Some questions about self-publishing
As many of you may know, I’m trying to publish a book of Gerard’s essays and also one of his poetry. The only avenue seems to be self-publishing; I’ve explored various conventional publishers and there aren’t any takers.
So I’ve been researching the self-publishing options, and all I can say is “Arghhhh!” (actually, that’s not all I can say, but that’s my initial reaction). There are a great many of them. I’ve read many sites that purport to list the best ones and compare and contrast, but nevertheless it’s still very difficult to decide which would be best.
I don’t want to spin my wheels any further. The plus is that at some point I hope to do the same for some of my own essays, and at least I’ll have more experience then.
It occurs to me that some of you may know something about this process and which to choose, perhaps from personal experience or things you’ve heard from other people you know. So I invite advice in the comments. This is what I want from such a platform:
(1) relative ease of loading and formatting
(2) good customer support
(3) customer choice of e-book or hard copy, the latter probably print-on-demand, (ADDED: and I’d prefer both a paperback and a hardcover option if possible)
(4) good quality printing, especially of small photos which will accompany each essay or poem
(5) quicker turnaround
(6) royalties that are reasonably high
(7) book price for the consumer that isn’t sky-high to get a quality product
At the moment I’m leaning slightly towards a site called Lulu, but it’s early in the process.
I self-published two books of poetry via Amazon — I know, the giant octopus — and I have to say it was relatively easy and I could control everything. The first effort was a bit of trial and error, figuring out things such as page size, etc., but I designed my own covers using photos I’d taken, and was pleased with results.
Richard Milne:
I believe that Amazon only has ebook and paperback options. I also wanted a hardcover option. I should add that to the list in the post.
However, I probably could settle for a paperback option if it was good quality.
How much did your books cost the consumer and what was your percentage? Did they have pictures? What was the quality of the pictures?
Sarah Hoyt has been successfully self-publishing for years. Check out her blog: https://accordingtohoyt.com/
My experience with Amazon (5 books) is now several years old. But it was easy. I didn’t care about royalties, so I don’t have any points of comparison. Hard cover isn’t an option, just paperback and ebook.
Amazon does hardcover now, but it has to be under 500 pages if it’s bigger than 6×9. Paperback 7×10 can be upto 828 pages. The last page will say where it was published and the date it was printed.
The cost is based on size in that a 7×10 book with the same pages as a 6×9 book will be about the same price (which is going up on June 20, 2023).
You want the inner margins to be at least .9 inches or the text will get stuck in the fold. Times New Roman is easier to read even though other fonts will allow an extra line per page
It won’t accept your book if there are blank pages because of Michael Knowles’ book Reasons to Vote for Democrats
It takes a day for the e-book to be approved (load a .doc), and a couple days for the paperback (load a .pdf). You can go back in and reload updated versions after you publish, but the buyer of an eBook has to manually update their copy, Amazon won’t send an update unless the eBook doesn’t work at all.
https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GAVW3FZZAKA2KY3B
You can publish your hardcover book in these marketplaces:
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.de, .es, .fr, .it
Amazon.ca and Amazon.com.au aren’t listed as primary marketplaces. To make your hardcover book available in those marketplaces, you’ll need to make it available on Amazon.com.
Hardcover isn’t available for Amazon.co.jp, or Expanded Distribution.
Public libraries buy through expanded distribution (Baker and Taylor, Ingram, etc.), so your book will have to be bought paperback if your local library purchases it.
What page layout software are you using?
You’ve probably researched Lulu, but here’s a comparison to other printers/publishers:
Lulu Publishing Review: READ THIS Before You Use Them!
https://blog.reedsy.com/lulu-publishing/
10+ year Indy author and publisher here. I concur about Amazon. If you have a Word doc they will guide you thru the steps to create both an e book and a paperback. Little or no cost. Then they’ll sell it for you! You should spend $$ on a good cover. The rest is marketing … mailing list, social media, ads… and you’d have to do all that even if Simon & Schuster published it.
I once mentioned Bill Knott, a favorite poet of mine, on Althouse.
Apparently Knott tracked any mention of himself anywhere, so he popped up the next day to complain — as of course he would.
Be clear that I love Bill Knott’s poetry and to some degree Knott himself.
Back in the day I attended one of his poetry readings in Cambridge. Afterward I grabbed a moment alone and told him so.
His reply: “You must have a poor taste.”
If you know his poetry, this isn’t a surprise. Harold Bloom (that literary eminence) once reviewed Knott and discarded him as a totally worthless poet. I consider Knott to be a sort of John Ashbery bereft of social skills.
To finish this shaggy dog story… Knott and I back-and-forthed a few times and he realized I was sincere in my appreciation. Then he flipped right around, of course, and provided a custom link to buy his latest “Selected Poems” for $5.25.
Which I did. And I received it a few days later. Knott died not long after and it’s now a cherished volume in my collection.
Knott’s service then was “CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform,” which was owned by Amazon and perhaps still is.
My Wife self publishes book, so far about 25. She tried LULU and another one. She uses mostly Amazon. Fairly easy to use. I don’t think any of them pay good royalties. If you do this remember that on your tax forms royalties are done in a separate sheet.
One potential problem with using Amazon for Gerard’s book is that I think that many of his readers – who are the obvious potential buyers – may be anti-Amazon. For that reason, I’d rather avoid it if possible, but if it’s the easiest and best way I may choose it anyway.
https://www.launchmybook.com/the-most-popular-self-publishing-platforms-pros-cons/
If the information on that website is correct, one can self-publish the same book separately on at least each of Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
An addendum to the Sarah Hoyt recommendation — the According to Hoyt site is Sarah’s personal blog, which is probably not quite what you’re looking for. However … there is an affiliated group out there at https://madgeniusclub.com/ which is precisely oriented at your issues — authors who publish independently or via very small presses. They will be able to point you where you need to go, and possibly connect you with service providers within the process, or even a small publisher to guide you.
Also, as a reader not an author, I have benefitted greatly from Lulu for obtaining some really niche out-of-print books, but I wouldn’t want my new material published there. No discoverability there. Amazon is an evil overlord, but is the best in the game at the present time, for both dead-tree and e-books, in my opinion.
I found the platform Draft2Digital very easy to use. They have produced excellent videos that walk you through the process. They’ve recently expanded to print as well as digital. They’ll put your books on sale with any number of vendors, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I personally barely sold any copies at all, but others will probably have better luck.
Good luck!
That is all I can offer: my good wishes.
Wow, great comments/advice here. I self-published a book of poems in 2012 with an outfit called DiggyPod. Not sure if they’re still around, but their site (and staff) made the whole thing very easy. I only had a paperback version (no e-book) and while I did invest in an ISBN, I never actually marketed the book on-line. I paid DiggyPod a few $hundred to typeset the MSS (a Word file, I think) in Times New Roman with a simple page layout in, I think, 6×9, with some cover art, and then to do a very modest print run –250 copies or so. When I had inflicted most of those on the unsuspecting relatives, friends and neighbors, I emailed DiggyPod and got them to fill a similar order. The work was done quickly and well.
Hope this helps, and I really do hope we can read Gerard’s work with your help.
I second Draft2Digital. Lots of venues, too.
I’ve self-published two books–one anonymously for a client, and a second as something of an experiment (i.e., no serious concerne for money). A couple of observations:
Production values–making the book look very professional is entirely up to you. Unless you already have a full range of production skills–everything from proofreading to cover design–you’ll have to pay for these services. And there are no bargains. The advantage here, however, is that most of the publishing services will literally self you a single book at a time, which you can use as a proof copy to get feedback from your friends.
Amazon–you left out a key checklist item: fulfillment. You *do not* want to fulfill single copy orders, credit card accounts, foreign sales, and royalties. Amazon does all of this for you, and (no surprise) does the job superbly.
Marketing: With very few exceptions, self-published books are not reviewed on major outlets, don’t get accepted by libraries,
and aren’t welcome by distributors and chains. You do have a large audience that refreshes daily, so that will almost certainly produce the bulk of of your sales. The rest will be spit in the ocean.
You can self-publish your books on multiple websites, so long as you own the copyright.
For example, you can publish your paperback through amazon, and then also through Lulu (like the hardcover). But Amazon’s AI will catch that the text is the same and will make you send them an e-mail confirming that you’re not violating the copyright of the Lulu author (which is yourself, or in this case Gerald). This isn’t a big deal, but it can take a day or two to get a response, slightly slowing down the publishing process.
So publish it on Amazon first, then wait a day, and then publish it on Lulu and the other websites (who also might make you confirm you aren’t violating copyright, see recent Warhol case). Make sure the page after the title page is a standard copyright page that says “all rights reserved” followed by your name, or company/LLC, etc. Check/Click the DRM option for the eBook before you hit “publish”. It’s really big, you won’t miss it.
[Digital Rights Management]
Expanded Distribution on amazon will make it turn up on B&N, etc., but it’ll be on the expanded-distribution price point (30% more to include B&N’s cut)
Some publishers will assign, I’d avoid that. You lose control
Some will sell you single ISBNs.
Since I knew I had multiple books and foresaw (hoped) multiple formats so the first thing I did was go buy a big enough block of ISBNs to accommodate all plans and have an excess. Doesn’t sound like you need that.
I bought a block so my OCD could exert itself and cluster the numbers in e, paper and hardcover blocks arranged in sequence.
I just thought that would be cool.
A note on Lulu.
I initially printed my books there for proofing but a few years ago they decided to revamp their site and completely hosed things up, losing many manuscripts in the process. Not just my series to (that) date but may other authors as well. I fanatically back all my stuff up but a lot of people trusted them and got thoroughly screwed. Support was lousy and they never recovered my stuff or even logon.
I moved to Amazon because of that.
Jane Friedman has a good website for authors, with emphasis on the business side. Here’s her resource page:
https://www.janefriedman.com/resources/
That page includes a link to a page called Writer Beware:
https://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/
As the self-publishing market grows, so do the options and, sadly, so do the scams…
Neo, strongly recommend you read Marc Alan Edelheit‘s book on self-publishing:
https://www.amazon.com/Every-Writers-Dream-Insiders-Bestseller-ebook/dp/B07VN2XD1G
MAE created an entirely new genre on Amazon — “Military Fantasy” — which is Military “SF” but with a Fantasy, rather than SF backstory and mileau. Yes, there have been military elements of fantasy for decades, but what he writes is strictly military in nature, and that hadn’t been done before.
His primary context is Roman Legions. Add Elves, Dwarves, Gnomes, Orcs, and Dragons.
His book is all about his own process of having gone from doing it as a side-effort to quitting his fairly lucrative day job.
I can’t say it will answer all your questions, but it should at least give you some ideas and some good answers to some of them.
Marc is also a pretty cool guy, I first met him at DragonCon about 8 years ago.
He has a couple facebook groups oriented towards his stuff, and he regularly does stuff where he discusses his process in live video.
Well, as it so happens, besides being a writer of historical novels and rural comedy – I also own a Teeny Publishing Company, and have helped a number of other local authors to self-publish through the subsidiary of Ingram/Lightning Source International – Ingram Spark. I had a rush of clients over the last few years, as I think a lot of people sat at home and looked to amuse themselves by writing a book.
I recommend Ingram-Spark, and if that doesn’t work for you, then Draft2Digital is very approachable. I have a page on my Teeny Publishing Website which outlines basically what is involved in being your own publisher.
https://watercresspress.com/?page_id=925
The challenging thing for most prospective clients is producing a print-ready text and cover PDF files to the standard that Ingram-Spark requires. Most new authors look at what is required and run screaming, but I have the appropriate software to edit and convert those files. I’ve been doing this for about fifteen years now. Send a PM, if you want to know specifics.
I asked ChatGTP your questions. Here is its reply:
Certainly, I can help you with your self-publishing needs! Lulu is indeed a popular self-publishing platform that offers many of the features you’re looking for. However, there are also other platforms you might consider that meet your requirements. Here are a few options for you to explore:
Lulu.com: Lulu offers a user-friendly interface for loading and formatting your book. They have good customer support and provide both e-book and print-on-demand options, including paperback and hardcover. Lulu also offers reasonable royalty rates and allows you to set the price for your book.
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): KDP is one of the largest self-publishing platforms, primarily focused on e-books but also offering print-on-demand options. They have a straightforward publishing process, excellent customer support, and competitive royalty rates. KDP allows you to create both paperback and hardcover editions through their platform.
IngramSpark: IngramSpark is a popular self-publishing platform that provides a wide distribution network. They offer both e-book and print-on-demand options, including hardcover. While their interface may be slightly more complex than others, they offer good quality printing and competitive royalties.
Blurb: Blurb specializes in high-quality book printing and offers easy-to-use tools for formatting your book. They have good customer support and allow you to create both e-books and print-on-demand books, including hardcover options. Blurb might be a great choice if the quality of printing and small photos is a priority for you.
It’s important to compare the features, pricing, and services offered by each platform to determine which one best fits your specific needs. You may want to explore their websites, review their terms, and consider any additional requirements or preferences you have. Ultimately, the choice will depend on your individual priorities and preferences. Good luck with your self-publishing journey!
Can you elaborate?
ChatGPT
Certainly! Let’s delve into each of the self-publishing platforms mentioned and elaborate on their key features:
Lulu.com:
Ease of loading and formatting: Lulu offers a user-friendly interface that makes it relatively easy to upload and format your book.
Good customer support: Lulu provides responsive customer support to assist you throughout the publishing process.
E-book and print-on-demand options: Lulu allows you to publish your book in both digital and physical formats, including paperback and hardcover through their print-on-demand service.
Quality printing: Lulu ensures good quality printing for your book, including small photos that accompany your essays or poems.
Quicker turnaround: Lulu’s production and shipping times are typically reasonable, allowing for a relatively quick turnaround.
Reasonably high royalties: Lulu offers competitive royalty rates, allowing you to earn a fair share of the revenue from your book sales.
Consumer-friendly pricing: Lulu gives you control over setting the price for your book, enabling you to strike a balance between quality and affordability.
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP):
Ease of loading and formatting: KDP provides a straightforward publishing process with easy-to-follow steps for uploading and formatting your e-book.
Good customer support: KDP offers comprehensive customer support, including email assistance and helpful resources in their Knowledge Base.
E-book and print-on-demand options: While KDP primarily focuses on e-books, they also provide print-on-demand services for paperback and hardcover editions.
Quality printing: KDP ensures good quality printing for the physical copies of your book, including any accompanying small photos.
Quicker turnaround: KDP’s print-on-demand service allows for efficient production and shipping, resulting in a relatively quick turnaround time.
Reasonably high royalties: KDP offers competitive royalty rates, and you can choose between two royalty options: 35% or 70%, based on the list price of your e-book.
Consumer-friendly pricing: You have control over setting the price for your book on KDP, allowing you to determine a reasonable price for your readers.
IngramSpark:
Ease of loading and formatting: IngramSpark provides a robust publishing interface, although it may have a slightly steeper learning curve compared to other platforms.
Good customer support: IngramSpark offers responsive customer support through email, phone, and an extensive online support center.
E-book and print-on-demand options: IngramSpark supports both e-book publishing and print-on-demand services, including hardcover editions.
Quality printing: IngramSpark is known for its high-quality printing, ensuring your small photos and overall book design are reproduced well.
Quicker turnaround: While turnaround times can vary, IngramSpark generally provides efficient production and shipping for your books.
Reasonably high royalties: IngramSpark offers competitive royalty rates, giving you a fair share of the revenue from book sales.
Consumer-friendly pricing: You have control over setting the retail price of your book, allowing you to strike a balance between quality and pricing.
Blurb:
Ease of loading and formatting: Blurb provides user-friendly book creation tools that make it easy to upload and format your book.
Good customer support: Blurb offers customer support through email, live chat, and a helpful community forum.
E-book and print-on-demand options: Blurb supports both e-book publishing and print-on-demand services, including hardcover editions.
Quality printing: Blurb specializes in high-quality book printing, ensuring that your small photos and overall book design are reproduced with excellent results.
Quicker turnaround: Blurb provides efficient production and shipping, resulting in a relatively quick turnaround time for your
I’ll Mention Castalia House.
http://www.castaliahouse.com/
Fronted by Vox Day, it seeks to publish exactly the kind of Stuff Gerard wrote, alog with much Classical writing.
They might be worth a look.
I began “self-publishing” in 2014 — with CreateSpace — before Amazon was wise-enough to buy it, thus founding Amazon’s KDP. I believe that I am up to 10 books, with 7 more in line.
I did EVERYTHING on the 1st 5 rather academic volumes, then brought in an editor to produce a great cover & to fancy-up the formatting for the next 5. ONE volume required special attention to how page numbering was handled — and a real, live person at KDP agreed to authorize breaking “the rules”. I have coming up for publication a 450-page volume with complex pagination (the NEW pages must look almost exactly like the OLD pages looked 50 years ago), & I trust that — with person-to-person discussion — KDP will accommodate me.
While it is fascinating to watch on-screen the initial automated up-loading process, I greatly appreciate that real, live people (who seem to love books!) will work patiently, personally with an author.
KDP’s real live people are very responsive & never, to me, have seemed rushed. If I upload an manuscript late at night — midnightish — I usually get an email back early the next morning discussing what is OK & what needs modification. I once got a telephone call from a very patient KDP person who walked me through how to upload an especially complex cover.
>> My memory is that the only time I got stumped for a while was when KDP, to verify my identity, asked for the last 3 digits of some number. Keep notes on everything, of course. I found the number.
KDP has ebook, paperback, & hardcover options BUT note that these are NOT processed from just one upload.
Oh — to get the ebook pages to come out spaced the way that YOU want, you have to place a tilde or something similar several times vertically in the middle of a page to “hold” the space. Otherwise, KDP, for ebooks, removes every bit of blank space that can remove.
Professional editor here, with nine books on Amazon and B&N.
Amazon has refined its upload process constantly and it’s the easiest to use, with the widest reach. B&N is the Sony Betamax of self-publishing — although it’s good, it may be eclipsed at some point simply because Amazon dwarfs it.
I have someone else convert my Word documents to .epub for Kindle, because Amazon’s automatic converter doesn’t play well with illustrations. Contact me for his name.
Also (self-promotion), I’m a ruthless proofer who will protect your manuscript from embarrassing you with errors every writer (including me!) makes.
I used Lulu to self-publish a life story that I wanted to leave for friends and family.
I found the process easy, but unforgiving — if the uploaded copy is not perfect, you’ll get a flawed product. In other words, proof-read several times. And make sure your formatting is exactly what you want the final result to be.
All that said, I did not try to market the book, so I cannot speak to that. I have heard (as others have said) that Amazon does a good job of marketing for you, but you will pay dearly for it.
Good luck!
F:
When you say “you will pay dearly for it,” do you mean the base price of using Amazon, or some extra price you pay them if you want them to market it in some way other than just listing it? I don’t really need them to promote it; I just envision Gerard’s readers or my readers or others around the blogosphere reading it. I will promote it in the blogosphere.
Apple Books is another possibility: one of my sci-fi friends tried it. You can download the app from the Apple Store: I don’t know if you need a Mac or not.
@neo:I don’t really need them to promote it; I just envision Gerard’s readers or my readers or others around the blogosphere reading it. I will promote it in the blogosphere.
The most important factor in your selection of a self-publisher has to be what you are trying to accomplish by publishing, especially how important getting paid is compared to what your other goals are, whether it’s most important or least important or middling can make a big difference in who it makes sense to go with.
It might make sense to reach out to people who have similar goals to yours and where a financial return has the same relative priority, whatever it happens to be. There’s a few commenters here who’ve given hints about why they were self-publishing and maybe one of them is similar to you and you can think about their recommendation in that light, maybe ask them a few more questions one-on-one…