Publishing...need advice/recommendations

[henry_suryo]

Hello, I am working on a book project, and would love to hear from

friends on the forum who have published their work. It will be a

coffee-table grade photography monograph and I'm interested to hear

anything from how to find the right publisher, pricing the printing,

self publishing, laying out the format and choosing the stock, cover,

slipcases, etc, to post printing sales and marketing. What is the

general criteria for publishers to undertake your project? What is

the typical production run, i.e number of copies, softbound vs

hardcover deluxe edition? How does the printing fee relate to the

final price/profit? Thank you in advance, Henry

[donald_miller1]

Hello Henry,

Congratulations on your endeavor. While I am also engaged in a project and do not yet have all of the details worked out, there is an excellent article in PhotoVision Magazine (May-June issue) entitled "Small is Better". It will give you the view of several publishers.

 

Additionally, Michael Smith and Paula Chamlee own and operate the publishing arm of their collective enterprise. Their publishing endeavor is named Lodima Press. I have spoken with Michael in the past and he and Paula will involve themselves to the degree that the photographer wishes and needs their guidance. Their services run the gamut of advising the photographer on the various aspects, locating and arranging financing, locating and working with a publisher, printer, binder etc. They have self published for a number of years and their work is very good, in my estimation.

 

I hope that this affords you some guidance. Good luck, once again.

 

Regards,

Donald Miller

[james_driscoll2]

your best bet-this not from someone who published there own book but

worked on two commisioned books- is to hook up with a book packager.

 

they will shop your book around the various publishers and will also

help you with the above mentioned choices.

 

they work like a photo rep does- they get a commision on your sale.

 

self-publishing is also an option-you can call all the major book

chains and talk with their buyers, also do research and relize before

you talk to anyone what your market is, and how your going to hit

them.

 

if you go the self-publish route, you might want to hook up with a

graphic designer. trying to learn everything yourself will be more

than a little daunting, and you need someone who knows how to talk to

a printer and not waste time on something that will not even show up

on press.

 

the general criteria for a publisher to take on your project- IT MUST

MAKE MONEY. its a sad world, but if they can't turn a profit, they

won't print it. some publishers will help you if they are not

interested by steering you to others that are.

 

find other books that are similar to yours (the key word is similar)

and start writing emails, and calling. publishers want to see a

sample "chapter" a table of contents, etc. sometimes they want you to

come in a pitch. you kinda have to play salesman.

 

thats capitalism!!! that is my we so many terrible books, great

salesman-poor idea men.

 

i wish you much luck, nothing is impossible. just keep pushing away.

 

be prepared, publishers like art and creative directors want it short

and sweet when it comes to showing your work.

 

advice from mine and several others who have been down this road-

don't bother sending matted 16x20 prints in a portfolio case. they

don't appreciate it like other photographers and galleries do, and

they want to be able to look at it on there desk, and drop it back in

a fed ex box when they are done.

 

printed pages with layout, are what publishers want to see-but don't

lock yourself into something. publishers want to be able to tell you

what to do to some degree. if you don't want that-its time to self

publish.

 

thanks

jdjdjdjdjdjd

[steve_rowell]

Hi Henry,

 

Check out this site.

 

http://www.photoprojects.org/edfxs/inadv/curr_yr/curr_mo/inadv_p1.html

[michael_a._smith1]

I thiank Don for the mention. Paula and I act as consultants to

photographers wanting to get books published--either by doing it

themselves or by other publishers.

 

What experience do we have? We have published 6 of our own

books (4 more on the way); we published a book by Richard

Copeland Miller, which last year won a design and packaging

award. We are publishing a book by an Australian photographer,

a big book of the photographs of Edward Weston (100 full-size

plates in 600-line screen 5 color and quadtone), and a series of

16-18 Brett Weston books. And that is just what is current for this

year and next. There are more books in the works.

 

We can easily answer all of the questions you have.

 

Michael A. Smith

[jnorman2]

henry - i have published 3 books, and am currently designing the 4th. i cant think of too many things that are more fun and rewarding than producing a book. for my past two books, i have been in charge of all production decisions regarding paper stock, layout, image reproduction, etc. there is an enormous amount of info to get on top of to ensure you get the best publication for your budget. standard these days are 100# dull-coat stock, spot-varnished duo- or tritone images at 300-line screen or better. micheal's comment about 600-line screen indicates that he is trying to produce a state-of-the-art book. anyway, if you have some specific questions about any aspect of publishing, from contract negotiations and project budget development to book design, calendaring to end papers, or ink choice to font selection, please email me offline at jnorman34@attbi.com

[henry_suryo]

Thank you all for your response. There's a lot of work to do still before I really get to the publishing phase as I'm still working on the photographs and the writings. Michael and Jnorman, I would like to get in touch with you sometime, perhaps as I do more more research along the way. I really appreciate your extended courtesy. Sincerely, Henry