As a publisher, you’ll obtain a block of ISBNs specific to your publishing name and assign a unique ISBN to each edition of every book you publish. Each edition of every book? Let’s clarify what that means. Continue reading
Category Archives: Publishing
Getting your own ISBNs
One of the things you’ll need to do as a publisher is obtain a block of International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) for your books. Some printers, print-on-demand publishers, and eBook vendors will offer to provide you with an ISBN for your book, but it’s better to get your own. Part of the ISBN includes a “publisher number” which is assigned to a specific publisher. Therefore, if you allow another company to provide the ISBN, then that company will be listed as the publisher of your book. ISBNs are easy to obtain online, and using your own numbers means that you’ll retain control over your books. Continue reading
Print or print-on-demand?
Authors often ask me whether they should get a quantity of books printed or simply sign up with a print-on-demand (POD) company and avoid the cost of printing altogether. Which choice is right for you? Continue reading
Setting your book’s retail price
Written with help from Renee and Jack Brodie, publishers.
Determining your book’s retail price can be nerve-wracking. If it’s too expensive, your book may be priced out of the market. If it’s not expensive enough, you won’t even recover your costs. How do other publishers decide? Consider three things: cost per book to print, pre- and post-printing expenses, and the price of similar books in the marketplace. Continue reading
Your publishing name and logo
Many authors choose a publishing name for publishing their book. A publishing name separates you-the-author from you-the-publisher. Your publishing name can be your own name, a business name, or a corporation. For example, if I publish a book, I might choose “Raven Books” or “Raven Press Ltd.” as my publishing name. Of course, I would first need to make sure the name was not already in use, and then register it through the appropriate government authority. Continue reading
Bar codes for the book industry
(Reprinted with permission from Bar Code Graphics)
A necessary requirement for selling your publications through booksellers, wholesalers, and distributors, is the assignment of unique ISBN numbers for each title. Once a publisher receives their ISBN numbers, they should assign an individual number to each of their publications. In order for booksellers to automatically capture an ISBN, it must be converted into a scannable bar code. The Bookland EAN symbol is the bar code of choice in the book industry, because it allows for encodation of ISBNs. Continue reading
To fulfill or not to fulfill?
Written with help from Renee and Jack Brodie, publishers.
Publishing your book is exciting; there’s no doubt about that. And it’s hard to beat seeing your printed book for the first time. But shortly thereafter you’ll receive 1,000 books or more…. How will you handle your own fulfillment? Continue reading
Why self-publish?
Authors choose to self-publish for many different reasons. Some have tried to have their book published through a traditional publishing house; others have not. But self-publishing authors all have one goal in common: to get their book out into the world. Continue reading
Book printing: offset or digital?
Authors often ask me what the differences are between offset and digital printing, and whether there is an advantage to using one over the other. Here is a quick explanation. Continue reading