It's actually easier than you think! Let's talk about the process.
I had a very specific vision for my book, which limited my printing and self-publishing options. I wanted a 12 x 12 inch hardcover book with a fold out page. You may think this doesn’t sound too complicated but it was difficult to find a company that could support all three. I decided to by-pass finding a self-publishing company which usually provides your ISBN, printer and sometimes the opportunity to get into brick and mortar bookstores, and decided to do it on my own.
I researched over 200 printing companies. Here is a link to that list! ttps://www.tckpublishing.com/book-printing-companies/ I decided to go with a printing company based in the U.S. called Signature Book Printing.
I bought my own ISBN number from www.bowker.com (It is like a social security number for your book. You must have this). I found my smart friends to edit my script and hired my techy friends to help with converting my paintings into digital files. I then placed a minimum order of 500 books! (It was nearly impossible to find a printing company to do less than 500-1000 books.) I then used my own social media platforms to spread the word and listed it for sale on my own personal website.
It did take about 3 months for the printing company to produce my order of 500 books. This amount of time is typical for printing companies.
I absolutely LOVE the quality of my book and have had really positive feedback from buyers. I have sold around 200 books at the moment without any solid advertising yet. I am currently working on supplemental educational worksheets that will go along with my book. I have no regrets doing this process on my own. Yes it was a bit more work, time and money but I receive 100 percent of the profit after the cost of the book is taken out and I control my wholesale prices. I also have emails of all my customers to reach out to personally with new and similar products I make.
Other options:
There are other options out there. Self-publishing through Amazon KDP is a great option that I may explore for my next book! Their process is pretty easy once you have the files to upload and the availability of your book is almost instantaneous. They now have a hardcover option which is awesome! ISBN number is included.
Other self-publishing companies to explore:
Ingram Spark
Barnes and Noble Press
Lulu
Blurb
Book Baby
Gumroad (digital or e-books)
Unbound and Inkshares: Pitch or directly post your book on this platform, set a funding goal and create a campaign to get support. If goal is met the company will edit, design, publish, distribute and market it like a publisher.
Prolance Writing
Many of these distributors have print on demand services so you are not having to house a lot of books or invest a lot of money. However, distributors and retailers will all get a cut of your profit after printing costs of your book. So make sure you do your research and figure out what those percentages are.
Step by Step Checklist
Write your script
Find an editor: Fiverr has editors or find friends and family to review your script and give you feedback.
Find an illustrator- Fiverr is also a great place to find illustrators. Or start following artists on social media to see what style fits your vision.
Provide your illustrator with mock ups or descriptions of your illustrations you’d like for each page. This can help them envision what you are thinking! Decide on what size you would like your book when printed.
Find a printing or self-publishing company from the list above!
If printing on your own you will need an ISBN number, which can be purchased at Bowker.com
Proofread your hard copy book before advertising it on social media or your own personal website.
Organize an event or book signing so your community can meet you and buy your book! (Reach out to local coffee shops in your community and ask if you can host a book signing or find a local farmers market or art fair to reserve a booth and display your book.
Congratulations! You made a book!
Need an Illustrator?
I am now accepting clients for my illustration services. If you'd like more information on my illustration packages I offer to bring your book to life click the button below!
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