Howdy,
i am 40,000 words into my novel; my first. I thought about getting it published the conventional way, briefly. Then i thought about vanity press, POD or what have you. But, I decided to go with the seriously unconvential route, the one that will ensure I'll only ever make a fraction of the money i would make otherwise.
I'm going to print it myself on a laser printer and hand bind it. A few editions will be labour intensive leather covers, some will be handmade recycled paperboard, some will be old licence plates, some will be spiral bound, some staple. Each will be different and unique. I'm not even all that egotistical or stubborn, but this is my art, my heart's work, and I WILL control every aspect of it. I demand tree-free or post consumer recycled paper. I want the artwork that I feel truly represents my work, and I want these books not to be dispoable items, I want them to be art in of themselves.
I know that without an ISBN number or barcode I wont get into libraries or bookstores, but I want to sell my book direct anyway. I won't let a retailer, publisher or distributor take a huge percentage even if it does mean i will sell more and make more myself. So maybe i am stubborn.
i am 40,000 words into my novel; my first. I thought about getting it published the conventional way, briefly. Then i thought about vanity press, POD or what have you. But, I decided to go with the seriously unconvential route, the one that will ensure I'll only ever make a fraction of the money i would make otherwise.
I'm going to print it myself on a laser printer and hand bind it. A few editions will be labour intensive leather covers, some will be handmade recycled paperboard, some will be old licence plates, some will be spiral bound, some staple. Each will be different and unique. I'm not even all that egotistical or stubborn, but this is my art, my heart's work, and I WILL control every aspect of it. I demand tree-free or post consumer recycled paper. I want the artwork that I feel truly represents my work, and I want these books not to be dispoable items, I want them to be art in of themselves.
I know that without an ISBN number or barcode I wont get into libraries or bookstores, but I want to sell my book direct anyway. I won't let a retailer, publisher or distributor take a huge percentage even if it does mean i will sell more and make more myself. So maybe i am stubborn.
posted by:
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Bangalore
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Tue, November 8, 2005 - 4:59 PMthat sounds beautiful! remember to work with an editor and a proofreader. It should be as great as it can, and another set of eyes or 2 won't hurt.
--M -
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Tue, November 8, 2005 - 8:51 PMMC Hammer did it with his music, why not you with your book? In fact, he says he made a lot more income back when he was selling his albums out of the trunk of his car. (remember albums?)
You'll have to make a lot of personal appearances, whether that be shows, special signings or readings, or just pounding the pavement. But if you love it, its worth it.
Best of luck.
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Thu, November 10, 2005 - 6:57 PMstrangely enough, this is not a bad way top get attention, if your novel is good. :) -
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Sat, November 12, 2005 - 5:18 PMI look forward to personal appearances and marketing the book myself. I even plan to vend on the street a bit. (Itinerant Street Vendor was my occupation while I was on the road.) It feels like it will be a great way to interact with people and a great reason to travel... -
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Sun, November 13, 2005 - 5:09 PMHaving printed many manuscripts I can tell you that an average novel of 100k words will take approx 3/4 of an ink cartridge. You may consider using a printer that uses refillable cartridges (HP is one for example.)
Also, you will want to print double-sided which is a bit of work but not impossible. You can use photo quality paper for the cover to achieve that glossy store-bought look.
Good luck on the project.
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Mon, November 14, 2005 - 3:14 PMYou can still purchase an ISBN number and print that barcode on your book. Or on gummy labels and affix it to the binding afterwards. -
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Tue, November 15, 2005 - 5:32 PMHey, that's good to know Russ. Do you know how much that costs?
yeah, I'm going to print double sided of course, folded so it'll be four pages per sheet. And I have a re-fillable cartridge and I dont knwo why anyone would not use refillables. What a waste of money to do otherwise? Seriously, a bottle of black ink lasts so long and is so cheap compared to a $30 cartridge.
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Thu, November 17, 2005 - 5:53 PMhow do you purchase an ISBN? Is there a web store or maybe at Wal-Mart? -
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Thu, November 17, 2005 - 6:12 PMBowker is the broker for ISBNs.
check out www.bowker.com
and here's the application page to purchase a block of ISBNs (in mulitples of tens)
commerce.bowker.com/isbnsan/.../isbn.asp
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Thu, November 17, 2005 - 6:13 PMand no, they aren't cheap.... simply cuz you have to buy them in blocks of numbers....
However, if you have several author pals who are also publishing themselves, then you can go in on it together. -
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Fri, November 18, 2005 - 10:46 PMSo am I reading it right? It seems that 10 ISBN numbers are $24 plus the $20 surcharge. Is that right? That doesnt seem uncheap, you say they ain't cheap, so where is the real price? -
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Fri, November 18, 2005 - 10:51 PMCan I order the isbn before I even finish writing the book do you think? -
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Sun, January 22, 2006 - 8:28 AMyes, you should...
you're missing part of the fee structure, though. look for the line that says: Priority & Express Fees and you'll see that 10 numbers with regular processing is $225.00. so that would be:
$225 processing fee
$24.95 registratio fee
$20 manual processing fee, if you don't do it online
plus if you want to sell to major chains, you'll need an SAN (www.bowker.com/products/i...y.htm#san). if you buy it at the same time as the ISBN, it's $37.50.
so, all told, your looking at about $300...
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Tue, December 6, 2005 - 12:52 PMsorry if I just butt in. I would not recomend recycled paper. I am a writer and book artist and libraries buy books without ISBN numbers (my books sit in the V&A London and Library of Congress Washingon, Den Haag, Holland) BUT they will not buy books on such papers. Why because they will not last very long. Collectors ask me how long my books will last, they are really into longevity. Sme will even swallow hard but take laser prints. I don laer as well.
Otherwise I say go ahead it it great, to see your words grow into a book. -
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Fri, December 9, 2005 - 9:33 PMSerious? This is something I hadn't considered. Anyone have any numbers on that? How long will recycled paper last approx. Is there a tree free paper that can hold up long enough? (ouch, my wallet is feeling that...) -
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Sun, January 22, 2006 - 8:47 AMi hadn't heard anything like that, and i produced several books in which i used recycled paper. there was never a question raised. they ARE adamant about the use of Acid Free paper, as it will deteriorate quickly.
also, if you're planning to get into libraries, then you should also consider the Library of Congress Catalog in Publication program: cip.loc.gov
they're sticky about "self-published" and on-demand material. but if you're getting an ISBN then it should be alright. -
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Fri, January 27, 2006 - 11:06 AMThanks for the info, Ray. 'preciate it.
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Sun, December 11, 2005 - 11:47 AMrally bro
damn the man! -
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Sat, January 21, 2006 - 5:17 PMI think that it would be a great idea for a person to start a publishing company that's soul purpose is to get great books out there for the writer. Also only publishing works that arn't just sellable. I think most great peices won't sell due to the fact that they arn't part of the times. As per your concept, I love to hear any artistic approch to lititure, screw the whole write book-publish book- make money process. -
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Re: How I plan to publish my book
Fri, January 27, 2006 - 11:05 AMFor a short time there I considered abandoning my idea in favour of reaching more people. The arguement that I would make more money by getting a small percentage of a large amount of books than I would getting a large percentage of a small amount of books...that has it's logic...but I'm not called to that world yet. I'm the kind of person who would enjoy marketing my own work, so I have that advatage. and I'm nomadic and love to travel and speak publicly, so....
leads me to an article on self publishing that I read in one of the glossy writer's mags. This author would do public speaking engagements; not book readings per se. He would speak about something he had personal experience in, closely related to the topic of his book. Afterwards he'd say "by the way, I have a book, and I'll be selling copies and signing them by the door on your way out."
Seems people like the idea of reading books by authors they've met. This author claimed that personal connection was key to selling his books...
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