Hi there
I've got a couple of projects that are almost good to go. final phases of art submission and layout
I'm planning on using Lulu.com as my printer for a quick run (no more than 100) for Continuum which is bang on the beginning of August.
From people who have experience of using Lulu, what's the latest date I need to upload and order my books to get them in good time for Continuum? I'm aware from being a customer that they have a 15 day manufacturing time, but is this the same for publishers?
If there's a good FAQ on the site which explains this and I'm being an idiot and not finding it please let me know the link.
Regards
;O)Newt
Dates
Submitted by Destriarch on Wed, 23/04/2008 - 14:19.
Lulu are pretty fast. I ordered a softback last week and got it within three days. Mind you I did pay for an express delivery, since the difference in price was only a couple of quid. I think they recommend that you allow one to two weeks for fulfilment and delivery of softbacks if you're using the more economical postal methods, and add an extra week on top of that if it's a hardback 'cause they take longer to make.
I'd say, order up three weeks in advance if you can, and try and make it at least two weeks or you'll be chasing your tail. And don't forget to leave time to order a proof copy and check it for errors! Lulu's tools for getting book covers and things at the precise size are actually pretty damn good these days, it's one of their major selling points in my eyes, but you should always leave room for human error. I know I had to make a minor revision to my book (purely my own fault) when I got the proof copy.
Ash
Their FAQ is good, but oddly organised
Submitted by Matt on Wed, 23/04/2008 - 14:24.
Manufacture is identical as for consumers, as you've included the bulk ordering delay already. FAQ
The only difference is you pay only production, not Lulu's cut.
Also, remember to order in dollars. Your bank's rate should be better than Lulu's hardwired conversion.
-Matt
Realms Publishing
Lulu smash puny publishers!
Submitted by Tim Gray on Wed, 23/04/2008 - 18:10.
That's just there as a mandatory title rather than something meaningful, by the way.
You might find some interest in my recent thread in Publishing about print costs etc. In a nutshell: Lulu is great for direct sales stuff, but if you're planning to go through retail where an extra cut gets taken out you might find it hard to make the numbers work. Given the quantities you're talking about (too optimistic?) you could probably afford a short-run printer which would give lower unit costs.
Other people have covered the timescale thing. Expect 2 weeks; allow a bit more. The UK printer seems pretty quick if it's a format they handle.
Tim Gray
Silver Branch Games
www.silverbranch.co.uk
Not that quick...
Submitted by Graham W on Wed, 23/04/2008 - 19:55.
...the British printer seems to take forever to fulfill an order. Allow that full two weeks.
As an aside: Newt, I tend to agree with Tim's suggestion that 100 copies is rather optimistic. Especially if you're just ordering from Lulu from a convention, I'd be tempted to order 25 or 30 and see how they go.
Graham
Thanks
Submitted by Newt on Thu, 24/04/2008 - 05:41.
Maximum thanks for the advice guys :) New to the publishing game, with grand ambitions, I was beginning to see the whole printing issue as a barrier, which was mentally beginning to slow me down. So road block removed!!!
Hmmn the '100 copies' is for a Gloranthan Fanzine that I'm putting together, Hearts in Glorantha, which will debut a Continuum which has a strong Gloranthan contingent, which is likely to be that in numbers. I'll take on board what you've said though and check with the other Gloranthan fan publishers about what they expect to shift at Continuum (who unfortunately aren't as open as you guys).
Regards
;O)Newt
D101games -An Imaginary Company
In that case
Submitted by Tim Gray on Thu, 24/04/2008 - 07:54.
...with that audience and your connections you might shift a decent number. But it would be good to get feedback from the Glorantha folks.
Tim Gray
Silver Branch Games
www.silverbranch.co.uk
...
Submitted by Matt on Thu, 24/04/2008 - 08:59.
Hmmn the '100 copies' is for a Gloranthan Fanzine that I'm putting together, Hearts in Glorantha, which will debut a Continuum which has a strong Gloranthan contingent, which is likely to be that in numbers.
Definitely check with people who know that particular market well. I know glorantha fans are a dedicated bunch, so you might luck out and sell that many. You don't have the barrier of explaining what it's about, and you're known in the community, which is always a help.
To give a comparative datapoint and I'll check if my memory is right on this: really popular Indie games, at the Forge booth, at GenCon, might sell 100 over four days.
-Matt
Realms Publishing
Early scores on the doors
Submitted by Newt on Thu, 24/04/2008 - 09:48.
I've got one of my contacts come back at me and suggested 50-100 is a good figure. I would err on the side of caution and go with 50. I'll see what my other contact, who is more knowledgeable, comes up with.
Regards
;O)Newt
D101games -An Imaginary Company
Another idea
Submitted by Tim Gray on Thu, 24/04/2008 - 17:52.
Get some flyers done, enough for everyone at Continuum to have one. In the delegate pack, if there is one. Maybe you've already thought of this.
These need only be photocopied, so could be cheap. They'd have info about how people can get the mag after the con. (PDF as well as print?) Then the number of print copies you take becomes less crucial.
Tim Gray
Silver Branch Games
www.silverbranch.co.uk