Lessons in Self-Publishing

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Things I’ve learned since I started on this journey last fall:


    Need Advice?:
  • There are thousands of articles online about self-publishing. Have a specific question? Type it into Google, and you will likely get an answer.
  • Reddit is a great source of firsthand knowledge.
  • A class on Udemy, "Self-Publishing on Amazon" by Andrew Williams, was really helpful, particularly for Word formatting tips and for advice on Amazon promotions.


    Things I've Paid For:

  • USPS PO Box, 10 ISBN numbers from Bowker, Affinity Publisher, Developmental Editor fee, copyright registration, proofs round 1, proofs round 2, proofs round 3, business cards, vendor booth elements (tables/chairs/displays/table cloths/lights/fans). (Also Photoshop CC, but I pay for that anyway.)


    Designing:

  • Affinity Publisher may be cheaper than Adobe InDesign, but as I was only familiar with Photoshop, it came with a steep learning curve. I am learning new things about it all the time.
  • Draft2Digital offers free decorative elements to ebooks, such as graphics for chapter headings, graphics for scene breaks, drop caps and other touches.
  • Drop caps can be added in Word.
  • If you include graphics in your ebook and those graphics have white backgrounds, change the backgrounds to transparent and re-upload the file to Draft2Digital.


    ISBNs, Barcodes, and LCCNs:

  • Buying the 10-pack of ISBN numbers from Bowker was the right choice. I’ve already used five of them (two for adult coloring books, three for Tipping the Scales). But alternatively, some aggregators/POD services will give you an ISBN for free.
  • Barcodes are free, available on several websites (including Canva and IngramSpark).
  • The ISBN identifier assignment form asks for a price for the item, but this price is not set in stone and can be changed.
  • Copyright registration cannot be completed without sending them a copy of the file(s) associated with the copyright.
  • Library of Congress Number assignment cannot be completed without sending them a copy of the file(s) associated with the copyright. While they take a digital copy during registration, they require a physical copy of the finished book upon publication.
  • The Library of Congress does not assign LCCNs to coloring books.
  • The type of barcode I need for my ISBN is the EAN-13 type.


    Printing Services and Aggregators:

  • Each POD service has different requirements for the files you upload, but Amazon, B&N and IngramSpark all offer template generators for your book cover specifications.
  • Not all PODs are aggregators.
  • POD services can print a pdf that uses a CYMK or RGB image, but there will be a color difference in the printed image.
  • B&N Press, IngramSpark and Draft2Digital use the same printer, ingramcontent.com.
  • Mixam.com prints quality coloring books.
  • Even if you order proofs of different versions of the book (such as paperback and hardcover) at the same time, B&N Press and KDP will send all books together. IngramSpark will send different versions separately as they are ready.
  • Through Ingramspark, paperback proofs take about a week and a half to arrive. Hardcover proofs take 4-5 weeks. Draft2Ditial paperback proofs take 2-3 weeks.
  • B&N will take pdfs where the interior pages face each other inside the file. IngramSpark will not accept this pdf file format.
  • The compensation amount for printed books through a POD service is very, very low.
  • Be very careful not to select “right-to-left” reading when setting up a new title on IngramSpark. If you mess up, you have to ask them to fix it.
  • If you use your own ISBN for a print copy on KDP, and then change your mind about using KDP, you cannot use that ISBN on IngramSpark without (according to their help center) asking KDP to release the ISBN. (I sent in my request a week ago and I'm still waiting.)


    Printing Notes:

  • IngramSpark’s printer, ingramcontent.com, will add a page at the very back of the book that is blank except for a small paragraph about the printer at the bottom-left corner of the last page. KDP does the same for their proofs. You don't have to factor in this extra page when generating your cover template.
  • IngramSpark’s printer, ingramcontent.com, includes a blank white cardstock endpage at the front of hardcover proofs.
  • If you’re printing in hardcover and choose the blue or gray cloth case with a dust jacket, IngramSpark gives you the option to include text on the spine of the cloth case. The only color option for the text is yellow. It does not give you the option to change fonts or font sizes.
  • When printed through ingramcontent.com, the matte dust cover will have rough-cut edges.
  • KDP and Draft2Digital do not allow you to place your barcode wherever you want; it has to be in the bottom right corner of the back cover. IngramSpark is more lax about placement.


    Mail:

  • Business emails sent to customers (such as emails for a mailing list) are required by U.S. law to include a physical mailing address (usually at the bottom).
  • Virtual Mailboxes may be cheaper monthly than USPS or UPS, but they have other fees that make them unattractive, such as a $1-3 fee each time you pick up your mail from the physical location.
  • UPS Mailboxes are more expensive than USPS PO Boxes.
  • IngramSpark will put your mailing address as the return address on any POD orders.

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