| Many people think they can write a craft book -- and | | | | are taking. |
| why not? Really there's not much more to it than | | | | I know what you're going to ask next, what about a |
| explaining what you do -- and how you do it -- to a | | | | "real" book? A lot of people will buy the craft e-book |
| friend. Then you just write that down. All you need is | | | | you create but what about those who prefer |
| a pc and a free program like OpenOffice! The | | | | something you can actually get hold of? |
| problem people then have is getting that book into | | | | No problem at all. Companies like Lulu will take the |
| print. How do you get yourself a craft book | | | | digital file you've already created and print you as |
| publisher? | | | | many hard cover versions as you like. What's more, |
| Historically that's been one huge challenge, and | | | | you don't have to commit to huge and expensive |
| something that has been as much decided by the | | | | print runs, you can order as few as just one! Besides |
| perceived profitability of a book as the actual | | | | a few technical things you need to do to make your |
| content or quality. Sadly craft book publishing, like any | | | | cover artwork suit their specifications your craft |
| other book production, has long been controlled by | | | | e-book and its "real" version are the same thing. |
| the bean counters we all know and love! | | | | The money you make from hard copies is obviously |
| Now we're in a whole new craft book world, one | | | | less - you do have to pay for that printed version -- |
| where self-publishing is a practical reality. One where | | | | but it's you who decides the price and the margins |
| sales and distribution can be handled by you almost | | | | are still greater than via a traditional craft book |
| as easily as you handle email. One where you can | | | | publisher. |
| take that book you've put your heart and soul into | | | | Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? There must |
| and actually publish it yourself... | | | | be a catch? |
| ... and of course you get to keep the lion's share of | | | | Well nobody can tell if your craft book will actually |
| the money! | | | | appeal to a wide audience, and you'll want to do |
| Publish your craft book digitally, which is becoming | | | | some additional work to promote it, but all of this can |
| more and more popular, and you can be looking at up | | | | be done by you, from home. What's more you can |
| to 90% of the cover price going in your own pocket. | | | | also benefit from the residual income that being a |
| Compare that with the ten percent you might get | | | | craft book publisher generates. You do the work |
| via traditional publishing and you'll see why doing it | | | | now but the book goes on selling (and putting money |
| yourself is the choice more and more crafts people | | | | in your bank) for years. |