I spent an hour today talking to a director of a self publishing press.
Whether to buy an ISBN
An ISBN for a tree book is linked to a book distributor such as lightningsource. Waterstones are supplied by Gardners book wholesale distributors, few books are accepted direct from authors.
Break even point
The cost of setting up Print on demand varies but may be around £795 PLUS the cost of editing, about £325 for a 50,000 word book altogether about £1200.
The break even point would be around 1,000 books even if a publisher offers 70% of profits because: Printing costs about half the retail price of the book [ eg £3.50, I'm aiming for a retail price of £6.99] Amazon take a further 30%, that leaves about £1/book. Bookshops take even more, leaving £0 or -£1 profit per book.
Debut authors I've met have achieved about 300 book sales in the first year even with intensive marketing via bookshop launches, signings, school visits and literary festival events.
Getting your book noticed
Publishers have access to Nielsen's Pub Web and can fill in the book's description fields: author, product, contents, reviews, as an author of an ebook with an ISBN you'd need to pay a fee of £150 to Nielsen to have the same facility.
A subtitle helps if it describes the drama of the central character: eg "Stolen: a letter to my captor" by Lucy Christopher
Play the 'local author' card, media are often more interested in the person than the book and the quality of the writing.
Wherever possible, include a back page giving your website, blog and the title of your next novel, inviting pre-orders.
With thanks to Miles Bailey of Choir Press
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