Has Anyone Self Published A Photographic/art Book?

I have done quite a few inexpensive ones from Snapfish and Shutterfly. I don't use the auto layout, but lay out each page manually, spec'ing everything down to the background. I have always been pleased with the results. The ones that lay flat are the nicest.

Valerie, were these hardcover books? and did you market them online like at amazon? Did you do your own writing?

I'm planning the same thing Mario, with images from my recent Artist in Residence. I've had blurb and mypublisher recommended to me.
One allows you to sell your books, but the other doesn't (I forget which is which)

I'll probably go with one of them, but I'm not sure which yet - I'm still processing pictures.

Mario,
You might find info in this closed discussion about books.

http://fineartamerica.com/showmessages.php?messageid=2401386

Kathy

Kathy K. McClellan
http://keppenart.com

Interesting, indeed. I just looked through the Blurb website and think I'm going to put a book together as a test, or trial run. It sounds like they had a good program at reasonable price points. I also like the fact they have a way you can offer your book(s) for sale on your own website and or offer to distribute them via Amazon and another source. Thank you for starting this thread, Mario.



---------------
~ Bill
~ US Pictures .com

Hi Melany, I've signed up with Blurb as they offer the whole marketing interface with amazon. I'm very curious about your plans and how you are going about it, so feel free to mention any details you can reveal. My idea is to get one under my belt and see how it goes, I may do a combination of inspirational quotes about nature with some of my nature photographs. I want it to be a coffee table book, large and high quality with large photo's and minimal text.

I'm thinking of using this photograph for the wrap around hard cover.

Great to hear Bill, I'll be looking forward to your progress, I think they can be great marketing tools. Thanks Kathy, I check out that link.

I use mine as a vanity book/catalog, they're too expensive to make any profit unless you self-purchase a thousand books or so up front at a discounted price and resell them yourself.

A large 40 page square book is about $70 after adding maybe a small $15 profit, and 40 pages 2sided is really not that thick a book: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2606217-ingo-yesterday-came-early

A small square of the same above book is about $26-$38 after adding about a $5 profit: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2634855-ingo-yesterday-came-early-compact-version

While a 24 page cheap paper stock magazine style book is about $25 after adding about a $10-$15 profit: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/5954034-voyage-to-the-fantastic-world-of-wingsdomain-art-a

You have to purchase at least one book yourself in order to sell them on Blurb and once you purchase the book, if you see errors, there is no way to make corrections. I bought one each of the large square and small square books, and a few of the magazine style books which I use primarily as a portfolio to show people and/or leave behind at places that are likely to be interested in buying something. I designed the magazine style book to include direct links and scan codes to the image's sales page.

In order to make a book with some beef and look more like a book, you'd probably need 100 2-sided pages or more which would make my above large square book over $100 each before adding profit.


-W

I've been doing blurb books for about 6 years. I have also used mypublisher but it's not good enough for my standards.

I also have Mario. I agree with Marlene! I always agree with Marlene except about sushi.

I've learned too, Sydne, that Marlene is often right :-)

Mario, I don't have an exact plan of attack yet, but I'd like a coffee table with my images from the Petrified Forest Artist in Residence (many of my images are in a gallery here)
It will be sort of a memory book, but I plan to use it to show off Petrified Forest as many people have never seen it. There's so much more to that park than people realize because so many never get out of their cars, just drive through and complain there's nothing to see.

Wingsdomain, thanks for that breakdown. Looks like I won't be selling books - not for a $5.00 profit. But it will make my Christmas list a lot easier this year :-)

Mario, yes, they are hardcover. Yes, I do my own writing. Mine are one-offs, not quantities enough to sell--per book price is just too expensive. Occasionally they offer a sale and I get two or three of the same book to give to family. They make wonderful gifts. And they are a LOT of work, if you don't use auto-fill.

Mario,

Here's my Blurb book. I now have a "third edtion" since I keep finding mistakes!!!



Here's the book on Blurb: http://www.blurb.com/b/6130267-so-far

Mine's 100 pages or so.

Still need 1 more revision. I had hoped to make this the hardcover and the convert to a softcover, to sell, but seems I can't just switch the format,

Rich

Yes. The real question is has anyone sold one of these expensive volumes to non-family members?

Yes...I have. You can view it by clicking this link if you'd like. http://www.blurb.com/b/5304055-2013-johnson-ranch-branding-day

And to answer Edward's question...yes, I have sold copies to non-family members. :)

Oh wow, I stepped away to go take a few photos at a near by park and luck has it, by my third photo my battery went dead. So I'm back to see many have tried this book publishing, great, I have brains to pick. Yes, I did notice it can get pricey with the larger sizes and add on's, but the way I look at it is that it's a good way to present my work like Wings stated, also it's a keepsake that would make a nice piece to hand down to my children and family. An if luck comes my way a few sales might fund the whole project! Who knows, maybe a best seller too?

Rich, that was a nice book! I left a comment for you, that's how I want to do mine, with little text, your cover was really a nice choice. Diane I will check your's out next, thanks for providing the links!

Ed,
Yep!

Sydne, Melany...shhhhhhh!
I got peeps here who don't like me! Lol

I'll post some links when I'm near my pc

Awesome Ranch Diane! Very nicely done.

Blurb has limitations in sizes and formats, especially if you want to get listed on Amazon, and the books are quite expensive, if you choose higher quality paper, and add a reasonable markup.

But it´s integrated in Lightroom, and you don´t have the risk to sit on a thousand copies. I think, I´ll try it out with some not so popular local subjects (my calendars with not that popular cities have been quite successful this year).

Colin Utz
http://colinutzphotography.com

marlene burns by marleneburns | Make Your Own Book
any way you slice it by marlene burns 2013 | Make Your Own Book
sacred intention by marlene burns | Make Your Own Book

Thank you Mario. It's a friend's ranch. I did this as a "Thank You" to them for their fantastic supportive friendship. The nice thing about Blurb is you don't have to fund anything if you don't want since it's print on demand. After I gave our friends their copies of the book, several of their friends saw it and also ordered online. :)

Beautiful books Rich and Marlene!

Very Cool Marlene, I especially liked the 1st. preview, the textures and perspectives of the images was very captivating.

Tank you Mario and Diane ;)
Diane and rich...labors of love!
Diane, LOVE the sepia backgrounds, wow!
Rich.....such an impressive collection wonderful!

Have you made it public Mario?

Let me try it again..................

Nature by Mario Carta | Make Your Own Book

Let me see, if I made it public Sydne?

nope.
But, I think I remember reading something in the fine print that it won't be available to others until you have ordered one yourself... I think that was blurb

exactly, Nancy.
After you upload, you order and then it all falls into place.

Mario, Nancy,

I think I remember that you can't preview the book, until you're done with it, upload it, wait,wait,wait and then you can share it,

Rich

Ok, I think you should be able to see it now, please let me know. Thanks!

Nature by Mario Carta | Make Your Own Book

I see it!
you have utilized some great quotes to compliment your photography, mario!

yay! Thank you Marlene! I need a break now, this was a labor of love and it does drain one.

What needed to happen was getting all the selling preferences set up and tax info and all that.

No, blurb makes it public once all the selling preferences are filled out, they actually give you 15 days to purchase the book or they will delete unless you edit something in the book. I haven't ordered it yet.

Correct the word spacing between "glimpse" and "of" --

An inspirational glimpse of nature through the eyes...


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

I just placed an order for my newly made book, it cost 79.99 with shipping,I didn't go crazy with the upgrades or add on's either, and that's because I found an online coupon for 25% off, this was with expedited shipping, you know I don't like waiting around for things to happen, I need it now! Lol

Thank you Dan, you should know by now that my eyes are burning and blurry. Lol

Done.

It was pointed out to me by Ed Meredith my font size may have been to big, lucky for me I was able to make the change just before the copy I ordered went into production. Here, is the new revised version, certainly font size is something to be aware of since what's on the screen is not what's gonna get printed. And I was way off. Thanks Ed Meredith!

Nature by Mario Carta | Make Your Own Book

FED EXP just delivered my very own first every published book!Titled Nature, WOW! WOW! I am totally blown away by the quality of this book, the colors, the paper, the cover, the binding, totally worth the effort and price I paid, I would recommend this to everyone. I am delighted beyond words. The most amazing thing is I had no clue how to go about making a book, that is why I opened this thread just 7 days ago. Well that has all changed, I now have two of my very own books published and on the market, I have a third one in the works which is a pictorial about my original copper sculptures and I collaborated on a fourth book which is titled "Digital Exposure" which includes the works of 8 other FAA artists fine Digital Art and Photographs, that one is also ready to go into production and sales very soon! This only wants to make me do more!

Group Name: FAA Artist Group Book Collaborations
Group URL: http://fineartamerica.com/groups/faa-artist-group-book-collaborations-.html

Hi!!!

I just self published this E-book a few days ago! - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B013Z8L5QG

Regarding Blurb, I actually started out with that early this summer, thinking it would be the best option. I did in fact *love* the program, Bookwright, and I think it made a very visually appealing / aesthetically wonderful book. I loved the results. However, it was ***so*** expensive. I don't have that kind of money to buy 300+ books to then be able to sell at a reasonable price -- though still, it would have been pricey even at $30-$40+. Additionally, their E-book option was not excellent, it would have resulted in a very expensive book on Amazon once it was all said and done; with much of it out of my control.

So, I opted to go the simple route; I just created something on my own, using Kindle Direct publishing, it's not aesthetically ideal, it's plain and simple, but the price is within my control and I don't have to go through the middle-man, Blurb.

Cascade that's great that you found an alternative, I think with an e-book there are many options, but when we are talking about a print version not a e-book, then I don't think they are expensive at all, they print the book for you, they give you the software to make it, they list in there bookstore (your bookstore) they handle the shipping, they allow for a platform for promotions, they are affiliated with AMAZON and get your book listed on their platform, they have discounts of up to 35% off when you buy your book, you don't need to buy more than 1 book. The cost of the actual 12"x 13" Hard cover,wrapped image, with high quality luster and heavy gloss papers selection, works out to about a $1.00 per printed page! I find that a bargain considering they do all the heavy lifting, and considering what a package of high quality photo paper cost. Did I mention I received my book perfectly wrapped, and boxed right on time, in just a few days from creating it online?

Cascade colors, you could also join our new group and collaborate on one of these printed pictorial books and have some of your art included in a printed version book, just a suggestion since you mention you're on a budget, this is much more cost effective than printing your own book and it also has the pull power of the art of the other artists featured in the book.

Group Name: FAA Artist Group Book Collaborations
Group URL: http://fineartamerica.com/groups/faa-artist-group-book-collaborations-.html

Btw, Cascade colors, I viewed your book on Kindle, very nicely done, I especially like the photo's, but your book would make a wonderful coffee table book with all those beautiful photo's of Colorado. Actually Coffee Tables book are kind of a status symbol for people as it speaks to their ''Taste & Sophistication" and one of the better performing segments of the book industry, from my understanding, so yeah it cost more to set up than an e-book, but with one sale you get all your money back, at $7.99 vs say $99. or $149.00 you also don't have to sell that many either.

A Book Of Amish Proverbs & Artwork By Bob Salo | Make Your Own Book

Our late friend Bob Salo still has numerous books on Blurb

Thanks for sharing that David, it's a very nice book he did!

Thanks for the thread Mario and letting me share my book I published on Blurb almost 2 years ago! I SOLD a few when it first came out, but not lately. It makes a great mini portfolio. <br> Love your Nature book! Congrats! <br><div style="text-align:left; width:450px;" data-bindattr-88="88"> <br> <object class="myWidget" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.blurb.com/assets/embed.swf" height="300" width="450" data-bindattr-89="89"> <br> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param> <br> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <br> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param> <br> <param name="movie" value="http://www.blurb.com/assets/embed.swf" data-bindattr-90="90"></param> <br> <param name="FlashVars" value="book_id=4752617&amp;locale=en_US" data-bindattr-91="91"></param> <br> <a data-bindattr-92="92" target="_new"> <br> <img src="http://www.blurb.com/images/uploads/catalog/01/5311301/5185612-7250e7c5d44d1bc12c0f4c8707815780.jpg" data-bindattr-93="93"/> <br> </a> <br> </object> <br> <script id='metamorph-423-start' type='text/x-placeholder'></script> <br> <div> <br> <a href="http://www.blurb.com/b/4752617-paintings-by-genevieve" data-bindattr-94="94" style="margin:12px 3px;" target="_blank"><script id='metamorph-424-start' type='text/x-placeholder'></script>Paintings By Genevieve<script id='metamorph-424-end' type='text/x-placeholder'></script> by <script id='metamorph-425-start' type='text/x-placeholder'></script>Genevieve Esson<script id='metamorph-425-end' type='text/x-placeholder'></script></a> <br> | <br> <a href="http://www.blurb.com/landing_pages/bookshow" data-bindattr-95="95" style="margin:12px 3px;" target="_blank"><script id='metamorph-426-start' type='text/x-placeholder'></script>Make Your Own Book<script id='metamorph-426-end' type='text/x-placeholder'></script></a> <br> </div> <br> <script id='metamorph-423-end' type='text/x-placeholder'></script> <br></div>

Hi Mario, thanks for your input.

I did make a Blurb book(I bought my book), it's actually on Blurb, but at-cost, my finished book costs $80+. With a $10 profit margin, $92; that's on the cheap paper. (My book was/is 112 pages) On Amazon, *without any profit* for myself, it would have cost/been listed at over $100. (due to middle-man charges / fees associated with Blurb putting it up on Amazon). I would like to know how many people out there would actually be willing to spend $100+ on a coffee table book; very nice photography books in bookstores are lower than that - sometimes considerably lower than that.

Sadly, while I agree with your logic of selling a couple of $100+ books bringing in way more money than a lot of e-books, my Contact List is full of cheap people who don't even want to buy my Ebook. :( That, or I just don't have anything anyone wants to pay for.

Genevieve I saw your book and liked it very much, well done!
Your welcome Cascade Colors! I appreciate your input. Today I received my other book titled "Elegance In Black and White" and the book really turned out beautiful, this was a 7"x 7" Hardcover Image wrap, and the quality was superb in my opinion. However, I don't believe I'll be doing any new books in this size, it's no where near as dramatic as my 12" x 12" "Nature" book. Of course the price difference is significant, but so is the visual impact the book provides.

I would do it again if only for the price and getting it on Amazon and Kindle, then size matter little if it's a download e-book. The book did arrive fast and well wrapped and boxed. The book photographs look spectacular even if they are smaller. I am very happy with Blurb so far, nothing but good things to say about them.

Elegance In Black And White by Mario Carta | Make Your Own Book

Mario,
I also published a book on Blurb to give to my kids and have for the coffee table. I haven't listed it for sale as I really just did it for family. I was so pleased with it and went the whole way with hard cover plus dust jacket. It looked very professional and I wanted to do Volume Two but I had trouble with the Blurb software. Haven't tried it again since I upgraded to Windows 8.1.
Enjoyed viewing everyone's books!
http://www.blurb.com/books/3518859-art-from-my-world

Yes, I know the thrill of opening that box with your own book! My 12" x 12" in color was awesome. Are you using the downloaded software Bookwright or the online, I went the online route with bookify, but I do want to try the bookwright which I have downloaded but have not tried yet.


Btw....Loved your book, and those birds! Left you a comment!