A question for my fellow Gatherits.
I'm thinking of publishing a softback book of some of my flower photos. It would contain approximately fifty(50) 8"x10" photographs in HiRes.
Would you be interested in buying a copy of it?
If so would you like to vote on which photos would be included in the book?
It would be purchased from a company which publishes independent books and shipped straight from them. It would cost around $20 or $25 USD. It could be shipped world wide through this company. I would only be paid a portion of the amount it costs to publish.
I would be unable to print 50 8"x10" photos for any where close to this price much less sell them for that price so to me it seems a bargain. I guess it would be only if you were interested in buying them...lol.
Thank you..... :o)
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Comments: 42
:o)
you make a commitment. I would be interested in the book as
I do love your pictures James.
Thank You
Just Me
Barbie
As someone who has worked for publishers, I think the answer to your question depends on doing your research. I hope this post helps.
Many books are published every year, as I'm sure you know. Depending on the publisher, a fair number of them don't sell well or sink without a trace. Some stand out from the crowd. How many photography books do you see on bestseller lists?
The bestselling photography books are generally those that focus on HOW TO take certain types of photos. Have you considered doing a "how to" book, showcasing your photos along the way? You could STILL put out a book of photos but the first book might actually help you sell the second! There would be a crossover. MOST IMPORTANT TIP: Go to the online site and see the photography books, IN YOUR FIELD (floral) that sell well.
Most are HOW TO books, not just displays of photos (how to take great nature photos, how to take great pictures of flowers). If your work is stellar or shows a particular viewpoint or originality, it can stand out, just as some authors stand out from others in other fields - J.K Rowling (harry Potter), Dean Koontz and others.
Before you commit to a publisher, please go to a major online bookselling link, either at Barnes and Noble or Amazon - or both. At the top right or somewhere on those sites, you'll see a search form. Go to Books -Photography (may be under Arts). Try to narrow it down to Florals but you may not get further than Nature as a subcategory. Then separate by "Bestselling" I think you'll find most are guidebooks, "how to", with the possible exception of wedding and home decorating florals. So consider that as well as what audience is likely to spend money on your book - and why.
Then do your research - for some of these questions there is no RIGHT or WRONG answer, only the answer that suits you:
1. What is most important to you, the photographer? Do you want to be "published" or do you want to help make sure YOUR photos are seen and appreciated by a large number of people? In the end, what is going to be your best approach to getting your work appreciated, noticed and seen? Books? Studio displays? Selling and promoting prints of your work individually? On Ebay and online photo galleries, artists sell their work and sometimes build a rep. You may have to think outside the box and offer your books at major garden shows (there are tons across the nation) or coinciding with a major landscaper's show - home and garden shows, gardening clubs. You may need to self-promote, here and at other places. WORD OF MOUTH is important.
2. What kind of publicity and/or promotional help will you get from the publisher?
3. Is this a self-publisher? If you get paid upfront, it sounds like you will get a portion of the profits (residuals) for each book sold? Or a combination of both?
4. Know what types of books like these sell well - go to bookstores, look at the wealth of photography books out there, including garden or floral or landscape photography. Some photographers are famous, building a name for themselves over the years, but a vast number build that name over time.
5. I think it'd be best to go with a publisher like Taunton or Sunset or one that primarily sells garden books, although it could also work to go against the grain and have your book not get lost in the shuffle. Try to find a publisher with a major ad budget and/or someone who'll get behind your work, truly appreciates it and will promote you. Some publishers will put out a lot of books, playing the odds, hoping one will hit "big". Others pnly take on authors and photographers they truly believe will sell.
6. Read the fine print of the contract! Maintain control over your work, don't give it away. If you let them hold copyright to your work or book, try to keep it for a limited period and then have the option to sell the book to another publisher in hardback or internationally or whatever. Many books come out in different forms and for different publishers. One might do the hardback, another the paperback. Or a later paperback might be a from a different publisher.
Good luck!
Right now I'm the poor college kid, but if I ever got enough money, I'd be more than willing to purchase a book of your flower photos. It would be great to show off.
Let me know more information, because I would want to buy a copy... it's just a matter of getting the money! :)
Long story but I was a gung ho writer (capital W, really thought i was hot stuff, LOL) but I did get regular assignments and I was actually making decent money, even though I had to juggle that with taking care of a toddler and older son. I wrote when they were asleep, at preschool, whenever. My husband held down the fort when I had to do interviews.
From that, it just naturally evolved into doing some proofing for a guy who was submitting a final manuscript. The publisher liked my comments and changes. Whether you are writing for assignment or proofing a manuscript or trying to help an agent decide which authors to take on (I have an agent friend) it is always hard work and you are constantly facing deadlines.
It gave me the courage to face our largest challenge, adopting a 5 year old. I've written about it here and intend to share more at some point. Gather is one of the few places I can actually write these days, since my mother is ill, the teen is in high school and my adult son is currently on the couch with a major strep throat, still wanting "mothering".
I consider it a major plus if I get my shoes on before the day is over :)
I also have a blog where I write about books, authors and the publishing world. Contact me if you want a link because I don't know if we can promote our blogs here. I'm not selling anything there but even so, I don't want to break the rules.
I do have an online bookstore but I won't promote that here because I think that'd be against the rules.
I have been researching different publishers and ways to publish a book of my photos. Angela thanks I'll look into what it would take for a calendar of my work to publish. I did find a site where I can offer my photos for sale but at the moment can't afford the cost of the setup which covers a year of website hosting and they would print and mail my work for me...still working on a site of my own but there again is setting it up maintaining it and printing and mailing my work that is not easy to do...for what it costs me to print I can get it done with a pro printer for much less...so could charge less per print of my works...
So much to think about and look through...as I decide will let you all know what is happening...
:O)
on this book of flowers. I certainly want
one of these Robert!
Just Me
Barbie