I'll keep you updated here on my talks with Lulu. The communications manager was very enthusiastic and is talking to the financial manager and the president of the company to see how they can help us.
I studied their site and instructions more closely tonight (and I still have a bit to go), but we've run into a few snags...
First, I thought we just needed to pay the $35 for the ISBN, which a kindly donor has already contributed. On closer inspection, it looks like what we actually need is the Global Distribution Service, which costs $150. Here are the details:
http://www.lulu.com/help/node/view/153
It looks like we won't be in Ingram's database unless we purchase that service. I've just written to Lulu to see if they'll waive the rest of that fee; we'll see what they say.
The other snag is in timing. Let's say the book is complete and ready to go on October 10th. I figured I could upload it and it would be available almost immediately. Well, that's half-true-- it'll be available from Lulu's site almost immediately, but it can take up to 6 weeks for it to appear on Amazon and BN.com and in bookstores' databases. So if we get a big publicity push going in mid-October, it could be wasted if the book isn't actually listed as available in bookstores' databases and on the major online stores until the end of November.
I'm going to talk to Lulu and find out how they can help us to possibly speed up the process. This is part of the reason I've been afraid to announce an official release date, though-- there's always something.
IF we can't speed up the process, it looks like the schedule will look something like this:
Sept. 24 - I'll finalize back cover copy.
Sept. 25 - Cover artist will turn in his revised front cover. Last call for edits. (I'm just waiting for 2 or 3 pieces at this point.) I'll finalize intro and acknowledgments.
Sept. 26 - Copyediting starts. If the cover is final, people can work on the poster, flyer, brochure, etc. Dawno can work on a button/banner. Work on press release, website copy, etc.
Oct. 1 - Proofreading.
Oct. 3 - Layout/formatting.
Oct. 5 - I'll send a copy of the final manuscript (in either Word or PDF format) to all the writers. Writers are asked to check their work closely and make sure there are no typos, their names are spelled right, bios are in place, etc., and approve any edits we may have made.
Oct. 8 - Last-minute tweaks and corrections based on writers' feedback.
Oct. 10 - Turn in the final manuscript, cover, and book description to Lulu.
Oct. 15-17 - I should receive a review copy, which I'll read immediately and approve (assuming everything looks good).
Here's Lulu's explanation of what happens after that:
"Your book is updated in Books In Print on the Wednesday after you purchase a distribution service. However, your book is considered 'pending' for about two weeks. During this pending process, your book is checked against the Books In Print database to make sure there are no errors or duplications. This is all to protect you, to make sure your book is accurately listed and totally unique. After two or three weeks, the pending process will be over and you can look up your book.
"Most bookstores update their database with new additions to Books In Print once a month. Although you should be able to see your book in Books In Print after two weeks, it may take six weeks or longer to see your book listed in bookstores. This is not the same as being included in an online bookseller's inventory.
"Your book is updated in Ingram's database within two days after you have approved your book for Global Distribution. However, because listings to the database are recorded monthly, your book is considered 'pending' for up to 30 days.
"Your book will be listed with major online booksellers within the next six weeks."
From what I understand, though, we can order it directly from Lulu right after I approve the review copy.
I studied their site and instructions more closely tonight (and I still have a bit to go), but we've run into a few snags...
First, I thought we just needed to pay the $35 for the ISBN, which a kindly donor has already contributed. On closer inspection, it looks like what we actually need is the Global Distribution Service, which costs $150. Here are the details:
http://www.lulu.com/help/node/view/153
It looks like we won't be in Ingram's database unless we purchase that service. I've just written to Lulu to see if they'll waive the rest of that fee; we'll see what they say.
The other snag is in timing. Let's say the book is complete and ready to go on October 10th. I figured I could upload it and it would be available almost immediately. Well, that's half-true-- it'll be available from Lulu's site almost immediately, but it can take up to 6 weeks for it to appear on Amazon and BN.com and in bookstores' databases. So if we get a big publicity push going in mid-October, it could be wasted if the book isn't actually listed as available in bookstores' databases and on the major online stores until the end of November.
I'm going to talk to Lulu and find out how they can help us to possibly speed up the process. This is part of the reason I've been afraid to announce an official release date, though-- there's always something.
IF we can't speed up the process, it looks like the schedule will look something like this:
Sept. 24 - I'll finalize back cover copy.
Sept. 25 - Cover artist will turn in his revised front cover. Last call for edits. (I'm just waiting for 2 or 3 pieces at this point.) I'll finalize intro and acknowledgments.
Sept. 26 - Copyediting starts. If the cover is final, people can work on the poster, flyer, brochure, etc. Dawno can work on a button/banner. Work on press release, website copy, etc.
Oct. 1 - Proofreading.
Oct. 3 - Layout/formatting.
Oct. 5 - I'll send a copy of the final manuscript (in either Word or PDF format) to all the writers. Writers are asked to check their work closely and make sure there are no typos, their names are spelled right, bios are in place, etc., and approve any edits we may have made.
Oct. 8 - Last-minute tweaks and corrections based on writers' feedback.
Oct. 10 - Turn in the final manuscript, cover, and book description to Lulu.
Oct. 15-17 - I should receive a review copy, which I'll read immediately and approve (assuming everything looks good).
Here's Lulu's explanation of what happens after that:
"Your book is updated in Books In Print on the Wednesday after you purchase a distribution service. However, your book is considered 'pending' for about two weeks. During this pending process, your book is checked against the Books In Print database to make sure there are no errors or duplications. This is all to protect you, to make sure your book is accurately listed and totally unique. After two or three weeks, the pending process will be over and you can look up your book.
"Most bookstores update their database with new additions to Books In Print once a month. Although you should be able to see your book in Books In Print after two weeks, it may take six weeks or longer to see your book listed in bookstores. This is not the same as being included in an online bookseller's inventory.
"Your book is updated in Ingram's database within two days after you have approved your book for Global Distribution. However, because listings to the database are recorded monthly, your book is considered 'pending' for up to 30 days.
"Your book will be listed with major online booksellers within the next six weeks."
From what I understand, though, we can order it directly from Lulu right after I approve the review copy.
