Publishing electronically, by disk, can be the
answer to budget prayers! The down side is that, especially for genealogy books,
the potential reader may not even own a computer, much less a handheld device.
While readers may or may not enjoy all of the advantages of the newest
technologies, most enjoy the lower cost of an electronically published book.
Top reasons to publish
electronically by disk:
Budget will allow for
publishing now, rather than fundraising in preparation for publishing
later.
Full color - no extra charge
No need to narrow your content
down to fit in an affordable or easy to handle printed book.
Large books are easy to carry
on disk when you travel
You don't
have
to worry about breaking the spine - no matter the page count.
Low storage space requirements
- a disk or two instead of 6 inches on the bookcase.
For books that employ lots of photos and
graphics with little or no text, we now suggest a self running book format that presents a book on screen.
It allows
user to page through the book like a "real" book, flip directly to any page, and
enlarge any given page. Disk contains both PC and Apple/Mac program that accesses
the book data. No customer questions of "Do I have the software, or will I need
to download?" - it is included with each book!
The world is embracing the standard of PDF
format for E-books. The total basic costs for publication and delivery include
electronic/disk manuscript preparation (converting your hardcopy or disk files to PDF) plus
disk reproduction, packaging, and shipping. In many cases the electronic manuscript
preparation for a book sent to us on disk can be waived - email us for details.
The standard PDF reader (Adobe Acrobat) is free to anyone and comes in many new computers
standard. This allows anyone with a computer a chance to read your book on disk
(after purchasing it from you!). The PDF format also allows authors more control
of the E-book that is purchased - you can make the book read only
(the
customer can not make changes) as well as restricting printing. While printed
books use the honor system for Copyright control, the PDF format allows you the
added comfort of knowing that most buyers will not be breaking the law, either
knowingly or through a wish to share this great work.
PDF is an easy way to make a compilation
publication. Do you or your group have several research titles of a given theme
or area? Whether they are all still currently in print in traditional book form
or not, consider publishing a research collection on disk. This is a great
alternative when an author doesn't wish to keep a valuable title in print.
While some choose POD as an option, others may consider electronic publishing.
Offering this format, even if your books are hard or soft bound and in print,
can appeal to many who
are interested in bargain shopping. Even if you offer the electronic edition at
only a $5.00 savings. Those who choose to buy a $40 CD that you have $15
invested in electronic publishing increases your profit over $45 book
that you have $35 invested in the printed book. For a book that required
research, many already know that it is rare to actually recoup 100% of all
research costs. However "profit" can be used for more research, funding
collectors editions, or mad money!
Publishing electronically by disk is absolutely a less expensive avenue for publishing
than a traditional printed book. Instead of purchasing paper, ink, covers, and a lot of
production time, you are purchasing removable storage and computer production time - the
finished product usually costs a lot less to ship as well!
Your
book may be placed on a variety of removable media formats, currently CD is an
economical standard. The information may be published in
different formats on different disks. For those who wish to forgo a physical
book altogether, this data can also be published or sent online.
PowerPoint
With the "pack and go" feature, as
well as the PowerPoint reader being free of charge, PowerPoint is becoming a way
to have a true multi-media e-book experience. The MS Office user can do all of
their own "manuscript preparation" without buying new software. PowerPoint
decks can be added to books, or sold on their own. PowerPoint is a great
program to use for digital scrapbooks and family "advertising" as well!
Different packaging options are all things to consider (most of which can be
affixed to a hybrid cover)...
jewel case (standard or slim-line)
paper or board
sleeve/jacket (opaque, windowed, with flap, 3-ring, sheet for multiples, etc.)
plastic protector (opaque, windowed, 3-ring, sheet for multiples, etc.)
kick out boxes
clam-shell cases
circle cases
DVD case (which provides space inside the packaging for a small booklet)
multi-disc
double/dual disc
disk hub/nub/spindle (to include e-book with printed book, etc.)
self mailer/container
USB drives attached to book with lanyard or
ribbon
etc.
Do you have more than 500 pages in you book
manuscript, but still prefer a printed book?
Do you have so many good color photos, it's hard to make them black and
white for economy? Consider a "hybrid" printed book and CD combo package!
Cut the size "in print", but adding a CD to the back of the book. Place most
(if not all) of your photos (color, black and white, etc) and documents on a CD
for the back. Place forms, charts, and additional material you may not have
justified "in print" space for on the CD. Add video, audio, and anything else to
the book that you can think of. Even photos that you place in the book b/w, if
they are color, add them to the CD. Many times, this "hybrid" book approach can
lend much more enjoyment to a book project, while saving money for the bottom
line. The CD can be placed directly on a hub (or nub) attached to the book.
Generally, you can find these on the inside of the back cover. They can also be
placed in sleeves attached to the book. If it is an optional CD, they can even
be placed in loose sleeves or jewel cases.
Anything else to the book that you can think of: Even photos that you place
in the book b/w, if they are color, add them to the CD. Many times, this
"hybrid" book approach can lend much more enjoyment to a book project, while
saving money for the bottom line. The CD can be placed directly on a hub (or
nub) attached to the book. Generally, you can find these on the inside of
the back cover. They can also be placed in sleeves attached to the book. If
it is an optional CD, they can even be placed in loose sleeves or jewel
cases.
CD's
also make a great value-added addition to printed books. Add as many color
photographs as you want to a book project by including supplemental disks.
CD's included with printed books can also contain audio, video, GEDCOMs, etc.
Basic reproduction and packaging can range
from under $3.00 to $15.00 (on demand) each depending
on packaging and size of order. Large quantities can be
arranged for less!
10 disks with color labels in jewel cases
$100.00 or $10.00 each
100 disks with color labels in jewel cases $500.00 or
$5.00 each
10 disks with black printing in window sleeves
$80.00 or $8.00 each
100 disks with black printing in window sleeves $400.00 or
$4.00 each
10 disks with black printing to be placed on
hub/nub (included) in back of book (quoted separate) $50.00 or
$5.00 each
100 disks with black printing to be placed on hub/nub (included)
in back of book (quoted separate) $360.00 or
$3.60 each
Web Rings (if you have built an
informational web page)
Don't forget to think about your genealogy
subject, remember it is a new book/publication and what geographical areas it
covers!
If there are none of the above, consider
starting them!
Send everyone in your email address book a
notice about the book.
Email
- One of the easiest ways to spread
the word if you email folks is to add a signature (or a line to your signature)
to your email that says you are the author of your book.See our Computer aid section of our
e-zine for more help doing this.
If you choose to use your email address book, be careful. The Internet is
still in it's infancy and many people are overly-sensitive of privacy issues.
Either write a letter that you can send to everyone individually, or look into a
email-merge add-on program. It is suggested you don't write one email and
list everyone's address in the "To:" line where all recipients can see the
addresses. Another way to this without adding new software is the "Bcc:"
feature. Regardless of what you choose to do, if you are sending the same
email to more than a dozen people, check with your server to see if they need to
adjust for the extra traffic you will be producing. Some do, some don't,
and some even require you to send to no more than 10 recipients at a time.
Once you've conformed to the servers requests, you may also need to consider the
fact that many mail filters look unkindly at an email that goes to too many
people.
*Join
email lists that have the
same subject matter as your book. After getting an idea of the type of
information that is posted and the rules, send an email to the list(s) about
your new publication. You might start at
http://groups.yahoo.com
or http://www.egroups.com
As with email lists, check online for
bulletin boards or discussion groups
having to do with your subject matter. After getting an idea of how
information flows, post information about your book.
Further online PR
possibilities include working with your ISP to search newsgroups/usenet through
your email program. Once you find lists about your subject matter and
review them, post information about your book.
By
Disk
have
to worry about breaking the spine - no matter the page count.
The world is embracing the standard of PDF
format for E-books. The total basic costs for publication and delivery include
electronic/disk manuscript preparation (converting your hardcopy or disk files to PDF) plus
disk reproduction, packaging, and shipping. In many cases the electronic manuscript
preparation for a book sent to us on disk can be waived - email us for details.
The standard PDF reader (Adobe Acrobat) is free to anyone and comes in many new computers
standard. This allows anyone with a computer a chance to read your book on disk
(after purchasing it from you!). The PDF format also allows authors more control
of the E-book that is purchased - you can make the book read only
