What I’m learning about self-publishing
One aspect of my efforts to publish Gerard’s book is that prior to this I knew next to nothing about book publishing except that self-publishing existed. Now I know a lot about it, and it’s quite a learning curve.
Early on I made the decision to have mostly paperback hard copies, and that print-on-demand was way too expensive and the quality not as good. So I have focused on having a small print run, to be expanded later if necessary. At this point I’ve ordered samples of the books printed by various printing companies that make hard copies for self-publishers. It turns out that’s a very thriving business with a dizzying array of contenders.
And the sample books they’ve sent me are complicated. So many choices of paper and cover types, including thickness and finish and lamination and embossing and on and on, each with a different price. And because my book has color pictures, which raises the price and makes good reproduction more challenging, it’s even more daunting to make a choice.
To top it all off, I often think how much Gerard would have enjoyed this part of the process. Not the nitpicky copy-editing, which he might have farmed out, but the aesthetic decisions relating to how the book looks and feels.
Not my forte. Printing was his forte. He’d been a magazine editors and book editor and agent for most of his working life, and he noticed things like print and fonts and arrangements on the page far more than I ever did. I have some aesthetic sense, but I just never paid a particle of attention to those things. My blog is visually plain, too, and I like it that way. Gerard used to tease me about that.
So it’s very ironic that I’m the one making these decisions.
This book may be of some interest and help to those following in your footsteps. No idea if it would have applied to you…
Every Writer’s Dream: The Insider’s Path to an Indie Bestseller
https://www.amazon.com/Every-Writers-Dream-Insiders-Bestseller-ebook/dp/B07VN2XD1G
Marc Edelheit wrote the above, in order to share his own experiences towards that end… and he was successful at it, which is nontrivial as far as the validity of what he comments on.
His book(s) even forced Amazon to create a brand new category, “Military Fantasy” (as opposed to “Military SF”, which has been around for decades).
As with something like Tolkein, he has elves, dwarves, dragons, gnomes, and orcs, but he does place more emphasis on the military aspects (Roman Legions) in the context than typical fantasy does, hence the special category, as opposed to it being “Fantasy” alone.
Good author, if that sounds as though it might appeal, and he does “pay it forwards”.
Don’t worry, and ease up on yourself. We will buy it and we will enjoy it. I bet the first run sells out pretty quick. All of us regulars are Jonesing pretty bad but we’ll wait as long as it takes.
ghostsniper:
Thing is, Gerard cared a lot about the look and feel of books. That’s why I’m trying to make it at least somewhat esthetically pleasing.
If you see a self-publisher called Manutius, run. But you’re probably not their preferred kind of customer anyway. 🙂
Niketas:
Actually, I’m only working with book printing companies. Technically, they’re not self publishing companies. But thanks for the warning. I’ve never heard of that company, fortunately.
Neo, I think the esthetics in case is very important so I empathize with your struggle.
I, for one, would be interested in a detailed article about our experiences.
I would also be interested in more posts about this saga.
I don’t know how much experience you have with 2-dimensional visual design, but I hope someone has suggested the CRAP approach as a starting point.
One link of many out there, to start you out:
https://attentioninsight.com/crap-design-principles/
And a nice general overview of CRAP:
https://www.instructables.com/CRAP-principles/
}}} And a nice general overview of CRAP:
Oh, there is just sooooo many things wrong with that statement…
😀
(Thats’ riffing off this TV show:
https://youtu.be/N_p2hAZH5uo?t=1105
LOLZ)
Not a doubt in my mind you’ll end up with a product Gerard would have appreciated. After all, you knew him and have an obviously deep caring for him.
Good luck. Don’t fret.
Attention to aesthetics is good. Hoping his daughter trusts your judgment.
Good morning
I stop by here every day, but haven’t commented much at all. I’ve been keeping up with the progress on the book. I’m especially interested in the publishing, as I have a project very like what you’re doing with Gerard’s work. I’ve barely dipped a toe into the self-publishing thing, and it is daunting. I’d love to see a detailed post on your efforts in this.
(BTW) I’ve tried to comment on AD, but for some reason all I get is the spinning blue circle of doom.
JWM
jwm:
I’m not sure I’ll do another post on it. But if you have some specific questions just email me and I’ll try to answer. I’m still in the throes of decisions, though.
Don’t know why you’re having problems commenting at AD. Maybe change browsers and try again?
I post my comments using “Post Comment” not “Preview” which doesn’t appear to work.
One can always edit them as I just did to move this sentence down.
“American Digest” is a handsome blog.
Still working for me.
–Windows 10, Brave