Many Memoirs & Family Histories Need Printer Not Publisher
Nan Barnes
In a recent podcast interview Jan Nathan, Executive Director of the Independent Book Publishers Association, and Ron Pramschufer of Self Publishing Inc discussed a variety of types of publication – traditional publisher, small press, independent publisher, self-publisher, vanity press, subsidy publisher, and print-on-demand. It’s an interesting conversation (see link below) as much for what it leaves out as for what it includes.
All of the categories they discuss are for authors seeking to publish for a profit. They look at services and costs including furnishing ISBNs, copyrights, marketing and sales.
But that leaves out a lot of memoir writers and family historians who not looking to sell their books. They are interested in what used to be referred to as private publication where a small number of copies of their book will be printed for distribution to family and friends. What these authors really need is a printer not a publisher.
When deciding who should print your book, be clear about your intended audience. Don’t pay for services like marketing that are included in a publishing package unless you need them. There are plenty of excellent printers who will charge you only the cost of actually producing the book. Many will do it on an on-demand basis printing as few as a single copy at a time based on orders for the book. We recommend that if you are looking to publish your book privately you use one of these printers.
Click here for Jan Nathan interview.
All of the categories they discuss are for authors seeking to publish for a profit. They look at services and costs including furnishing ISBNs, copyrights, marketing and sales.
But that leaves out a lot of memoir writers and family historians who not looking to sell their books. They are interested in what used to be referred to as private publication where a small number of copies of their book will be printed for distribution to family and friends. What these authors really need is a printer not a publisher.
When deciding who should print your book, be clear about your intended audience. Don’t pay for services like marketing that are included in a publishing package unless you need them. There are plenty of excellent printers who will charge you only the cost of actually producing the book. Many will do it on an on-demand basis printing as few as a single copy at a time based on orders for the book. We recommend that if you are looking to publish your book privately you use one of these printers.
Click here for Jan Nathan interview.