I apologize in advance for the length of this post (1900 words approx), and hope that I’ve put this in the right place.
As some of you may know, I’m a self-publishing hobbyist. I’ve set up a company, own a 10-block of ISBNs, and have published and self-distributed three books, with modest success, to date.
A little over a month ago, a writer-friend asked me to have a look at her manuscript for feedback. I did, and I positively LOVE it. It’s the first in a trilogy of detective stories. I’ve since read the completed second book, which I also love, and she’s currently working on the third and final book in the series.
To be fair to her, I immediately advised her to seek agent representation. She gave me a few reasons why she didn’t want to go that route. I don’t completely agree with her reasons, but they are HER reasons. I then suggested Soho Press. Again, she gave me HER reasons for not wanting to submit to them. All the while, she has no idea that I have a little home-based publishing setup.
I’m so bowled over by her writing and the stories themselves that I’m willing to invest my money in her work. Admittedly, I’m green. My self-published books, three e-zine articles, one poem published in a print magazine, one short story published in a small press anthology, and attending various book fairs, writing and publishing conferences and seminars throughout NYC over the last seven years are the extent of my book world experience. And yes, I have copies of Dan Poynter’s Self-Publishing Manual (sixteenth edition), Tom and Marilyn Ross’ The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing (fourth edition), The Complete Guide to Successful Publishing by Avery Cardoza, and The Publishing Game: Publish a Book in 30 Days by Fern Reiss, as well as the Chicago Manual of Style (fourteenth edition) and Strunk and White’s Elements of Style; and of course, the abundance of wisdom and experiences here at AW. So while I’m not clueless about the publishing industry, and have been researching my butt off, publishing books other than my own is definitely uncharted territory for me.
Having been burned by PA, and all that entailed, I’m determined to do right by this author - if she’ll have me. I’m not a disgruntled, delusional ex-PA author who thinks publishing is easy; nor a way to make a quick buck. I want to make her a serious offer to publish her detective trilogy. I also wish to make a serious attempt at launching a small press. I’ve worked out a plan that, based on my publishing knowledge, is in keeping with a legitimate commercial publishing business model. I’d greatly appreciate any feedback and comments. Thanks in advance.
Advance against Royalty: $500 (for each book, for a total $1500 advance, paid in 3 installments: when she signs our contract agreement, approval of final text, and just before publication date. $500 will be the advance I’ll offer to any subsequent authors whose books I’ll publish, until I’m in a position to increase it. For single books, the $500 will be paid in 2 installments: half upon returning the publisher’s copy of the signed contract agreement, and the balance just before publication).
Royalties: Printed books - 10% of cover price first 5000, 12.5% of cover price 5001-10,000, 15% of cover price above 10,000; 40% of cover price on Ebooks - regardless of quantity sold; all royalties paid semi-annually. (One of my dearest friends is a tax attorney. He’s agreed to help me setup my accounting/bookkeeping records. Not just for the sake of royalty payments, but for my company in general).
Book Rights: 5-year contract; first print publishing rights and electronic rights in world English ONLY. (Ebook and print book will be released simultaneously). That’s all, nothing else. All other rights are the authors’ to do with as they please.
Out-of-Print: IMO, if less than 500 copies sell for two consecutive years, what’s the point in keeping the book in print?
Copyright and LCCN: I’ll register the copyright in the author’s name at my expense. I’ll apply for LCCN after assigning the ISBN and once I have an idea of what the final page count will be.
Books-in-Print database: I’ll handle this; takes just minutes.
Editing: I have a friend who has 10+ years freelance editing experience. She worked at a university press for 12 years. I’ve worked with her on my books. She does good work, and I can afford her rates.
Proofreading: This I can do myself, and the author will also receive a galley to look over before the book goes to the printer.
Format: 5½ x 8½ trade paperback
Publication Date: If she accepts my offer sometime this month, target publication date will be early summer 2009 for the first book in the trilogy. All books will be published within 12-16 months of signed contract.
Cover Design: (I lucked up on this one. My brother is an illustrator/graphic designer/photographer. His portfolio is extensive, including shooting covers for a few top fashion magazines. He’s my kid brother. If he doesn’t do my book covers, I’ll beat the snot outta him - just like the good ol’ days. More ideal, he can put me in touch with one of his colleagues for professional cover design). RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED
Press Releases and Back Cover Copy: I feel capable of writing these myself. I also know how to put together a press kit.
Page Layout: I’ve laid out all of my self-pubbed books myself using books pubbed by major houses as my guide, and feel confident I can handle this task personally. At the risk of tooting my own horn, people have told me that if I hadn’t told them I did the page layout on my home computer, they would’ve never guessed. So, I’ll give this a go myself first. If I’m not happy with the results, I’ll outsource this step. RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
Printing: 2000 copies (offset, initial print run for each book. I can always do additional print runs if the demand calls for such. Book Masters and Fidlar Doubleday both come highly recommended.)
ARCs: The usual suspects: Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Library Journal, USAToday, NYTBR, (with full knowledge that there’s no guarantee of a review), as well as a few smaller but reputable review venues that specialize in reviewing detective stories/mysteries/thrillers/suspense; 4-6 months prior to publication date, of course.
The Big D - Distribution: I’m looking at Midpoint Trade Books. I haven’t contacted them yet. (I don’t know if the author will accept my offer. If she doesn’t, then there’s no need for me to strike a distribution deal with Midpoint - just yet. If she does, then contacting Midpoint will be my first order of business).
Marketing and Promotion: In addition to all other expenses, I have $5000 to spend on M&P. I’m still researching how to get the most bang for my buck. I’ll employ a few things that have worked for me as a self-publisher, but I know I’ll need to do more for this project. SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED
Internet Sales: Publisher’s website with PayPal (already in place). I’ll just need to upload her cover thumbnail, synopsis, and generate the code for the book’s Paypal button - takes all of 10 minutes. I’m also thinking of joining PMA to establish a relationship with B&T; as well as uploading this book to Lightning Source to establish a relationship with Ingram, and so various Internet book retailers (Amazon, BN, Abe Books, etc,) will have the book available on their sites. I'M STILL SOMEWHAT UNCLEAR ABOUT THIS STEP. AM I GOING ABOUT THIS BACKASSWARD?
Returnable: Absolutely!
Standard distributor, wholesale, and bookstore discounts: Absolutely!
Competitive Cover Prices: based on my research: 200-300 pages ($14.95), 300-400 pages ($15.95), and 400-500 pages ($16.95) in 5.5x8.5 trade paperback format are competitive cover prices. I doubt I’ll publish anything less than 200 pages or more than 500. I’m looking at 70K-100K word count per novel.
Genres: I want my press to focus on Detective/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense, Urban Fiction, and Women’s Fiction. I enjoy these genres most, so I’ll seek to publish books that I personally would want to read. Also, because I do most of my reading in these genres, I know crap when I see it. I know what’s been done to death, what’s cliché, and other nuances specific to these genres. My goal is to ultimately publish 10 books per year.
In the interest of full disclosure, I currently have a day job and I’m a divorced mom. Ultimately, I hope to resign from my day job and focus on my press fulltime. But now is not that time, and I’ll still have my little ones to care for. For these reasons, this author, and any subsequent authors (HOPEFULLY), will be expected to assist in promoting their work in their local area and by setting up an author website, if they don’t already have one. I will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER request my authors purchase their own books; nor will I target their family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, pets… I will NOT spam emails and/or forums to promote any books. I haven’t done that with my self-pubbed books, so what good reason would I have to do that with my authors’ books? To discourage my authors from buying their own books, I want to provide them with about 10-20 complimentary copies of their book to give away to whomever they please.
There’ll be no sneaking of the books upon bookstore shelves. In fact, I don’t see why they’ll need to contact bookstores or libraries on their own. What’s the point in having a distributor if the author still needs to do that? They may approach a local bookstore or library to request a signing or reading, if they like. I’ll ask that they forward all contact info to me and I’ll follow up on all particulars. I think it looks better, more professional, coming from the publisher than the author. By local author-assisted promotions I mean, I really don’t see anything wrong with posting fliers or leaving door hangers (a la Pizza Hut, and my latest favorite promotional gadget). I’ll pay for the fliers and door hangers, send them to the author, and they can post them around town in their spare time. It’s a visual, and another way of getting the word out about their books. This is simple, affordable, and effective grassroots advertising.
All of the above will be at my expense. The author will never be required to invest a dime of their money to have their book published - not upfront, not on the backend, not EVER. The only expense the author will incur is providing an author photo, which I will have duplicated at my expense to include in their press kit.
I’m not open for submissions just yet; I don’t foresee that for at least two years down the line. I’m hoping to cut my teeth on her trilogy. And of course, I’ll tell her upfront that I’m new at this - before she signs or agrees to anything.
I’ve crunched the numbers. This project is going to run me in the area of $15,000. I’m not independently wealthy, but I’m comfortable and I have the money. I could blow it on a fur coat, or I could launch a micro/small press and go in business for myself. I can’t think of a better way to invest my money than getting behind a book (series) that I’m passionate about.
Well, there ya have it. Thanks again for reading through all of this. Your suggestions, comments, recommendations, personal experiences, cautionary tales, brutal honesty, and feedback are greatly appreciated. I don’t want my press to end up being torn apart on the Bewares and Background Checks forum. ;-)
As some of you may know, I’m a self-publishing hobbyist. I’ve set up a company, own a 10-block of ISBNs, and have published and self-distributed three books, with modest success, to date.
A little over a month ago, a writer-friend asked me to have a look at her manuscript for feedback. I did, and I positively LOVE it. It’s the first in a trilogy of detective stories. I’ve since read the completed second book, which I also love, and she’s currently working on the third and final book in the series.
To be fair to her, I immediately advised her to seek agent representation. She gave me a few reasons why she didn’t want to go that route. I don’t completely agree with her reasons, but they are HER reasons. I then suggested Soho Press. Again, she gave me HER reasons for not wanting to submit to them. All the while, she has no idea that I have a little home-based publishing setup.
I’m so bowled over by her writing and the stories themselves that I’m willing to invest my money in her work. Admittedly, I’m green. My self-published books, three e-zine articles, one poem published in a print magazine, one short story published in a small press anthology, and attending various book fairs, writing and publishing conferences and seminars throughout NYC over the last seven years are the extent of my book world experience. And yes, I have copies of Dan Poynter’s Self-Publishing Manual (sixteenth edition), Tom and Marilyn Ross’ The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing (fourth edition), The Complete Guide to Successful Publishing by Avery Cardoza, and The Publishing Game: Publish a Book in 30 Days by Fern Reiss, as well as the Chicago Manual of Style (fourteenth edition) and Strunk and White’s Elements of Style; and of course, the abundance of wisdom and experiences here at AW. So while I’m not clueless about the publishing industry, and have been researching my butt off, publishing books other than my own is definitely uncharted territory for me.
Having been burned by PA, and all that entailed, I’m determined to do right by this author - if she’ll have me. I’m not a disgruntled, delusional ex-PA author who thinks publishing is easy; nor a way to make a quick buck. I want to make her a serious offer to publish her detective trilogy. I also wish to make a serious attempt at launching a small press. I’ve worked out a plan that, based on my publishing knowledge, is in keeping with a legitimate commercial publishing business model. I’d greatly appreciate any feedback and comments. Thanks in advance.
Advance against Royalty: $500 (for each book, for a total $1500 advance, paid in 3 installments: when she signs our contract agreement, approval of final text, and just before publication date. $500 will be the advance I’ll offer to any subsequent authors whose books I’ll publish, until I’m in a position to increase it. For single books, the $500 will be paid in 2 installments: half upon returning the publisher’s copy of the signed contract agreement, and the balance just before publication).
Royalties: Printed books - 10% of cover price first 5000, 12.5% of cover price 5001-10,000, 15% of cover price above 10,000; 40% of cover price on Ebooks - regardless of quantity sold; all royalties paid semi-annually. (One of my dearest friends is a tax attorney. He’s agreed to help me setup my accounting/bookkeeping records. Not just for the sake of royalty payments, but for my company in general).
Book Rights: 5-year contract; first print publishing rights and electronic rights in world English ONLY. (Ebook and print book will be released simultaneously). That’s all, nothing else. All other rights are the authors’ to do with as they please.
Out-of-Print: IMO, if less than 500 copies sell for two consecutive years, what’s the point in keeping the book in print?
Copyright and LCCN: I’ll register the copyright in the author’s name at my expense. I’ll apply for LCCN after assigning the ISBN and once I have an idea of what the final page count will be.
Books-in-Print database: I’ll handle this; takes just minutes.
Editing: I have a friend who has 10+ years freelance editing experience. She worked at a university press for 12 years. I’ve worked with her on my books. She does good work, and I can afford her rates.
Proofreading: This I can do myself, and the author will also receive a galley to look over before the book goes to the printer.
Format: 5½ x 8½ trade paperback
Publication Date: If she accepts my offer sometime this month, target publication date will be early summer 2009 for the first book in the trilogy. All books will be published within 12-16 months of signed contract.
Cover Design: (I lucked up on this one. My brother is an illustrator/graphic designer/photographer. His portfolio is extensive, including shooting covers for a few top fashion magazines. He’s my kid brother. If he doesn’t do my book covers, I’ll beat the snot outta him - just like the good ol’ days. More ideal, he can put me in touch with one of his colleagues for professional cover design). RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED
Press Releases and Back Cover Copy: I feel capable of writing these myself. I also know how to put together a press kit.
Page Layout: I’ve laid out all of my self-pubbed books myself using books pubbed by major houses as my guide, and feel confident I can handle this task personally. At the risk of tooting my own horn, people have told me that if I hadn’t told them I did the page layout on my home computer, they would’ve never guessed. So, I’ll give this a go myself first. If I’m not happy with the results, I’ll outsource this step. RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
Printing: 2000 copies (offset, initial print run for each book. I can always do additional print runs if the demand calls for such. Book Masters and Fidlar Doubleday both come highly recommended.)
ARCs: The usual suspects: Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Library Journal, USAToday, NYTBR, (with full knowledge that there’s no guarantee of a review), as well as a few smaller but reputable review venues that specialize in reviewing detective stories/mysteries/thrillers/suspense; 4-6 months prior to publication date, of course.
The Big D - Distribution: I’m looking at Midpoint Trade Books. I haven’t contacted them yet. (I don’t know if the author will accept my offer. If she doesn’t, then there’s no need for me to strike a distribution deal with Midpoint - just yet. If she does, then contacting Midpoint will be my first order of business).
Marketing and Promotion: In addition to all other expenses, I have $5000 to spend on M&P. I’m still researching how to get the most bang for my buck. I’ll employ a few things that have worked for me as a self-publisher, but I know I’ll need to do more for this project. SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED
Internet Sales: Publisher’s website with PayPal (already in place). I’ll just need to upload her cover thumbnail, synopsis, and generate the code for the book’s Paypal button - takes all of 10 minutes. I’m also thinking of joining PMA to establish a relationship with B&T; as well as uploading this book to Lightning Source to establish a relationship with Ingram, and so various Internet book retailers (Amazon, BN, Abe Books, etc,) will have the book available on their sites. I'M STILL SOMEWHAT UNCLEAR ABOUT THIS STEP. AM I GOING ABOUT THIS BACKASSWARD?
Returnable: Absolutely!
Standard distributor, wholesale, and bookstore discounts: Absolutely!
Competitive Cover Prices: based on my research: 200-300 pages ($14.95), 300-400 pages ($15.95), and 400-500 pages ($16.95) in 5.5x8.5 trade paperback format are competitive cover prices. I doubt I’ll publish anything less than 200 pages or more than 500. I’m looking at 70K-100K word count per novel.
Genres: I want my press to focus on Detective/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense, Urban Fiction, and Women’s Fiction. I enjoy these genres most, so I’ll seek to publish books that I personally would want to read. Also, because I do most of my reading in these genres, I know crap when I see it. I know what’s been done to death, what’s cliché, and other nuances specific to these genres. My goal is to ultimately publish 10 books per year.
In the interest of full disclosure, I currently have a day job and I’m a divorced mom. Ultimately, I hope to resign from my day job and focus on my press fulltime. But now is not that time, and I’ll still have my little ones to care for. For these reasons, this author, and any subsequent authors (HOPEFULLY), will be expected to assist in promoting their work in their local area and by setting up an author website, if they don’t already have one. I will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER request my authors purchase their own books; nor will I target their family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, pets… I will NOT spam emails and/or forums to promote any books. I haven’t done that with my self-pubbed books, so what good reason would I have to do that with my authors’ books? To discourage my authors from buying their own books, I want to provide them with about 10-20 complimentary copies of their book to give away to whomever they please.
There’ll be no sneaking of the books upon bookstore shelves. In fact, I don’t see why they’ll need to contact bookstores or libraries on their own. What’s the point in having a distributor if the author still needs to do that? They may approach a local bookstore or library to request a signing or reading, if they like. I’ll ask that they forward all contact info to me and I’ll follow up on all particulars. I think it looks better, more professional, coming from the publisher than the author. By local author-assisted promotions I mean, I really don’t see anything wrong with posting fliers or leaving door hangers (a la Pizza Hut, and my latest favorite promotional gadget). I’ll pay for the fliers and door hangers, send them to the author, and they can post them around town in their spare time. It’s a visual, and another way of getting the word out about their books. This is simple, affordable, and effective grassroots advertising.
All of the above will be at my expense. The author will never be required to invest a dime of their money to have their book published - not upfront, not on the backend, not EVER. The only expense the author will incur is providing an author photo, which I will have duplicated at my expense to include in their press kit.
I’m not open for submissions just yet; I don’t foresee that for at least two years down the line. I’m hoping to cut my teeth on her trilogy. And of course, I’ll tell her upfront that I’m new at this - before she signs or agrees to anything.
I’ve crunched the numbers. This project is going to run me in the area of $15,000. I’m not independently wealthy, but I’m comfortable and I have the money. I could blow it on a fur coat, or I could launch a micro/small press and go in business for myself. I can’t think of a better way to invest my money than getting behind a book (series) that I’m passionate about.
Well, there ya have it. Thanks again for reading through all of this. Your suggestions, comments, recommendations, personal experiences, cautionary tales, brutal honesty, and feedback are greatly appreciated. I don’t want my press to end up being torn apart on the Bewares and Background Checks forum. ;-)
Last edited:
Thx again.
