Self publishing is a business and should be treated as such. You want to capitalize on your endeavours by maximizing your profit margin.

Your profit starts dwindling when companies charge up-front fees to publish your book.

Be careful! Many promises are made to put your book on the shelves of Brick and Mortar Bookstores. Book returns are plentiful since most of these books are on a consignment basis.

Did you know that royalty returns from a traditional publisher can be as little as 5-10% and this could be after 1-2 years? They also keep all the movie and TV rights to your book.

With First Choice Books you retain all rights and there are no package deals. We only provide the services you want.Choose only what you need and save your money. No one can sell or promote your book better than you.

When you are ready to publish, get a quote comparison, choose the services you require from us and reap the benefits of 100% profit on your book. It?s that simple! No Gimmicks!

My first book Grading the Teacher took four years to write. It was published by Penguin Books Canada in 1996-and became a best-seller!

Over time, for several reasons which I will describe in a later post, I developed the idea for a Mining Your Resources series I believed would be beneficial to individual readers as well as to workshop facilitators.

So …why did I decide to self-publish the  four-volume series instead of approaching traditional publishers?

1. CONTROL

I’m also an artist. No one else puts their paintbrush into any one of my paintings to change it. Although I intended to hire and listen to the advice of professionals such as an editor and book designer, I wanted to be in total control of input and output.

Still Life with Candles. Water media. Copyright Nellie Jacobs

2. THE CHALLENGE

Figuring out how to do a task is extraordinarily satisfying. I knew this project would be complex and multi-level. I wanted, and was up for, the challenge.

3. TIME MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES

I wanted to spend my time in the development of the project rather than in i) creating a proposal and then ii) trying to persuade a publisher to buy my manuscript. Grading the Teacher was rejected by twenty-nine publishers before Meg Masters, a former Senior Editor at Penguin understood the power of the message and took it on.

The overall reasons for the rejections? I had no platform; no one would recognize my face or name.

4. SHRINKING  TRADITIONAL INDUSTRY

The publishing industry has changed drastically in the intervening years. Publishers have disappeared or considerably reduced their catalogues. Not wanting to take a chance with a good idea, they stick to contracting with famous personalities with huge followings.

This is understandable, but doesn’t suit me.

5. GATEKEEPERS + AGENTS

It’s difficult to get past the “gatekeepers” at the publishing houses without an agent. Finding an agent is another difficult task I didn’t want to spend my time doing. Agents are looking for well-known faces to promote. It’s a circle. Even when I did have  two agents at separate times (one in New York) who strongly believed in  the GTT manuscript and put full efforts into promoting it,  they couldn’t get very interested publishers to commit for the reasons given above. I ended up selling it on my own, but that’s another story.

6. MORE OPPORTUNITIES

It’s so much easier with today’s technology to self-publish. There are countless companies online offering potential authors full services, ranging from editing to design to marketing.

Since I want these books to equal or better the quality of my first one, I’m choosing to select individuals for each phase.

7. BUILDING MY PLATFORM

I have been building a “platform”. My brand is my name. More about this when I write a post about marketing.

8. POTENTIAL REWARDS

I wanted my efforts to be rewarded adequately.

$$$$$

A traditionally published author gets a small percentage of royalties compared to the years of work applied. Yes, there are considerable expenses to publishing. I’m learning now how extensive the costs can be for every step of the way.

9. INTEGRITY AND HONESTY

Are the sales and royalty reports valid?  There’s virtually no recourse if the publisher isn’t honest about, and fair with the accounting. How can one prove the actual number of book sales? How can one prove the existence of a second set of financial books besides the ones available for public scrutiny? I’m not referring to Penguin Books, but yes, I do know of at least one case where that has happened. (Have you had this sad experience? Are you waiting for expected royalties that never arrive?)

10. PASSION

I’m driven by an uncontrollable passion to create this series. I love the generosity of spirit and good advice of each of the books’ featured contributors. I’m motivated to share their stories and wisdom which have inspired me in so many different ways!

Self Publishing Services
Self Publishing Quickly and Affordably, Free Guide
www.firstchoicebooks.ca

The first thing to do is to identify the problem(s) and tackle it from the inside of the book outward. Experiment with a throw away book  or buy one cheaply from a Thrift Store

Use unprinted newsprint or wax paper to avoid moisture penetration and sticky pages after gluing.Use a heavy  weight with boards to press the books and leave glue to dry for a certain period of time.

Librarians and Book Dealers Tips &Techniques

Book Parts:

• Front and back cover
• Inside front cover – attached end  paper
• Spine –  Book back (bind edge) of book
• Hinge – space between cover and spine case to allow cover to open
• Fore-Edge – face or right edge of book
• Book block – inside pages
• End sheets – folded sheet normally of different paper or substrate attached by tip-in method to front and back of book block
• Dust Jacket – a sheet of printed paper wrapped around outside  cover with an inside flap

Bookbinding Tools:

• Pink Pearl eraser
• Sand Paper
• Wax Paper
• Paring Knife
• Cleaning Solvent
• Rubber Cement
• Book Press
• PVA Glue
• Cutting Knife
• Rags
• Transparent Tape
• Brushes
• Paste
• Scissors
• Ice Pick
• Japanese Rice Paper
• Book Cleaners
• Ruler
• Folding Bone

Book Cleaners:

• Opaline dry cleaning pad
• Delkote book clean
• Quick dry non-harmful solvent
• Pink pearl eraser

Shy Riyasat

Bookbinding Professional

www.firstchoicebooks.ca

Before you start experimenting with your library book, I suggest getting a throw away book. By using a practice book you will gain some measure of confidence in your abilities.

Pencil Mark

Use pink pearl eraser rubbing with light pressure in one direction (never back and forth)

Ink Mark

Try pink pearl eraser rubbing in one direction. Paper is made from wood so it will react to the sand paper differently. Use the finest grade possible.   Attached to your finger and rub gently in small strokes as if lifting the ink off  the page.

Cracked Hinge

Using a dull knife, run under sheet and apply glue with a thin  brush.   Insert a folded wax paper so the page does not stick to the cover. Put in a book press or weigh down for 4 hours.

Dusty Book

Top edge of most books get dusty. Hold the book tightly and blow dust from spine out, and then dust lightly with a feather duster.

Dull Cover

Try white bread for removing dirt. Do not ever wash covers. This will make them dull and cause moisture penetration in boards leading to mildew.

Candle Wax

Try removing with a dull knife or finger nail. A suede brush will help loosen the wax.

Chewing Gum

Wrap  book in plastic tightly and place in freezer for a couple of hours. Remove the hardening gum with a dull knife lifting upwards. Clean off residue with a light cleaning fluid. If the gum is stuck between pages, slice the  hardened gum to Separate  the sheet.  Wrap some ice in plastic and place on top of sliced gum until hardened. Try the surgery again

Cover Fade

Apply a good cleaning fluid and a coat of wax.

Cover Spots& Stains

This is difficult to remove as it may damage the cover fabric and           finish. Try a light cleaning fluid in a small area first

Crayon

Apply a thick coat of rubber cement and let it dry. Rub it until it forms a ball and this should remove the crayon marks.

Coffee Rings

Try a cleaning fluid such as potassium permanganate with a cleaning blotter and wax paper under the page.

Red Wine Stains

Apple white wine with a dropper then cleaning fluid.

Stickers(Labels)

Lift off with a dull knife and clean any residue with a cleaning fluid.

Dirty Pages

Erase, white bread, or opaline pad all used with extreme care.

Rubber Stamp

Leave it alone unless you have an excellent cleaning fluid.

Flowers and Leaves

Don’t do it. For the stubborn at  heart,  take your chances.

Folded Down Corners

Straighten them out and press book down. Stubborn folds can  be soften with light moisture and straighten with pressing iron.

Hinge Loose

Stand book up and allow a small amount of adhesive to dribble down between the inside cover and end sheet. Turn the book around and do the same. Press book down with wax paper between cover and end sheet.

Ink Underlining

This is difficult since removing the ink will remove the type (print). Pink pencil stick eraser may be helpful.

Insect Stains

Remove residue with fingernail or dull knife. If it is not in a printer area try a cleaning fluid.

Leather Books

Treat the cover before tackling the rest of book. Apply a preservative or leather rejuvenator like lenol or potassium lactate if the covers are dry. Older leather books develop a problem called ‘red rot’ where the leather simply crumbles away.A leather shoe repair shop is best for supplies

Mildew

Brush the mildew off and dry the book. Apply hydrogen peroxide carefully with an eye-dropper. Lemon juice may work as well. Place book in sunlight or under  a lamp 

Paper Clips

Don’t ever  use in books!! They may leave indentations and rust stains.Iron out after moisture softening

Scotch Tape

Hexane is best but there is difficulty getting it. Use rubber cement thinner and cleaning fluid.

Suede Bindings

Do not use any waxy or oily preparations on them. They will look awful. Use a suede brush to try lifting any spots or stains. Use masking tape with your fingers to lift stains off.

Cloth Tape

Most people use these to tape the unhinged cover. It is difficult to remove the adhesive residue. Try to soften with Hexane and gently remove

Shy Riyasat

Bookbinding Professional

www.firstchoicebooks.ca

The answer you seek may depend on your point of view. I will simply present the facts and allow you to make a decision.

The term VANITY or subsidy press is a derogatory term coined by someone in the traditional publishing industry. It simply means taking payment from an Author to print or publish his book. Therefore, simply put,  Printing and Self Publishing companies fall in the category as a subsidy publisher. We can get a little more technical here but we won’t.

I,sometimes wonder, when he coined  the phrase”VANITY Press” if he ever gave thought to the numerous manuscripts rejected by  traditional publishers that later  became successful for the Self Published authors.

I also wonder,  whether the amount of royalty provided  by traditional publishers was enough for the Author to justify giving up all rights to his book. Do they have any negotiating power or much say when the manuscript is submitted ?The fact that a manuscript was selected in the first place should empower the author .

First Choice Books has taken exception to the derogatory word VANITY bandied  around by publishing agent, book sellers and traditional old school publishing houses . All Self Publishing  Companies provide a much needed service to the many talented authors who pay for professional  layout , design , editing and marketing services. Amazon, thru their printing and distribution company Create Space  offer such a service.

I wonder if the traditional publishers who list with Amazon would dare call Amazon a subsidy publisher? We are all doing this to make a buck, are’t we?

Self Publishing and Self Publishing Companies  are here to stay and that is why AMAZON thru Create Space is joining the party! Without us, many poetry, family history, public speaking and self counsel books would just be a dream.

How about changing the word VANITY or SUBSIDY   to Alternate Publishers or Self Publishing press?

Shy Riyasat

Bookbinding Professional

www.firstchoicebooks.ca

A quick look at any bestseller list reveals business books are big business.

These books on marketing, sales and leadership can now be easily SELF PUBLISHED by anyone knowledgeable in their field. Business books will remain on bookshelves and can be in circulation for longer periods of time.

A sales person, writing a book on product selling gains credibility in public engagements, discussions and conferences.  Giving or selling your book at meetings may also help to promote your business and increase attendance.

Providing your manuscript to First Choice Books is only the beginning of the process. We will engage you in the design of the cover and page layout. Editing, marketing and book promotion will also consume a considerable amount of your time. However, these efforts will not be wasted since it makes writing your second or follow up book easier.

Firstchoice Books provides all the expertise necessary to make self publishing an easy process. If you are knowledgeable in preparing Print Ready Files you will save a bundle and will not succumb to high package deal prices  charged by our competitors. We most likely offer the same services but at an “a la carte” (get only what you need) price.

Many writers self-publishing  with Firstchoice have questions about how Demand book printing technology works. Often referred to as “on demand book printing” or “on demand book publishing”, Print-On-Demand is a technology that prints books based on their demand.

What are the benefits of on demand printing  for new authors?

On demand book printing has eliminated many of the financial barriers to becoming a published author. Firstchoice Books is harnessing this technology to offer low-cost publishing options that include the design, printing, and distribution of quality books. Firstchoice gives authors creative control and ensures that each author keep all rights. Authors can also determine the quantity of books printed and choose the selling price of the book, options that are not offered by traditional publishers.

How does on demand publishing  work?

Print-on-demand book technology is a modern digital printing technology that allows books to be printed to match market demand. This technology enables publishers to print both paperback and hardcover books “on demand” as the need arises due to sales, rather than doing large print runs that sit in warehouses or garages.. This book technology helps reduce costs by printing books specific to each bookseller’s order. Firstchoice uses on demand publishing technology to offer high-quality book printing to aspiring authors with no big up-front printing costs.

How is print-on-demand book printing different from the offset printing ?

The development of the personal computer revolutionized nearly every industry, and book publishing is no exception. Professional printing was done on large printing presses using printing plates. Pre-press work required printing plates for each spread within a book, which were then used for offset print runs. With the advent of desktop publishing and digital printing, proofs are generated quickly and books supplied within days. Manuscript or print ready files can be submitted for review and approval  quickly.

On Demand quality versus Offset Printing ?

With new technology there is very little difference.

Digital  printing has a slight paper wave but makes up for printing smaller quantities, is less expensive and saves on paper waste. 

 How does other companies sales or distribution service different from yours?

Once an order is placed for a book through our bookstore,we forward an email to you for distributing that book and thus keeping all the profits. You eliminate the middlemen(us and the distributor)Most companies in the USA send your book to outside sources for printing and book distribution.So you are dealing with 3 companies and a voicemail message .

Firstchoice Books has real people to answer your questions or concerns immediately!

Do “traditional publishers” use on demand printing technology?

In an effort to reduce costs and better control inventory, many small presses and academic publishers have replaced their printing presses with on demand printing technology. POD is not a business model, so any publishing company can utilize POD technology to more exactly match its supply with market demand.

Shy

Firstchoice  provides a wide array of printing services with pricing  that are competitive and easily scalable. Whether your order is large or small, simple or complex, we have an experienced staff with modern equipment to get it done professionally and affordably.

We are well aware of all the hard work and time involved in getting  a book or manual ready for publication. This is why we are offering an exciting new web design service that will appeal to self published authors and companies wishing to gain prominence in the market place without having to deal with registration, hosting companies and coding.

We have  the resources from some of the best private design houses and accumulated top-tier, open source templates. This means we can save you time and money for a professionally designed website.

Our creative web and graphic designer will get your site up quickly and expose your book to the internet marketplace.

Please call us Today !

250-383-6353

Big Savings with
Firstchoice Books

25 Free Books, Free Guide, Free ISBN,
FREE Barcode, Free Copyright,
Free Bookstore Listing
( with an order of 200 or more)

Many aspiring authors wonder whether self publishing will work for them but are unsure how it differs from traditional publishing. A key difference is ownership. Traditional publishing is usually through a large or well-known publishing house that controls and owns your copyrights. This means that the publisher can make changes, edits, or choose the direction and design of your cover art without any input from you. This also means if your book is a literary success, the publisher will benefit from most of the profit. Self publishing is pretty self explanatory — you, the author, retain all rights and therefore also retain full control of your work. A common misconception is that self-publishers pay all fees whereas those authors lucky enough to be accepted by a publishing house do not. The truth is, traditional publishing houses hide their fees and costs by maintaining control and paying the author royalties instead of the full profit from the books (and there is no guarantee that an author will make any money at all).

Timelines
Timelines are another way in which self publishing differs from traditional publishing. With a traditional publisher, it can take up to 2 years (or longer) before your book hits the bookshelves and you benefit from any royalties. Many agents can be just as “picky” as the publishers, and it may take time to find an agent. Once an agent has submitted your work to a publisher, it may take a few months before you hear back. With self publishing, you can have a book printed and ready to go in just a few weeks and recover your costs quickly. If you’ve written a time-sensitive book, self publishing is ideal because it has a quick turnaround. It’s totally up to you how early you want to see the returns on your investment of hard work.

Different Genres
While we live in a free society where we can (in general) print our ideas, thoughts and feelings without fear of censure, it does not necessarily follow that other people — particularly those in positions of power at publishing houses — will PRINT all of those ideas, thoughts and feelings! If a topic is thought to be too controversial or unacceptable by the publishing industry, your work may face heavy edits or not be accepted at all. First Choice Books prints books in a very wide variety of topics, and because YOU are ultimately the “publisher”, the content of your work is completely within your control.
Many children’s book authors find self publishing to be a way in which they can share their story while keeping creative direction. In most cases, as a children’s author you may not get to choose your illustrator; the publishing house does this. Those who are interested in “alternative” science or have new and unique theories will find that publishing their own work is a great way to get their story heard without fear of editors making too many content changes. And for those of you who write poetry, self publishing is especially ideal!

Profit margins
Profit margins between self and traditional publishing can be miles apart. If you’re one of the very (very) few who sees literary success through traditional publishing — congratulations! But if you’re like most authors, you might not see enough profit to buy a pizza after the publishing house, agent, distributors, etc., take their slice of the pie. In self publishing, although you do have to pay up front, you also get to keep ALL of your profit. On a book retailing for $20, you might see $1 profit from a traditional publisher; it’s not uncommon to see a $15 profit on that very same book if you self publish. And because you keep all rights to your work, you can still submit your book to a traditional house. “Up front” royalty cheques can be misleading; if your book does not sell, you may have to use that “up front” royalty cheque to reimburse your agent, pay for book returns and so forth. It may prove difficult to find a publishing house to accept your book if you are without an agent.

Returns
If your book does not move quickly enough or is not a “big seller,” you may have to pay for book returns, insurance on those returned books, and shipping to get them back! Moreover, most publishing houses destroy unsold books rather than send them back to the author. While First Choice Books can assist you in contacting distributors and marketing, we leave the “book selling” to you, the expert. You don’t have to worry about hidden fees and returns.

Interaction
Many bookstores are now accepting self published books and it is always helpful if they offer book signings. It can also be a rewarding and enjoyable experience interacting with customers at book fairs, flea markets and your local library. With self publishing, particularly with First Choice Books, there is always someone available working on your book with whom you can speak.

Knowledge
Many of our first time authors learn a lot about the publishing process when they self publish. They get new ideas on page layout, design, printing and binding and thus gain more confidence for their second book. They share their ideas with family and friends. With traditional publishing, the book is taken out of your hands and you may only learn a little about the publishing process.