Yarra Plenty Regional Library
Thursday 13th November 2008
“Producing a book: from start to finish”
© Karen Andrews

3 Major Talk Areas:
1) Preproduction.
Making the tough decisions
2) While the book is printing
Making the most of the time it’s out of
your hands
3) Postproduction
Crack the champagne – but there’s still
work to do. You have to sell it.

How Did I Start?
With three things:
A decision
A commitment
A name

1) Preproduction
Things I had to consider:
Finding an illustrator
Constructing a realistic budget
Getting a final edit

Finalising the book’s RRP, dimensions, size,
length and submitting these bibliographic
details to the relevant place(s)
Adding commercial necessities such as an
ISBN and barcode
Setting deadlines

When it comes to printing
How you choose your printer depends
a lot on what kind of book you’re
producing and how many.
For example, when it comes to picture
books they are now predominately
printed in Asia. For ‘straight’ adult
fiction-style books there are several
well-known and respected Australian
printers such as Griffin Press and
McPherson’s Printing.
Digital printing options are increasing.

Readying your files
My advice would be to hire someone with design
experience. Especially if you are working with
pictures that may require resizing or retouching.
Check in what format the printers want to receive
the files.
I would also recommend the designer to then
save for you cover titles, logos etc, in the precise
way it is often requested for if published in
magazines or advertorials (300 dpi minimum).

Then before you submit
READ OVER, READ OVER and
READ OVER AGAIN!

2. While the book is printing
1. Pre-prepare any and all
documentation so it is ready to be
posted immediately upon release.
This includes:
Press Releases
Compiling names, addresses and
letters for review publications, radio
stations, local newspapers.
Creating a ‘media kit’
Determining your book launch date
and time and create flyers

2. Establish a system of accounting
and filing that works for you.
• Create a business tax invoice template
• Determine your ‘Terms of Trade’ for when
(not ‘if’) you are approached by buyers.
• Remember this is your business as well as
your passion: Speak up, don’t be shy. You
are a salesperson now!
{My admitted weakest areas}

3. Search for a distributor if that’s the
road you want to take.
The Australian Publishers Association website has a
comprehensive list of Australian distributors.

4. Get involved in writing events and,
more importantly, keep writing if
possible.

5. Sign off on the proofs…and breathe
a sigh of relief.

3. Postproduction
How to promote and sell your book
1. Consider what kind of advertising you can
afford to pay
2. Create a website
3. Throw a book launch
4. Offer to appear/speak at events relevant
to the topic(s) of your book
5. Try to land some media appearances

One last thing!
Remember:
If you are quoting something, whether
it be a lyric, a piece of written material,
and it is still under copyright you are
required to ask the copyright holder’s
permission to use it. This is the
author’s responsibility, not the
publishers.