Using an Online Print Shop Makes Publishing Your Book a Reality

Getting a book published is the big hurdle faced by all aspiring writers, but using an online print shop makes it not only possible but affordable and easy as well. Being “published” opens all kinds of doors, especially opportunities for additional (and more lucrative) book contracts. While publishing your own work won’t get you the same response that a contract with Random House would, it still gives you a finished piece of work that you can present to show your ability and style, and it also demonstrates that you can conceive and produce a completed work.

One problem that is encountered frequently in the book printing industry is unfinished work. Clearly, a good concept is vital, but an idea is just an idea until it is expanded into a complete book, and a writer certainly doesn’t gain anything from keeping ideas to him or herself. All that brilliance has to be brought out into the world.

Major publishers take a big risk because they pay for the book upfront, then print a lot of copies. They have to be certain they can sell them, or they can’t afford to take on the project. When you do your own online book printing, you can do a small or large run, according to the audience you know you have. Then when those books have sold, you can do a larger run.

Another benefit of self-publishing is that you may do very well with your initial run, and if you can generate enough buzz online or manage to get into other media with your book, you may attract the attention of a publisher that would not have been interested in working with an “unknown.”

Digital printing has made a huge impact in the ability of writers to publish their own work. Formerly, the entire piece of work had to be typeset, which is a labor intensive, and therefore a time-consuming and expensive process. It also meant that it was only feasible if a large number of copies were to be printed. With digital printing, the print master is actually electronic. Editors can make corrections and adjustments, fonts, and layouts can be changed with minimal effort and illustration can be added at the last minute without requiring a major overhaul of the project.

Some online print shops that specialize in books will keep the digital file in their library, allowing you to print as many or as few copies as you need at any given time. Some of them offer individual copies to book buyers, who have the option of purchasing a high quality hardback or saving money by ordering a more basic soft cover version. Most online book printers offer several different kinds of bindings with a range of prices available.

Clearly, a contract with a big juicy advance would be ideal, but if that isn’t forthcoming, check out online printing options. You may just find one that gets your book off the ground and ready to launch into the big time.