So, you’ve written a best-selling, Bookerwinning type of book. Are publishers able to see your inner John Grisham? Or are you getting more rejection slips than fan mail? You could always publish your oeuvre on your own. But you’ll have to foot those bills — design, printing, distribution... And what if, like JK Rowling before Harry Potter, you’re broke? There’s hope online.
Self-publishing has taken on a whole new meaning in the virtual world, with dozens of websites offering free design and desktop publishing utilities. They even offer tips on how to design book covers. Some, like www.lulu.com, also serve as a networking space for aspiring authors.
These sites also help in publicising your book—writing and placing press releases and web banners. Sites like www.authorhouse. com also offer tips on writing. You can even get an independent review service to review your book. And many of these services are free. (Some come at a price or as part of a paid package; check the sites for details.)
Virtual publishers make their money by charging for specific services. Like www.troubador.co.uk, which charges £650 (around Rs 50,000) for pre-press work and £400 to print 100 copies. Then there’s www.lulu.com, which prints and binds a single book for around $20 (around Rs 800). Or www.iuniverse.com, which charges a flat rate, starting at $399, for a comprehensive package, which does not include printing charges.
Most sites also sell your book online for a small royalty. Many of these sites also have distribution networks; www.lulu.com, for instance, claims to distribute to over 100 countries; www.authorhouse .com promises to get your book to 25,000 real-world and online distributors.
Strangely, there are no known Indian self-publishing sites as yet. Till that happens, you’ll have to trust the American or European sites to serve your needs. That shouldn’t stop your writing, though, should it?
Free services: Online book publishing tools; forums; blogs; press release guide; price and royalty calculators
Paid services: Marketing kits ($30 plus); distribution (starting price $50); independent book review ($400 plus); eBook optimisation— for iPhone and Sony readers ($25)
Free services: Publishing guide; online newsletter
Paid services (price on request): Cover design; page design; pre-press work and printing (offset printing and digital versions); distribution; marketing and publicity; press release service; author website design and hosting
Free services: Book publishing guide
Paid services: Editorial evaluation ($350); editorial assistant (part of a package); book production; author website ($300)
Free services: Book-publishing guide; marketing strategies; author case-studies; press release guide
Paid services (part of package: $700-1,050): Customised cover; page design; distribution to 25,000 retailers
Free services: NA
Paid services (cost on request): Design of cover and inside pages; printing (100 copies: £400); marketing; publicity
