Publishing a book

[Ron Ravenscroft]

Hi, can any one please help,?
I have spent the last 3/4 years researching my family tree, and after
two complete rewrites I think I have it done. The last book on the
Ravenscrofts was published in 1915, and thought it was due for an
update, I have completed an 100 pages of A4, and due to limited
space, I have tried to restrict 80% of it to the Cheshire Clan of which
I am one, To cover all the Ravenscrofts I would need at least 500 pages

As I have never done anything like this before, I would appreciate any
Tips, on best way to go about it, as a OAP 75yrs old--funds are limited,
but its something I have always wanted to do.

Any Suggestions Ron, Manchester, UK

[Neil Wilson]

Ron
Have you an idea of how many you would need to print?
There are a number of specialist book printers for small print runs and with that number of pages, I think a ring binding (wire or plastic) would be better than that of the traditional book binding.
Check your local yellow pages, etc, for printers and obtain quotes before deciding on what to do.

[pennydog]

I have come across a company called Wilton 65 (google it) It publishes books in small quantities - I have no idea of cost though. I discovered them when researching my father's WW2 sevice and was able to buy a book written by a junior officer in his regiment, which they had published.

[DBCoup]

Consider converting your book to PDF and "publishing" it on a CD.
IF people then want a paper copy they are then meeting the costs of doing so. Don't know how copyright covers such methods.

I have a couple of CDs with books that are no longer able to be obtained eg "Balfours of Pilrig" and I am more than happy to have them in that format.

Costs are also minimal for you - probably under a pound each even if you get the CDs printed on and you can always produce more if the demand is there.

Good luck and congratulations on reaching an end point - almost impossible to determine where that should be sometimes.
daryl

[Carmy]

Take a look at lulu.com. Many different ways to self publish that won't cost you a dime.

[michaelpipe]

I published a book of poetry, and after much research found the best and most economical way was:

Do all your own typesetting etc with your computer. Make sure that you get all margins etc correct, taking into account the type of binding required. (Good binding turns a cheap product into a professional product)

Get quotes from a few local digital printers, for printing and binding. They will be able to tell you if your page setup is OK.

Choose your paper, and go for it. Prices drop dramatically with numbers. In my experience anything less than 250 will cost "an arm and a leg".

Good luck.

[Ron Ravenscroft]

Well I asked for suggestions and I certainly got them, many-many thanks.
such a variety of ways to publish.

Self publish I would agree is the way to go,I have just read, Writers-
and Artists year book and gives lots of very good suggestions, Thanks

Neil
Again I would agree with Plastic Ring Binding,especially for my first attempt.
Pennydog
I have contacted Wiltons, and waiting for a reply, Thanks
DPCoup
Your suggestion sounds great, I had not even considered CD,only problem
is--I only started using the computer a few years ago,as a hobby, and
scares me when I look at PDF etc,. But its something I must look into
To save money , Thanks
Carmy
Lulu.Com yes what a site it even gives you help pictures.to DIY.
Will certainly look into this one, Thanks.
Michaelpipe
I would agree Presentation does help, but funds are limited, regarding
Quantity, at this time I would be frightened to go for 250+ copies at
my first attempt. thanks
Bopeep
Thanks for suggestion Pam, I have sent off for details etc,.
I have had some really good responses from the Forum--Thanks
I have now got some decissions to make
Ron Ravenscroft

[Alexandrina]

I agree with Bo Peep, Parchment are indeed lovely people, who do a lot of work for family historians. I have used them on many occasions, and you can get short print-runs (even as few as 10, I think) for a reasonable cost.

I used to supply either camera-ready copy or a Microsoft Publisher file.

Lexy

[DBCoup]

Your suggestion sounds great, I had not even considered CD,only problem
is--I only started using the computer a few years ago,as a hobby, and
scares me when I look at PDF etc,. But its something I must look into
To save money , Thanks


You need not have fear of pdfs. You can get various free pdf converters which, once installed, are accessed like a printer ie you "print" to them the end result being a pdf rather than a hard copy on the printer. Of course if you have a Mac then this capability is built into Word etc

[Neil Wilson]

In Word (2007), there is a download for converting to pdf. I have a pdf printer which I use and if you wish for details, please PM me.

[NFurniss]

When I was in primary school I used to do book binding. At ten years old I could make a book look as though it had come off the shelves of W H Smith. I am not a genius so book binding must be easy.

With a computer, a published book as a model of a preferred layout and Open Office you should be able to achieve a satisfactory standard of type setting. Now what you need is a good laser printer.

There you are: author, typesetter, book binder and publisher all for an outlay of £1000 even if you start from scratch.

Then you get more confident and join a writers group. Now you can offer to help publish your fellow writer's masterpieces and recoup some of the costs. Preferably you start the enterprise before you are seventy-five, but in the next twenty years you won't have time to become ill or do that other dreadful thing, so there is time enough to get your investment into profit and pay back the loan your wife so generously provided.

[Ron Ravenscroft]

Many thanks for your recent reply-NFURNES- a good one but sorry
I have left it to late -I am 76.

After a lot of reading and suggestions from the experienced, I have
been shown PDF and it looks easy , and have started to go this way,
Many thanks for all your help, its nice to have friends who realy want
to help.
Ron Ravenscroft

[Browneyes]

Ron,

I believe it's never too late. :)

Take this gentleman for instance, he was in his 90s...

http://www-stat.stanford.edu/~naras/ncc/

Good luck whatever your decision. |hug|

[Ron Ravenscroft]

Thanks brighteyes , for that boost of confidence

Point Taken,

Kind regards Ron