sharp. And once you get It keeps you screen. This is healthy. star of stage and relax and have fun while you’re of interviews, you’ll learn to past the first couple at it. the expert here Realize that you’re But this doesn’t mean you should give up. It can be done. Be persistent. Send Be persistent. It can be done. up. But should give mean you this doesn’t hiring a publicist is an option here. go it alone, Although most self-publishers • To perform well in the media arena, it’s essential that you do your homework and you do your homework essential that media arena, it’s well in the To perform • Good Morning World Good Morning of The producers live. you on where of course, ing, shows—the ones shows—the and thatthe greatest you exposure the greatest endorse- give difficult to get extremely on. ments—are hungry for stories and will be delighted to have you on. But of the producers on. you stories and will be delighted to have hungry for Morning Manhattan of these shows Producers or so and be creative. month every publicity material hopefuls on a daily interview from and phone calls faxes, flooded with mail, are up on anything out follow that reach and grab and won’t doesn’t They can’t basis. event, can another media or news Think abouttie into how you their attention. stand can hook package ploy them with a clever or how you your that will make send your could you instance, for book is about If your travel, outthe crowd. from or stashed “passport,” an oversized into tucked map, up in a road PR kit wrapped “suitcase.” in a cardboard is that The advantage the publicist may know more It one. can be an expensive the aside from The disadvantage, contacts. more do about PR and have than you If you else. market better is well know your than anyone may very that you costs, organiza- start by checking in with self-publishing choose to explore this avenue, (Independent Book Publishers Association). IBPA tions like prepare for the task. Here’s how: prepare for the find yourself starting to get nervous. What will you wear? What will you say? How will say? How will What will you will you wear? get nervous. What starting to find yourself up? freeze absolutely ultimate horror—you it? And what if—the you say 156 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business • • • • • interview—and get all those first-time interview—and getallthose first-time “practice” withthereal thing—alive serves twopurposes:It allowsyouto videographer tomakeademodisc. If yourbudgetallows,hire aprofessional little. but stayloose.It’s OKtoimprovisea feel comfortablewithyourmaterial may throwyouforaloop.It’s bestto a questionthat’s notonyourlist,she interview. Andiftheinterviewerasks sounding woodenduringtheactual memorize yourlines,youwillendup so youcanpracticewhattosayandhowit.Butdon’t overdoit.Ifyou Practice—but nottoomuch that looksartisticbutworkable. be demonstratingpaintingtechniquesfromyourcraftsbook,wearsomething ing aroundinabusinesssuit.Inthiscase,you’dwearyourgolfduds.Ifyou’ll golfers andyou’rebeinginterviewedonthelinks,you’lllookprettysillystand- to matchtheshow’s ambianceandyourownsubjectmatter. Ifyourbookisfor formal dressFor TVinterviews, likeyouwouldforabusinessmeeting—professionalbutnot fax orinternetline),telleveryoneyouknownottocallatairtime. waiting, givetheradiostationanumberthatdoesn’t havecallwaiting (likeyour ing airtime.Ifpossible,havethephonecompanytemporarilydisableyourcall Tell friendsandfamilywhoarelikelytodropbythatyou’llbeunavailabledur- your daughterphoningfromthemalltoaskifshecangethernavelpierced. ask whatthegaragemanmeantwhenhesaidherdistributorcapisclogged,or call-waiting beepinthebackgroundwithyourmomcallingfromNebraskato keepyourphonelinefreeFor radiointerviews, thing forwhichyouhaven’t thoughtoutananswer. questions willbe.You alsowillnothavetoworryaboutbeinghitwithsome- professional, makeherjobeasier, andgiveyourselfaheads-uponwhatthe airdate questionsbeforeAsk theproducerifshe’dliketosendyoualistofteninterview about everythinganyinterviewerislikelytoask.You knowyourstuff. ley coverlettertoyournewsrelease.You havealreadygotdownonpaperjust written upallsortsofpublicitymaterialsfromyoursamplereviewtogal- . You wanttolook polishedbutnotstuffy. Ofcourse,youshoulddress . Shewillprobablyacceptinasecond.Andbydoingthis,youappear . Haveafriendorfamilymember“interview”you This This area. $400, dependingonpricesinyour eographer.to to pay$200 Expect this route, hire aprofessional vid- as aguest. Ifyouto go decide to seebeforelike askingyou on which national-caliber TV shows ten minutesinlength, about tend” videorecorded interview for ademodisc—a “pre- You maywantto spring Idea Bright . You donotwantthatdistracting 9 / Stepping into the Spotlight: Publicity 157 . For radio, . For radio, . Supply the . Supply the . For TV interviews, look at the camera—which is the viewing audi- look at the camera—which . For TV interviews, . One ideal date—especially if your book would make a nice gift—is . One ideal date—especially if your book would make a nice Adventures in Autographing in Adventures an interview is usually about ten minutes—unless you’re the only guest on an you’re the only guest on usually about ten minutes—unless an interview is for TV—are media interviews—especially But some phone-in show. hour-long If you know over. and it’s barely been introduced, You’ve astonishingly short. points first so you get be brief, state your most important the interview will before you’re gone. them out there be shy Don’t at your host. ence—as well as nerves out of the way in a situation where they can be edited out. It also gives you out. It also they can be edited a situation where of the way in nerves out producers. edge with a professional how long the interview you an idea of will give Most producers will be Make sure you’ve got all your publicity lined up in a timely fashion Make sure two weeks before bookstore or specialty retailer with a poster and fliers about a week ahead of the event. Have local media get the word out no more than a few days of the time (although earlier is fine if they’ll repeat the news within event). say on a Saturday will be busy, Set your signing for a time and day when the store afternoon call the Friday after Thanksgiving, the which is what retailers Black Friday, kick-off of the holiday shopping season. • • • • Since you will need do these autograph sessions, try these tips for book signing Since you will need do these autograph sessions, try these tips So why bother? Because of the accompanying publicity. Even if few people show So why bother? Because of the It’s only in the movies, or when you reach Stephen King caliber, that you’ll find a It’s only in the movies, or when One of the most terrifying things in the author’s world is the book signing. Unlike One of the most terrifying things success: up at the bookstore for an autograph, you can use a signing event to garner a write-up up at the bookstore for an autograph, on local TV and radio, and convince bookstore in the local newspaper, get a mention your title (at least temporarily). management to prominently display line of book buyers snaking across the room to have their copy autographed. The truth line of book buyers snaking across for book signings. If you sell a half dozen volumes in is that very few people show up that you did exceptionally well. an afternoon, you can consider interviews, where you have a mission—to answer questions asked by an experienced interviews, where you have a mission—to out on the floor of the bookstore with nothing to do host—the book signing sets you but sit there and try to look interesting. 158 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business • • Be friendlyandaccessible. your bookiftheyslowdowntolook. by. Offerafewwordsofchatabout be are oftenasshyinthissettingyoumay Make anefforttogreet shoppers,who book signingdirectlyafterward. your talealoudandthenhave weekly kids’storyhour. Offertoread Some bookstores,forinstance,hosta Try tyingintothestore’s ownevents . Smileandsayhelloastheypass . out at their checkout counters.their checkout at out to displayandhand booksellers signings.at to Give alargesupply your pages, them out andhand and aquoteorfewtips from bookmarks featuring yourtitle publishing: Make up More funwithdesktop Idea Bright 10
Advertising and Marketing
You may have wondered why we have not talked about advertising yet. The reason is that it doesn’t really work for books. As a new publisher with a limited budget, you can spend your money in far more effective ways by concentrating on pub- licity and promotions rather than by running ads in magazines, newspapers, or other media. 160 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business discussed inthenextchapter. word-of-mouth, bookfairs,directmail,andseminars.Developingyourownwebsiteis discuss someadditionalavenuesforpromotingandmarketingyourbook,including agrees. “We areinthestartupphase ofour horror title]—thebook.” enjoyed—or didn’tenjoy[inthecaseofa friends towriteblurbsabouthowthey and Barnes&Nobleonline,askyour your books.SendacopytoAmazon.com that’s onegoodwaytogetstoresstock coordinator andsetupanautographing— Call bookstoresandask and TVstations,requestaninterview. sale. Volunteerforpanelsattheeventsandbringalongmorebookstosell.” Writers Association,whichIattendeachyearandsetupatabletohousemybooksfor of booksattheseevents. writers’ groupsandanyoneelsewhoneedsaspeaker.Onecansellanampleamount touch withthechamberofcommerceandgetsomeleadsonspeakingengagementsfor Rochester Hills,Michigan.“Donateacopyofyourbooktothelocallibrary.Getin even inprint. article andpassitalongtofriendsrelatives,soyougettheword-of-moutheffect benefits don’tstopwiththereader.Peoplewon’ttearoutanad,butthey’ll be apro,andasyourcredibilitytakeswing,sowillbook’sdesirability.Andthe Your credibilityasanexpertsoarsifyou’reinamagazine.Peoplereasonthatyoumust glaze overwhenitcomestoads,buttheydoreadarticles,andnotonlyheed. newspapers—which worksmuchbetterthananyadvertisingpossiblycould.People terrifically effectivetechniquesiswritingarticlesformagazines,journals,and of mouththanjustaboutanyothersource.Itspowerisastonishing.Onethese We coveredhowtopublicizeyournewbookinChapter9.Inthischapter,we’ll Gary S.,themilitarymemoirs publisher, toanyoneandeveryone whowilllisten,” “Talk “And donotforgetthebooktradeshows—mypersonalfavoriteisHorror “Word of mouthisapowerfulthing,”agreesJuneH.,thehorrormavenin Even thoughbooksareaprintmedium,youcanstillsellmorethroughword The Golden The Word for the event cific market suited to your suited book. cific market publications, aspe- target they if can workwonderswithsmaller page orlargerad. This method column, inexchange for aquarter- two, or an article oramonthly some limitedadvertising, barter yourto booklendsitself If you thinkthetopic of Idea Bright advises June. “Call advises June.“Call your local radio 10 / Advertising and Marketing 161 Direct or Dog World .) General interest magazines Self or (Writer’s Digest Books), which is also (Writer’s Digest Books), which . Magazines usually have plenty of material Woman’s Day Writer’s Market Headline Fever Headline , but titles like . Have the publication add an endnote that says something like: For more . Have the publication add an endnote that says something like: . If you’re going for a general audience, you can also target general interest . If you’re going for a general audience, for their main copy but are always hurting for those fillers—the one-page to for their main copy but are always hurting for those fillers—the the form of “Ten one-sidebar length piece to fill in the gaps. Make your story in Child Excel,” etc. These to Help Your Ways or “Ten for Cooking Lean” Tips out and mail to a are the perfect length and are also great for people to snip friend or stick on the fridge. informa- to turn more understand where for Mention your book in the text so readers tion Press at Box 17, information or for a free tip sheet, call or write to Glowworm Luminescent, FL 10000, (850) 555-0000, www.glowwormpress.com. Your article does not have to be long Your • • The most important thing about writing articles, of course, is that you tie them The most important thing about Back at home, call the magazine or journal to find out which editor to send your Back at home, call the magazine The best way to approach the issue is to head down to your local public library and The best way to approach the issue What publications should you submit to? Take a look at your niche market, then a look at your niche market, should you submit to? Take What publications into your book. You want people to recognize not only you as an expert but also your into your book. You want people to recognize not only you as from print exposure: book as an expert source. Try these tips for getting the most piece to. Then send a one-page query letter describing the article and asking the editor piece to. Then send a one-page to contact you if he’s interested. available online if that is the format you prefer. Thumb through this hefty volume— available online if that is the format of publications in every imaginable specialty. Pick out you’ll be amazed at the number for your articles. the ones that might be good targets sit down with the latest copy of sit down with the latest copy of are much more difficult to get into than trade and professional publications, but if are much more difficult to get are terrific—and if the editor is in the right frame of your topic and your writing skills mind—you can do it. Marketing in the supermarket checkout lines (not tabloids like publications—the ones you find The National Enquirer go for the trade or professional journals they read, whether it’s or professional journals they go for the trade company, so we haven’t done much advertising,” says the resident of Panama City of Panama City the resident says done much advertising,” so we haven’t company, our contacts and how we make This is veterans’ functions. “We attend Beach, Florida. company has mouth. Also, my and word of personal contact books—largely sell our [www. of Personal Historians web page directory of the Association appeared on the displayed on local booksellers’ and our books are prominently personalhistorians.org], racks.” 162 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business These boothsoftenhave lesservisibilityaswell,butforthoseattendees whoknowhow booth spaces.EvenBEA usuallyhasasmallpresssectionwithlower-priced booths. Publishers Association and otherindependentpublisherorganizations oftensponsor often bandtogetherwith othersmallpressesandshareabooth.Independent Book Booth spaceatthebigfairscangoforthousands ofdollarsapop,butyoucan booksellers, andselldirectlytothem. eye ofadistributor.Thesmallerfairisterrific placetomeetyourreadersandlocal foreign rightsforanotherheftysum(moreon thisinChapter13),ortocatchthe your titletoabigpublisherandlandthatlegendary five-figurecontract,tosellthe make friendsandcontacts—andalsosales. Amajorbookfairistheplacetosell independent publishers,pickuptipsandindustrygossip,lookoverthecompetition, of contactinformationforseveralprominentbookfairs. regional bookfairsheldalloverthiscountryeachyear.SeetheAppendixforalisting timed tocoincide(moreorless)withOktoberfest.Therearealsodozensofsmaller, the FrankfurtBookFair,heldeachOctoberinFrankfurt,Germany,andconveniently America, whichisheldeachspringinametropolislikeNewYorkorChicago,and missed. Themajor-leaguehighlightsoftheseasonareannualBEA,orBookExpo • Exhibit spaceatsmallerbookfairswillcostyou intherangeof$200to$2,000. These eventsareterrificplacestoseeandbeseen.Youcanschmoozewithother As JuneH.says,booktradeshows(commonlycalledfairs)areeventsnottobe could devisearticleslikethese: is aboutgardening,forinstance,you nals asyoucanmatch.Ifyourbook matter ofasmanymagazinesorjour- material sothatitfitsthesubject Expand yourhorizons Forregional magazines—“GardeningintheWine Country” – Forbusiness magazines—“UsingGardeningtoCombatOfficeStress” – Forecology journals—“GardensasEnvironmentalLifesavers” – Forparentingmagazines—“Helping – Forculinarymagazines—“Cooking – Garden” Children LearnScienceina with Your Garden’s Bounty” My Fair BookFair . Tweak your a bestseller. publishes, you canhonestlycall it of the other titles your company the market,on than any orbetter ter than any radish-raising tome book onraising radishes sellsbet- aname.a bestsellerisjust Ifyour and otherbestsellerlists, Despite Tip Smart The New York Times
10 / Advertising and Marketing 163 Bright Idea is a Schwerdtfeger Patrick who speaker professional of his books sold more than 2,000 selling a lot of year, in a recent them himself at engage- speaking in interview his full Read ments. Chapter 14. The book fair is a great place to hand out The book fair is a great place Winged Success Mail Magic Order (enough to display and sell—but check with the event to be and sell—but check with (enough to display . Make up a brochure that encapsulates your review package. Start . Make up a brochure that encapsulates Take-Along Kit Take-Along A box of your books run short, either. overpack but don’t Don’t sure you can sell books on the floor). as many as 18,000 patrons. Even regional events can attract Brochures book cover; then add an enticing overview of with a thumbnail photo of your or endorsements, snippets of outstand- your books, some stellar testimonials you think will sell your title. As with your other ing reviews, and whatever else so much clutter your brochure with sense. Don’t materials, observe good design off. information that it turns readers Bookmarks or other give-away goodies. text, or other sales freebies that will make bookmarks, tip sheets from your decide to buy it. readers remember your book and Direct mail can take the form of sales letters, fliers, brochures, postcards, or any Direct mail can take the form of sales letters, fliers, brochures, Mail order, or direct mail, can be magic in terms of sales for the self-publisher. Mail order, or direct mail, can be magic in terms of sales for • • • Book fair organizers will provide you Book fair organizers other printed material you send winging into the mailboxes of potential readers. You other printed material you send winging into the mailboxes of describing your book can use any direct-mail format that works for you, from a letter to a one-page flier or multipage brochure. In fact, some self-publishers sell almost exclusively by mail order without worrying In fact, some self-publishers sell almost exclusively by mail of itself and can be very their heads with the book trade. Mail order is an art in and you can about it before expensive. If you plan to take it on in a big way, read everything at the back of this you take the plunge. You’ll find a list of sources in the Appendix book. with a cloth-draped table for exhibiting with a cloth-draped want to bring: your wares. You’ll to work the show and find things that others things that others the show and find to work small press booths these are overlooking, some great finds. can offer 164 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business Maybe it’sadescription ofthebenefitshavingreadbook, likeahealthier to readonwithtidbits oftheinformationyou’llharnesswhenyou buythebook. immediately hooksyour attention.Maybeit’sadescriptionofthebook, enticingyou them, eventhosesellingwinterunderwearor summer fleasprays. mailbox. Thebestonestostudyarethosethat pitch books,butcarefullyexamineallof to hergardeningorpersonalfinancedreams problems,forexample. aim forinyourletteristhesensethatyou’rewritingtoherpersonallywithanswer attention soshe’llreaditthrough.Besidesinterestandattention,themainthingto pick itupinsteadoftossingaside.Then,whenshedoesup,mustkeepher off thedeskortableandinstantlycaptureyourpotentialclient’sattentionsothatshe’ll other direct-mailpiecesyoudesign. sales letters,butyoucanandshouldapplythesesamesuccesssecretstipstoany best ideaofwhichformatistheforyourcompany.We’regoingtotalkhereabout See page171for asample. your form. Make sure your form isclear,to understand, easy to fillout. andeasy instance, you your let might customer “flag”the discount bycheckingabox on same ideainto your order form. Ifyou’re offering adiscount for earlyordering, for your style,them. byall meansuse Ifnot,think howelseyou incorporate might the stickers, reply cards,tear-offs. and They work. effect. the participation Call it the reply card. That’sthose PublishersClearingHousepackets why are all fullof mail offersthey’re asked, inwhich for example,to pastea “yes” or “no” sticker on they donothingfor.something forthan one Inotherwords, peoplelike direct- peopleare farthat is moreto anofferto respond likely they have do to actively Participation EffectThe What dotheyhaveincommon?Foronething, theystartoffwithsomethingthat If thissoundsdaunting,tryreadingallthosedirect-mail piecesthatcometoyour Since mostpeopletodayarefloodedwithdirect-mailpieces,yoursneedstoleap Experimentation, testing,and—always,always—marketresearchwillgiveyouthe Of course, money,these gimmicks cost ifyou but canafford they fit them and O ne of the quirky things about direct mail(andhumannature) direct things about the quirky ne of The Hook The 10 / Advertising and Marketing 165 . Generally speaking, Everybody wants to know . Write to just one reader, as though to just one reader, . Write Bright Idea organizations Join any thattar- match your things for Volunteer get market. that book and your will get your recognized publishing company Most people and thought well of. within an respect volunteers consider and them organization area experts in the organization’s of interest. . Instead, use everyday language that the . Remember to relate it directly to your book and how Prospecting for Attention for Prospecting Grab that reader’s attention Grab that reader’s it will benefit your customer. it will benefit your customer. and “free.” like “secret” Use time-proven winning words a secret, and everybody wants something for free! Like what? How about some- a secret, and everybody wants something for free! Like what? you might say: thing like: “Learn the secrets of financial security for life!” Or Garden!” “Receive a free gardening calendar when you buy The Night words you have space, try for headlines of ten or more Where longer sells better than shorter when it comes to headlines. write for thousands of prospective readers Don’t you’re speaking to him or her personally. Save the flowery prose for a poetry contest average person can relate to. • Be sure to check out the sample sales letter we have provided on page 167 and look Be sure to check out the sample • • • • After the main body of your letter, tell your customer what she needs to do to After the main body of your Then go to work on the body of the on the body of the Then go to work over the following sales tips: buy your book. Put in a convenient order form that she can send back, or make your buy your book. Put in a convenient can call and order if she’d prefer. If you’ve designed phone number easy to spot so she or a freebie, this is the place to mention it. a discount with a time element letter. Again, analyze the ones you’ve analyze the ones you’ve letter. Again, makes them work? Notice received. What a lot of time describing the that they spend book. You’ll want to do the benefits of the of your same thing. Emphasize the benefits repeating them as often as you can, using different book throughout your body copy, customer’s mind. If you’ve got testimonials, use descriptions so they stick in your to your book and your company, and they add them too. They lend credibility by showing that it’s not just you who thinks your another dimension to your copy just like your prospect. products are great—it’s real people financial picture, a healthier mind and body, mind and picture, a healthier financial the showplace of that’s the or a garden same approaches Try the neighborhood. letter. Experiment until you with your sales that sounds good to you hit on something particular niche. and matches your 166 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business effect. Nowlet’sreviewsomesure-firetechniquesforwinningcustomers: • • • • • OK, we’veseenwhatdirectmaillookslikeandhowtodesignyourownforoptimum • • • • stick, paste,ortearoff. to read,and,ifpossible, somethingto your customersplenty to lookat,lots Remember theparticipation effect used andgettheirpermission. their namesandhometownswillbe must notifytestimonial-giversthat real hometowns.Rememberthatyou ers Offer testimonialsfromsatisfiedcustom- the appealyourcopyshouldmake. copy willhelpyoufocusonthebasicneedor desireyourproductsatisfiesand crammed inyourcustomers’mailboxes.Penningheadlinebefore Write arivetingheadline some nebuloustimeinthefuture. only through______.”Thisencouragesreaderstobuynowinsteadofat days, you’llreceiveafree______.”You mightalsotry:“Thisofferisgood Time-date youroffer. you couldincludeacolorchart,measuringguide,ordesigner’s notebook. inexpensive) orameretrinket.Ifyourbooksfocusonhomedécor, for instance, and targetmarket,youcangiveawaysomethingsubstantial(butstillrelatively something forfree.Everybodylikesagift.Dependingonyourstyle,budget, Give awayfreebies withpromptpurchase you produce. Relax andenjoyyourself commit toaprintrun. trust asaspelling,punctuation,andgrammarstarcheckyourworkbeforeyou Keep yourmaterialscleanandfree ofgrammarandstyleerrors become annoyinginsteadofintriguing. and italicssparingly. Ifyouusethemfornoparticularreason,ortoooften,they punch andout-pullplaintext.Butuseelementslikeboldfacetype,underlining, Try indentedparagraphs,underlinedwords, andtwocolors efits, too. Don’t focusonlyonthefeatures ofyourbooks . Userealfirstandlastnames, Saysomethinglike:“Ifyourespondwithinthenext30 . Havefun!Itwillcomeacrossinthemarketingmaterials Winning Ways . Your lettermust competewithscadsofothers . Give . Rememberthateverybodylikestohave out acheck. out phone, downandwrite to sit than to youor call overthe andgive it carda credit number onaform, easier for yourto fillin customer toll-free calls. It’s much cards credit and Accept Tip Smart . Spendtimehighlightingtheben- . Thesepackmoreofa . Havesomeoneyou 10 / Advertising and Marketing 167 The Night Just fill out the that I’m also going that I’m offering you and a free gift. The Night Garden The Night Garden I can’t offer it for long. Sales Letter Sales is the perfect book to read alone or to share with family and is the perfect book to read alone Glowworm Press Glowworm
The Night Garden. is the only book you’ll find that reveals the secrets of tending to your garden find that reveals the secrets is the only book you’ll
1 Firefly Lane • Luminescent, Florida 10000 • (850) 555-0000 • www.glowwormpress.com you can have a bounty of fresh vegetables on the table for supper. you can have a bounty of fresh vegetables you have in years. peutic scent. You’ll sleep better than warm summer evenings, you’ll be out enjoy- renewal. Instead of watching TV on ing your own private sanctuary. gaze on in wonder. I’d like to offer you a very special invitation— I’d like to offer you I’ve chosen you to receive this offer because I know you love gardening, just as I do. you love gardening, just as I do. receive this offer because I know I’ve chosen you to The Night Garden Free Gift! you a free gift: a special gardener’s calendar As an added bonus, I’m also offering I hope you’ll take advantage of this offer. • flowers that fill your home and garden with thera- How to grow night-blooming • can use your garden as a source of rejuvenation and How you and your family • into your garden, while you and your family How to attract nocturnal wildlife • vegetables after dark. Even if you work all day, How to plant and grow organic Peter Moss Author and Independent Publisher Best regards, Hello Charlie Gardener! Hello Charlie Gardener! You treasure the fragrance of roses after a rain and the fresh scent of moist, rich earth the fresh scent of moist, rich earth fragrance of roses after a rain and You treasure the book just for gardeners. Now you can enjoy a brand-new under your fingers. Garden on luxurious cream stock, with illustrations by a special publisher’s edition printed $14.95—that’s 10 percent off the retail price! noted garden artist Lel Lorin, for only after dark. You’ll learn: after dark. You’ll you’ll learn, you’ll find yourself referring to it again friends. With all the tips and tricks with and again. I’m so sure you’ll be delighted P.S. I’m so positive you and your family will love to send you a hand-crafted cricket house for your own garden! It’s absolutely free, to send you a hand-crafted cricket house for your own garden! It’s on the reply along with the garden calendar. All you have to do is circle the cricket form when you send it back. enclosed reply form and pop it in the mail to me. If you’re not pleased for any reason, enclosed reply form and pop it in the mail to me. If you’re not pleased your money. Don’t just send it back in its original condition, and I’ll cheerfully refund take too long! Because of demand, my offer must end June 1st. that helps you plan your hours in your private backyard getaway. Packed with full- that helps you plan your hours in calendar almost as color photos and handy gardening tips, you’ll treasure the garden much as 168 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business and earnmorethan$50,000peryearforyourbookonsailingadventuresinMaine. fitness magazines;oryoumighttargetNortheasternmenwhobuymarineequipment health andfitnessbook,youcanchooseMidwesternwomenwhohavebought maximum securityprisoninmateswhosemailiscarefullymonitored. (Scholastic Inc.),homemakerswholiketodoartsandcrafts,sailingenthusiasts,or no wayofknowingifthey’rejuniorteenswhosemainreadingpassionis its demographicprofile,you’llgetafairlyindiscriminateselectionofviewers.Youhave choose it, butforthesakeofmakingapoint,let’slookatfollowingexample.Youmight with amailinglistthananyothermedium. worth morethandoubleyouradbudget.Youcantargetaudienceeffectively thing, soletthemadvise youonwhat’sbestforyourparticularsituation. though, thatyoushould usethemcarefully.Listbrokersareexperienced atthissortof compiled lists.Thisdoesn’t meanyoushouldneverusecompiledlists. Itdoesmean, yours, they’relikelytobuyyoursaswell.This maynotbethecasewithpeopleon editions, butthemainideahereisthatsincethey’ve alreadyboughtbookssimilarto buyers ofgourmetcookbooks,orbooksonvegetable gardening,orDisneycollectibles The peopleonitarealreadyknowntoorderbooks throughthemail.Theymightbe mail intheirlives. know thatthosedoctorsorcontractorscar aficionados haveeverboughtabookby comprised ofpeoplewhohavepreviouslybought bookssimilartoyours,youcan’t and whoarebetween4570yearsold. in commonsuchas:peoplewholiveManhattanandmakemorethan$30,000ayear, A compiledlistcanalsobemadeupofpeoplewithcertaindemographiccharacteristics people whohaveattendeddifferenttypesofvacations,tours,seminars,orworkshops. clubs; membersofprofessionalorganizationsfromdoctorstocontractors;oreven of agroupororganization—forexample,membersalumnaeorganizationscar buyer orresponselist.Acompiledlistismadeupofpeoplewiththecommonthread When you rent a mailing list, however, you can target your audience to a tee. For a When yourentamailinglist,however,cantargetyouraudiencetotee.For Say youdecidetogowithanalternativeandadvertiseonTV. We don’t recommend A mailinglistcanmakeorbreakadirect-mailcampaign,andgoodbe Now, theothertypeoflist—thebuyerlist—is the oneyouwanttoshootfor.Why? The mainpointtorememberwithcompiledlistsisthatunlessyourentalist In themailinglistworld,therearetwotypesoflists:compiledand I LoveLucy rerunsor The Response,The Please The X-Files The List The orthe Tonight Show . Althougheachwillhave Goosebumps
10 / Advertising and Marketing 169 . We’ve provided the provided . We’ve Target Marketing Target and The Rules Catalog Age Going for Broke for Going ad or, if you don’t specify a shipping time, within 30 days. The clock starts tick- if you don’t ad or, An order order. ing on this time requirement when you receive the completed cash, check, or money is complete when you have a) received your customer’s account, and c) have all the infor- credit card or b) charged the person’s order, specify If the customer doesn’t mation you need to process and ship the order. the order is essential information, such as quantity or shipping preferences, considered incomplete. This the order. to pay for the purchase, you have 50 days to ship after receiving is the one exception to the 30-day shipping rule. a prompt refund offer an alternative option. The customer can either receive notice must include a new shipping date, instructions Your or agree to a delay. and a postage-paid way to reply. on how to cancel the order, Yellow Pages under “Advertising—Direct Mail,” or within the pages of direct- Mail,” or Pages under “Advertising—Direct Yellow like marketing magazines names of a few list brokers in the Appendix to get you started. list brokers in the Appendix to names of a few share! they’ll often similar target markets. Yes, selling books to an eye out for. too often but is worth keeping • If you do not specify a shipping time and your customer is applying for credit • meet the shipping deadline, you must notify your customer and If you can’t • in your send ordered merchandise within the time period specified must You As a direct-mail merchandiser, you must follow the rules—specifically, the Federal you must follow the rules—specifically, As a direct-mail merchandiser, Where exactly do you get mailing lists? mailing lists? exactly do you get Where • find in your local of list brokers, which you’ll Rent them from any number • publishers engaged in from your competition—other Rent or swap lists directly • fit your target market. from associations whose members Rent directly • happen This doesn’t Buy lists from a competitor who has gone out of business. • Build up your own list and use it often. Trade Commission’s Mail or Telephone Order Rule, which regulates direct-marketing Trade Commission’s Mail or Telephone you). These rules also apply to orders placed via fax, businesses (and that includes find yourself flailing in rough seas if you ignore the email, and the internet. You can or Telephone Order Rule, so we have laid them out guidelines set forth in the Mail legalese, the guidelines actually make sense for you below. Unlike a lot of government and are easy to follow: 170 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business subscriptions (afterthefirstissue),CODorders,seeds,andplants. direct-marketing sources.Theexceptionsarephotofinishingservices,magazine Appendix togetyoustarted. read everythingyoucanonthesubject.You’ll findafewusefulbookslistedinthe much tolearnaboutseminarproduction.Before youdiveintothisarmofyourcareer, for example,yourbooksandseminarscan bethebestplatformforyourwork. subject matter.Ifyou’reacrusaderforsavingtheplanetorteachingkidsself-esteem, your book’sincome.Itcanalsobeextremelyhelpfulinspreadingthewordabout for paidseminarsuccess.Thiscanbealucrativeenterprisethattidilyaugment hand inhand.Many,manyself-publishedauthorsusetheirbooksasaspringboard The MailorTelephoneOrderRuleappliestoalmosteverythingorderedthrough Ifyourcustomercancelsanorder, youmustrefundhisorhermoney. Ifthe • Whathappensifyoudon’t shipthe • Ifyourcustomeragreestoanew • Like theworldofmailorderand of self-publishing,however,there’s As weexplainedatthebeginningofthisbook,self-publishingandseminarsgo you mustcreditthecustomer’s creditcardaccountwithinonebillingcycle. the moneywithinsevenbusinessdays.Iforderwaspaidforbycreditcard, customer paidfortheorderbycash,check,ormoneyorder, youmustreturn must counttheorderascanceledandsendarefund. merchandise ontimeanddon’t notifyyourcustomerasrequiredbylaw?You the person’s money. matically canceltheorderandrefund postage-paid notice,youmustauto- tomer signsandreturnsthissecond as soonpossible.Unlessthecus- again, youmustsendasecondnotice shipping dateandyoucan’t meetit Seminar Time loaded asaPDF. available onlineandcanbedown- www.ftc.gov. is text The complete Federal Trade Commission at Telephone Order Rule fromthe the Mailor copy of yourGet owncomplete Tip Smart 10 / Advertising and Marketing 171 ____ FREE FREE ______/ ______/ ______Zip Expiration today! State ($14.95 per book) ($14.95 per book) $ The Night Garden The Night Garden ($10.00 value, Garden calendar MasterCard Order Form/Reply Card Form/Reply Order Total Cost $ ■ (850) 555-0000 • www.glowwormpress.com free with this offer) you circle the cricket on this card)
Florida residents add 6% sales tax $ free if Cricket house ($20.00 value, ______Visa Glowworm Press • 1 Firefly Lane • Luminescent, Florida 10000 ■ ______Check ■ ______Just fill in the following information to send your copy winging its way to you: information to send your Just fill in the following Quantity Item Cost Yes! Send my copy of Yes! Send my Shipping and handling ($3.95 per book/gift set) Phone $ Name Address City Card number Signature
11
Selling in Cyberspace
Having a website is a must for any serious business these days. People from all over the world can see and buy your books at any time, day or night, on your website. It’s just part of doing business in the 21st century.
This is even truer for writers. People love to connect with writers. And if you are a self-publishing writer who has an 174 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business business: then herearesomethingstoconsiderindecidingthatawebsiteisimportantforyour department. expertise anddospeakingengagements,awebsitecanhelpyouinthecredibility changes. the complexityofyour webbusiness)usuallyincludeacertainamount ofmonthly going. Hostingfees(from aslittle$30amonthtoseveralhundred, dependingon have it“hosted”—someonewithalargeserver thatkeepseverythingcomingand around $1,000forawell-designedsite.You willalsoincurmonthlychargesto web designcompany.Thecostistypicallynot outofreach;youcanexpecttospend of howtheirsitecaterstobuyerbase. Check outallthewebsitesofdifferentproducts youarefamiliarwithandgetasense customer baseisalmostcompletelydifferent from,say,theyoungdirtbikebuyer. motorcycle dealershipsarespotlessworksof art; theyknowthattheirmiddle-aged if theyweretobeshoppingattheireverydayForddealership.HarleyDavidson they expecttohaveahigh-qualityexperiencecomparedwhatwouldencounter differences inanyretailworld.WhenapotentialbuyerwalksintoCadillacshowroom, shop, youneedyourwebsitetoexpressthekindofbusinesspersonare.Lookat information-only site.Butbesureitisprofessionallooking.Justlikeaphysicalretail and wanttodesignyourownwebsite,that’sgreat,especiallyifit’sgoingbean it, getoveritnowifyouaregoingintobusiness.Ifadeptatusingacomputer Your businessisopen24/7/365. • You cantracktheresultsofyourmarketingeffortsmoreeasilywithwebsite • Theentireworldisyourmarket. • Customerscanreadilygetinformation,ormoreonyourbusiness • Websites giveyoutheabilitytochangecontentquicklyandcheaply, makingit • If youaren’tgoingtobeweb-based,forwhichhavingawebsiteisclearlymust, If youdon’tfeellikecancreatetherightwebsite, considerhiringaprofessional If youareoneofthosepeoplewhoclaimtobecomputerilliterateandproud “hits” andquestions/ordersyougetfromyoursite. just bylookingatyourwebsite. does notaffordyouthateaseofchange. easy tokeeptheinformationyouhaveoutthereupdate.Printingabrochure Setting Upa Website 11 / Selling in Cyberspace 175 once a once a Smart Tip Weekly Publishers quarter does something a listing Select,” “PW called been self- of books that have They published. then review There about 25 to 40 a quarter. self- all are too many to review the full Read published books. Jim co-editor with PW interview Milliott in Chapter 14. Your Homepage Your Website Design Website Include a photo of your book and a photo Your homepage should introduce your business—go ahead and give a Your homepage should introduce Your customer will first come to your “homepage” where you will introduce them Your customer will first come The design of your site should be simple yet comprehensive. By the time your The design of your site should You can also buy “template” web designs—you fill the details into a basic design. fill the details into a basic design. “template” web designs—you You can also buy Find web designers by searching online or noticing who designed the sites you like. designed the or noticing who online designers by searching Find web Before you hire a designer, look at lots of other websites and make sure you can and make of other websites look at lots hire a designer, Before you of you on the homepage—the web customer should open to your site and know they got the site they are looking for. Go ahead and include a shot of you and your dog—readers like to know authors! little history about how you got started but don’t tell every detail about every thought you’ve ever had about the business. This is a chance for customers to feel like they lose them right at the know you, but don’t homepage! to your business and tempt them to spend some time on your site browsing other to your business and tempt them enough to order something. pages—and ultimately be enticed customers have spent a few minutes on your website, they should have a pretty good customers have spent a few minutes what you sell but that you care about quality and sense of your business—not just customer service. There are many template companies to choose from, such as www.baskweb.com, from, such as www.baskweb.com, template companies to choose There are many have to and www.web.com. You don’t www.weebly.com, www.dreamtemplate.com, by they are designed to be put together wiz to use them; be a computer programming computer skills. anyone with basic The designer doesn’t have to be local to design your site—everything can be done, your site—everything can have to be local to design The designer doesn’t well, online! give the designer ideas on what you like and don’t like in the websites you see. in the websites and don’t like on what you like designer ideas give the 176 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business sections theyareinterestedin. signs youseeoverheadinthegrocerystoreorpharmacy—directcustomersto customer canclickontogetthatsectionofyouronlinestore.Thinkitlikethe important partsofyour website.Youmay home. sure readersknowhoweasyitistogetback site atalltimes—onlyunlikeDorothy,make having Dorothy’srubyredslippersonyour their wayforwardagainfromthere.It’slike to getthembackthebeginningandfind page—all theyhavetodoisclick“home” to lookatfurther.Onewayhelpthisisalwayshavea“home”buttononevery customer iftheycan’teasilygetbacktoapointwheresawsomethingwanted like thisisthemostcommonwaywebsitesaresetup,butitcangetfrustratingtoyour started from.Theother“drills”themfurtherandintoyoursite.Drillingdown they aredonebrowsingthatpageandcloseitout,getbroughtbacktothe when theyclickonacategory,thenewsectionpopsupovermainpage,and site. Thiscanbeaccomplishedintwoways—oneiswitha“pop-upwindow”where, back! your come site—theymaynot leading customersaway from baking products. beware But of sellpizza-relatedthat companies want your book,to bylinking makingtherefore pizzas whowill to encourageto consider people wrote abookonpizzas andwant for whatever reason—maybe you Your homepageisoneofthemost Each timetheviewerclicksonabuttonyourwebsite,theygetfurtherinto The Rest of the Site Rest of The pages ofothercompanies Beware! You canconsider linking tothe web Drilling Down Drilling of yourhomepagewithheadingsthatthe website provider. depends onwhatsetupyouhavewithyour talks. Howoftenyoucanchangethispage to jumpthepageaboutyourscheduleof next one,oraboxthatencouragesviewers But havean“upcoming”boxthattellsthe date ofeveryseminaryouhavescheduled. don’t havetoclutterthepagewithevery page. Ifyoudospeakingengagements, mative. Include amenuofitemsalongoneedge By allmeans,dosomeadvertisingonthis Keep thehomepagesimplebutinfor- information. your to get contact homepage just to backtrackalltheway toyour your site,theydon’twanttohave have drilledafewpagesdowninto of yourwebsite.Oncecustomers and phonenumberoneverypage ness’s name,address, Always includeyourbusi- Idea Bright 11 / Selling in Cyberspace 177 Shopping Cart Selling from a Website a Selling from Also on the shopping cart page will be where they decide what kind of shipping Also on the shopping cart page will be where they decide what The shopping cart page is where the customer can make changes. Here they can The shopping cart page is where the customer can make changes. If you have just one book, a shopping cart setup can be quite simple. The shopping If you have just one book, a shopping There was a time when small businesses used websites mainly as marketing pieces— when small businesses used websites There was a time they want. Always offer inexpensive shipping options along with overnight options— they want. Always offer inexpensive shipping options along with catalog and online sales, shipping charges is one of those things that still bogs down also want them to feel so give customers the option of making it very cheap. But you have something shipped like they can shop online last minute as well, so the ability to overnight is a must. change the quantity of each item (sometimes bad for you, when they decide to change change the quantity of each item (sometimes bad for you, when a copy of your book it to 0, other times good when they decide not only will they order but make it three, to send one to Mom and Aunt Jean as well). for their sister, cart is a simple function that your web designer will build into your site if you say you cart is a simple function that your offer several books, or paraphernalia associated with want it (which you do). If you customers shop, they can click the little button that your book’s topic, as your online cart” and it will join the list of any other items they says “add this item to my shopping carts accumulate items that stay there even after have already put in the cart. Some feature can translate into more sales—if a customer the customer left the site. This the transaction, they don’t have to go through the gets interrupted before completing shopping carts entire shopping process when they return to your site. “Abandoned” sale is done—and this is a big issue with online shopping—customers leave before the feature can retrieve some of those abandoned carts. people came to the site to view your products, then either called an order in or printedthen either called an order in or the site to view your products, people came to almost order to you. Those days are from the site and faxed their out an order form see whatat their computer and not only expect to be able to sit gone. Again, customers order it right then and there.While it may be OK thatyou have to offer but be able to and order your book, ideally, once you have themthey click over to a site like Amazon order the book there where you get all the profits.Theat your site, they might as well need—and that your designer will set you up with—istwo key things that your site will collect their items in and a secure way to pay for them. a shopping cart for customers to want a separate page for each title you have self-published. You need a page for need a page for You have self-published. for each title you separate page want a more detail below. is covered in of course, which ordering, 178 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business purchase, yoursiteneedstoincludeaPayPalbutton. for eBaytraders,somuchthatin2002boughtPayPal.IfyouallowPayPal money toanyonewithanemailaddress.PayPalbecamethepaymentmethodofchoice withdrawn whenyouuseittopayforapurchaseonline.PayPalallowssend it upwithfundsorattachtheirPayPalaccounttoacreditcard,andthenare reasons tomakesureyourcontactinformationisavailableonallwebpages. option offaxingintheirorder, andthereisalwaystheoptionofcalling—bothgood credit cardnumberovertheinternet.Somecompaniesstillgivethosepeople has becomeverysecure,therearestillpeoplewhohavenointerestingivingouttheir always anoptionforpayingyourcyberpurchase.Whileusingcreditcardsonline monthly fee.Amazonis constantlychangingitsofferingsandhasproven veryfriendly successful onlinesellingspace. your productsarepotentiallyinfrontoftheeyes ofthemillionsvisitorstothisvery process, withsimpleregistration)andthereis anominalfeeforthestore.However, come findyourproducts.YoumustbeaneBay selleralready(whichisaveryeasy personalized sellingplatformsimilartoyourown website,whereeBaycustomerscan sales. a minimumbid.Reservedpricingprobablydoesn’t makealotofsense foryourbook you cansellitwith“reservedpricing”wheretheitemdoesnotifdoesn’tmeet You canlistyourbookina“fixedprice”listingwherethereisnoactualbidding.Or these inconjunctionwithyourownsiteorbeforeyougetupandrunning. PayPal isanotheroptionforpayingonline.Peoplewithaaccountload Most anyonereadingthishasshoppedonlineandknowsthatcreditcardsare This giantintheonline booksellingworldisnowofferingonline“storefronts” fora The otherwayyoucanselloneBayistoopen aneBaystore.Thisisbasicallya The popularauctionsite,eBay,offersacouplewaystosellyourbooksonline. There areotherwaystosellonlinebesideshavingyourownwebsite.Youcantry Other Ways Online to Sell Payment Options Amazon eBay 11 / Selling in Cyberspace 179 Other Sites here’s no point to having a website if you don’t do what you can do what don’t you a website if you no point to having here’s T website. what’s new. what’s and family. website URL listed prominently. site. your mention always do public speaking, If you Provide an “expert” column to newspapers and make sure to mention your site. Suggest visitors bookmark your advertising web with other websites. Trade giveaways. with contests Create people coming back to see Change your content/product regularly to keep Join online discussion groups. them to tell all their friends Simply tell all your friends and family and ask engine registration. search Do the appropriate send to anyone has your Make sure every printed and online piece you ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ These are just a few of a long list of ideas for getting people getting of a long list justto come These are of ideas for to your a few You might be able to work a deal with a website that sells complementary products that sells complementary products to work a deal with a website You might be able to get people to click on it. Here are some tips for attracting visitors, and possibly visitors, attracting some to get are tips for people Here it. to click on website: to your buyers, Get People Clicking Get People website in the first place and keep coming back, and to encourage them and to to encourage tell website in back, the first coming place and keep category to other author websites or in any around Click they know. everyone ideas and get to drive other creative eye, see what catches your you, that interests site. your people to that might carry your book. Say your topic is horses. One or more of the thousands of One or more of the thousands your book. Say your topic is horses. that might carry to self-publishing. Check them out frequently to see what’s new and how it might fit how it might fit what’s new and to see them out frequently Check to self-publishing. venture. self-publishing into your 180 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business share oftheprofit. equine-related websiteswilllikelybehappytocarryyourbookontheirwebsitefora put yourlinkontheirsite. hyperlinks onyourwebsitetoothercompaniesthatyourecommendandaskthey among companieswhoseproductsandservicescomplementeachother.Youcanput business-card-size coloradsyoufindaroundtheedgesofawebsite)areoftentraded with whomyoucantradeadsorproducts.Forinstance,“bannerads”(thosemini- for yourbusiness—letterhead,businesscards,printadvertisements,newsletters,radio may beincyberspace,sureyourwebaddressisoneveryprintedpieceyoucreate wantto doisoffend acustomer. Sofollowthese guidelines for proper emailing: to emailing. comes to understandgoodetiquettewhenit need thing you The last Netiquette If youalreadyhaveyourownwebsite,canconsiderfindingappropriatesites Once youhavecreatedyourwebsite,don’tkeepitasecret!Whilewebsite ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ ❍ Create asignature for every emailyou yourthat compose emailso auto- also Beenticing give but an accurate your in senseofwhat emailisabout Spellcheckyour emails. because emailisquick, Just doesn’t have it to be Never useall uppercase letters; isconsideredthe equivalent it ofshouting. Keep your messages short and to the point. Keepto and your messages short address so the recipient can quickly see how to contact you.to contact the recipientaddress canquicklyseehow so matically includesyour businessname, address, phonenumber, andemail line. the subject sloppy. T Marketing Your Website he dramatic increase in the use of email has meant that there isa he dramaticthat the use ofemailhasmeant increase in Trades 11 / Selling in Cyberspace 181 Bright Idea thinking of anyone For self-publishing a book, Stephanie Chandler of Authority Publishing recommends blog- ging as the very first thing an author should do, even before you write the book. It helps you start building the audience and then becomes the foundation for your social media. See her full inter- view in Chapter 14. E-Newsletters Keep ’Em Interested Keep Cyberspace Don’t Avoid Avoid Don’t You can see that it is to your business’s Then, make it easy for customers to use Keep your website fun and changing. Find ways to engage readers with information Keep your website fun and changing. Be sure they know immediately whose website they have arrived at. Make it easy Be sure they know immediately Once you get visitors checking out your site, there are some ways to keep them Once you get visitors checking Creating a newsletter that is sent via email has become a popular way for businesses become a popular way for businesses that is sent via email has Creating a newsletter advantage to sell online. Most authors are already comfortable with computers and the your website to order and pay. Nothing will make them click the exit button faster than to find it is difficult to spend their money! from your book, links to news stories related to your book’s topic, and miniwebinars from your book, links to news in the form of videos. for them to contact you by having a “contact us” button that makes it simple for them for them to contact you by having to send you a message. there as long as possible. The longer they are there, the more likely they are to order there as long as possible. The longer something. to keep in touch with their customers. Solicit e-newsletter subscribers on your own e-newsletter subscribers on your with their customers. Solicit to keep in touch is e-newsletters out unsolicited the websites of others. Sending website, and on a useful, hot water. But once you create and can land you in a bit of considered “spam” contain a coupon or special or even a giveaway, people readable newsletter that might will readily subscribe. ads—everything that has to do with your business should announce your web address. web address. announce your business should to do with your that has ads—everything message. answering machine address in your Put the 182 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business into youroverallprojectionsandbudget. they arestillcosts—suchaswebsitedesignandmaintenance—thatneedtobefigured with theadditionalsales.Andalthoughcostsforsellingonlinecanbeveryminor, marketing andsellingoption. internet andallthetrappingsthatgowithit,soitcomesnaturallytocreativelyusethis McDougall, co-ownerofCatalystWebworks. become usefultoolsforyoutointeractwithyouraudience. page, aTwitteraccount,andYouTubechannel.Thesesocialmediaaccountswill local areathroughpowerfulword-of-mouthcampaigns. done correctly,participatinginsocialmediawillhelpyourbusinessgrowbeyond customers. Thecostofentryintothismarketingchannelisoftenonlyyourtime.If owners tomeetandengagewithtargetedaudiencesfullofthousandspotential It doesseemlikeano-brainertobesellingonline,butyoumustprepareddeal 4. 3. 2. 1. Here areeightgreattipsonusingsocialmediatoyouradvantagefromJesse To getstarted,thereareafewthingsyoushouldsetuprightaway:Facebook The riseofsocialmediapresentsafantasticopportunityforallsmall-business just followingalong. Listen, instead.Learn the etiquetteandmajorplayers.Spendaweek ormore you canfollowtheongoingconversation Once you’vefoundyouraudienceonthesesites, join theirgroupsandlistssothat nal siteslikeTwibes andTwittGroups.com. help youfindyouraudience.To findyour audienceonTwitter, tryusingexter- sites, likeFacebookandYouTube, havegreat built-insearchfunctionsthatwill Use socialmediasearchandorganizationaltoolsto helpyoufindyouraudiences sions thatwouldcontainthepeopleyouarelooking tomeet. YouTube, Twitter, andMySpaceforgroups,organizations, channels,ordiscus- Once yourtargetaudiencesare defined,locatethemonline with them. kind ofpeopleyoumarkettoandwantuseyourbusiness—thenhangout groups, organizations,orassociationsaretheylikelytojoin?Thinkaboutthe they? Dothepeopleinyouraudiencetendtobemorefemalethanmale?What Before youstartanysocialmediaoutreach, defineyourtargetaudiences Social Media . Donotjumprightinwithasalespitch! . SearchFacebook, . Howoldare . Some 11 / Selling in Cyberspace 183 . Sometimes it seems there will soon . Sometimes it seems there will Fun Fact Fun is an engi- Deana Gunn Miniati Wona neer and co-author They has a business degree. Joe’s-related Trader started their now on a whim and cookbooks 40,000 around somewhere have and Twitter, on are fans, Facebook And now they do blog regularly. their See full time! self-publishing in Chapter 14.full interview . . Invent new ways to engage your audience. Invent new ways to engage your . Contests, giveaways, and raffles can be great tools for audience inter- . Contests, giveaways, and raffles be as many social media platforms as there are websites. To try to maintain a as there are websites. To be as many social media platforms Focus on the top two or three that presence on all of them is unsustainable. number of people in your target audience. have proven to contain the largest Do not hide who you are or the Do not hide represent. Become a company you the conversation and regular voice in expertise to others. offer your friendly to your website Invite people back accounts to see what and social media offer. it is you do and voice in the con- a regular Once you’re a little be shy about doing versation, don’t promotion Why not give away a book to someone action and promotion of your products. the chance to play in your contest and will invite every month? People will love friends to join in the fun. As your audience grows, stay creative friends. Continue to avoid hard sales pitches.and encourage them to invite their to their friends. They forward value. People do not forward commercials do not try to do everythingFinally, everywhere Once you’re familiar with the etiquette with the etiquette familiar Once you’re into the con- involved, jump and people appropriate when and where versation Remember, social media provides you with the opportunity to meet your Remember, social media provides 6. 7. 8. 5. audience—not sell to your audience. People do not join these social media network audience—not sell to your audience. participate for friendly interaction and the value that to find marketers. They join and and you will watch that interaction adds to their day. Provide that friendly interaction, your audience grow.
12
Controlling Your Finances
Whether you’re a chronic number cruncher or one of the finance-phobic, you’ll want to give your company periodic financial checkups. You may feel that you have already done all the math stuff several chapters back—which is true. But that was for the purpose of figuring out how much it would cost to get started and whether your book would earn enough potential 186 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business for beingpreparedwhentaxtimerollsaround. projected annualnetincome.Youwillalsolearnaboutfinancialstatementsandtips encounter inrunningyourbusiness,andwe’llwalkyouthroughdetermining page. Ifthere’s aproblem,you’llwanttofindoutbeforeitbecomescritical. are areality, you’llwanttodoperiodicchecksmakesureyou’restillonthe right profit tomakeitworthwhile.Onceyourpublishingcompanyandfirstbook(s) distance carrier. an ongoingbasis.Also figure inwhatsortofrateyou’venegotiated withyourlong- printer, yourdistributor andwholesaler,anyoneelseyouwilldo business withon in estimatedlong-distancechargesbasedon the locationsofyourcustomers, separate fromyourhomephone,andonefor your faxmachineandemail.Thenadd Start withabaserateof$25perlinemonth—one foryourbusiness,whichis monthly operatingexpenses: or employees.Asahomebasedself-publisher,youwillneedtoconsiderthefollowing start outinthisbusiness,sowewon’tworryabouttheexpensesforofficerent,utilities, backbone ofeverybusiness.Wewillassumethatyou’llbehomebasedwhenyoufirst company willalsohavethevariousandsundrymonthlyexpensesthatmakeup In thischapter,wewilldiscussthemonthlyoperatingexpensesthatyou You willdefinitelyrelyonphoneserviceformany aspectsofrunningyourbusiness. Promotions/marketing(covered inChapter10) • • Loan repayment Ongoinglegaloraccountingservices • Stationeryandofficesupplies • Electroniccardprocessing • Web hosting(soyourwebsite,ifyouchoosetohaveone,hasaserverkeep • ISP(internetserviceprovider) • • Postage • Phone Besides yourcompanysetup,bookproduction,andpromotioncosts,new it upandrunning) Operating Expenses Phone Facts 12 / Controlling Your Finances 187 pay for having one designed by a professional. You’ll also need a web host, which is not a dapper chap in a tuxedo standing at the door with a tray of champagne cocktails. It’s the computer or computers that handle all your customer traffic. A web host can be likened to an internet service provider. While you can manipulate your website all you want from your home/office computer, it takes a much larger server to handle the complexities and size of web traffic. That’s why you need a host. How much can you expect to pay? Expect to pay in the range of $5 to $75 per Web Host Web Access to the Net Access to the free web hosting is web hosting free Though of the lure Beware! Beware! attractive, do your home- do your attractive, If you’ve decided to have a website, your potential costs don’t end with the fee you If you’ve decided to have a website, ISPs, or internet service providers, generally charge a flat rate of up to $50 a month ISPs, or internet service providers, Also, if you get a “smartphone” and the accompanying cell phone plans, be careful Also, if you get a “smartphone” It’s likely you will also want a business cell phone. If you have great cell service If you have great cell service also want a business cell phone. It’s likely you will If you plan to sell books by direct mail or do seminars in various regions around in various regions or do seminars by direct mail to sell books If you plan work first. Someone’s got to pay Someone’s work first. often and it’s hosting, your for advertisers whose banners pop site—and whose your over up all over. no control have you content into getting Know what you’re commit host. you to a free before for unlimited monthly service, which gives you access to the World Wide Web and to for unlimited monthly service, provider. Most local cable services also offer internet email. Check with your cable TV service. of charges that keep creeping up. Work out the best plan for how you use your phone of charges that keep creeping up. of the plan so you don’t get taken by surprise with and be sure you know the details unexpected charges. in your home, you may want your cell phone to be your only phone line. But cell to be your only phone line. you may want your cell phone in your home, seem as the country; you will want to is still spotty in some areas of phone coverage service is crucial. so having good phone professional as possible, the country, you may want to invest in a toll-free number so customers can call at can call at so customers in a toll-free number want to invest you may the country, plans, so to be had on toll-free good deals There are many instead of theirs. your cost calls monthly fee and the incoming many instances, you pay a small shop around. In more This can be pricey as you receive normal long-distance rate. are charged at your it’s increases exponentially as a result, number of customers you’ll nab calls, but if the it. probably worth 188 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business to signupforonlythosethingsthatyoureallyneed. month dependingontheservicestheyoffer.Investigateservicemenuandbesure and oftendedicateonecreditcardtoonlinepurchases. in increasedpurchases,especiallyonlinewherepeoplearereluctanttouseadebitcard life—often theabilitytoacceptcreditcardpaymentspaysforitselfseveraltimesover have thatfeeof$19to$72permonthaccountforaswell.Creditcardsareafact $5 to$15.Andifyou’vedecidedleaseyourterminalinsteadofpurchasingit,you’ll your merchantcardservicehummingalong,youwillpayamonthlystatementfeeof by internetordirectmail,you’llhaveoperatingexpensesassociatedwiththis.Tokeep white andcolorcartridges. Besureto run $65to$75forboth theblack-and- cartridges forthemost basicprintercan printer inkisprettyexpensive!Even printer ink.Lasertonerandinkjet stationery, andenvelopes.Ohyeah, and faxmachine,fine-qualitypaperfor be paper:lotsofpaperforyourprinter initial purchase.Yourmainexpensewill and scissorsforquitesometimeafteryour to replaceofficeitemslikealetteropener reuse paperclips,andyoushouldn’thave fairly low.Stapleslastalongtime,youcan fixed expensesinthiscategoryshouldbe for officesuppliesandstationery,your your site. an accountreadytoacceptpayments.AndbesureloadtheirPayPalbuttononto anything tohaveabasicaccount.Headtheirwebsiteandinminutesyouwill be abletopayforyourgoodsusingeverypossiblemethod.PayPaldoesnotcost If youdecidetohaveanelectroniccreditcardterminalsothatcanacceptorders Once you’vemadeyourinitialoutlay Go aheadandsetupaPayPalaccount.Yourpotentialcustomerswillwantto Paper Tiger Getting Carded Your Pal Best the mail. in forthe final goesout draft that blank side. Save your “good” paper printer drafts andprint the on stack,them backinto your load aside. When you’vetidy compiled a the pages andset text the bad you didn’t like,through anx put youprintedthat decided materials ters, evaluation sheets, and other trashthose versions oflet- withall of practicingthe hoopshotsinto printerReuse paper.that Instead and economically smart. Be environmentally Stretcher Dollar 12 / Controlling Your Finances 189 Smart Tip grows, company As your postage expenses will your first year your but for too, bloom, should be able to you of operation fig- If you itkeep to a minimum. of two pieces of on an average ure mail per day at rate, the first-class can pencil in about $20 per you month. Paying the Piper the Paying Making a Statement An important tool for keeping your Financial checkups don’t have to be negative. They can give you a rosy glow to be negative. They can give you a rosy glow Financial checkups don’t have You may have many more expenses than the ones discussed here, such as employees discussed here, such as employees more expenses than the ones You may have many We’ve set aside a fixed expense called loan repayment. If you do not borrow money If you do not borrow money a fixed expense called loan repayment. We’ve set aside finances on track is the income and expenses statement, also called a profit-and-loss statement. This type of financial statement by demonstrating how well you’re doing—possibly even better than you expected. doing—possibly even better than you expected. by demonstrating how well you’re printer or software upgrade, or if you’re hoping If you’ve been saving for a new to achieving to take on an employee, you can judge how close you are early by that goal. And if there are problems, you can catch them doing regular financial checkups—and then you can make any changes you need to. For instance, if you discover that your income barely covers your promotional or operating expenses, you can change gears along with the number of direct-mail pieces you send out. and the workers’ compensation and payroll costs that go with them, auto expenses, that go with them, auto expenses, compensation and payroll costs and the workers’ publications. We have not included the costs and subscription fees for professional employees on our worksheet, but they are common associated with rent, utilities, and If they will not apply to your homebased company, features of financial projections. about them. But when you start publishing more of course, you won’t need to worry is successful enough to start considering them! books, you may find your business Projected Annual Income/Expenses Statement” on Use the worksheet called “Your operating expenses over the course of your page 192 and pencil in your estimated first year. to start your business, you won’t need to bother with this one. If, however, you finance with this one. If, however, you you won’t need to bother to start your business, where you Here’s to repay the piper. through any means, you’ll need your startup costs your monthly fee is. pencil in whatever collect (and use) any loyalty points and discounts you can get from the big-box office big-box office can get from the discounts you points and use) any loyalty collect (and supply stores! 190 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business earnings at$25,110. Glowworm projectsanannualincomeof$6,313,whileBell&Candleityearly for ourtwohypotheticalpublishers,GlowwormPressandBell&CandlePublishing. usually monthlyorannually. Checkouttheannualincomestatementsonpage191 charts therevenuesandoperatingcostsofyourbusinessoveraspecificperiodtime, companies onpage191. do makeaprofit!Alsotake alookatthe“AnnualIncome/ExpensesStatement” forthe sales forthesecompanies inthe“AnnualBookProfits”chartonpage 193.Yes, they at aprojectedannualnet income.Lookatthecalculationofgrossincome andcostof publishers, GlowwormPressandBell&Candle Publishing,toshowyouhowarrive you willarriveattheprojectednetincomefor yourcompany’sfirstyear. both youroperatingexpensesandthecostofsales fromyourprojectedgrossincome, includes: operating expensesthatyouhavealreadylisted,butalsothe“costofsales,”which this figuretoarriveatanetincomefigure.Yourexpenseswillincludenotonlythe your projectedgrossincomewillbe,thenyouneedtosubtractexpensesfrom arrive ataprojectionforprofitsfromyourfirstbook).Afteryouhaveanideaofwhat into accountbothretailandwholesalerevenue(usetheworksheetonpage194to you’re notfinishedyet.Next,youneedtodetermineyourprojectedincome,taking on page192.You should alreadyhavefilledintheoperatingexpensesyouproject,but your bottomlinewillbe. You needtodoyourowncarefulhomeworkdeterminewhatexpensesand expect. Aswehavesaidrepeatedly,thesefigureswillbedifferentforeverypublisher. it willcosttogettheendofpublishingyourfirstbookandwhatprofitsyoucan To giveyouafewtypicalscenarios,wehaveonce againusedourtwohypothetical Add alltheseelementstoarriveatafigurefor thecostofsales.Onceyousubtract Theadditional costsofdistributorfees,returns,atravelbudget,shippingand • Your projectedproductioncostsforyourfirstbook,fromtheworksheeton • Thetotalforyourprojectedcompanystartupcosts,fromtheworksheeton • Let’s gobackto“YourProjectedAnnualIncome/ExpensesStatement”worksheet And now,themomentwe’veallbeenwaitingfor:grandtotalforhowmuch help youcalculatetheseadditionalcosts. postage, whichwerediscussedinChapter8.Use theworksheetonpage194to page 97. page 74. Adding It All Up All Adding It 12 / Controlling Your Finances 191 Glowworm Bell & Candle $7,542 $19,226 $3,561 $10,764 $3,519 $12,080 $3,519 INCOME/EXPENSES STATEMENT INCOME/EXPENSES For the Year Ended December 31, 20xx Ended December 31, Year the For Annual Income/Expenses Statement Income/Expenses Annual ce supplies ce $120 $150 (total from worksheet on page 72) worksheet (total from on page 92) worksheet (total from (distributor fees, returns, travel Gross Income Income Gross $24,605 $74,850 Gross Cost of Sales (–$14,622) (–$42,070)
Projected Income sales Retail sales Wholesale Projected Cost of Sales Company startup expenses costs Production $7,770 $16,835 $49,900 $24,950 Other costs of doing business budget, shipping, and postage) Operating Expenses Phone line Toll-free Electronic credit card processing Postage Legal services (beyond startup) Insurance (remaining six months) Accounting services (beyond startup) Offi $300 Internet service provider repayment $360 $850 $300 six months) (remaining Web hosting (remaining six months) $0 Loan $900 $300 Miscellaneous Total Operating Expenses $1,200 $240 NetProjected Annual Income $180 $1,150 $400 $350 $900 $120 $300 $300 (–$3,670) $0 $6,313 $300 $120 (–$7,670) $2,000 $25,110 $500 192 Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business tlte Employeepayroll&benefi $ Utilities Commercial offi ) Miscellaneous (–$ Loan Webhosting(remainingsixmonths) repayment Internetserviceprovider(remainingsixmonths) Offi Accountingservices(beyondstartup) Insurance(remainingsixmonths) Legalservices(beyondstartup) Postage Electroniccreditcardprocessing $ Toll-free line Phone $ Operating Expenses Sales of Cost Gross budget,shipping,andpostage) Othercostsofdoingbusiness Production costs Companystartupexpenses Projected Cost ofSales Gross Income Wholesale sales Retail sales Projected Income rjce e nulIcm $ AnnualIncome Projected Net Total Operating Expenses (–$ ) (–$ TotalExpensesOperating (distributor fees,returns,travel (total from worksheet onpage97) (total from worksheet onpage74) Rent Rent c upis ce supplies For theYearEnding______ce only: Income/Expenses Statement Your Projected Annual ts
$
12 / Controlling Your Finances 193
Bell & Candle $7,770 24,950 $7,770 (–$3,670) (–$7,670) $5.18= sold x 1,500 copies sold = copies $9.98 x 2,500
(–$7,542) (–$19,226)
= $1.13 x 200 copies $1.58 x 500 copies = (–$3,561) (–$10,764) (–$500) (–$1,000) (–$226) (–$790) (–$1,000) (–$5,000) (–$1,000) copies (included in 200 500 copies (included in $24,605 $74,850 Annual Book Profits Annual
$6,313 $25,110 $14.95 x 1,300 per book $24.95 per book x 2,000 (–$200) (–$300)
costs) production production costs)
(–$14,622) (–$42,070) (–$14,622) 20% of $7,965 = 20% of $24,950 = Gross Cost Returns Free copies for Travel budget Shipping to distributor Postage (to send publicity copies to reviewers) of Sales Total Operating Expenses (setup, warehousing, etc.) publicity Net Income after all Expenses Production costs Distributor fees expenses Gross Income Company setup wholesaler price Retail price Distributor
(–$4,990) (–$1,593) Operating Expenses (–$0) (–$0) Net Income
Cost of Sales (at 60% discount)
Projected Income Glowworm Press Publishing copies sold = $16,835 copies sold = $49,900