How to Start a Small Publishing Company

Small publishers often provide for niche readers.

Starting your own small press is easier today due to the availability of digital technology. Running a small publishing house can be done from the home, so there is no necessary office overhead. Instead, the challenge will be marketing and distributing the books you publish. Here is where most small presses fail. Even though the world is connected via the Internet, actually finding the right people is not always easy and will take perseverance. With enough starting capital and a lot of hard work, a small press can survive.

Instructions

1. Decide what you intend to publish. Most small presses that thrive sell to a select, niche market. With a specific target, you can find a reliable audience.

2. Acquire manuscripts to publish. Many people start a small press to publish their own books and books of family and friends. If, however, you wish to publish other people's books, you'll need to put out a call for manuscripts. The easiest way to make the information known that you are reading manuscripts is by advertising. There are numerous sites you can post this information on for free, including www.ralan.com. As well, post the information on your own website. Decide if you want people to submit to you via electronic means or on paper through the post.

3. Find a printer for your books. Shop around and compare rates. Your print costs will be the main factor in determining your selling cost. You want to sell your books for as low and reasonable a rate as possible while still making a profit.

4. Have a good slush of start-up cash for your company. Chances are you will not see a profit in the first year, so you must have the funding to see you though this period.

5. Buy ISBN numbers for your books. You obtain these from Bowker Agency. Bowker will sell you blocks of numbers for your books. In essence, you buy up your ISBN numbers in bulk.

6. Locate artists and designers to do your cover artwork. Start by contacting those who already do artwork for other small presses. Contact these presses and simply ask for the artist's contact information. The industry is typically supportive of its own.

7. Build a website for your publishing company. You'll want a catchy, easy to remember name and you'll want to own the domain for that name. Make your website simple to navigate and find ways to make it a hit from online searches.

8. Look into distribution. Ingram is one of the main distributors of books and can get you into the major bookstores. Aside from using a distributor, market your books online at sites such as Amazon.com.

9. Send out promotional copies of your books to reviewers who will not only review your book but print information in magazines or blogs as to how readers can find it.

10. Get your books out in front of the public. Most every niche for reading has some associated gathering or convention. There are romance conventions, paranormal conventions, science fiction conventions and mystery conventions. Go to these conventions as a dealer and sell your books directly to your intended readership.

References

• Foner Books: Starting Your Own Publishing House
• Ingram Book Company
• Bowker Agency