Publishing a book in house

[skipdup]

Does any know anything about doing a book completely in house?

I have a book idea which will be aimed at a very small market. I think it's a good idea, but (from what I've discovered so far) conventional publishing (and possibly printing) will cost too much.

I think I need to find out about desktop publishing software (and possibly hardware). Also need to find out the feasibility of self printing/binding - I think spiral bound might best suite this book and color would be preferred, if affordable.

Thanks,
Skip

[CurtEgerer]

It's very easy these days:

http://www.lulu.com/

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by skipdup

Does any know anything about doing a book completely in house?

I have a book idea which will be aimed at a very small market. I think it's a good idea, but (from what I've discovered so far) conventional publishing (and possibly printing) will cost too much.

I think I need to find out about desktop publishing software (and possibly hardware). Also need to find out the feasibility of self printing/binding - I think spiral bound might best suite this book and color would be preferred, if affordable.

Thanks,
Skip

Economy of scale dictates that in house production will cost you more per unit.

Simply buying the SW is the easiest part.

If all I've ever done is change a tire it does not mean I am qualified to rebuild a motor just because I bought the tools.

Find someone that has an on demand press like a Heidelburg DI.

Then find a freelancer to do the production work. Check craigslist.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

It's very easy these days:

http://www.lulu.com/

There u go

[skipdup]

Thanks for the comments.

I probably should have given more information...

My father-in-law has written several (relatively) successful books - some "self" published and others though normal publishing. Although he always had a professional do the layout, he believes that with todays technology I would be able to do it myself. He's putting me in contact with people he knows still in the industry, but I thought I'd try here as well.

What I don't know (yet) is what is needed - prior to the actual printing and binding. This will be a graphic intensive project. Do I need to buy a Mac? Or, is PC OK? Which software is generally used for something like this? etc...

LULU is interesting and keeps popping up in my research.

- Skip

[CJFusco]

If there's a market for it, and it's a good idea, there is a publisher out there for it. I would try picking up the newest edition of WRITER'S MARKET ($35 or so), where publishers are listed by genre. Step one is sending out one-page query letters; if they like the idea, they ask for a proposal package (usually with a sample chapter or two); if they like THAT, they ask for the manuscript.

It's a long process (trust me, I have 3 possible book deals in the works) but in the end you will probably be better off than trying to sell a book from scratch from your house...

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by skipdup

Thanks for the comments.

I probably should have given more information...

My father-in-law has written several (relatively) successful books - some "self" published and others though normal publishing. Although he always had a professional do the layout, he believes that with todays technology I would be able to do it myself. He's putting me in contact with people he knows still in the industry, but I thought I'd try here as well.

What I don't know (yet) is what is needed - prior to the actual printing and binding. This will be a graphic intensive project. Do I need to buy a Mac? Or, is PC OK? Which software is generally used for something like this? etc...

LULU is interesting and keeps popping up in my research.

- Skip

Adobe Creative Suite.

Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

I prefer Quark to InDesign but InDesign is more than capable and has a quicker learning curve.

Both are available for OS X and Windows and the files are completely 100% cross platform compatible.

Having said that I would use the Mac. Yes I am biased.

Printing from Mac based files is generally preferred by pre press houses.

In my industry there are 3 major 1st parties. 2 of them do not publish their style guides in anything other than Mac format. One of them (Sony) controls the printing and will not even accepts a file that came from a Windows box. The 3rd one does but that is because it is MSFT themselves.

[John_AZ]

Read all contracts and decide on who controls your work. www.lightningsource.com. The more you "do it yourself" may be better than a one stop shop. My 2cents.

John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S