book binding

[LadyTrinity]

is it improper to bind books ur self and sell them?

[Bec_W]

I wouldn't say so, but you'd definately want to learn how to bind properly. I mean you could use a comb binder but they don't produce very professional looking results. My husband was interested in book binding not so long ago, there are a number of different tools you need to bind properly, but they're not terribly expensive.

[Wyrdsister]

Why would it be improper? Do you mean illegal? Either way, it's niether. You can make your own books, bind them in anyway you want, and sell them. You can even apply for an ISBN number for your own self-published book. I've seen a number of local artists, authors and poets self-publish, about half of them have ISBN numbers.

Now let me see if I can find information on applying for ISBN numbers...

Wyrdsister

[Wyrdsister]

ta-da!

http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/isbn/us/application.asp

... yes, and I realize "ISBN number" is redundant. ;)

[Shanti]

For a hobby selling your own bond books sounds interesting.

[Shanti]

Dont forget to get a copyright before you let anyone buy or read a book!!

[LadyTrinity]

howdo u copy write?

[Tullip Troll]

Binding your own books is perfectly legal...so long as content is yours.

MheraPai

[LadyTrinity]

Binding your own books is perfectly legal...so long as content is yours.

MheraPai


sweet!
I know it will be hard but I cannot afford to have someone do it for me :thumbsdow

[Shanti]

Binding your own books is perfectly legal...so long as content is yours.

MheraPai
Legal wasnt the concern......theft of the work is the concern. Without copyright, there is no protection from someone stealing your work and claiming it as their own. Writers know this all to well.

[Yasmine Galenorn]

It's not 'improper' but it's usually impractical if you are looking to sell them rather than bind a few for family and friends. I'm going to be straight here, even though most people don't want to hear it.

A traditional publisher pays you, not the other way around.

The hard truth is that most self-published authors (most, not all but most) never make back even half of their investment, which can be hefty. The majority of bookstores won't even touch SP books because they don't sell and because the store can't get good return policies on them, and readers tend to shy away because there's usually no quality control. And if you want a traditional publisher to consider your work in the future, SP is--with few exceptions--a death knell to aspiring writers' reptuations. Many vanity presses prey on people who are hoping to sell big with self-publishing/POD/subsidy work. I had a friend lose 8,000 dollars that way. If you're going to SP, you have to have a damned good product and really be willing to play saleswoman/man.

Having said that, if what you are looking for is to print a few copies for friends and relatives of memoirs, poetry, etc., then you'd do best to go through a shop like Kinkos. Make sure ALL the content is yours and copyright it through the US copyright office.

Look for a good print shop and get estimates from several before choosing. Ask to see samples of their work. Sound a little depressing? It is...publishing is a hard business if you want to be a pro....however, if you are looking for family memoirs, etc., then printing them up yourself can be a nice gift to give relatives.

Yasmine

[LadyTrinity]

It's not 'improper' but it's usually impractical if you are looking to sell them rather than bind a few for family and friends. I'm going to be straight here, even though most people don't want to hear it.

A traditional publisher pays you, not the other way around.

The hard truth is that most self-published authors (most, not all but most) never make back even half of their investment, which can be hefty. The majority of bookstores won't even touch SP books because they don't sell and because the store can't get good return policies on them, and readers tend to shy away because there's usually no quality control. And if you want a traditional publisher to consider your work in the future, SP is--with few exceptions--a death knell to aspiring writers' reptuations. Many vanity presses prey on people who are hoping to sell big with self-publishing/POD/subsidy work. I had a friend lose 8,000 dollars that way. If you're going to SP, you have to have a damned good product and really be willing to play saleswoman/man.

Having said that, if what you are looking for is to print a few copies for friends and relatives of memoirs, poetry, etc., then you'd do best to go through a shop like Kinkos. Make sure ALL the content is yours and copyright it through the US copyright office.

Look for a good print shop and get estimates from several before choosing. Ask to see samples of their work. Sound a little depressing? It is...publishing is a hard business if you want to be a pro....however, if you are looking for family memoirs, etc., then printing them up yourself can be a nice gift to give relatives.

Yasmine


Thank you. I thought publishers would pay u not the other way around however I have yet to find out who does this

[Ben Gruagach]

Thank you. I thought publishers would pay u not the other way around however I have yet to find out who does this

Look for the section in your local bookstore where they have books on writing and publishing. "Writer's Market" is one of the standard texts that lists publishers that buy material.

There are also a number of commonly-available magazines on writing. Most places that sell magazines will carry them. "Writer's Digest" is a popular one.

http://www.writersmarket.com is the online version of the "Writer's Market" book. You have to pay a subscription fee to get access to the listings.

There are other websites that list markets for free like http://www.marketlist.com/ and http://www.writersweekly.com/ You'll find others if you do google searches on "writers markets."

If you intend to write as a way to make money, please do take Yasmine's advice. Self-publishing isn't often called "vanity publishing" for nothing. Sure, you can get your stuff in printed form quickly but it's often the hard way to actually make any money or a reputation as an author.

[Yasmine Galenorn]

Ben's right...if you want to publish on a professional level, you have to learn the business side of it--and that means a LOT of legwork and study. I've got a list of good books on writing on my site: http://www.galenorn.com/teashop/default.asp?body=asrrlist.htm You can get a lot of them at the library. Read and study on the subject. There are a number of magazines related to writing and the publishing industry: Writer's Digest is one, though I'm not a big fan of it. The Writer is better, also Publisher's Weekly, Byline, and a number of genre specific magazines.You can find most of those at the library too. Look for writing organizations in your town--there are also several national organizations you can join even if you're not a pro. IWWG: International Women's Writing Guild and NWA: National Writer's Association are two of those...google search for their sites.

A number of writing sites too:

Writer's Write: http://www.writers-write.com/
Readerville: http://www.readerville.com/
The Alsop Review: http://www.alsopreview (be aware, they are *very* serious about their poetry, especially, and so don't go in expecting easy critiques if you join the critique section--they are blunt and honest, preferring to really work on problems instead of just saying nice things).
Writers 4 Writers: http://www.writers4writers.com/phpnuke/index.php

That should get you started...it's up to you to do the work--that's the hard part in writing. Nobody can do it for you.

Yasmine