Self-Publishing

Today, we begin our printing business in earnest. Oh, we've printed things before, but they've always been friends, family, or people we know through "work". This is the first author who found us by word of mouth and wants us to print her book for her.

It's really a great book, too. :) I'll save that for another post sometime.

Being able to help other people realize their dreams is such an amazing thing. It is one reason we went into this business. The other, of course, is to make money.

I have two books which should have been accepted for publication by one of the major publishing houses (yes, of course I think they are that good), but no one has given them more than a cursory nod. So, I'm going the next best route and publishing them myself. Self-publishing is such an awesome avenue for authors who want to see their words in print. Not only do you keep control over your material, but you earn considerably more money since you get to keep all the profits.

Earning a royalty from a book publisher is fine, but it does not generate a lot of money. You have to sell considerably more books to earn as much as you otherwise would as a self-published author. When you work with a publishing house, you also have little say in how your book is marketed. What if the company doesn't bankroll it properly? You may have a published book, but you don't reap many of the rewards, like earning income.

If you do go the route of self-publishing, you will need to consider a solid marketing plan. You'll be doing the same basic things you would if your book was published by a large publishing company, but you'll have to make the arrangements yourself. At least you have control over this, too.

Writing is a delight. If you have a book that you would like to have printed, please contact me at the website listed below. We'll work with you.

Carla Vaughan

Self-Publishing Solutions

Self-Publishing and Print On Demand

I've been learning more and more about self-publishing and how to offer print on demand services to authors who want to see their works in print. Developing a model or business plan is not an easy task as the approach I am taking isn't commonplace, nor is it easy.

My business is called Vaughan Instant Publishing, LLC. I have identified the book binder I want to purchase and am awaiting the invoice right now. It will be able to bind a printed a book in about 30 seconds.

One of the important aspects of purchasing a book binder was, for me, the ability to create books of a variety of sizes. I want flexibility. So many book binders are only designed to bind 5" by 8" or 8 1/2" by 11" paperbacks. I want to be able to bind books up to at least a 12" by 12" size.

Why?

I'm not telling you. :) You can't expect me to reveal all my secrets, right?

Anyway, I hope to soon have everything in place to start printing books, starting with my own. It will be good practice.

As I delve deeper into the POD world, I will discover many options that other book printers/publishers offer. What I will need to do is remain focused on my particular market and not get sidetracked chasing the almighty dollar. When one loses focus, one sinks. I don't want to sink. I want to walk on water. (See posts below for more on that).

In the coming weeks, I'll be posting more about Print on Demand and Self-Publishing. It will help me to clarify my objectives and share a part of what I truly value in life and that is helping others.

~Carla

Children's Poetry

As a part of my Master's program, I am writing poetry again. I haven't written much of anything poetic for a long time. I haven't had much reason to. The poems we have been expected to write are based on very specific forms of poetry, such as the triangle triplet, haiku, quadrangle, terquain and so on. Since I love to write poetry and form does not bother me, this project has been a blessing compared to many of the others.

When time allows, I will post some of the poems I have written recently. They come from a book I titled, "6 Going on 7" which reflects my youngest daughter's joy in growing up.

If all goes well, in the not-too-distant future (2 months maybe), I should have this book available for sale. I have undertaken yet another project which now puts me in the driver's seat for publishing books. I am the owner of Vaughan Instant Publishing, LLC. My goal will be to assist aspiring authors/writers in getting their written works in print.

So, be prepared to revisit your childhood... and hopefully the best parts of it.

~Carla

Here is poem #1 from the book:

Her hand in mine in winter
Cold and soft, small and trusting
We walk to school each morning
Our breath in white puffs escapes
As we talk of teachers and friends
Sharing our lives along the way