PRESSED FOR TIME

klxr250 · Apr 21, 2006

Hi all

My manuscript has been selected for a national (Singapore's) publishing inititative (amongst hundreds). My manuscript's a cross between a children's picture book and an adult's read - like Shel Silverstein's.

Ideally I would love the book to have a market base beyond Singapore's shores, but I have onlt till Sept to publish the book.

Realistically speaking should I self-publish or can I still find and agent or publisher in time?

If the answer to the latter is yes, would it be more efficient to get an agent or publisher direct? If answer is no, can anyone advise me on options of offshore printing (seeing that almost all books are now printed in China), shipping and warehousing, as well as distribution methods and channels in the States and UK?

I mean, if I printed the book in Singapore, and get an ISBN no. for it, are American and British bookstores and also web-based sellers willing to take on a non-local self-published first-time writer/ illustrator?

Are there agents who handle distribution and marketing?

The book has a twisted ending, not an entirely happy one like in most children's stories. Itz a tad Shel Silverstein/ Tim Burton like. Going by this vague description, is this more suited for UK or US market? Oh, and it rhymes ...

Also, is there such a thing as co-publishing .. i.e. I pay the printing costs to the publisher and the publisher handles distribution and marketing? (Although itz a picture book, itz not very expensive to print cos itz black and white).

I have read bad reviews about vanity publishing, so I would place this as my last option. Is it true that traditional channels of distribution like bookstores will not touched books from Vanity Publishers?

Many thanks to the kind souls replying to my numerous queries!

Best,
JP

James D. Macdonald · Apr 21, 2006

klxr250 said:
Hi all

I hope this is appropriate for this thread, even though it does not address any of the posts.

I think that this post (and my reply) really belong in the Children's Writing board.

I have been selected for a National Publishing Inititative (Singapore's). My manuscript's a cross between a children's picture book and an adult's read - like Shel Silverstein's.

Alas, I have no idea what the National Publishing Initiative is.

Ideally I would love the book to have a market base beyond Singapore's shores, but I have onlt till Sept to publish the book.

Realistically speaking should I self-publish or can I still find and agent or publisher in time?

Why the time limit?

Realistically speaking, there's no way a book that hasn't yet been accepted will be published by a commercial press by this September. The ones that are coming out this September were turned in a year ago.

If the answer to the latter is yes, would it be more efficient to get an agent or publisher direct? If answer is no, can anyone advise me on options of offshore printing (seeing that almost all books are now printed in China), shipping and warehousing, as well as distribution methods and channels in the States and UK?

I mean, if I printed the book in Singapore, and get an ISBN no. for it, are American and British bookstores and also web-based sellers willing to take on a non-local self-published first-time writer/ illustrator?

I don't know your printing situation, but ... while you'll be able to get a self-published book into all the web-based booksellers, getting it on any store shelves at all as a non-local self-published first-timer will take a miracle.

Are there agents who handle distribution and marketing?

No. Agents don't have a thing to do with distribution or marketing.

The book has a twisted ending, not an entirely happy one like in most children's stories. Itz a tad Shel Silverstein/ Tim Burton like. Going by this vague description, is this more suited for UK or US market? Oh, and it rhymes ...

Yes, but is it a good book?

Also, is there such a thing as co-publishing .. i.e. I pay the printing costs to the publisher and the publisher handles distribution and marketing? (Although itz a picture book, itz not very expensive to print cos itz black and white).

"Co-publishing" (likewise "joint-venture publishing") is a euphemism for vanity publishing.

I have read bad reviews about vanity publishing, so I would place this as my last option. Is it true that traditional channels of distribution like bookstores will not touched books from Vanity Publishers?

In the overwhelming majority, yes. They won't touch a vanity book. Not that they're eager to shelve a self-published book, mind you.

Anyone knows too, the agents that do picture books and the agents that go for Harper Collins or Shel Silverstein's agent?

Shel Silverstein is dead, and I don't know who represented him while he was alive. For agents, you might try joining SCBWI and asking around there, or drop by AAR and checking out member agents.

HapiSofi · Apr 21, 2006

Way, way too late for conventional publishing. In theory it would be possible to go to contract and send the book into production within the time remaining, but you're already past the point at which the house would have sold the book to its distributors and its own sales force.

Maybe a small press will take you on short notice. I wouldn't know. Just make sure you get a publisher that has real brick-and-mortar distribution.

Duncan J Macdonald · Apr 21, 2006

klxr250 said:
Hi all

I hope this is appropriate for this thread, even though it does not address any of the posts.

I have been selected for a National Publishing Inititative (Singapore's). My manuscript's a cross between a children's picture book and an adult's read - like Shel Silverstein's.

Ideally I would love the book to have a market base beyond Singapore's shores, but I have onlt till Sept to publish the book.

Realistically speaking should I self-publish or can I still find and agent or publisher in time?

JP, I think I see your problem. The National Publishing Inititative does a subsudy of SGD$8,000. But, if you don't publish (I'll assume that the September deadline is correct) you need to reimburse the funding. (See the Media Development Authority Guidelines)

Uncle Jim and Hapi Sofi have told you that there isn't time remaining to get a September 2006 pub date through the major houses here in the US. My recommendation, for whatever it's worth, is to query UK publishers (I seem to recall seeing a lot of books from Orbit the last time I was in Singapore), or do a short-run self-pub there, and then try to sell North American rights (or reprint rights, whichever is applicable) based on the fact that you've won this Government sanctioned event.
Does the National Book Development Council provide any assistance with selling foreign rights?

klxr250 · Apr 21, 2006

Pressed for time

To all who have replied:
Thanks! A realistic viewpoint does spare me precious time. I tend to get too idelaistic and think that anything is possible.

To Mr MacDonald:
Wow! I am so very surprised at how in touch with the industry you are, even right up to Singapore's shores (Singapore isn't very big on publishing).

Yes, you are right. If I do not get it published in time the funding is not valid. But along with it comes many clauses.

Thanks for the note on re-print rights. I hadn't thought of that.

I will still be able to meet the deadline if I chose to simply print in Singapore, and Kinokuniya is fairly supportive of work from the region. Still, my ambitions lie further.

Any ideas on contact information for distribution and marketing in US and UK for a self-published book in tiny Singapore? Any information on printing offshore, shipping and storage?

Duncan J Macdonald · Apr 21, 2006

klxr250 said:
To all who have replied:
Thanks! A realistic viewpoint does spare me precious time. I tend to get too idelaistic and think that anything is possible.

To Mr MacDonald:
Wow! I am so very surprised at how in touch with the industry you are, even right up to Singapore's shores (Singapore isn't very big on publishing).

Yes, you are right. If I do not get it published in time the funding is not valid. But along with it comes many clauses.

Thanks for the note on re-print rights. I hadn't thought of that.

I will still be able to meet the deadline if I chose to simply print in Singapore, and Kinokuniya is fairly supportive of work from the region. Still, my ambitions lie further.

Any ideas on contact information for distribution and marketing in US and UK for a self-published book in tiny Singapore? Any information on printing offshore, shipping and storage?

I blush, sir. My experience with Singapore stems from my career in the US Navy, and a couple of port calls there while transiting to/from the Indian Ocean. Everytime I got there, I was in need of new books, so I sought out the book shops. My other expertise is gained from web searches (I generally use Google), which is where I found the info on your situation.

Personally, I have no information on the US publishing industry aside from any gained as a reader. The other Mr. Macdonald (James) and Hapi Sofi (among others) have far more experience on the production/selling your work side of the equation. What I know of it comes from this board.

Again, and only in my very humble opinion, I would seek out the help of a local agent or your National Book Development Council to try to negotiate off-shore items. Doing it myself is not something that I would try to tackle -- far too many rules and regulations that differ between the countries in question.

klxr250 · Apr 21, 2006

How to self publish and yet be able to sell to major bookstores?

Hi all

After receiving responses from another forum, I feel that my only option now is to self publish. The nationwide (Singapore) publishing initiative that my manuscript has been selected for (amongst hundreds) allows me only up to September to get it published.

Thus I need advice from this column. Lots of it.

Ideally I wish to market my children's picture book (that comes in black and white, and has a twisted ending) in UK/ US.

Does this mean that I have to publish it in UK/ US?

If yes, any contacts other than PODs?

Does anyone know about printing in China and shipping and storage costs? Lots of books are now printed in China.

What if I print in China/ Singapore and then try to distribute the book to major bookstores in UK/ US? Are the stores favorable to a self-published title, from a new author and even a non UK/ US citizen?

Do I do this by launching the book in US/ UK or can I do this after launching in Singapore, presuming the sales isn't THAT fantastic? Or can I try to sell the books to distributors before it is printed in Singapore, using its reputation as having been accepted and polished by the nation's Media Development Authority as selling point?

Does distributing in US/ UK mean I have to get a new US/ UK ISBN number?

Does anyone have contacts or information on marketing and distributing the book in US/ UK myself and on such service providers, since I am not local and lack both the local expertise and general publishing expertise?

I am not interested in small scale publishing. I wish my book to be read by as many as possible to get the message across about the abuse Asian elephants suffer. Many may love this majestic animal, cause it even more abuse through touristic activities simply due to lack of knowledge, and even plan to donate a portion of the proceeds to buying an abused elephant off the streets to recover in a good elephant sanctuary. Of course the book is not blantantly outfront in its message. It is a fable, and simply illustrated much like Shel Silverstein's. So I do want my book to do well and am not interested in vanity publishing.

Thanks!

klxr250 · Apr 21, 2006

thanks

Still, thanks for the trouble you took in looking up my situation and for your insightful suggestions.

The local literary publishing scene isn't very developed so offshore is a better bet if I want the book to do well.

I have posted my further queries in other forums here. I hope someone can point me a way!

Your experience with the US Navy must have been life altering - travelling round the world. I have done a far bit of travelling myself.

Betty W01 · Apr 21, 2006

Wow, I have no idea what to tell you about getting a book published in less than six months. I'm not sure even vanity publishing could move that fast. I wish you luck, though.

Meanwhile, to get your message out, have you considered writing articles on the topic and submitting them to appropriate magazines? Animal rights, travel, children's, general interest, airline - those are just some of the magazine types that come to mind.

McGill · Apr 21, 2006

I'm confused. What exactly does being selected for a publishing initative mean. Is your book going to be published in Singapore? I really don't understand how this is a good thing if you have to self publish because that rarely is a good thing (monetarily anyway)!

aruna · Apr 22, 2006

Try this agency:

http://www.jiaxibooks.com.tw/index.php?loc=agency

They are linked to major agencies in US/UK and make sales from China to the West and vice versa. Good luck!

Cathy C · Apr 22, 2006

The entire October 3, 2005 issue of U.S. trade magazine Publishers Weekly was devoted to the rising influx of Singapore-based publishers. You might read these articles to give you some ideas on who to approach locally to find a good home for your book. (Oh, you might have to sign up on the PW site to read the full articles, but it's a FREE 30 day trial, so no big deal.) You might also consider ordering that particular issue of the magazine from the website's archives, so you can refer back to it later.

Article about Singapore publishers at BEA (Book Expo America):

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6260807.html?text=singapore

List of Asian publisher contacts:

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6285499.html?text=singapore

The future of the Singapore publishing market:

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6260809.html?text=singapore

Good luck!

klxr250 · Apr 22, 2006

That's a good idea Betty! Thanks!

klxr250 · Apr 22, 2006

It's a project set up by the media development authority to spearhead publishing. The manuscript is picked from a pile, a grant is given but with rules attached, and you basically call your own shots and your own proposals. Though of course it tailors more to self-publishing cos if a publisher is going to pay anyway, no sense for the funding.

klxr250 · Apr 22, 2006

MANY THANKS!!!!!! Can't tell you how impt. these leads are for me!!!

klxr250 · Apr 22, 2006

what to send?

For a children's picture book with the words playing with the illustrations as the main draw, should I send a whole dummy or just a few pages?

If I thought of the book to be in black and the drawings in white should I send the pages as such?

McGill · Apr 22, 2006

I don't know, the whole thing sounds kind of dodgey to me. Plus it would be virtually impossible to publish a book by September, and if you could do it, it would have to be through self publishing. How much of the cost of publishing would the grant cover? And the hardest thing with self publishing(which I know very little about, by the way), is that you are responsible for marketing and distribution. I not sure what the odds of a successful self published children's book would be, but I'm sure they're astronomical. What about the traditional route of submitting to publishing houses? Isn't worth a try?

klxr250 · Apr 23, 2006

The grant's only for SGD 8000. Covers printing and design and marketing etc, as long as the receipts are there. It'z not dodgy. Itz a government body, although I can't comment on the realism of the timeline given. Sure, I can opt for the traditional route if I forgo the grant. With the grant, I do not need to take personal risks, although such a set-up that pushes for self-publication and at such a short timeframe may actually jeopardise the career prospects!

McGill · Apr 23, 2006

Then here's hoping you are able to get it done in the time table allowed. I wish you luck with it, I really do. Hopefully someone else on this board can help direct you with regards to where to try to get it published by the deadline. Good luck, I hope it works out for you. Keep us posted!

HapiSofi · Apr 24, 2006

Hey, Duncan, you were there on the ground. That's more expertise than I have.

victoriastrauss · Apr 24, 2006

I've ported this thread here from Bewares because it seems to fit this topic better.

- Victoria

Duncan J Macdonald · Apr 24, 2006

HapiSofi said:
Hey, Duncan, you were there on the ground. That's more expertise than I have.

My time (after gaining the new [used - I was a poor sailor] books) was gainfully employed by seeking out the Raffles Hotel and imbibing Singapore Slings.
Your expertise in US publishing was what I was refering to.

klxr250 · Apr 26, 2006

Ok, since we have a lot of knowledgeable folks on the thread helping me out, I'm gonna have to ask more questions again.

I have come to the conclusion that I have to self-publish, and in Singapore. So I will start a publishing firm for that. I have since contacted some bookstores and one came back saying they only work with established distributors for acquisitions

Anyone knows the going rates for distributors? These mainly just act as salesmen for the published books. One replied with a 15 - 20%. Nothin except selling, striking the deals with the publishers. Any extra marketing efforts will be charged accordingly.

Most distributors in Singapore cover only Malaysia and Singapore.

Anyone know some contacts for distributors in the US and marketing firms too?

What about import-export taxes? Or how to go about selling North American rights after the book has been published?

Thanks!

Gillhoughly · May 4, 2006

Why do you have only until September to get something published?

Get an agent who specializes in your genre.

If there are other writers whose work in your target market is similar to your own look them up and see who agents their work. Most don't mind sharing if you're brief and polite. Just say you're a writer looking for an agent and ask if they would impart the name of theirs. Say thank you.

Then look up those agencies and check them out. Write a query letter and submit according to their guidelines. If they say "no e-queries" pay attention.

DO NOT EVER go with a fee-charging agent, POD or vanity. That's a great way to stall or wholly halt your career.

This is a case of go slow to be fast. Go through the right channels to get your book on the racks. You won't be sorry.

Good luck!

CaoPaux · May 5, 2006

After receiving responses from another forum, I feel that my only option now is to self publish. The nationwide (Singapore) publishing initiative that my manuscript has been selected for (amongst hundreds) allows me only up to September to get it published.

I seriously doubt you'll be able to get your book conventionally self-published by September. Are you prepared/able to sink several thousand dollars into professional book design and a large, offset-press print run? Before you even begin, however, you will need to learn how to get your book into stores so you can make sure you fulfill their every requirement (such as wholesale terms, correct bar codes, etc., etc.).

Ideally I wish to market my children's picture book (that comes in black and white, and has a twisted ending) in UK/ US.

Does this mean that I have to publish it in UK/ US?

No. Many publishers have international distribution.

If yes, any contacts other than PODs?

I'm not sure what you are asking.

Does anyone know about printing in China and shipping and storage costs? Lots of books are now printed in China.

Research publishers based in China.

What if I print in China/ Singapore and then try to distribute the book to major bookstores in UK/ US?

It's possible.

Are the stores favorable to a self-published title, from a new author and even a non UK/ US citizen?

Stores don't care whether you are a citizen or a new author; they only care if they can gets books on the wholesale terms they need. However, they don't like self-published books because they're rarely available on the terms they need.

Do I do this by launching the book in US/ UK or can I do this after launching in Singapore, presuming the sales isn't THAT fantastic?

Do what?

Or can I try to sell the books to distributors before it is printed in Singapore, using its reputation as having been accepted and polished by the nation's Media Development Authority as selling point?

I'm confused. Are you being published or printed? If published, they should already have a distributor. I doubt you could interest a distributor in a book that has not been produced yet.

Does distributing in US/ UK mean I have to get a new US/ UK ISBN number?

I would expect so.

Does anyone have contacts or information on marketing and distributing the book in US/ UK myself and on such service providers, since I am not local and lack both the local expertise and general publishing expertise?

If Google doesn't find what you want, buy Writer's Market or similar guide.

I am not interested in small scale publishing. I wish my book to be read by as many as possible to get the message across about the abuse Asian elephants suffer. Many may love this majestic animal, cause it even more abuse through touristic activities simply due to lack of knowledge, and even plan to donate a portion of the proceeds to buying an abused elephant off the streets to recover in a good elephant sanctuary. Of course the book is not blantantly outfront in its message. It is a fable, and simply illustrated much like Shel Silverstein's. So I do want my book to do well and am not interested in vanity publishing.

For not-small-scale publishing, you will need to either self-publish conventionally or approach a commercial publisher.

PRESSED FOR TIME

klxr250

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

HapiSofi

Hagiographically Advantaged

Duncan J Macdonald

Plotting! Not Plodding!

klxr250

Duncan J Macdonald

Plotting! Not Plodding!

klxr250

klxr250

Betty W01

Empress of Cyberworld

McGill

aruna

On a wing and a prayer

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

klxr250

klxr250

klxr250

klxr250

McGill

klxr250

McGill

HapiSofi

Hagiographically Advantaged

victoriastrauss

Writer Beware Goddess

Duncan J Macdonald

Plotting! Not Plodding!

klxr250

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

CaoPaux

Mostly Harmless