Monday, Apr. 16, 2007 - 3:34 p.m.
HOW TO SELF PUBLISH
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Some facts..
1) if you go self publish ( SP ) then you must become fierce..you will be maiking every decision including stuff you don't want ot have much insight into. there is nobody to fall back on,, an error will cost you-
a smart move will leap frog you to wonderfullness..
2 ) make up a rough model OF YOUR PROJECT
and take it to some printer or advanced photocopy shop like a Kinkos and ask to see someone who will show you their system..
3) stay within standard paper sizes. or you will go
to ruin fast. basic photpocopy/ lazer printer paper is 8.5" x 11" -one sheet, printed two sides folded in half east to west gives you 4 pages 5.5" x 8.5"
I just did a project that was two folds on a standard sheet. and the book let was 8 pages, printed two sides - ended up 4.25" x 5.5"-
- we used several of these set ups
to end up with a 56 page project which we hand
folded and hand bound..
4) the COVER- don't leave it to the end.
ask thecopy shop person about card stock,
that is heavier cardthat would work as a cover-
it has to be somewhat larger sheet size than your standard sheet inside poem pages or it won't reach all the way around.. covers are attached by staples or binding glue. make this decision before you design yourt project.. and stick to it/ ( see fierce )
5) make at least 50 copies and number and sign them If you seel out, reprint.
.its bad to be modest and only make 10 copies
and then wish you had made way more..
6) colour photocopying is very expensive- so we do black and white and then sit around with a paint box and paint them in..thats how we manage colour on a budget.
7 ) study other poetry books to see how they present themselves.. the order of stuff,, title page,
public=shing info, dedication, table of contents.
8) and if you can draw- do so., if your friend can
draw, be fierce and keep at them to finish on time..
inspecrt frequently- don't let them let you down-
don't let that happen
Create all art seperate and somewhat oversized - and then make photocopy reduce it in a seies of sizes of it and glue that into place.. that way you won't bloob anything- you can then see which one / version you like best-- use the same piece of art more than one time, on cover, whatever-
get a quote on the whole job before you start- and have the money ready.. figure out your cost per unit
- per book so you know what each one costs to
manufacuture.. that will guide you to the selling
price,, always charge at least five times more than
what it cost you.. is that too much ?
then you are
not yet fierce..
free copies,, watch out for lineups from fans who
want free copies,, uh uh.. your SUPPORTERS will gladly buy one as long as you sign it. Your true fans buy several copies each and distribute them,, leeches want stuff for free,,
leeches are of no value to you or anyone else..
if you ever do a live reading, charge to get
in;; no free passes.. leeches will not love you more
for free stuff, they come to expect free stuff..
if they bug you, suggest swap your poetry book forone of their poetry books,, see? they never produc anything ..
and always put in a copyright notice and
the year you did it.. there you can do this, you
can't not do this.. plan on doing another project
even before you finish this one..go as far as you can..reprint, recombine material, upgrade, re issue, have adelux edition available=
do it all and keep on doing it,,
there is no company in this art
or anyone else doing this
so go it alone.. be fierce but stay kind
you will hardly ever meet anyone
doing anything interesting
so get interesting
and stay interesting
sell me one when you are done//
no leeches allowed
ever
biggoomba
and the retarded artist community
