A very interesting perspective. Very few people make real money from books, as you say. I know someone who uses his self-published book in lieu of a business card. As for me, I regard my books as credibility enhancers: I have earnt more from the work generated by the books than from the books themselves. Hope it goes well at theLBF.
This is so good, Eleanor! I think all I have is a Creative Department, but even beginning to think in these ways is helpful (and fun). Curious about the print on demand. Is the quality really much worse if you have quality design? My university press is now printing my memoir with Amazon POD services -- one reader alerted me to this, since he saw that the book had been printed the very day he ordered it -- but I haven't heard any complaints.
I hadn't planned to print an inventory of my poetry book, but now I'm wondering.
Troubador sent me an example cover of their global distribution pod - basically Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc, and it was really rubbery, like wipe-clean rubbery. And the paper quality was down a notch, too. But maybe there are various versions of pod & some better than others. My memoir is on global distribution using pod and I haven’t had any complaints either, but then again those lovely readers outside of the uk don’t have the uk edition to compare it to.
You’re tireless and inspiring. Keep going! I, on the other hand am exhausted, distracted, and generally at the bottom of a well when it comes to publishing.
POD really does a disservice to many books. I've ordered books published by good American publishers, e.g., Chicago UP and the US branch of Oxford UP, and have anticipated American production values (usually: better paper and binding and often a more elegant page). But what I've received has been a plastic-feeling bundle of thin, glo-white paper with type that shows through from previous pages. Ugly!
How are you taking the book to LBF, btw? The book fair doesn't always strike me as readily open to indies - but that doesn't mean it can't be done. (Oh, and agents are useful in this instance too!)
I’ve discussed with Jenny… in theory it’s possible, just not usual, but I think we can do it. I need to talk it through with her again once she’s got it in her hands.
Eleanor, I love this way of thinking (limited edition). I share your view of POD. It works for some things, but not a book with a heart. I’m amazed that your creative personnel have made it through all the meetings and still come out ready for adventure. Go team!
Tara, have you compared products? I still have a window before my poetry collection is finished, so I could still look into a print run. If there is such a notable difference in quality, perhaps I ought to do that. Although it does feel at a certain point like even breaking even is a stretch.
Not recently, alas. I discussed this with our printer back in Western Writers Series printing days, and the quality of a regular print run was decidedly better. Since then, I pay attention to the physical quality of books, and I still come across self-published books with the same P.O.D. quality as 20 years ago. This is not to say that all P.O.D. books look equally poor, but there's no one but you to check a host of details from margin size to font type to alignment of text on the cover, etc. And choosing papers with one page in hand and with a sample book in hand are two different things. In short, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a quality P.O.D. book, but the writer needs to understand many details of what makes a physical book attractive. I don't think it's the printer's "fault," but rather the ignorance of writers about how to make a book look good.
I really appreciated reading this. I am working on a nonfiction book I plan to do indie, and I think about these things, too. I have taken time to learn the book launch business by being on some really great book launch teams from some well known traditionally published writers I respect. I've learned a lot about how to promote a book. I actually chose to do this indie (and did another project indie years ago) because it suits me. The publishing business is a business, and people who are entrepreneurial can do very well. I am thankful we have other options nowadays. I would love to hear how you did your printing and what print on demand you used for those books. I have observed some quality jobs and some that aren't very impressive. I think book distribution is another key area. But my only motive is to create another quality book that helps that people its meant to help. I agree with you--numbers aren't my focus. Also, without an agent and publisher needing to recoop a massive investment, my first book project was pretty profitable. It's been a while back, and I have no regrets. I had a natural market at that time as I was doing a lot of speaking in the counseling field and in my niche I was very glad to see people receiving the resources that they found very helpful. I am happy to discover your Substack. I hope your experience in the coming months ends up being really great.
Lovely to hear your experience, Susan, and thanks for the cheer of support. We are in a new era. And to your question, the team at Troubador have been responsible for printing. The UK edition is beautiful, and of a quality you’d find from any mainstream publisher. Production value was key to me. As for p.o.d. - it’s just the Amazon machine, covers rubbery, paper lower quality, all the classic signifiers of an old school self-pub before the process improved to current standards.
Thanks for sharing this info. I wonder if Ingram Sparks does better quality. I also had a friend record her own audiobook and may look into this as well. Quality matters to me. I am in the US, so probably don’t have access to Troubadour?
So helpful, Eleanor. I've signed up for your class on serialization in November. Can hardly wait. I was a designer of books and magazines (and other communications) before becoming an author. I may be the last person on the planet who insists on standing beside the press to supervise ink density and bindery tolerances for my own books. And now we're on the brink of a whole new business model for indie publishing, as well as its relationship to legacy publishing. I consider you a pioneer in this. See you in November!
Had to pop in from my email to like and comment on this post. As someone who’s shifted in the last year or two from chasing the trad publishing roadrunner to attempting to figure out how to make self (indie?) publishing work, this is a refreshing take.
There are so many “how to succeed” posts out there that read like every other self-help “if you just do these simple things!” silver bullet schemes and never seem to take into account that writers have lives and are attempting to do the work of a team of twelve on two hours a night and a shoestring budget. I like the idea of lowering the goalposts. Of treating writing line fine art. And realizing that small wins can snowball into bigger ones.
I hope your launch goes well, and I will definitely be reading chapter one of Fallout soon.
A very interesting perspective. Very few people make real money from books, as you say. I know someone who uses his self-published book in lieu of a business card. As for me, I regard my books as credibility enhancers: I have earnt more from the work generated by the books than from the books themselves. Hope it goes well at theLBF.
Thanks. I shall report…
I meant 'earnt' not 'learnt'!
I love the imagery of the different departments. It really conceptualizes all that what we have to do as indie authors!
After I published about 15 other personnel popped up, including the Reading Department
This is so good, Eleanor! I think all I have is a Creative Department, but even beginning to think in these ways is helpful (and fun). Curious about the print on demand. Is the quality really much worse if you have quality design? My university press is now printing my memoir with Amazon POD services -- one reader alerted me to this, since he saw that the book had been printed the very day he ordered it -- but I haven't heard any complaints.
I hadn't planned to print an inventory of my poetry book, but now I'm wondering.
Troubador sent me an example cover of their global distribution pod - basically Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc, and it was really rubbery, like wipe-clean rubbery. And the paper quality was down a notch, too. But maybe there are various versions of pod & some better than others. My memoir is on global distribution using pod and I haven’t had any complaints either, but then again those lovely readers outside of the uk don’t have the uk edition to compare it to.
You’re tireless and inspiring. Keep going! I, on the other hand am exhausted, distracted, and generally at the bottom of a well when it comes to publishing.
*throws rope
This was very relatable 😅
You are always so generous, with your self as well as your creativity --thank you!
Oh, thanks Beth. 😊
POD really does a disservice to many books. I've ordered books published by good American publishers, e.g., Chicago UP and the US branch of Oxford UP, and have anticipated American production values (usually: better paper and binding and often a more elegant page). But what I've received has been a plastic-feeling bundle of thin, glo-white paper with type that shows through from previous pages. Ugly!
How are you taking the book to LBF, btw? The book fair doesn't always strike me as readily open to indies - but that doesn't mean it can't be done. (Oh, and agents are useful in this instance too!)
I’ve discussed with Jenny… in theory it’s possible, just not usual, but I think we can do it. I need to talk it through with her again once she’s got it in her hands.
Eleanor, I love this way of thinking (limited edition). I share your view of POD. It works for some things, but not a book with a heart. I’m amazed that your creative personnel have made it through all the meetings and still come out ready for adventure. Go team!
Tara, have you compared products? I still have a window before my poetry collection is finished, so I could still look into a print run. If there is such a notable difference in quality, perhaps I ought to do that. Although it does feel at a certain point like even breaking even is a stretch.
Not recently, alas. I discussed this with our printer back in Western Writers Series printing days, and the quality of a regular print run was decidedly better. Since then, I pay attention to the physical quality of books, and I still come across self-published books with the same P.O.D. quality as 20 years ago. This is not to say that all P.O.D. books look equally poor, but there's no one but you to check a host of details from margin size to font type to alignment of text on the cover, etc. And choosing papers with one page in hand and with a sample book in hand are two different things. In short, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a quality P.O.D. book, but the writer needs to understand many details of what makes a physical book attractive. I don't think it's the printer's "fault," but rather the ignorance of writers about how to make a book look good.
I agree with all of this.
Go team! x
I really appreciated reading this. I am working on a nonfiction book I plan to do indie, and I think about these things, too. I have taken time to learn the book launch business by being on some really great book launch teams from some well known traditionally published writers I respect. I've learned a lot about how to promote a book. I actually chose to do this indie (and did another project indie years ago) because it suits me. The publishing business is a business, and people who are entrepreneurial can do very well. I am thankful we have other options nowadays. I would love to hear how you did your printing and what print on demand you used for those books. I have observed some quality jobs and some that aren't very impressive. I think book distribution is another key area. But my only motive is to create another quality book that helps that people its meant to help. I agree with you--numbers aren't my focus. Also, without an agent and publisher needing to recoop a massive investment, my first book project was pretty profitable. It's been a while back, and I have no regrets. I had a natural market at that time as I was doing a lot of speaking in the counseling field and in my niche I was very glad to see people receiving the resources that they found very helpful. I am happy to discover your Substack. I hope your experience in the coming months ends up being really great.
Lovely to hear your experience, Susan, and thanks for the cheer of support. We are in a new era. And to your question, the team at Troubador have been responsible for printing. The UK edition is beautiful, and of a quality you’d find from any mainstream publisher. Production value was key to me. As for p.o.d. - it’s just the Amazon machine, covers rubbery, paper lower quality, all the classic signifiers of an old school self-pub before the process improved to current standards.
Thanks for sharing this info. I wonder if Ingram Sparks does better quality. I also had a friend record her own audiobook and may look into this as well. Quality matters to me. I am in the US, so probably don’t have access to Troubadour?
That’s a good question, I don’t know. It would be worth picking up the phone to them and asking…
Thanks.
So helpful, Eleanor. I've signed up for your class on serialization in November. Can hardly wait. I was a designer of books and magazines (and other communications) before becoming an author. I may be the last person on the planet who insists on standing beside the press to supervise ink density and bindery tolerances for my own books. And now we're on the brink of a whole new business model for indie publishing, as well as its relationship to legacy publishing. I consider you a pioneer in this. See you in November!
Thanks so much. I’ll look forward to meeting you in November.
Love this! I'm doing something similar with my anthology: limited printed edition before going wide. Printed books are indeed sacred.
🙌🏻
Had to pop in from my email to like and comment on this post. As someone who’s shifted in the last year or two from chasing the trad publishing roadrunner to attempting to figure out how to make self (indie?) publishing work, this is a refreshing take.
There are so many “how to succeed” posts out there that read like every other self-help “if you just do these simple things!” silver bullet schemes and never seem to take into account that writers have lives and are attempting to do the work of a team of twelve on two hours a night and a shoestring budget. I like the idea of lowering the goalposts. Of treating writing line fine art. And realizing that small wins can snowball into bigger ones.
I hope your launch goes well, and I will definitely be reading chapter one of Fallout soon.
Great. And thank you for your support.