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Painting with acrylics book
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Posted
No, you produce the finished manuscript, all they do is check that it complies with their printing requirements such as everything being within the margins. All the design, page layout, etc is done by you before you upload the PDF. In effect you are uploading a finished book, then you order a proof copy, make any corrections and upload it again before it is published. The print quality is excellent, the paper quality is good, it's not a cheap looking product. You design the cover using their templates, all the design and the look of the finished book is down to you.
One lesson I learned the hard way (and I have published numerous books like this over the last fifteen years or so) is that you can't proof read your own work because you see what you meant to say rather than what is really there. Get at least two other people to proof read it, order a proof copy they can scribble in and then when you've made all the corrections throw that away. Keep below 200 pages or the cover price gets silly.
I've never used a Mac but presumably there must be an equivalent of Word or Publisher; as long as you can save it as a PDF it will be fine. Microsoft are discontinuing Publisher in October so after that I suppose I'll have to use Word. I'm not expecting to do any more art books but a friend and I have published five on the history of Melton Mowbray with another on the way.
Edited
by Peter Smith
Posted
Right, that’s better then, I’m a graphic designer (retired), so used to producing the finished article, albeit using industry standard software such as QuarkXpress.
Whether I could pull a book together using Word is another matter… not as easy as it doesn’t have the features of QX.
Thanks for the info Peter!
Posted
It's been a while, but I published my book on oil painting basics the same way - using Amazon Kindle, and (as I remember) a pdf. I didn't use Publisher - Word was adequate for the purpose of saving the book in pdf, but formatting problems - which I could and should resolve - mean that it isn't available in paper form. (I used a diagram made up of graphics that I ought to have replaced with a jpeg showing just the same thing. If the jpeg works with Word or Publisher, it'll be fine.)
Editing - didn't have a problem with that, because I was a freelance journalist: quite used to editing other people's work, so didn't have a problem with my own; but if you're not a writer by profession, take Peter's advice - get someone to look over it for you, saving yourself from problems with anything from grammar and spelling to inadvertent libel.
My modest effort - much less richly illustrated than Peter's, but probably longer (well it would be, wouldn't it... brevity and I are but occasional companions) - has brought me a steady, if not copious, stream of royalties every year, but also (and of far more value) consistent praise and gratitude from those who made use of it: which was the whole point.
Posted
To me it's just for the pleasure and satisfaction of doing it. The Melton history books are written with a friend as co author and all the proceeds are donated to the Air Ambulance, we just do it because we enjoy it and we've raised over £2000 so far; we sell them through a couple of local businesses. Art books are never going to sell in huge quantities but if they bring pleasure to those that read them it doesn't matter.
I could do my books as a Kindle version Robert, the KDP site gives that option, but haven't bothered so far. Personally I like a physical book, something you can settle down to read with a cup of tea.
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by Peter Smith
Posted
I’ll look into it Peter, all good advice and a possible project this year…
I’ve worked in conjunction with journalists in my last role as Art editor for the Mail group, and wouldn’t anticipate any issues with the copy or indeed spelling and grammar.
I have a chief reporter colleague who would certainly look things over should I think it necessary.
All food for thought anyway… I’ve got lots of subjects that I could write about, but I’d probably go with sketching, lavishly illustrated with my numerous sketchbooks scribbles in ink, watercolour, pen and pencil etc plus WIP demos.
Sounds like a plan…
Edited
by Alan Bickley
Posted
Good luck with your book Peter, and Alan when you get round to it!
Just a thought - i do some work for a Local Studies Library and part of the remit is to collect books by local authors. You could see if Melton library would take a copy for their collection, or they might direct you to Leicester. You'd have to donate it of course (you won't get any money from the council!) But they might take a loan copy as well as a reference one. I know that means people might borrow rather than buy your book but at least they get to see your paintings.
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