Question for those in the know.
I have found a website that will do very small runs (1 book and upwards) and have ordered a copy of my book!
The website gives the option to sell the book which is tempting because i can point keen friends and family to the website if they want a copy, rather than me shouldering the costs of a run of printing...... but.... If I do that, does that count as me self publishing and will that stop me being able to submit the MS to publishing houses and agents?
What is industry best practice, should i keep the MS exclusive and out of the public domain until i have sent it to agents?
Hey I had some similar wonderings a couple of months a go and posted on here,
http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/question/view/865
You may find it useful. One book for yourself may not be so bad, but make sure it's copy edited first or those typos will scream at you later :) In general I would council you to be wary of print on demand. You need to do a lot of prep first. A lot. Know & protect your rights, have somewhere to sell them, marketing ect. Not something to just jump into.
And there are a few dodgy POD companies out there, don't just read their own reviews.
Hi Tim, thank you for the info.
How are you finding self publishing? have you any tips on drumming up intrest in your works?
Yes, unfortunately it does, because I am admittedly quite impatient. I sent a manuscript some time ago, but didn't receive a reply, so I published it myself with a local printer and have entered it on amazon and Kindle to maximize sales.
If this proves a success, I will probably continue to do the same with the rest of my books that I have in the pending tray.