Marketing/Publishing/Advertising Own Books.

[squidgelet10]

Greetings each.
My colleague has (and still is) written/writing a load of books/booklets on the subject of theatre/cinema organs etc.
Currently he prints these himself for private circulation and sale within UK, although we would like to be able to have these published and distributed on a commercial basis.
Can anyone suggest an appropriate route/method please?
I understand that certain publishers favour specific fields/areas, although I haven't a clue how to find out who does what!
I have been browsing the internet in an attempt to find details of UK libraries and other outlets, but it's not easy! :-(
Any practical advice would be appreciated please.
Cheers.

[Buenchico]

Your friend needs to get hold of a copy of the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook. Most libraries stock it, as do larger branches of W H Smith, as well as other High Street bookshops. It's also available (at a discounted price) from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co....qid=1265063103&sr=1-1

The Yearbook is packed with articles about getting published, together with listings of publishers and the types of work that they're interested in. It's the standard reference work for writers (and budding writers).

It's also worth visiting a really good bookshop and taking notes about which publishers handle similar works. If you live in or near London, the obvious choice has to be the world's greatest bookshop, Foyle's. (It's on Charing Cross Road).

Remember, as well, that others may have already sought out publishers for similar works (or have sought ways of distributing their own publications). It would make sense, for example, to ask a committee member of the Cinema Organ Society for advice. See here for details of how to email them:
http://www.cinema-org...OUT%20US/aboutus.html

The Theatre Organ Club might also be able to help:
http://www.theatreorganclub.co.uk/page6.htm

Chris

[saxy_jag]

He might want to look at Lulu - http://www.lulu.com .He would still have to do his preparation, editing, typesetting etc., but Lulu will produce professionally bound books in a variety of formats. They can also produce CDs, if your colleague wishes to provide sound samples. They can provide ISBNs and a marketing service as extras, and can sell for the author through his own page on their website. They're a print on demand service, so the author isn't left with 100s of copies he can't sell.

This is often looked on and dismissed by some as 'vanity publishing', but it can be a good way to go if you keep your wits about you. A large part of my job is sourcing and buying 'minority' titles such as those your colleague writes, especially when they have any local interest. Many of these books are published via self-publishing companies such as Lulu (other companies include Authorhouse, Troubadour/Matador and PABD). They're ideal if you have something of a niche market and don't necessarily need to make a lot of money out of the deal, although many charities and voluntary organisations do raise funds in this way.

[saxy_jag]

Couldn't fit this all in to one answer, so here' the rest:

If your colleague wants publication by a company who does all the work without a fee, then he will need to send a properly formatted manuscript to an appropriate publisher or agent. He will find a whole host of these in the 'Writers and Artists' Year Book', which should be in his main library if he doesn't want to buy a copy. The 2010 edition of this is out now. The listings usually give a short summary of what sort of work the publisher is looking for. Publication isn't guaranteed, however - the publisher needs to know the book is going to make a profit for them as well as the author.

Your colleague should be aware that publishers like to have manuscripts in very particular formats, especially for non-fiction. Any of them, however, should be able to to advise informally of their preferred format.

Wish your colleague good luck, and tell him that if any of his books relate to organs in Leicester, then Leicester City Libraries would be very interested in buying a copy or two, as well as certain museum manager I know.

[squidgelet10]

Greetings each.
Thanks for all your helpful suggestions.
I have just forwarded this lot to my colleague for him to sort through!
Be good!
Cheers.

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