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04/07/2007 02:41:12 PM · #1 |
Has anyone ever had a coffee table 'book' published? I'm talking about really published too, not just sending pictures in yourself and having a printing company print books for you. I'm talking about getting the layout to an accredited publisher where they publish it and sell it to retail stores like Waldenbooks, Borders, Amazon, etc.
I want to do one. I realize it will take A LOT of shooting time over the next few years, but I want to get started now. I am working on a theme and will begin putting pictures together now, but I would like to start communicating with the right people to get the rest done.
The majority of the books that I have seen published have been hired out to someone different for the text. Is that pretty much the standard? If so, is that a person that I find, or would a publisher find that? I also noticed that the majority of them are made by photographers who use large-format cameras. I am at a disadvantage there. However, I believe with the new digitals, like my 5D, that it would give very acceptable quality for such a 'book'. Who agrees and disagrees, and why?
Well, I guess that is all I can think of for now. I would really appreciate any comments from anyone out there, especially people who have done stuff like this, or are in the process of it as well.
Thanks!
Scott
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04/07/2007 03:21:25 PM · #2 |
I have no experience to offer except as a consumer and general observations. I would think if you are a good writer and understand graphic design / font styles, you could do that part yourself also. I also think self-'publishing' makes things easier to do these days. Here's the big issue though - distribution and marketing - if you just want to make a 'book' for your own table, no problem. If you actually want to make money from one, I would think (again, no experience, just observation) that it would be very difficult because of the amount of competition. Unless you come up with something very UNIQUE, you may be lost in a sea of coffee table books that I see at Borders in the bargain bin for $4.99.
So my advice is: find a niche (subject or style) and then find the market for that niche.
Lastly, if you ever saw the episode of Seinfeld where Kramer came up with a coffee table 'book' that actually folded out into a coffee table - I always wanted one of those! :) |
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04/07/2007 04:04:10 PM · #3 |
| Yes, another opinion with no experience behind it, but I think you would need a publicist or whomever "goes to bat" for you. Picturebooks are a dime a dozen and you are going to have to stand out. Not to say it can't be done though, but I'd look for the angle going in. |
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04/07/2007 05:49:45 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Yes, another opinion with no experience behind it, but I think you would need a publicist or whomever "goes to bat" for you. Picturebooks are a dime a dozen and you are going to have to stand out. Not to say it can't be done though, but I'd look for the angle going in. |
That is exactly what I was thinking. Now I just have to figure out how to get in touch with that person. It may be easier than it sounds, and I sure hope so, because it doesn't sound too easy. I would like to start some type of contact with anything as soon as possible so that I know what they would be looking for when I do get it all ready.
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Unless you come up with something very UNIQUE, you may be lost in a sea of coffee table books that I see... |
I completely agree. I was actually hoping of doing something with regards to the area that I live in because A) if it is close to home, I can take more photos and B) I would imagine it would be easier to sell to locals, especially if I did have to go to the store managers at Borders, Waldenbooks, and the local small stores to get them to sell it.
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04/08/2007 08:01:56 PM · #5 |
I too agree that picture books are a dime a dozen, but they keep 'publishing' them!
You can self publish and pedal the books yourself - on the web, ebay, ads in magazines, and door to door to independent bookstores (if you can find any).
Getting Border/BN/Amazon to pick it up would be difficult, and expensive - how man BN's are there? 5,000? If they want 2 copies/store you need to get 10,000 printed and I doubt they pay till delivery, and if they're anything like walmart they may not pay till the books are sold (selling on consignment). You'd take all the financial risk.
Finding a publisher is not hard, finding one to publish your 'book' is not easy - gook to BN/Borders and look at books like you want to do and see who publishes them. Each publisher specializes.
Perhaps self publish 500 and see how it sells, subit some to publishers and see if they'll bite - the work will be done so that may appeal to them (or turn them off...)
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
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