Posted on
September 04, 2009 by
Bob
Many people think they can write a craft book – and why not? Really there’s not much more to it than explaining what you do – and how you do it – to a friend. Then you just write that down.
A pc and a free program like OpenOffice and you’re pretty much done! The problem people then have is getting that book into print. How do you get yourself a craft book publisher?
Historically that’s been one huge challenge, and something that has been as much decided by the perceived profitability of a book as the actual content or quality. Sadly craft book publishing, like any other book production, has long been controlled by the bean counters we all know and love!
Now we’re in a whole new craft book world, one where self-publishing is a practical reality. One where sales and distribution can be handled by you almost as easily as you handle email. One where you can take that book you’ve put your heart and soul into and actually publish it yourself…
… and of course you get to keep the lion’s share of the money!
Publish your craft book digitally, which is becoming more and more popular, and you can be looking at up to 90% of the cover price going in your own pocket. Compare that with the ten percent you might get via traditional publishing and you’ll see why doing it yourself is the choice more and more crafts people are taking.
I know what you’re going to ask next, what about a “real” book? A lot of people will buy the craft ebook you create but what about those who prefer something you can actually get hold of?
No problem at all. Companies like Lulu.com will take the digital file you’ve already created and print you as many hard cover versions as you like. What’s more, you don’t have to commit to huge and expensive print runs, you can order as few as just one! Besides a few technical things you need to do to make your cover artwork suit their specifications your craft ebook and its “real” version are the same thing.
The money you make from hard copies is obviously less – you do have to pay for that printed version – but it’s you who decides the price and the margins are still greater than via a traditional craft book publisher.
Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? There must be a catch?
Well nobody can tell if your craft book will actually appeal to a wide audience, and you’ll want to do some additional work to promote it, but all of this can be done by you, from home. What’s more you can also benefit from the residual income that being a craft book publisher generates. You do the work now but the book goes on selling (and putting money in your bank) for years.
Sound interesting? The best place to get all the information you need is Complete Craft Book Publishing. Well worth a look.
The other day I read a story which further convinced me that if you have a craft book in you then going the traditional publishing route can be fraught with difficulty and disappointment.
