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Author
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Topic: Question for all Huntmasters Members
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The Outdoor Tripp
Knows what it's all about
Member # 619
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posted June 23, 2005 03:06 PM
I believe some of you have published books on predator hunting either through a publisher or by yourselves.
I am getting close to putting out a book of my funniest columns and am trying to decide whether to self-publish or go with a publishing house (assuming they find my stuff worthy).
I'd appreciate hearing from any of you who have published any sort of book. Any advice or personal experience would be greatly appreciated.
Got the newspaper thing down, but ignorant on all this mess.
Tripp
[ June 23, 2005, 03:07 PM: Message edited by: The Outdoor Tripp ]
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The Outdoor Tripp
www.theoutdoortripp.com
"All great truths begin as blasphemies."
Posts: 805 | From: Texas | Registered: Mar 2005
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bearkiller
Knows what it's all about
Member # 675
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posted June 23, 2005 03:25 PM
HI, this is my first post here.
I think you will be better off self-publishing. You will not get money up front, but you will maintain more control over how your book is used, and will probably make more money in the long run.
About a year ago I was going to self publish a book and after doing much research I found that
http://www.speedcolor.com has some very good rates.
Good luck
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Call them and they will come!
Posts: 10 | From: Washington State | Registered: Jun 2005
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The Outdoor Tripp
Knows what it's all about
Member # 619
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posted June 23, 2005 03:29 PM
Bearkiller,
Thanks for your input, and welcome to the fray.
Some pretty good folks here.
Tripp
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The Outdoor Tripp
www.theoutdoortripp.com
"All great truths begin as blasphemies."
Posts: 805 | From: Texas | Registered: Mar 2005
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Melvin
Knows what it's all about
Member # 634
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posted June 23, 2005 03:43 PM
Welcome to Huntmasters bearkiller
Posts: 661 | From: PA. | Registered: Apr 2005
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Jay Nistetter
Legalize Weed, Free the Dixie Chicks
Member # 140
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posted June 23, 2005 03:48 PM
It depends on how much you want to be involved after-the-fact.
Keep color photos to a MINIMUM.
Self publishing is very reasonable when use high speed laser printing technology now-a-days. Eliminates the need for offset printing.
You can self-publish and contract a book at a time whereby some printers will hande printing, binding, shipping and inventory and send you a monthly report. (For a fee of course.)
Or you can print in lots of 500 to 1000 and warehouse yourself. You can send off to China and print out 10,000 for dirt cheap, but then you have to find 9,500 buyers. Plan on giving 500 of the books away to friends, relatives and hopeful shops/catalogs that might sell your prose.
The problem with self-publishing is ability or lack there-of to market your creation. Sure you get to keep more of the profits but you have the added headaches associated with inventory, book-keeping, shipping, advertising, phone calls, pleading and begging.
If you do decide to self publish, there are lots of things to consider... like... book dimensions, hard back, soft cover, cover jackets, graphics, weight of paper, glossy or matte finish, glued binding, stitched binding or both.
You will need to contact RR Bowker to purchase an ISBN number. Even though you can use only one, you are required to purchase a 10 number lot. This is in case you want to edit at a later date or switch from hard cover to soft cover. Each change requires a different ISBN number.
You will then need to purchase a barcode that is directly created from your ISBN number.
If you have visions of having your book in educational institutions like every library in the world you will be required to then a whole 'nuther set of problems arise.
Pick a standard size and do not deviate.
select a printer before picking the software you use for your creation.
Some printers contract outside services for binding.
Do you want your book shrink-wrapped. Some re-salers require merchandise to be shrinkwrapped.
Do you want to pay for proof reading and professional edits?
If you can convince an actual publisher to publish and market your creation, then you would contract for a percentage but you essentially lose control of what they do with it in the future.
Stick with an established Publisher
It's pretty easy actually. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
[ June 23, 2005, 03:51 PM: Message edited by: Jay Nistetter ]
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Understanding the coyote is not as important as knowing where they are.
I usually let the fur prime up before I leave 'em lay.
Posts: 1006 | From: Arizona | Registered: Feb 2003
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