You Can Start Your Own Publishing Business

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Obtaining the copyright for your book is a simple procedure. Basically, anything which is reproduced—even mimeographed—can be so protected. To learn more about this important subject, I'd highly recommend that you write for the free "General Information on Copyrights—Books", Copyright Office, Library of Congress, Washington D.C. 20559.

SEVERAL WORDS ABOUT PRINTERS

Now your book is ready to be reproduced. If you choose to patronize a local printer rather than a firm specializing in small books and limited editions, make sure you get a written agreement in advance which lists all specifics pertaining to the book's design, total cost, and delivery date.

Dealing with printers is an area in which you cannot exercise too much caution. The craftsmanship of the man you choose will be reflected in your final product . . . and if his work is found lacking, your sales will be affected. Above all, shop around among local printers and compare. You'll probably find that cost estimates for any given job vary wildly. (Recently, I asked two local firms to price a certain one-page flier. One quoted $54.00 ... the other $39.00. The Mother Earth Print Shop said $20.00. All on the same job! See what I mean?) You'll also find that the lowest bidder might very well do the best work.

GOIN' TO PRESS

Papers come in a kaleidoscope of colors and textures. Ask to see some samples. White offset paper is the most economical for a book of acceptable quality. In general,be careful when you choose page and cover stocks . . . paper is no longer inexpensive.

The weight of the paper you choose will have a decided effect on both the appearance and the cost of your manual or booklet. If the sheets are too thin, your book will look skimpy and the ink may show through . . . while if each page is too heavy, you've wasted money and the finished volume may not even fold flat. Ask to see samples. Text is generally printed on a 60-or 65-pound paper, and a 70- or 80-pound cover stock is common.

Black ink is least expensive and recommended for 90% of all books. (Think twice-maybe even three times-before you ask for orange ink on violet paper.)

Most small books under 80 or so pages are saddle stitched . . . which simply means they're stapled along their fold. If your book contains more than 80 pages—or in special circumstances—you can have its pages perfect bound, or glued to a flat spine (as is done with Mechanix Illustrated, Woman's Day, etc.). This costs appreciably more. Spiral binding is used on a good number of manuals and church produced cookbooks. This is the least expensive way to hold a large number of pages together and a volume, so bound, stays flat when opened. I might point out, though, that some bookstores are biased against spiral bound books (partly because the pages rip out more easily).

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