Getting published
By: Roy Bartell
Maybe you know more about a particular subject than anyone else. If so, you might have considered writing a book about it. Your problem is that having written the book, no one is interested in publishing it.
To compound your dilemma, you know that there is a small, but enthusiastic market out there eager to share your knowledge. However, each publisher that you approach, is only interested in top ten Stephen King novels, which are sure to take in large returns.
So what can be done?
Now at last it is possible to publish books in small, cost effective runs. There is a modest, but growing market for small publishers. So now you can write down your words of wisdom on paper and sell a book or booklet for profit or at least to cover costs.
PUBLISHING?
“Small-time publishing” appeals to companies and individuals who have a message to spread. Until now, they may have had no means with which to communicate their wisdom. By using “small time publishing”, production costs are kept relatively low, small quantities of 50 to 5000 copies of a book, booklet or manual can be easily produced.
HOW MUCH DOES “SMALL-TIME PUBLISHING” COST?
One advantage of "small-time publishing” is that it can be largely posted to an allotted budget. The biggest cost factor is the quality of finished books required. Runs vary from just a few hundred dollars to several thousand. An average “small-time publishing” book costs about $1500.
HOW DO I RECOVER THE COST?
First, establish in your mind or by research that there is a market for your material. Second, cost out the project with your “small-time publishing” house and choose an appropriate cover price. The beauty of “small-time publishing” is that you take your own material and cover the cost of publishing it by setting the right cover price. “Small-time publishing” includes runs of up to 5000 copies. On these quantities, you can make impressive profits if required.
HOW IS MY “SMALL-TIME PUBLISHING” BOOK BOUND?
There are a number of options. From plastic comb binding, to metal ring binding to perfect binding and perfect hard back book binding.
HOW DO I GO ABOUT PLANNING A “SMALL-TIME PUBLISHING” PROJECT?
Write down your subject matter in the form that you require. A book with chapters, a booklet with reference pages or a manual for a new product that your company is marketing; the format choice is yours. Then approach a “small-time publisher” for help and advice. He/she will be able to cost out your book and advise on a minimum cover charge.
WHAT ABOUT TYPESETTING, DIAGRAMS AND PHOTOGRAPHS?
Your “small-time publisher” will be able to typeset your book for you, introducing design and feel to the production if required. Diagrams and photographs can also be added. A “small-time publisher” will probably use a PC based typesetting system and you might discuss saving typesetting time and some costs by handing over written material on disk.
HOW LONG DOES “SMALL-TIME PUBLISHING” TAKE?
Since the quantities are relatively small, production can take as little as one week on ready prepared artwork. However, the chances are that a total production including typesetting will take -8 weeks.
Copyright (c) 2003 All Rights Reserved
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Roy Bartell is Publisher of Instant Internet Newsletter How to quickly tap into the FREE quality traffic of 2 of the Internet's most frequently visited download sites. No one else wants to share this info with you openly--get it here. http://www.RBar67.com/powerprofits
