There are several reasons why I decided to self-publish, but the main one was time. At my age time is precious, so I like to crack on with the job in hand. Not for me a year or more trying to find a publisher and even if successful having to wait another year to see it in print.
Having decided to go ahead and since the book had to be typeset and a cover designed, ready for the printers, I needed professional help. So I went back on the Internet and the self-publishing websites. It took a while but I found what I wanted. A company that would, copy edit, design both the layout and cover of my book and quote for and carry out the printing, either print on demand or offset litho for larger quantities. They would do all this and more, or if I wanted to do the other work myself, would give a quote for printing only.
I opted to have them design the layout and the cover, plus print and bind the book.I also decided against print on demand, despite the fact that I would risk less money. This was mainly because I wanted to bring down the print costs per book. After all I reasoned, if a book by an established author were selling at £5-99p would I fork out £8-99p for a similar tome by an unknown, I don’t think so. Saying that no one may buy my book, or they may not buy enough copies to make it worthwhile, but hope springs eternal and I am enjoying the challenge.
Right, I’ll cut the cackle and get to the progress so far.
First I contacted the company and was sent a very informative and honest information pack. After reading through it, I did a word count of my manuscript, divided it by 300 to give a rough guide to the number of pages in the book and filled the quote request form.I received back a print quote, for a book in two different sizes and 3 different lengths, also a summary of costs, which included, the page design and layout, the cover design and bar code.
Having made a decision on the size of the book, the next stage was font style and size, both of which can affect the length of the book and therefore the cost. A couple of weeks later sample pages showing the layout and fonts in book size, arrived, I made my choice and also gave them some ideas to work on while designing the cover.
I now await a bound copy of the book minus cover, which I must check over and approve.
That’s it so far, on the print side, for the moment.
However I have been and continue to be busy on the other side.
I have applied for and received 10 ISBN numbers – you have to buy them in minimum batches of ten. Cost £94-00p. If you intend to sell your book in the shops or through outlets on the Internet, you need one, If not, you don’t need one. (See Links page)
I have applied to be listed in Neilsen Bookdata.(See links page)
I have applied to, Bibliographic Data Services, for a CIP Library listing. This allows you to print on the reverse of the title page:
British Library Cataloguing in publication Data.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. (See links page)
If you are reading this page you know that I have set up a Website. I also intend to do a limited amount of advertising, to direct people to the site.
And that’s it so far.However, I will add more as things progress.
If you are wondering why I haven’t mentioned the name of the company I am using, there is a simple answer. While I have found them to be honest, helpful and reliable in their dealings with me, I prefer to wait until the whole process is complete and I am satisfied, before I recommend them to others. At which time I will place the details on the links page.
