Publishing Choices

Contemporary authors have a variety of publishing choices at their disposal (not just in terms of different methods of printing, but also different ways of doing business). One publishing method does not fit all; each title has a unique audience. The publishing choice is driven by the size of the market (which dictates the number of copies produced), the cost of printing and binding, and shipping. Options include:

• Print-on-demand (POD) means receiving an order (and payment), producing the book (not less than 100 copies to be cost-effective) and then delivering the consignment of books to the author for distribution. Most POD books are produced with digital printing (laser printing with toner) but they could also be produced with other methods such as photo copy and lithographic printing. The cost per copy varies depending upon the number of pages, full-colour or black and white printing, and the trim size. Chapbooks.
• Offset printers (ink printing with plates) to produce 2 500 books or more.
• Risograph is a high-speed printing system designed mainly for high-volume photocopying and printing. It is a stencil duplication process, similar to Screen Printing. The machine looks just like a photocopier but the technology is like an offset press. Risograph printers use Plates, or Masters (made from wax paper), which means that it prints one colour/one layer at a time. Each additional layer requires  an additional pass through the machine.
• Kindle [e-book]. Amazon offers KPD Kids — a free tool [download free e-book] that allows authors to easily create illustrated children’s books and sell them for the Kindle. Children’s book authors can use Amazon’s new Kindle Kids’ Book Creator tool to take advantage of Kindle features like text pop-ups. Once the book is ready, authors can upload it to KDP in just a few simple steps, and use KDP’s category, age and grade range filters to help millions of Amazon customers choose the right books for their kids. KDP Kids is designed to help children’s book authors prepare, publish and promote both illustrated and chapter books in Kindle Stores worldwide. Authors can earn royalties of up to 70%, while keeping their rights and maintaining control of their content. Authors can also choose to enroll their books in KDP Select for additional royalty opportunities like Kindle Unlimited and the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, and access to marketing tools like Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions. Get started.

SAWN offers the following publishing choices:

• Custom Publishing is a proven branding and messaging strategy. It merges your corporate agenda with your target customer’s objectives, thus providing you with a unique opportunity to create content that your customer cares about. Do half of your audience speak isiZulu or Afrikaans? Do one of your divisions cater to the youth market? When an advertisement or advertorial fails to tell your whole story or you need to inform your customers and prospects about certain products or services, Custom Publishing allows you to do so through content-rich editorial to strengthen your communication efforts and develop relationships with your target markets. SAWN will work with you to identify your objectives and develop a unique print publication [gift book, booklet, newsletter, magazine] to leverage your marketing investment and deliver value to the reader.
• Self-Publishing: If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it! Lütge-Press is an independent small publisher of high quality self-published fiction, non-fiction and poetry books. Our involvement includes writing, editing, cover design and content illustration, typesetting, translation, page layout, registration of ISBN, printing and binding. The difference between self-publishing and subsidy book publishing is the amount of control the author has over the book in general but it also means that they are responsible for all the initial costs associated with publishing, marketing and distributing the book.

The difference between self-publishing and commercial (subsidy) publishing is the amount of control the author has over the book in general but it also means that he or she is responsible for all the initial costs associated with publishing the book as well as marketing and distributing the books, bookkeeping and stock control. Bear in mind that a first print is always more expensive than re-printing subsequent editions; this is because the author is initially paying for graphic design and layout, editing, printing, etc. which means production costs for second and subsequent prints drop by at least 30 per cent. Clearly the self-published author stands to earn a good profit from the sale of the books.

Lütge-Press is an independent small publisher of high quality self-published fiction, non-fiction and poetry books. We offer a consulting and production service to authors wishing to self-publish any topic. Our involvement includes writing, editing, cover design and illustration, typesetting, page layout, translation, registration of ISBN (13-digit bar code), printing and binding. A contractual agreement outlines each aspect of the process, responsibilities of author and editor/publisher, copyright ownership and task deadlines. We also assist authors to market their books (press releases, pamphlets, trailers, contact posters).

Contact Theresa (ecottage@gmail.com) to discuss your requirements or leave a reply.