The Traps and Pitfalls Of Getting Your Book Published?

Excellent work on self-publishing that for Kindle.

Sometimes I think that this forum has so much talent on it, that it could well just be easier if someone had a small publishing company set up for anyone from here who wrote a good quality book.

 

I'm pushing two years with mine. Right now I am waiting on publishers who are looking at it. I keep getting emails asking questions that I addressed in my proposal, such as word count, pictures, etc.

I'm giving strong thoughts on self-publishing.

Best of luck, Slipdigit, whichever way you eventually go. A small part of me does still wish that I'd tried to find a publisher but, all in all, I'm glad that I saved myself the pain!

 

I'm giving strong thoughts on self-publishing.

Thanks for all the kind words everyone.

Slip, being in USA you CAN self publish very easy.
Createspace is the Print On Demand version of Kindle

It costs too much to make it effective for UK authors (although they're
working on fixing that) but is VERY good for US based authors. I'm waiting
to see what happens with that.

Guys, the real coup with Kindle is that you keep 70% of everything!
(or 35% if you go the 'worldwide' route). None of this "less than 10%"
malarky where the publisher gets the money for all your hard work!

ALSO, it is worth thinking about if you have already published a book -
it is VERY simple to convert your work to Kindle format! And you might
find that people want to keep your book on their Kindle rather than lug
a huge book around with them. In effect, they'll be purchasing your
book twice, but they will do if they like what's in it

All the best!

 

Best of luck, Slipdigit, whichever way you eventually go. A small part of me does still wish that I'd tried to find a publisher but, all in all, I'm glad that I saved myself the pain!

Thanks for all the kind words everyone.

Slip, being in USA you CAN self publish very easy.
Createspace is the Print On Demand version of Kindle

It costs too much to make it effective for UK authors (although they're
working on fixing that) but is VERY good for US based authors. I'm waiting
to see what happens with that.

Guys, the real coup with Kindle is that you keep 70% of everything!
(or 35% if you go the 'worldwide' route). None of this "less than 10%"
malarky where the publisher gets the money for all your hard work!

ALSO, it is worth thinking about if you have already published a book -
it is VERY simple to convert your work to Kindle format! And you might
find that people want to keep your book on their Kindle rather than lug
a huge book around with them. In effect, they'll be purchasing your
book twice, but they will do if they like what's in it

All the best!

Thanks guys. I don't mind the electronic format and will certainly use it, but I think the man whom the book is about wants an actual book in his hands. The prices of those are not cheap.

 

For print-on-demand Lulu.com is very good and has printers around the world. That can really cut down on postage costs for the purchaser. Although, the initial purchase price has to be higher than having a run printed, especially if the internals are in colour.

I went that route from day one because I knew my books were not commercial enough for an established printer plus I could do exactly what I wanted with them.

Fortunately I have adequate IT skills to just about be able to do it all myself. Although the drawback with self-publishing is the difficulty in getting professional editing and proof reading as well as getting into the distribution chain.

However, I've been happy with the results and get small but regular sales every month.

Lee

 

Glad I found this tread as I actually think on writting a book on the British/Indian Army on Mid Java 45/46

 

Tjiger - go for it!


"I went that route from day one because I knew my books were not commercial
enough for an established printer plus I could do exactly what I wanted with them."

That was (is) my same thought, Lee, although I do have very many Hammers
who I hope will think it worth buying - there'll be a piece in the last
matchday programme of the season for the home game as well as a
piece in the local papers and the Legion magazine (and a mention on
BBC London radio) so hopefully that'll help shift a few. Obviously, I really
want to have it in 'old school' print and paper

I had looked at Lulu but discarded it as I thought
it required some upfront money (the pot from which
I would draw such funds is empty and echoing!). But,
as far as I can see there's no upfront required. I shall
be looking at that site again - I didn't realise your great
looking book was via Lulu, cheers

 

For print-on-demand Lulu.com is very good and has printers around the world. That can really cut down on postage costs for the purchaser. Although, the initial purchase price has to be higher than having a run printed, especially if the internals are in colour.

I went that route from day one because I knew my books were not commercial enough for an established printer plus I could do exactly what I wanted with them.

Fortunately I have adequate IT skills to just about be able to do it all myself. Although the drawback with self-publishing is the difficulty in getting professional editing and proof reading as well as getting into the distribution chain.

However, I've been happy with the results and get small but regular sales every month.

Lee

Lee, thanks for your comments. I've looked at their website. Were their any problems or gotchas dealing with Lulu?

 

There does not have to be any up front costs will Lulu unless you go for one of their distribution deals.

I had already pre-ordered a block of ISBNs so could use those for my books and had my own publicity plan.

One issue was to get listed in Amazon, the sales price had to be ridiculously high so that Amazon had their 50% slice to play with. But I don't think that is such a problem any more as Lulu has done a deal with them. Actually that’s something I need to look into again.

For awhile they were also automatically listing some of my books on eBay but that doesn’t seem to be happening anymore.

Books with colour internal pages are still way too expensive so I offered two versions, an expensive hardback full colour version and a much cheaper B&W paperback version. But interestingly the colour version does sell just as well as the B&W version.

I do like it that Lulu print in different countries around the world which helps with postage costs. Also now and then they issue discount coupon codes to reduce the sales price without affecting your commission. This is good for marketing.

So generally very pleased with my Lulu experience.

I'm using Google for eBooks but no so pleased with those.

 

ahh yes, the ISBN - you have to buy them in 10's, dont you?
About £120 or something I seem to remember - out of my league
at the moment, unless I can reinvest any sales money from the
Kindle version.

What I could try and do is have a paper version of the book ready
for the start of next season, then I can hit the marketing again


very best to all

 

AHD, It's not 100% necessary to have an ISBN if publishing with Lulu but if you want to distribute further a field then you do need one and looks more professional.

Actually I've just checked Lulu and it looks like they have a free distribution package (ExtendedReach) including an ISBN Lulu - What Distribution Services does Lulu offer? - Connect

I might try that for my next print book.


Lee

 

Up The Hammers! eBook: Elliott Taylor: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

 

Publication of more than one (low volume) work is my own eventual aim...

The ISBN sites are clear on the "publisher" requirements but would it be possible for a group of people to buy a batch of numbers, say for instance under a "writer-collective" banner or some-such-name, and reduce the "individual" cost...?

Psy-Lee...

There are a few "pro-am" readers here that would probably be able to assist in read-throughs...?

 

I am trying to right a book but can't as I am ill (dyslexia and other stuff). Two punished writers have said I should! It does not cost that much If you wish to get one out. It would not be about ww2 but what I am good at the 17century.

Don't wright a book for money write a book too advance literature or history!

 

Publication of more than one (low volume) work is my own eventual aim...

The ISBN sites are clear on the "publisher" requirements but would it be possible for a group of people to buy a batch of numbers, say for instance under a "writer-collective" banner or some-such-name, and reduce the "individual" cost...?



That's very possible as the ISBN are aimed at publishers rather than individual authors anyway.

When I purchased mine, I received a block of 10 ISBNs. They cost something like £60 - £70 back then (2001-ish). There was also the option to purchase a much larger block of numbers if required.

There's no reason against a collective of authors to establish their own publishing house (e.g. 'WW2Talk Press') to share ISBNs for their books.

Although it is worth noting that each edition of the book requires its own number. Therefore if you produce a hardback, paperback, ebook, you'd use up three of your allocation. And the same again for a second edition.


Psy-Lee...

There are a few "pro-am" readers here that would probably be able to assist in read-throughs...? :wink:

Good idea, I'll be asking for the second edition and another book in the works. Perhaps someone quid pro quo as I can offer assistance with DTP or TNA research in exchange.

 

Briefly my thoughts and experience. Having failed O level English and never written anything before I was unsure what to do. But what I did know was that I needed to put all my hard won research into book form so that it was recorded properly. My first experience of publishers and printers was a disaster as the book they produced didn't reflect all the hard work of six years research that I put into it. More importantly it didn't do justice to the men and the action that I wrote about. I only had a print run of 250 copies, all that I could afford at the time but it ended up costing a lot more when I kicked the printer and publisher into touch. I then found myself an excellent local printer who worked with me on the layout and design, I was in control of my project.
The publishing side was obviously more complicated but I knew that my book would only be for a niche market (though you live in hope of something greater) and making money other than just to cover my costs was not my goal. I sent flyers to various regimental and exservicemens associations and other parties that I thought would be interested. The whole print run has gone and all I'm left with is a heap of cr*p books from the original printer gathering dust in my garage, though I must admit that I have since given away some of these inferior copies in lieu on the understanding that they are not as I would wish.
In all I would say DIY if it's not a big project. You are then in control of your hard earned research and in some cases your obsession.
Lionboxer

 

... There's no reason against a collective of authors to establish their own publishing house (e.g. 'WW2Talk Press') to share ISBNs for their books...

Worth further investigation...

... Good idea, I'll be asking for the second edition and another book in the works. Perhaps someone quid pro quo as I can offer assistance with DTP or TNA research in exchange.

pm'd

 

Despite the fact that you failed O level English (thank God we have no O levels in the States) you write very well. If your book is as well written as your post, then it deserves a REAL publisher. Nil desperandum.

 

Many thanks for your comments TTH, I'm quite embarrased now!!
Lionboxer

 

In all I would say DIY if it's not a big project. You are then in control of your hard earned research and in some cases your obsession. Lionboxer

That's correct. Entirely. Most of the publishers obviously want to rule the project and put their stamp on it.The author's margin in the sales is normally rather ridiculous than even covering the actual expenses you had during the research. If giong with a publisher does not even cover your expenses (but granting him all the rights on your book) then it is better to spend some more money and do it all alone.

However: I should not only talk bad about publishers. In the project I am currently involved, the publisher signed the Contract without having seen the manuscript and the photographs - what is a real good sign of trust