How to Start a Home-Based Publishing Business

If you're an author, and you're tired of trying to get that big break with a publisher, you could start your own home-based publishing business. You'll have total control over your book, and you don't have to split your royalties with a middle man.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Decide on a name for your business that is professional but not used by another publisher, and either design or have a logo designed.
2. Check your local zoning laws to see if you need any business licenses. Also, make sure you are allowed to operate a business in your neighborhood. Your state may also require you to purchase a sales tax identification number.
3. Purchase a block of ISBNs (International Standard Book Numbers) that are assigned to your publishing company and to each title. This number is used by libraries and book sellers to identify your products. R. R. Bowker provides identification numbers for literary works. The smallest lot of ISBNs that can be purchased is 10.You can use these for any books you publish.
4. Find a printing company that will print small lots. Some print as little as 25 books at a time. Remember that the smaller the lot, the more each book will cost. Local printing companies are usually too high since they don't specialize in book binding. Ask the printer to send you samples of their work and a quote for each of your projects.
5. Hire freelancers. Find a graphic artist for your cover art and/or inside layout, and find a reputable editor to check the text for errors and flow. Usually, a freelancer or a student won't charge you too much for their work. Some students even work for free to build their portfolios. You'll also need a freelance publicist to get out the word about your products.
6. Decide on a price for each book based on your expenses, and remember to have some extras printed up for review copies. Review copies may also be galley copies or PDF sent via email.
7. Enter into an agreement with a one-stop-shopping company to warehouse, distribute and track orders for your books. This is as important as any step. A literary masterpiece won't earn you a penny unless you can place it in the hands of readers. Search online for distributors such as Bookmasters (see Resources below) or C & B Book Distribution.
8. Start your book campaign. Hiring a publicist will give you a jump start, but it can be expensive. You could start out small on your own with setting up your own book signings, interviews and sending out press kits.

Tips & Warnings

• Join a professional organization, such as SPAN (Small Publishers Association of North America).
• Once you work out the kinks with your own books, you can start publishing books by other authors.
• You may want to consider incorporating your business.
• Don't attempt to write a contract yourself if you take on other authors. Hire a lawyer to draw one up for you. You can pay a one-time-fee and use the same contract for other authors.