Self-publishing (KDP, etc)

[SSLPhD]

Does anyone have experience with self-publishing?  What software have you used to create your book?  For my dissertation, I used LaTeX (written in vi) to create a PDF and while that worked well and looks great, adding photos was a bit of a pain.  Since then I've put together a family book on Shutterfly with mostly text but also loads of photos and embellishments.  It looks amazing, but not as professional.  My next book project is one I'd like to sell on Amazon through Kindle Direct Publishing.  I'm looking for software that is easy to use for photos and whose end result will look crisp and professional.  My planned layout would be similar to DK Eyewitness books.  Ideas?  Other advice, etc?  (Ideally I'm looking for free, but willing to pay.)

[SSLPhD]

I have found Scribus, which is open source and appears to have capabilities similar to InDesign, but with a steeper learning curve. For now, I'll use Scribus with GIMP, which should cover almost everything, and see how it goes.  I might end up switching to Word, which will no doubt give me formatting headaches.

[sguitarist18]

Going to cross-post this in the amazon thread, but:

I have a book I'd like to publish in physical form. KDP would seem to be the cheapest option. I primarily need a few copies for myself, though I'm going to try to market it to others who'd find it useful.

I've never sold on Amazon before, what do I need to be careful about, both in terms of buyers, and in terms of things Amazon doesn't like?

For starters, is there an issue for me to buy my own book?

[Alexsei]

Going to cross-post this in the amazon thread, but:

I have a book I'd like to publish in physical form. KDP would seem to be the cheapest option. I primarily need a few copies for myself, though I'm going to try to market it to others who'd find it useful.

I've never sold on Amazon before, what do I need to be careful about, both in terms of buyers, and in terms of things Amazon doesn't like?

For starters, is there an issue for me to buy my own book?

I think you can get samples for cost even if you don't publish it

[sguitarist18]

Thanks, will check that out!

[nucheiner]

I think you can get samples for cost even if you don't publish it

You can get samples at cost but you need to pay shipping which is minimal and it can take up to 14 days or so to arrive (pretty sure even for prime members). Alternatively you can lower the price for a bit and then order with prime.

[ari3]

Going to cross-post this in the amazon thread, but:

I have a book I'd like to publish in physical form. KDP would seem to be the cheapest option. I primarily need a few copies for myself, though I'm going to try to market it to others who'd find it useful.

I've never sold on Amazon before, what do I need to be careful about, both in terms of buyers, and in terms of things Amazon doesn't like?

For starters, is there an issue for me to buy my own book?

There is no problem buying your own book, I do it all the time.

When amazon sells your book they give you 60% and keep 40%. You can order author copies with no markup BUT you will have to pay shipping and it can take up to 2 weeks instead of 2-3 days. So if you are ordering just a few copies or need it fast order on amazon, if you are orderig more copies and aren't in a rush it is cheaper to order author copies from the KDP website.

If you have other questions I do have experience publishing with KDP.

[SSLPhD]

I think you can get samples for cost even if you don't publish it

How exactly does this work?  You can upload the complete book and keep it unpublished?  (I should probably rewatch some KDP videos.) I'm in the final stages of finishing a book, and I'm not really sure how to proceed, with whether or not to copyright, whether or not to send it to the Library of Congress, order of doing all the things, etc.

There is no problem buying your own book, I do it all the time.

When amazon sells your book they give you 60% and keep 40%. You can order author copies with no markup BUT you will have to pay shipping and it can take up to 2 weeks instead of 2-3 days. So if you are ordering just a few copies or need it fast order on amazon, if you are orderig more copies and aren't in a rush it is cheaper to order author copies from the KDP website.

If you have other questions I do have experience publishing with KDP.

It was my understanding (I could be wrong) that the author sets the price, with a minimum markup above what Amazon charges.  So it wouldn't necessarily be 60-40.  Maybe the minimum author cut is 1.5 times Amazon's charge?

Author copies just means that rather than pay and get back the author's part, you don't pay it and don't get it back, correct?

[sguitarist18]

Aaaand...just ran into a glitch - KDPs maximum size is 8.25" x 11", I'm trying to do something more like 11" x 8.5.

Are there other self-publishing options that would give me the ability to do that?

[ari3]

It was my understanding (I could be wrong) that the author sets the price, with a minimum markup above what Amazon charges.  So it wouldn't necessarily be 60-40.  Maybe the minimum author cut is 1.5 times Amazon's charge?

Author copies just means that rather than pay and get back the author's part, you don't pay it and don't get it back, correct?

the author sets the price. Of that amount 60% goes to the author and 40% to amazon. Then there are the printing costs (a set amount per copy based on size, number of pages etc..) which comes out of the authors cut, hence the minimum price. (for example if the printing costs are $3 then the minimum price would be $5 and if you set the price at $5 you would get no royalties. if you set the price at $6 you would get 60 cents and so on). If you order author copies you are only paying for the printing costs plus shipping. (in the above example $3 plus shipping).

[ari3]

Aaaand...just ran into a glitch - KDPs maximum size is 8.25" x 11", I'm trying to do something more like 11" x 8.5.

Are there other self-publishing options that would give me the ability to do that?

are you sure? I printed in 8.5" x 11"

[lcm]

Aaaand...just ran into a glitch - KDPs maximum size is 8.25" x 11", I'm trying to do something more like 11" x 8.5.

Are there other self-publishing options that would give me the ability to do that?

Checked lulu?

[sguitarist18]

are you sure? I printed in 8.5" x 11"

I'm trying to print Hardcover, maybe that makes a difference? Either way, I'd want it significantly wider.

Checked lulu?

Not yet, on my to-do list for tomorrow.

[SSLPhD]

the author sets the price. Of that amount 60% goes to the author and 40% to amazon. Then there are the printing costs (a set amount per copy based on size, number of pages etc..) which comes out of the authors cut, hence the minimum price. (for example if the printing costs are $3 then the minimum price would be $5 and if you set the price at $5 you would get no royalties. if you set the price at $6 you would get 60 cents and so on).

Interesting. This wasn't clear from my reading of it.  So based on this, if you have an amount you'd "like" to earn for each book, you'd need to add 1.67 times this amount to the minimum price.

If you order author copies you are only paying for the printing costs plus shipping. (in the above example $3 plus shipping).

Is there a limit to the number of author copies you order?  Is it somehow marked as an author copy?

[yshad]

Is there a limit to the number of author copies you order?  Is it somehow marked as an author copy?

There is a limit to five copies per order.
The author copies are marked with a "Not For Resale" ribbon on the front and back.

[ari3]

There is a limit to five copies per order.
The author copies are marked with a "Not For Resale" ribbon on the front and back.

inaccurate. you are probably referring to proof copies which are proofs you can print before the formatting is approved. Author copies are regular copies and there is no limit. (from personal experience).

[yshad]

inaccurate. you are probably referring to proof copies which are proofs you can print before the formatting is approved. Author copies are regular copies and there is no limit. (from personal experience).

You are right, I stand corrected.

[sguitarist18]

Checked lulu?

Their largest size is 8.5x11. Would prefer 11x8.5!

[SSLPhD]

Their largest size is 8.5x11. Would prefer 11x8.5!

What is the purpose of the book? Do you want to make it available for sale or is it personal? Hardcover or soft?  Shutterfly has that size.

[lcm]

Their largest size is 8.5x11. Would prefer 11x8.5!

You can't just change the binding edge?