Become a FabJob Guide to Book PublisherIn this chapter, we’ll begin with a brief overview of the...

Start your own publishing company!

Jennifer Fishberg

FabJob Guide to

Become a Book

Publisher

Visit www.FabJob.com

ContentsAbout the Author .............................................................................8

Acknowledgements .........................................................................9

1. Introduction ..........................................................................................10

1.1 The Book Publishing Business ....................................................12

1.1.1 What Is Independent Publishing? ....................................12

1.1.2 Industry Trends and Statistics ..........................................15

1.2 BenefitsofBeingaBookPublisher ............................................17

1.3 Inside This Guide .........................................................................20

2. GettingReady .......................................................................................23

2.1 Skills and Knowledge You Will Need .......................................23

2.1.1 Writing Skills .......................................................................24

2.1.2 Computer and Technology Skills .....................................25

2.1.3 Research Skills .....................................................................28

2.1.4 Interpersonal Skills .............................................................29

2.1.5 Business Skills .....................................................................31

2.2 Learning by Doing .......................................................................34

2.2.1 Work in a Bookstore ...........................................................35

2.2.2 Publishing Internships .......................................................36

2.3 Learn From Other Publishers .....................................................40

2.3.1 InformationInterviews ......................................................40

2.3.2 Join Associations .................................................................43

2.3.3 Work with a Book Shepherd or Publishing Coach ........47

2.4 Educational Programs ................................................................48

2.4.1 PublishingDegrees,Certificates,andSeminars .............49

2.4.2 OtherTypesofDegrees......................................................52

2.4.3 Business Degrees and Courses .........................................53

FabJob Guide to Become a Book Publisher

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2.5 ResourcesforSelf-Study ..............................................................54

2.5.1 Books ....................................................................................54

2.5.2 Websites ...............................................................................56

3. StartingaPublishingBusiness .........................................................60

3.1 Should You Start Your Own Publishing ................................... Company?......................................................................................60

3.1.1 WorkingwithaSelf-PublishingCompany .....................61

3.1.2 Starting Your Own Publishing Company .......................64

3.2 Choosing Your Niche ...................................................................65

3.3 Choosing a Company Name .......................................................72

3.4 Your Business Plan .......................................................................74

3.4.1 What To Include In a Business Plan .................................75

3.4.2 Start-UpFinancialPlanning ..............................................82

3.4.3 Business Plan Resources ....................................................91

3.5 WheretoFindStart-UpFinancing .............................................92

3.5.1 GettingPrepared .................................................................92

3.5.2 Equityvs.DebtFinancing .................................................94

3.5.3 Borrowing Money ...............................................................95

3.5.4 FindingInvestors ................................................................98

3.5.5 GovernmentPrograms ....................................................100

3.6 Choosing Your Location ............................................................102

3.7 LegalMatters ...............................................................................105

3.7.1 Your Business Legal Structure ........................................105

3.7.2 Business Licenses ..............................................................112

3.7.3 Taxes ...................................................................................114

3.7.4 Insurance ............................................................................116




4. ThePublicationProcess ...................................................................120

4.1 FindingandDevelopingMaterialforPublication .................122

4.1.1 Writing Your Own Books .................................................122

4.1.2 Working with Authors and Literary Agents .................124

4.1.3 PreviouslyPublishedWork .............................................130

4.1.4 Contracts and Royalties ...................................................135

4.1.5 Subsidiary Rights ..............................................................137

4.2 Registering Your Material .........................................................138

4.2.1 ISBN Numbers ..................................................................138

4.2.2 Barcodes .............................................................................139

4.2.3 Copyright ...........................................................................141

4.3 Printing Your Books ...................................................................144

4.3.1 OffsetPrinting ...................................................................144

4.3.2 DigitalPrintingandPrint-On-Demand(POD) ............147

4.3.3 E-Books ..............................................................................148

4.4 HiringStaffandFreelancers .....................................................152

4.4.1 EmployeesversusContractors .......................................152

4.4.2 How to Find Freelance Help ...........................................154

4.4.3 HowtoFindSupportStaff ..............................................160

4.4.4 TheInterviewProcess ......................................................161

4.4.5 References ..........................................................................162

5. BusinessOperationsandFinances .................................................164

5.1 Pricing Your Books .....................................................................165

5.1.1 Guidelines ..........................................................................165

5.1.2 Retail Pricing Formulas ...................................................166

5.1.3 ProfitMarginvs.PercentageMarkup............................167

5.1.4 Standard Discounts ..........................................................169




5.2 E-Commerce ................................................................................172

5.2.1 Accepting Credit Cards ...................................................173

5.2.2 Accepting Payment Online .............................................174

5.2.3 OrderFulfillment ..............................................................175

5.3 GettingYourBooksIntoBookstoresandLibraries ...............177

5.3.1 Working with Wholesalers and Distributors ................177

5.3.2 Amazon and Other Online Retailers .............................182

5.4 Financial Management ..............................................................187

5.4.1 Bookkeeping ......................................................................187

5.4.2 Financial Statements and Reports ..................................190

6. MarketingYourBooks ......................................................................198

6.1 Marketing Tools ..........................................................................200

6.1.1 Printed Materials ..............................................................201

6.1.2 Your Website ......................................................................207

6.1.3 Social Media .....................................................................214

6.2 Marketing Techniques ...............................................................218

6.2.1 Advertising ........................................................................219

6.2.2 Free Publicity .....................................................................222

6.2.3 Contests and Awards .......................................................234

6.2.4 Networking .......................................................................236

6.3 PromotionalEvents ....................................................................238

6.3.1 Book Signings ....................................................................238

6.3.2 Presentations .....................................................................240

6.3.3 Trade Shows ......................................................................242






1. IntroductionCongratulationsontakingthefirststeptowardstartingyourownbookpublishingcompany!Doyoudreamofseeingyourownworksinprint,orprovidinganoutletforotherneworunderrepresentedvoices?Doyouhaveamissionorcausetopromotethroughyourbooks,orapersonalexperiencetosharewiththeworld?Doestheprospectofcollaborating with editors and designers, networking with literary agents,andbecominganentrepreneurintrigueyou?It’sallpartoftheexcitingworldofbookpublishing.

Whilepeoplefrommanydifferentbackgroundsaredrawntothepublishingprofession,ifyou’reconsideringtakingonthischallengerequiringequalpartsleftandrightbrain,chancesareyou’veharboredalifelongloveofthewrittenword.Perhapsyou’rethecreativetypewhospentmoreofyourchildhoodinthelocallibrarywithyournoseinaBeverlyClearyorJudyBlumebookthanontheplayground.




Ormaybeyoudiscoveredyourpassionforbookslaterinlifewanderingthedustystacksofusedbookstoresseekingoutofprinttitles.Perhapsyou’vebeencalleduponinyourcurrentjoborinyourpersonallifetouseyourwritinggifttoprovideinformationorentertainmenttoothers.Ormaybeyoujustlovereadingdynamicbooksthatteachyousomethingnewormakeyoufeelconnectedtotheworldinawayyouhadn’tbefore.

Fromwhateverdirectionyourcallingcame,publishingisanexcitingandrapidlychangingfieldandbooksremainapowerfulmediumofcommunication,whetherinprintorelectronicformat.Ameansto,asauthorE.M.Forsterfamouslysaid,“Onlyconnect”.Newtechnology,suchase-readersandprint-on-demand,ischallengingmanyofthetraditionallyheldbeliefsaboutwhatkindsofbookscanbesuccessful,andredefiningwhatitmeanstobeanauthorandapublisherinthedigitalage.Theeaseofgettingabookprintedhasleveledtheplayingfield,removedroadblocks,andenablednewauthorsandpublisherswhohaveneverbeforehadthiskindofaccesstoreachanaudienceeagerforfreshperspectivesandspecializednichetopics.

Butpublishingcanalsobeaconfusingmaze,andthere’snoshortageofcompaniesouttherelookingtotakeadvantageofthisfact,moreinterestedinopeningwalletsthaninopeningdoorsforwould-beauthors and publishers. For this reason, it’s important to be armed with thefactsasyoubegintoplanandimplementyournewventure.That’swhere this guide comes in!

We’reawarethattherearemanybooksonthemarketabout“self-publishing”,eachwithaverydefinitepointofviewaboutjustwhatself-publishingmeansandexactlyhowitshouldandshouldn’tbedone.Manyofthemareexcellentresources,andthereisawealthofwonderfulinformationtobegainedfromtheexperiencesoftheirauthors.You’llfindafewofthebestmentionedinthisguide.However,ifyou’vealreadydonesomeresearchonself-publishing,you’veprobablyalsorealizedthatthereisalotofcontradictoryadviceoutthere.Remember,noneofthesefolkshaveyourexactgoals,needs,budget,personaltaste,skills,orknowledgebase,andviceversa.




So,whileweconductedinterviewswithmanyexpertsinthefieldwhogenerouslysharedtheirwisdom--fromindependentpublisherstoliteraryagents,publishingservicesproviders,publishingcoaches,andbookmarketingprofessionals--itisthegoalofthisguidenottoprescribewhichonewayisbest,butrathertoprovideyouwithaclearroadmapofyouroptionsasyoubeginthisjourney.We’lldiscusstheprosandconsofeachsothatyoucanavoidthepitfallsalongthewayandmakethemostinformeddecisionsaboutwhatworksforyouruniquesituation.Youwillalsogainanunderstandingofhowtoleverageyourskillsandexperiencetotapintoanichemarket,howtodevelopnewskillstomakeyourbooksmoremarketableandcompetitive,andwheretofindtheresourcesyouneedtohelpyougrowyour business.

Inthischapter,we’llbeginwithabriefoverviewofthepublishingindustry, including traditional publishing, independent publishing, and self-publishing.We’llalsoexaminehowcurrenttrends,includingtheincreasingdemandfore-books,arechangingthefaceoftheindustryata pace that would make anyone’s head spin. This chapter also includes alookatsomeofthepotentialrewardsyoucanexpectasabookpublisher. So let’s get started!

1.1 TheBookPublishingBusiness

1.1.1 WhatIsIndependentPublishing?Ifyou’vealreadybegundoingresearchonthepublishingindustry,youmaybeconfusedbythedifferingwaysinwhichyou’veseencertainterminologyused–“self-publishing”forexample,or“print-on-demand(POD)publishing”.Beforewegoanyfurther,let’sbringsomeclaritytotheseimportantdefinitionsastheywillbeusedthroughoutthis guide.

Self-Publishing

Highly respectedpublishingprofessional andPresidentof theIndependentBookPublishersAssociation,theleadingprofessionalorganizationforself-publishersandindiepublishers,FlorrieBinfordKichler,offersthefollowingdefinitionofself-publishing:




“Aself-publisherisonewhoestablisheshisorherowncompanyinorderto create, distribute, market and sell a book that he or she has authored. Atrueselfpublisherfollowsallthebusinesspreceptsofpublishing includingmaintainingprofessionalstandardsineditorial,production, finance,marketing,salesandpromotion.”

— Florrie Binford Kichler, President, IBPA and Publisher, Patria Press

Thisisonepointonwhichtheexpertsalllargelyagree–thekeyfactorhereiscreatingyourowncompany.Whileyouneedn’thandleeveryaspectofthebusinessyourself--infact,mostexpertsadviseagainstattemptingthis--youmaintainownershipoftherightstoyourself-created or acquired material, and ISBNs belong to you as the publisher ofrecord.ISBNsareexplainedingreaterdetailinchapter4,butinshort,thisisauniqueandinternationallyrecognizedidentifyingnumber assigned to all books.

SubsidyPublishing,VanityPublishing, andPrint-On-Demand(POD)Muchoftheconfusionliesinthewidespreaduseoftheterm“self-publishing”asa synonymfor“vanitypublishing”or“subsidypublishing,”whichitisnot.Thisconfusionisgeneratedbothbycompaniesofferingauthorservicesandbysomeofthemainstreammedia.Manycompanies,suchasXlibris,iUniverse,andTraffordoffer“self-publishingservices”or“authorservices”or“PODpublishing”(nottobeconfusedwithPODprinting,whichwe’lllookatingreaterdetailinchapter4).Inreality,thesearealltermsusedforsubsidypublishersthatenableauthorstoseetheirworkinprintforaprice.Thesecompaniesofferarangeofeditorialanddesignservices–aone-stop-shopofsorts.However,marketingprospectsforthesetitlesareslimandmostofthebooksendupbeingpurchasedbytheauthorsandtheirfamilyandfriends.

Insomecases,thismaybeaperfectlyviableoption.There’snothinginherentlywrongwiththeseservicesandmany,suchasLuluandCreateSpace,offergoodvalueforwhattheyprovide.Itissimplyacaseofcaveatemptor.Wewillexaminethisoptioninmoredetailinsection3.1forthosereaderswhomaywanttopublishonlyasingletitlewithlimitedreach–somethingtopreserveforfriendsandfamily,for




example.However,themajorityofthisbookfocusesonhowtostartyour own book publishing company.

IndependentPublishing

Independentpublishing sharesmanycommonalitieswith self-publishing,butTinaJordan,VicePresidentoftheAssociationofAmericanPublishers,thenationaltradeassociationoftheU.S.bookpublishingindustry,offersthisdistinction:

“Self-publishingistypicallydefinedbyasingularauthorpublishingtheirowntitleortitles,withtheassistanceoforganizationswhichprovidepublishingservices.Independentpublishingismoretypicallydefinedbyanindependently-ownedcompanypublishingmultipletitlesfrommultipleauthorswithanexistinginfrastructureofservicesinclusiveofeditorial,sales,distribution,marketing,publicity.”

— Tina Jordan, Vice President, Association of American Publishers (AAP)

Anindependentpublisherismorelikelythanaself-publishertomaintainofficespaceoutsideofthehomeandapermanentstaff,albeittypicallyasmallone,astheyareusuallyjugglingthepublicationofmorethanonebookandauthoratatime.Self-publisherstendtobemoreofaone-womanorone-manshow,recruitingthehelpoffreelancerstokeepcostsdownandmostlikelyworkingoutofahomeoffice.

Indiesversus“TheBigSix”Themajorplayersinbookpublishingtodayarereferredtointheindustryas“TheBigSix”.Thesearethelarge,mainstreampublishingconglomerates with a long history in traditional publishing and many smallerdivisionsandimprintsundertheirumbrellas.Thelargerpublishinghousesofcoursehavelargerbudgets,butalsotendtobelesswillingtotakerisksonuntriedauthorsornon-mainstreamcontent.Theyarefarlesslikelytoacceptunagentedandunsolicitedmanuscriptsubmissions.

ThecurrentBigSixare:

•HachetteBookGroup(formerlyWarnerBooks)




• HarperCollins

• Macmillan

• Penguin Group

• Random House

• Simon & Schuster

Independent(or“indie”)publisherstendtofocusonaspecificnichemarketthatmaybeoverlookedbythelargermassmarketcompanies,justasself-publishersdo.Byvirtueofthesmallerscaleonwhichindependentpublishers function, theyareable toprovidemoreindividualattentiontolesserknownauthorsandtendtobemoreopentonon-traditionalcontentandnewauthors.

Historically,independentpublishershavemadeuparelativelysmallpercentageofthebookmarket.Today,however,withreaders’increasedinterestinadiversityofnichetopicsandembracingofnewformatsandtechnology that allow greater access to the marketplace, independent publishing has surged in popularity.

Mostoftheinformationinthisguidewillberelevanttothoseinterestedin starting a small independent press, as well as authors interested instartingtheirowncompanytoself-publishtheirwork.Chapter4includes a section on working with authors and literary agents, as wellasothersourcesofmaterialforpublicationforthosewould-bepublishers who are not writers and wish to publish works by others.

1.1.2 IndustryTrendsandStatisticsR.R.Bowker,producerofBooks In Print(asubscriptionserviceusedbymanylibrariesaswellasbooksellers)monitorspublishersandcollectsstatistics.Ina2015‘stateoftheindustry’reportpublishedatBowker.com,theyreportthatself-publishinggrewbyover21%justfrom2014to2015!Andreportedcurrenttrendsasfollows:

•Morewriterstakingadvantageoftraditionalpublishinghousesandself-publishing




•Librariesandbooksellersseekingopportunitiestooffermoreself-published content

•Thenumberofself-publishedauthorstoppingprominentbest-seller lists is on the rise

AccordingtostatisticscompiledbytheAssociationofAmericanPublishers(AAP),booksalesintheU.S.wereestimatedat$27.78billionin2015.Thisfigurerepresents2.71billionunits,comprisingalltypesofbooks:hardback,paperback,audio,ande-books.E-bookspeakedin2013withsalesof$3.24billion;in2015,saleswere$2.84billion.

DespitethecontinueddominanceofTheBigSix,newpublisherscontinuetojointheranksingrowingnumbers.Estimatesvary,butaccording to ISBN data, there are probably at least 100,000 publishing companiesintheUnitedStatesalone.

TheE-bookMarket

AccordingtoAAP,e-booksaleshaveplateaued,butotherindustryanalystsaremorecheerfulonthetopic.FromNPR’slate2015interview:

The big picture that they [traditional industry sources such as AAP]presentisbasedonthesalesofessentially1,200publishersonly. And the assumption in traditional circles is that, well, that mustsurelyrepresentthevastmajorityofbooksales-85percent,90percent.Andintheprintworld,that’sdefinitelytrue…Butthat’snottruefore-booksespeciallyself-publishede-books,mostofwhicharesoldbyAmazon.AndAmazondoesnotreportsalesfigures...AccordingtoAuthorEarnings,thee-bookmarketisthriving,buttraditionalpublishers’shareofithasslippedtoaboutone-third.

AccordingtoPewResearch,thepercentageofU.S.adultswho’vereadaprintbookinthelastyearhasdeclinedmoderatelyinthelastfiveyears,from71%in2011to65%in2016,whilethepercentagewho’vereadane-bookhasincreasedfrom17%in2011to28%in2016.

Ineverycase—whetheryou’relookingatthenumberofpublishers(andloweredbarrierstoentryintopublishing)orthedollaramountof




salesortheformatofdelivery—there’splentyofroominthepublishingindustryformoreplayersandmorereading!

1.2 BenefitsofBeingaBookPublisherWhetheryou’reseekinganewfull-timecareerasanindependentbookpublisherorjustlookingforapart-timeventureasanoutlettogetyourwriting into the marketplace, starting your own publishing company hasmanypotentialbenefits.

MakingaPositiveImpactonOthers

Manyself-publishersandindependentbookpublishersaredrawntotheindustrybecausetheyhaveamission–asinceredesiretousetheirlifeexperiences,knowledge,and/orcareerskillsandexpertisetohelpotherswithinformativenonfictionworks;oraknackforproducingorfindingthekindofwritingthatcantouchothersinsomeway,entertain,orprovokethoughtandconversationaboutanissue.Mostsuccessfulindiepublishersandself-publisherschooseaveryspecificnicheareathat has some personal meaning to them.

Theabilitytogetyourmessageoutinbookform,whetherthroughyourownwritingorworkingwithauthorswhoshareyourvision,allowsyoutoreachalargeaudienceandmakeadifferenceinthequalityoftheirdaytodaylivesthroughyourbooks.Thinkaboutbooksyou’vereadthathavemadearealdifferencetoyou–whetheritwasteachingyouacomputerskillthathelpedyoulandanewjob,orjustprovidingalaughafteratoughday.Bookscontributeagreatdealtopeople’slivesandtotheworld,andbeingapublisherallowsyoutobeapartofthat.

Inaddition,ifyou’republishingtheworkofothernewauthors,youhavetheabilitytomakeaverydirectimpactontheirlives,helpingtomaketheircreativevisionarealityandperhapsmakingsomeone’slifelongdreamofseeingtheirworkinprintcometrue.

IndependentpublisherKimberlyDebusofMélangePress,whichpublishesbothfictionandnonfiction,countsseeingthelookonanewauthor’sfaceuponhandingthemtheirfirstfreshlyprintedbookasamongthemostrewardingaspectsofwhatshedoes.“Itisatthat




momentthatthe‘watchthisspace’signcomesoffthebillboard,asitwere,andthebookhasenteredtheworld,”Debusexplains.

CreatingaLastingLegacy

“TheclosestcomparisonIcangiveforthefeelingIgetwhenIfirstreceiveatitlefromtheprinteristhejoyofseeingachildborn.Aftermonthsofgestation,yourcreationhascomeintotheworld.”

— Leland F. Raymond, Publisher, CyPress Publications

Seeingyourbooksontheshelvesofyourlocallibrary,inbookstores,or on websites like Amazon can be quite a thrill. But publishing a book canalsobeawaytoleaveanimprintontheworldandpotentiallyreachfuturegenerationsaswell.Creatingsomethingtangiblelikeabookenablesyoutopreservesomethingthatrepresentswhoyouareandwhat you care about to the world.

CreativityandIndependence

Thecreative freedomtochoose the typesofbooksyoupublish,to manage both the content and the design, and to collaborate with talented and interesting people who take pride in the work they do providesanopportunityfortheindependentandcreative-mindedentrepreneurtoshine.Thistypeofbusinessalsoofferstheflexibilitytocreateaschedulethatfitsyourlifestyle.Theabilitytomaintaincontrolandindependence–overyourbusinessandthetypeofworkyoupublish--iswhatattractsmanypeopletotheideaofpublishingtheirown books.

Book publishers may choose to work independently and retain completecreativeandfinancialcontrolovertheirfinalproduct,ormaychoosetohireatrustedstafforteamoffreelanceprofessionalsand experts to handle areas along the way where they lack expertise. There are also many associations and consortiums that help small publisherscompetewithlargercompaniesbyprovidingeducation,services,andacooperativeapproachtomarketing.

Asapublisher,youalsohavethefreedomtochooseanicheinwhichyouhaveaparticular interest.Youcanuse theconnectionsand




knowledgeyoualreadyhave,orusetheopportunitytolearnaboutanewsubjectyou’vealwayshadaninterestin.Theoptionsareunlimited.

ChallengeandVariety

“Runningabookbusiness,likeanybusiness,takescommitment,smart business sense, and the ability to understand what cultural, educationandentertainment-drivencontentwillinspirenewandexistingreaders.Andofcoursealittlebitofluck,ormagicdustisalwayshelpful.”

— Tina Jordan, Vice President, Association of American Publishers (AAP)

Runningabookpublishingcompanyprovidestheopportunityforan ongoing education. Because publishers may be required to wear manydifferenthatsatdifferenttimes,frommarketingandPRpro,tobudgetingwhiz,andcreativeartist,andbecausethepublishingindustryisevolvingwiththespeedoflightasnewtechnologiesareincorporated, keeping up to date on emerging trends and constantly updatingskillsisimportant.Attendingprofessionalconferencesandtrade shows, taking continuing education courses, and networking withotherpublishingprofessionalsareallpartofkeepingyourskillssharp and staying connected.

Whilethereisalottolearnalongtheway,authorandpublisherDavidHooperwarnsthatnewpublishersshouldn’tletthemselvesbecomeoverwhelmedbythechallengesorlettheperfectbecometheenemyofthegood:

“Doit.Getyourstuffoutthereandmakeanimpactonpeople.Don’tworryaboutitbeingperfect.Writeit,bringinaprotoeditit,andputitout.Itcanbepolished,butit’sneverperfect.”

— David Hooper, MusicMarketing.com

Intermsofrunningyourownbusiness,thereistheaddedtaskofkeepingupwithnewmarketingtechniquesandgettingthewordoutabout your titles, as well as interacting with distributors, authors, the media, and customers. For those who are easily bored with the same olddaytodayroutine,beinganindependentbookpublisheroffersacontinuedopportunityforlearningandvariety.




IncomePotential

Inadditiontohavingmorecreativefreedomthanyouwouldifyoupublished your work through a traditional publishing house, you’ll also keepagreaterpercentageofthefinancialrewardsaspublisher.Authorsworkingwithatraditionalpublishermightexpecttoreceiveroyaltiesofabout6to15%,dependingonthetypeofbook(hardcover,tradepaperback,etc.),with7.5to8%beingaboutaverageforapaperback.Subsidypublisherswillalsotakeasignificantchunkofyourprofits,inadditiontotheupfrontfees.

Publishingisnogetrichquickventure,andyouprobablywon’tmakeamintonyourfirsttitle.Butwhilewholesalers,distributors,andretailoutletsmayrequireasignificantdiscountinordertocarryyour independently published books, you can still come out ahead by utilizingeffectiveandeconomicalmarketingtechniquesandknowingwhereyourbudgetisbestspentformaximumimpact.

FlexibleStart-UpCosts

Printruns,hiringfreelancers,distributors,andlaunchingmarketingcampaigns;let’sfaceit--itcanbeapotentiallyexpensiveandriskyproposition to start a book publishing company. While it’s important togointothisbusinessknowingyou’llneedtohaveabudgettospendinordertomakearealgoofit,thereisalsoplentyofopportunityforcostsavings.

Thegoodnewsisthatpublishingoffersagreatdealofflexibilityintermsofstart-upcosts–therearemanytasksyoucandoyourselfinordertosavemoney.Publishinge-booksandPODprintingcanalsosaveyousomemoneyupfrontandoninventorystoragecosts.Workingwithaprofessionalassociationtomarketyourbookscollaborativelycanprovideadditionalcostsavings,ascanworkingfromahomeoffice.

1.3 InsideThisGuideThe FabJob Guide to Become a Book Publisherwilltakeyoustep-by-stepthroughtheprocessofpublishingabook,whetheryou’reinterestedinpublishingyourownwritingortheworkofothers.Theguideisarrangedasfollows:




Chapter 2, Getting Ready,willhelpyoudiscoverthemanyopportunities,bothformalandinformal,thatexistforlearningandpracticingtheskillsyou’llneedtobeasuccessfulbookpublisher,fromwritingtobusinessskills.Thischaptercoverssuggestedareasofstudyforthoseinterestedinpursuingacollegeoruniversitydegreeorcertificateprograminpublishing,howtolearnfromotherpublishers,andlotsoffreeresourcestohelpyoulearnatyourownpace.

Onceyouunderstandthebasicskillsyou’llneedtodevelop,Chapter3,Starting Your Publishing Business,explainstheimportanceofchoosinganicheandhowtochoosetherightoneforyou.You’llalsofindpracticalbusinessplanresourcesandsuggestionsonhowtofindfinancing,aswellasinformationonthekeylegalpointstoconsiderasanewpublisher and business owner.

Beingasuccessfulpublisherdoesn’tnecessarilymeandoingeverythingyourself.Chapter4,The Publication Process,willprovideyouwithinformationonwheretofindmaterialifyou’renotawriter,andhowtohire the right people to help you produce your books. This chapter also covershowtoregisterandprotectyourmaterial,andexaminesyourvariousprintingoptions.We’llalsohelpclearupsomeoftheconfusionaboutPOD,anddiscusstheprosandconsofe-books.

Startinganewbusinessventurecanbeexciting,butthefinancialaspectscanalsobeintimidating,especiallyforthemorecreativelyinclined.Chapter 5, Business Operations and Finances,willprovideyouwithguidelinesforpricingandsellingyourbooks,includingsellingonlinethrough your own website, through online retailers like Amazon, and howtogetyourbooksintobrick-and-mortarbookstores.Onceyou’resellingyourbooks,you’llneedtoknowhowtohandleyourfinances,sowe’llcoverthebasicsoffinancialmanagementaswell,includingbasicbookkeeping and Title P & Ls.

You don’t need a degree in marketing or a big publicity budget to create a buzz about your books. Chapter 6, Marketing Your Books,offerslotsofideasonhowtoreachouttothetargetmarketyouidentifiedinChapter2.Therearemanyfreeandlowcostoptionsfordesigningandhostingyour web site, and writing and distributing press releases – this chapter willshowyouwheretofindthem.Chapter6willalsooffersometipsonhowtomakethemostofbooksigningsandtradeshows,andhelptaketheanxietyoutofnetworking.




Eachchapteralsocontainsrelevantpracticaladvicefromthemanypublishing experts, who generously shared their time and insights with us,includingsmallpressowners,successfulself-publishers,headsofprofessionalpublishingassociations,literaryagents,andexperiencedbook marketing pros. You will learn what challenges and rewards you canexpecttofaceasyougrowyourbusiness,andwhatstepsyoucanstarttakingtodaytowardbecomingabookpublisherwiththethrivingbusinessofyourdreams.

YouhavereachedtheendofthefreesampleoftheFabJob Guide to Become a Book Publisher.Toorderanddownloadthecompleteguidegotohttps://fabjob.com/program/become-book-publisher/.


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