For book/ebook authors, publishers, & self-publishers

Self Publishing

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Discussions and recources for all types of self-publishing, from using POD publishing services to doing your own printing and distribution.

Members: 536
Latest Activity: Aug 1, 2023

BEING YOUR OWN PUBLISHER

Yeah, yeah, there's new tech parameters and a paradigm shift and all that.

But the important thing is that there are (and always have been) alternatives to writing something then trying to sell the rights to a publishing company. This group is to explore these areas of self-owned publishing biz.

Some writers have niche books, some have special needs (like texts for their seminars), some are just too entrepreneurial to sell of their own inspirations. And some just want to see something in print.

There is a spectrum these days, from big publishers through the new, small POD publishers, to using publishing services like lulu.com or iuniverse, to printing yourself and selling online, to release of downloadable mp3 "podcasts" or pdf manuals.

If you have expertise, experience, or questions in this area, don't be shy about posting them here. It's a rapidly expanding field and nobody knows everything about it, but lots of us are learning enough to do what we want to do and successfully get it across the counter.

Discussion Forum

LULU.COM Some leading questions 20 Replies

Started by Linton Robinson. Last reply by MAXINE P. SOSO Dec 20, 2009.

Who is your book distributor? 19 Replies

Started by Dana Marie. Last reply by Zhana Apr 19, 2017.

How to get started publishing your books 17 Replies

Started by Linton Robinson. Last reply by Zhana Jan 13, 2018.

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Comment by Shelley Lieber on March 19, 2009 at 1:52pm: The vast majority of POD books are not returnable because it's such a bad deal for the author. I'm not sure how you work it, but many times authors have to pay huge fees to have their POD books made returnable and it's just not a good investment. Again, there are MUCH better ways to invest your money to promote and sell the book.

Comment by Tim Rouse on March 19, 2009 at 1:45pm: Actually Shelly - the ONLY time a POD book is "stuck" with a retailer is if it's marked as "non-returnable" in the Ingram catalog. EVERY book we publish is published as "RETURNABLE" and the retailer can see that when they view the catalog.

Comment by Tim Rouse on March 19, 2009 at 1:32pm: Hi Ken - When we (as a self-publishing company) set your title up in the Ingram catalog we set the discount that YOU (the author) determine. The normal range is from 20%-55%. We typically advise to set the discount at 40% - so Amazon or other retailers would pay $6.00 for a $10.00 retail priced book. Not a bad cut. What I don't understand is why bookstores won't carry a book (especially written by a local author) because it's POD. If they want - they could have the author place the book as a consignment title. The attitude of the "establishment" has to change. There's more to offer the reading publis than what traditional publishing houses choose to market.

Comment by Shelley Lieber on March 19, 2009 at 1:31pm: Ken, you may be sure the book would sell, but the booksellers are not. And, if it doesn't, they are stuck with it because POD books are not returnable. It's too much of a risk for them to carry the work of unknown authors. You could try leaving a few on consignment, but then you are responsible to keep track of what you have out.

Bookstores are not the best place to sell your book, anyway, and your time may be better spent finding other avenues for sale...like stores associated with your material (a restaurant for a cookbook, for example). Other ways are through speaking engagements, seminars, workshops, book groups, etc.

Comment by Ken K. Chartrand on March 19, 2009 at 1:05pm: I have not had that particular problem I mostly had a hard time getting a bookstore to carry a POD book. They say 'Well, we can't carry it .you see it's print on demand so someone has to buy it first. Then we order it.'
I was wondering...couldn't they at least order one or two for publicity purposes I am sure the two they place on shelf would sell. Plus if pOD companies would give better discounts the book sellers would place a few.

Comment by Typing Monkey on March 14, 2009 at 11:29am: Fair warning to all "book marketing experts."

As of Friday (the Spring Equinox) I am going to be calling people out. I will be PUBLICLY looking for results. If you say you can help authors sell more books and you charge several hundred or several thousands of dollars, be prepared to prove it--AND show how new authors can get the same or better results than people have in the past.

I am tired of spending money with "book marketing experts" (seminars, books, teleseminars, web seminars, online courses, off-line courses, CDs, DVD's, mugs, bugs, thugs) and finding out that I have just paid to attend a sales pitch. I know of other authors who have been victimized by these practices as well.

IF YOU SAY YOU CAN SELL BOOKS you should know that I am on the hunt. I will tell the world how great you are if you can get results for authors now and in the near future, and prove that your input helped. And if I find scam artists I will make sure the world knows.

I am standing up for the authors once and for all--and I am far from alone on this.

Comment by Jo-Anne Vandermeulen on March 12, 2009 at 7:28pm: Want to know how to get the readers back?

See today's new post on gr5mom2.wordpress.com called TURNING FIRST IMPRESSIONS INTO LOYAL FOLLOWERS

Jo-Anne Vandermeulen
Internet Promotional Manager/Professional Support Network for Writers
http://www.premiumpromotions.biz/ http://www.gr5mom2.wordpress.com
“You Write – We Promote” “Conquer All Obstacles”

Comment by Jill Johnson on March 4, 2009 at 8:04am: Authors: Please email me with your details if you want me to add your New age book.
jilljjam@yahoo.com

Comment by Sandi Kidder-Stonebraker on March 2, 2009 at 4:55am: Interpreted loosely, my book could qualify for the categories of spiritual or psychology as it is about self esteem, values and decision making for young girls. "On Being a REAL Princess, Secrets of the Happy Heart Princess.

Comment by Jill Johnson on March 1, 2009 at 10:56am: Authors:
I'm looking for Authors of ebooks (and books in other formats) of the following subjects: New Age, spiritual, ecological, psychology, medicine, world topics, gardening, sustainable living, how to-s, alternative, and the like to list and sell on my site. This makes for a good way to market your books. My site is about these things, I do artwork so I'd like matching books.
www.jilljj.com is my home page, I will send you links to other pertinent pages and documents and details upon contacting me by email.
This is no risk for authors as I am not charging a fee to list you on my site, just a percentage when your book sells. The more authors and books, the more the more of you network and promote,the more easily search engines will find you, and the more books will sell.....................I worked as a cost estimator for a while at a publishing company, so I know the publishers probably offer crumbs. I offer authors a quadruple that percentage in return for pointing to my site.........so jump in and contact me if you are an author of above. I will not reply to authors of subjects outside of the above area though.
email jilljjam@yahoo.com