I know nothing about publishing print books, so I'm intrigued by this piece. Two questions, maybe for a Part II. You said "friends had plans for their paperback editions scrapped because not enough of their hardcovers sold," which leads me to wonder why hardbacks are published in the first place. I never buy them, and I much prefer the lighter weight paperback for holding and reading. Second, for print on demand books such as yours, do you retain control over the quality of the paper, the ink, and the cover? I've rec'd many substandard books lately that appear to be printed on very cheap, thin paper, with plasticized paper covers, which I hate.
I really don’t know why hardbacks are made and considered more valuable than paperbacks. It makes little sense to me. I was given choices about the paper and the way the cover was printed. I chose a matte cover. Even better, I got to contribute my artwork to the cover.
It just happened again! I ordered a book (a beautiful, large, newly published cookbook) and when it arrived, the much-lauded photographs were completely washed out, the pages were onion skin thin, and the cover was that plasticized paper I despise. I returned the book. Therefore, the author got no money. The whole system just makes me sad.
I’ve done most of my books with publishers except my last one - indie but with support from Page Two (expensive lovely) for a bunch of reasons including distribution because I had a track record with bookstores. I printed 9000 copies and ended up having to pulp a 1000 which hurt so bad. Never had that happen. I’ve sold almost 12k of the book in ebook, audio and print but having to lose those print books made me want to never do a print run again. So thanks for writing this !!
I should be clear that I had a robust email list and I've been publishing and running my related biz for 30 years. Even so it was a big lift especially since the book came out in April 2020.
Oh, the timing...so sorry. Reminds me of how many books published from the spring of 2020 through like 2022 didn't get their chance to shine. And how many of those had big print runs ordered way ahead of time? Another problem with mainstream publishing: how long it takes. How many things can change between book deal and publication?
for sure we ordered the print run way in advance after conference and yep I had a big tour planned in conjuction with Happy Women's Dinners. It was also super hard for me to pivot after it all fell apart which was super ironic because the book is Why Bother? and i fell into a why bother time for sure.
"I stopped trusting mainstream publishing’s taste and questioned many of their choices, including how many copies of a given title to print." I totally agree. It doesn't help that trad publishers are reticent to take on memoir from anyone without a smash tik tok account and/or starring in a blockbuster... And then essay collections. Don't even get me started on how impossible it is to sell such a collection. (For me and those I know, anyway.) CNF writers do not fit well in the current landscape, imho. Much more reasonable to go niche or indie, in which case POD is the norm. Thanks for these thoughts!
Yes, my book is a memoir-in-essays. Ultimately I'm very glad I went with a tiny indie press that offered me only a small advance. The good news: I earned out the advance in just two royalty periods, and now I earn 20% of sales.
That is the best-case scenario. My publisher for my debut is also small, gave me small advance, and if I hit a certain sales number, I make 22% for the rest of the book. Which felt doable to me! Seems like authors who get blow out advances tend to struggle? (Unless they have an entire publicity team behind them...)
Great post! I was supposed to be at Rough Draft back in Sept, 2019, but instead had surgery, yeah, that was fun. Perhaps, I will get another chance with my next novel due out May '25. From the same indie press that produced my first book, so, hopefully, I've learned a thing or two.
While I love the idea of print on demand, I also love the idea of at least a few books that no one appreciated in their time could still be around to be discovered later! I suppose that means maybe one should make sure libraries order the book? I wonder how this could be arranged... (I've been fascinated with the idea that Dickens was not as popular as some of his contemporaries while he was alive.)
Really appreciate this. It helps me establish a healthier version of success. Do you think this applies mainly to nonfiction/memoir? Is fiction moving in this direction too? (I’ve never read small press fiction only memoir.)
Glad iff gf this is helpful! I don’t know, re: fiction/nonfiction but I’ve read and loved some novels published by tiny presses that, who knows, maybe do POD.
How is the print quality of POD these days? The only books I’ve come across have non-sharp type, like an ink jet printer. So hard on my eyes that I don’t even try anymore.
The book event sounds like it went well! And you also sing? You must share! 😉 POD is smart for all the reasons you mentioned but also it's the most sustainable for the environment. Thanks Sari!
So great to read this! I’m an Australian writer and my book came out via a big publisher here but I am going publish print on demand for US/UK next year and what you’ve described is exactly why. Thank you! 🙏
I know nothing about publishing print books, so I'm intrigued by this piece. Two questions, maybe for a Part II. You said "friends had plans for their paperback editions scrapped because not enough of their hardcovers sold," which leads me to wonder why hardbacks are published in the first place. I never buy them, and I much prefer the lighter weight paperback for holding and reading. Second, for print on demand books such as yours, do you retain control over the quality of the paper, the ink, and the cover? I've rec'd many substandard books lately that appear to be printed on very cheap, thin paper, with plasticized paper covers, which I hate.
I really don’t know why hardbacks are made and considered more valuable than paperbacks. It makes little sense to me. I was given choices about the paper and the way the cover was printed. I chose a matte cover. Even better, I got to contribute my artwork to the cover.
So, when books are printed on demand at various places around the country, are they required to use the same quality paper, ink, and cover? Forever?
No idea v
It just happened again! I ordered a book (a beautiful, large, newly published cookbook) and when it arrived, the much-lauded photographs were completely washed out, the pages were onion skin thin, and the cover was that plasticized paper I despise. I returned the book. Therefore, the author got no money. The whole system just makes me sad.
I’ve done most of my books with publishers except my last one - indie but with support from Page Two (expensive lovely) for a bunch of reasons including distribution because I had a track record with bookstores. I printed 9000 copies and ended up having to pulp a 1000 which hurt so bad. Never had that happen. I’ve sold almost 12k of the book in ebook, audio and print but having to lose those print books made me want to never do a print run again. So thanks for writing this !!
Interesting! Sorry to hear about the pulping.
it was the waste, I do hate waste :).
Sounds like phenomenal sales, even so!
I should be clear that I had a robust email list and I've been publishing and running my related biz for 30 years. Even so it was a big lift especially since the book came out in April 2020.
Oh, the timing...so sorry. Reminds me of how many books published from the spring of 2020 through like 2022 didn't get their chance to shine. And how many of those had big print runs ordered way ahead of time? Another problem with mainstream publishing: how long it takes. How many things can change between book deal and publication?
for sure we ordered the print run way in advance after conference and yep I had a big tour planned in conjuction with Happy Women's Dinners. It was also super hard for me to pivot after it all fell apart which was super ironic because the book is Why Bother? and i fell into a why bother time for sure.
Appreciate that!
"I stopped trusting mainstream publishing’s taste and questioned many of their choices, including how many copies of a given title to print." I totally agree. It doesn't help that trad publishers are reticent to take on memoir from anyone without a smash tik tok account and/or starring in a blockbuster... And then essay collections. Don't even get me started on how impossible it is to sell such a collection. (For me and those I know, anyway.) CNF writers do not fit well in the current landscape, imho. Much more reasonable to go niche or indie, in which case POD is the norm. Thanks for these thoughts!
Yes, my book is a memoir-in-essays. Ultimately I'm very glad I went with a tiny indie press that offered me only a small advance. The good news: I earned out the advance in just two royalty periods, and now I earn 20% of sales.
That is the best-case scenario. My publisher for my debut is also small, gave me small advance, and if I hit a certain sales number, I make 22% for the rest of the book. Which felt doable to me! Seems like authors who get blow out advances tend to struggle? (Unless they have an entire publicity team behind them...)
Great post! I was supposed to be at Rough Draft back in Sept, 2019, but instead had surgery, yeah, that was fun. Perhaps, I will get another chance with my next novel due out May '25. From the same indie press that produced my first book, so, hopefully, I've learned a thing or two.
Congrats on the new book!
Thank you! Old, but not done. 0
While I love the idea of print on demand, I also love the idea of at least a few books that no one appreciated in their time could still be around to be discovered later! I suppose that means maybe one should make sure libraries order the book? I wonder how this could be arranged... (I've been fascinated with the idea that Dickens was not as popular as some of his contemporaries while he was alive.)
Yes, and some stores should have a few copies on hand, as is the case with mine.
Really appreciate this. It helps me establish a healthier version of success. Do you think this applies mainly to nonfiction/memoir? Is fiction moving in this direction too? (I’ve never read small press fiction only memoir.)
Glad iff gf this is helpful! I don’t know, re: fiction/nonfiction but I’ve read and loved some novels published by tiny presses that, who knows, maybe do POD.
Civilization will be saved by print.
So if mainstream publishers did print on demand what would it look like for selling copies at bookstores?
It’s a wonderful thing to contemplate
i think it’s awesome, too! backed the campaign the other day and can’t wait to read the books
Will definitely contribute!
<3 PS Alex Alberto from Quilted Press was on Julie's Radio Kingston show this week!
Oh yeah, I saw that!
How is the print quality of POD these days? The only books I’ve come across have non-sharp type, like an ink jet printer. So hard on my eyes that I don’t even try anymore.
The quality on mine is great. And I've got a copy of Alex Alberto's Entwined, and it looks great.
Great post, Sari! I am contemplating print-on-demand as well as crowdfunding next year. It's exciting times!
Excellent idea, Nishant. Yes, it’s a good time to be an innovative DIY-er.
The book event sounds like it went well! And you also sing? You must share! 😉 POD is smart for all the reasons you mentioned but also it's the most sustainable for the environment. Thanks Sari!
Yes, I meant to get into the environmental aspect but was in a rush. I might add a couple lines about that.
Thanks! You have the platform to discuss and help make an impact! 💚
So great to read this! I’m an Australian writer and my book came out via a big publisher here but I am going publish print on demand for US/UK next year and what you’ve described is exactly why. Thank you! 🙏
Glad to know this was helpful. Good luck with the US/UK edition!