tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429192322415915313.post2325701582514154551..comments2022-10-26T04:11:54.975-07:00Comments on Professional Freelance Content: Just How Much Does It Cost to Publish a Book Anyway?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02525554161335481694noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429192322415915313.post-18355433331757110682013-11-13T20:25:52.565-08:002013-11-13T20:25:52.565-08:00In most cases I know of, the independent publisher...In most cases I know of, the independent publisher takes care of all the marketing, so there isn't a big revenue stream there.<br /><br />Also, the publisher can write off the publishing costs as a business expense if they form a company. A POD shop like Createspace make money off each book. There is no gamble for them.<br /><br />Finally, independent publishing is rarely anyone's sole means of income, but it can be profitable if done the right way. "Verifying the self" is a major benefit too, but we can do that and still buy ourselves something nice after we break even. ;-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02525554161335481694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429192322415915313.post-38396918815387952972013-11-13T08:52:07.296-08:002013-11-13T08:52:07.296-08:00I doubt most people "publish" for a live...I doubt most people "publish" for a livelihood; it is one method for verifying Self. <br />POD is a gamble for printers, the incidental cost of set-up for a book written off as expense.<br />The real profiteer is the marketer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429192322415915313.post-40762381728495830652013-11-03T21:02:10.293-08:002013-11-03T21:02:10.293-08:00So what do you think the solution is for those 900...So what do you think the solution is for those 900,000 writers, Mr. Durish?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02525554161335481694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429192322415915313.post-89762158409939510172013-11-02T08:19:17.887-07:002013-11-02T08:19:17.887-07:00An investment of $1600 will probably produce negli...An investment of $1600 will probably produce negligible results. Thousands of undiscovered ebooks and books printed on demand prove this. Trust me, I know. My novel, Rebels on the Mountain, falls to about 1,000,000th in sales rankings in the Amazon store, then jumps to about 90,000th with the sale of just one copy. What does that tell you about the other 900,000 titles that it has passed? And, there are hundreds of thousands of more titles that fail to reach the "lofty" realm of 1,000,000th in sales. All of us have published on the cheap. Jack Durishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06577583997517810469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429192322415915313.post-15156230001913177212013-06-30T08:55:35.619-07:002013-06-30T08:55:35.619-07:00You're right about the copyright fee, Lance. I...You're right about the copyright fee, Lance. I paid that before I sent to book out to beta readers, but I didn't include it in the overall costs. That was an oversight on my part. <br /><br />Several people have also corrected me on the Createspace charge, which I appreciate because it saves me $250. I'm planning to use Amazon's AISBN for now because I'm going through KDP, but maybe that $$250 should go to a real ISBN. I'll have to think about it.<br /><br />Hope your book sales are going well.<br /><br />Have fun.<br />GAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02525554161335481694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429192322415915313.post-43010617603917882852013-06-30T08:52:24.344-07:002013-06-30T08:52:24.344-07:00I think you are right Tracy. The only problem I ha...I think you are right Tracy. The only problem I have with bringing in a professional cover designer is that I dislike most professional covers as much as I dislike the DIY ones. My background with cover images is limited to the time I spent at Marvel, but I feel better translating my own vision for the cover into reality, rather than trying to explain it to someone else. <br /><br />Having said that, I do have a graphic designer creating the fonts for my next three books, only because that is the part of cover design that is the most frustrating. <br /><br />Thanks for the insight. <br />GamalAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02525554161335481694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429192322415915313.post-16528306622319645632013-06-30T08:49:03.803-07:002013-06-30T08:49:03.803-07:00In the end, we won't be remembered by what we ...In the end, we won't be remembered by what we do in our day jobs, Pam. Only the writing will live on. Until then, we can just swim in the pool of money. ;-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02525554161335481694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429192322415915313.post-4271888494232865082013-06-28T16:18:27.216-07:002013-06-28T16:18:27.216-07:00Thanks for this good stab at providing an easy-to-...Thanks for this good stab at providing an easy-to-read estimate of production costs for a single title. There are some costs I incurred that you didn't list ($35 copyright filing, $250 for ISBNs, setup fees for LSI). A couple comments on your figures:<br /><br />- As Tracy mentioned, most authors ought not try to create their own covers unless they're aiming for the crappy-indie-cover look. I used to be an artist but still spent $500 on my cover design and production (by Damonza), and it was an excellent investment. That's probably a more realistic figure for an author with little/no artistic talent.<br /><br />- The only money CreateSpace charged me was for the printed proof copy ($10). Did they hit you with some other fee? Lightning Source, on the other hand, has setup fees, fees to be listed in the Ingram catalog, and yearly distribution fees. However, there's nothing like being able to use the magic word "Ingram" when talking to a library or bookseller.<br /><br />Good luck on Smooth Operator!Lance Charneshttp://www.wombatgroup.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429192322415915313.post-70207545474666162682013-06-28T15:14:18.648-07:002013-06-28T15:14:18.648-07:00The one thing most people do not realize is that i...The one thing most people do not realize is that it is usually obvious when they use a template and design their own cover. It is a red flag to readers if the cover looks homemade. I have even sent friends to a professional designer because a graphic designer did their book cover. Graphic designers can do well, but a cover designer has a special talent for bringing your book to life! Everyone cannot do it. Yes, there are a there are a lot of "how-to" programs and free videos for making a cover but they are only good in my opinion for selling a pdf online. If you are going to enter the world of authoring, spend the money and get a professional cover designed. If the cover isn't up to par, how likely is it that people will even pick up the book? Look at the other book covers in your genre and compare. Remember, you can't cheap your way to rich!Tracynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429192322415915313.post-10802890544055181282013-06-27T21:35:01.458-07:002013-06-27T21:35:01.458-07:00Well done...again. I'm an accounting technicia...Well done...again. I'm an accounting technician so P&L, COGS, finance, yadda yadda yadda are always in the back of my head. You've set out this process in a concise way that is easy to understand. <br /><br />I agree with all your practices and principles. And...when you are selling millions of copies, the financial aspect and knowledge will be invaluable when you have those piles of cash (to swim in cause you'll be living in a mansion). :)<br /><br />And you're right, there are many other reasons for me as well as to why I write. I make a hell of a lot more money at my day job, but that thrill of producing something that someone else may enjoy is what pushes me to write.<br /><br />Cheers<br />PamAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08860528975416861271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429192322415915313.post-12491476318235570532013-06-27T20:32:38.217-07:002013-06-27T20:32:38.217-07:00Thank you Ms. Banks. Hopefully the novel will be a...Thank you Ms. Banks. Hopefully the novel will be as well written as the blog posts. ;-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02525554161335481694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429192322415915313.post-5846908633094970172013-06-27T20:30:06.581-07:002013-06-27T20:30:06.581-07:00Thank you Mr. Sewell. I'm glad someone enjoys ...Thank you Mr. Sewell. I'm glad someone enjoys my rambling. What aspect of your marketing (press release/ publicist/ conference visits) do you think had the most impact on your sales. I only ask because I'm planning to write another post about my marketing plans and I'd like to get another perspective.<br /><br />Thanks again. <br />GamalAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02525554161335481694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429192322415915313.post-34204091530694959732013-06-27T20:14:52.410-07:002013-06-27T20:14:52.410-07:00Very interesting, and well written. I like it.Very interesting, and well written. I like it.KT Bankshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03040615356849269972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4429192322415915313.post-85829682076830113362013-06-27T19:52:26.741-07:002013-06-27T19:52:26.741-07:00First, I like your rambling. Next: I spent a litt...First, I like your rambling. Next: I spent a little more on my book because I track marketing costs. My publishing costs were a little less because I didn't hire an editor. Not a path I'd go down a second time. Then I got a professional (friend) to do the press release and it was very, very good. I made the front page of my hometown paper so I travelled there for a signing - coast to coast. I've been a guest at conferences but had to pay travel and I attended BEA to hawk my book. I also have a publicist who has gotten me on radio and TV. Lots of other details but bottom line I invested $7k. I've sold 1,000 books in the last six months so I'm a little over half way to break even. Anyone wishing to help can go to http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0093PF8UA - William SewellAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com