Publishing and Self-publishing: Advice for Writers

Print Self-publishing: My Recommendations [Filipino]

1. Write the book - THIS IS YOUR JOB

Editing that you do for your book will only be part of writing. Hindi pa yan actual editing.

2. Editing

Your editor shouldn't just know grammar or spelling, but must be a reader of the kinds of books you are writing. Ask to see stories they have edited before para makita mo yung quality ng work niya.

Professional editors can be hired but may cost more (P5K and up).

3. Cover and Book Design

Kung gagamit ng photo, bumili sa stock photo site. May mga P500 to P1000 depende sa resolution.

Kung magpapakuha ng photo, siguraduhing nag-sign ng "model release form" ang mga taong nasa picture. Kumuha ng sample ng model release form sa internet. Ito ay piece of paper na pipirmahan ng model saying pumapayag siya na gamitin ang photo niya for this purpose.

Kung gagamit ng illustration, siguraduhing binayaran ang o may permission ng artist. I-credit ang artist sa book.

Ang mga self-pub book ko ay usually 5x8 inches ang page with margins na 0.5 (top, bottom, outside) and 0.6 (inside). I use Palatino Linotype font, size 10. Ang importante sa book design ay margins, na mabubuksan ng maayos ang book na hindi masyadong malapit ang text sa binding. Dapat din ay madaling basahin ang text, hindi masyadong malapit ang line spacing, pero hindi rin naman masyadong malaki ang font. Mas maraming pages pag mas malaki ang spacing at font. Mas mahal ang printing pag mas maraming pages.

4. Printing

I've used Books On Demand and JMD Copy Prints before. May iba pa namang printer, pero itong dalawa ang tried and tested ko. Tumawag sa kanila at ibigay ang details ng book mo para malaman kung magkano per copy. Look them up on Facebook.

Wag mag-print ng maraming copies. Print only what you know you can sell. Yung may interested buyers na. Never print hundreds or thousands of copies unless you are SURE you have that many buyers. As in nagbayad na. Reservations are not sure things, people ALWAYS cancel.

Don't get mad at buyers who reserve and then cancel. Readers are NOT OBLIGATED to give you money. Consumers have the right to cancel a purchase.

5. Distribution

Kapag may books na, you can send them to your readers through Xend or other couriers. Shipping is cheaper than meetups. Meetups are worth it only if you are meeting more than 20 people. Malaki ang gastos sa meetup (pamasahe, merienda, etc) and you will lose money if you offer meetups to each buyer.

You can also have the books sold sa bookstores by approaching the bookstore directly and asking for a consignment agreement. Usually bookstores will ask for a proposal: What is your book? Anong genre? How much will you sell it for? Bookstores will have a consignment fee, a percentage ng selling price. Dapat tuloy mas mahal ang book mo para mabawi mo lahat ng costs at kumita ka pa.