I share about my experiences learnt from self-publishing my first comic book in Singapore accumulated over the first year of release. From costs, publishing, distribution and marketing for aspiring authors who are looking at self-publishing their own book. This presentation is best read with my blog article here: http://evacomics.blogspot.com/2015/02/9-important-lessons-learnt-in-self.html

1. © 2015 Evangeline Neo, Evaworks Pte Ltd
Important Lessons Learnt
from Self-Publishing
EVACOMICS
www.eva.sgwww

2. Topics
• Introduction
• The 9 Lessons
• Conclusion

4. Evangeline Neo (Eva)
Introduction
Bachelor of Fine Arts
(BFA), 2007
Academy of Art University,
San Francisco, CA, USA
Masters in Business
Administration (MBA), 2013
Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
Been drawing webcomics
for 7 years. Now doing it
full-time.
Worked full-time at
NYP for 5 years.
Singaporean who speaks English,
Chinese and Japanese (N1).

5. Self-published my first book in late Jun, 2014
through a local publisher (i.e. paid them money).
Introduction

6. The 9 Lessons

7. • Do you really need a publisher?
Does he have media connections?
• Do you really need a distributor? (To
bookstores, libraries and schools)
*Books that do not move will be returned.
• Singapore Distributors do not have
marketing strength.
Lesson 1:
Depend only on yourself

8. • They are the ones who will order your
books to be sold in their bookstores.
• How to get their contact:
– They will contact you (if they are your fan)
– Get from already established authors.
– Get it after your first book signing.
Lesson 2:
Know bookstore buyers

9. • Because you will NOT get a good
shelving location.
• Not many people read books
nowadays, so you have to keep
on “persuading" them.
• Inform fans of any promo/events.
Lesson 3:
Social Media Marketing is VERY
IMPORTANT

10. • I did not make progress into
Malaysia for first few months.
• Made progress after changing to
a Malaysian distributor.
• Does not apply to finance/money-
making titles or co-authors who
are Malaysian.
Lesson 4:
Difficult to enter Malaysia if you
have a “Singapore” word …

11. • Singapore printers & publishers are expensive.
• Bookstores & Distributor takes 60% of selling
price.
• You need to print and sell at least 5,000 copies
to earn decent amount.
• Selling to Malaysia is also at loss (lower retail
price, courier fee charges and falling ringgit)
• Not much money in e-book too unless you sell
a lot to meet the minimum payout or become
a bestseller.
Lesson 5:
You do not make money

12. • Easier for bookstores to promote.
• Parents more willing to buy for kids
if it is educational.
• Kids read more books than adults
*ask who are still reading
books/ebooks nowadays?
Lesson 6:
Better to do children’s content

13. • Overseas bookstores only get books from their
local distributor.
• As self-published authors, we do not have
access to international distribution.
• Most of my fans come from S.E.Asia without
credit cards for online purchase.
• Online shipping is expensive & many book
buyers still prefer to browse first.
Lesson 7:
Better to get International Publisher

14. • Not very profitable, so lack of artist managers.
• Do everything (marketing, contracting,
negotiation, etc.) ourselves. Inform fans of
new events, create buzz.
• Take up booths at conventions, give talks, get
interviewed, etc.
• Constantly create new content to engage
fans.
Lesson 8:
Selling books takes a lot of time

15. • Local distributors are passive.
• You need to push them to ask
bookstores if they want to restock
when you see your book is running
out.
Lesson 9:
Check stock yourself

16. • You have to use social media
actively to engage fans.
• Cannot just stay home all day to
draw.
• Need to sell beyond Singapore to
earn viable income. Continue to
try for international publishers.
CONCLUSION

17. AND GOOD
LUCK!
www.patreon.com/evacomics