I was considering trying to publish a music book, some exercises for the drum kit. I've got Sibelius and photoshop, I'm just trying to think what else I would need? Has anyone tried doing this? Sounds like fun...
If your thinking of publishing a book check out www.lulu.com it sounds quite amazing!
Has anyone published a music book?
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- KVRian
- 508 posts since 6 Jun, 2004
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- KVRian
- 694 posts since 6 Aug, 2002 from London, UK
Suggest submitting a sample to a music book publisher instead.
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- KVRAF
- 12235 posts since 18 Aug, 2003
I think you would have better luck just self-publishing an ebook than using a service like lulu.com. I've seen several people make some decent money by going that route, especially in the shareware model of: read the book, support if you enjoy and to encourage more writing. Or even charge a minimal fee upfront. You'd just have to make sure you reach your target audience through forums, ads, mailing lists, etc.
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 508 posts since 6 Jun, 2004
thanks that's some good advice. I don't see why not getting a physical book published though? For music you need the book to be close to your instrument.
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- KVRAF
- 12235 posts since 18 Aug, 2003
Sure, publishing a physical book isn't a bad idea, and like kp suggested, if you are going that route, I would approach a publisher. They already have printing relationships and they can get your product into music shops or into catalogs.
Vanity publishers like Lulu aren't anything new, those kinds of things existed pre-web days, too, but it's usually a bad idea to pay someone else to publish your book, just as would be bad to pay somebody else to release your CD. Consumers are generally wary of any store-front type thing that doesn't provide some form of editorial content control, and often you get bilked for the costs (meaning you pay more than it would cost you on your own), and are then stuck with a couple hundred copies to sell on your own anyway. Unless you just want a physical copy to give out to friends or something.
Vanity publishers like Lulu aren't anything new, those kinds of things existed pre-web days, too, but it's usually a bad idea to pay someone else to publish your book, just as would be bad to pay somebody else to release your CD. Consumers are generally wary of any store-front type thing that doesn't provide some form of editorial content control, and often you get bilked for the costs (meaning you pay more than it would cost you on your own), and are then stuck with a couple hundred copies to sell on your own anyway. Unless you just want a physical copy to give out to friends or something.
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- KVRAF
- 7489 posts since 6 Jul, 2004
I've published four keyboard tutor books in the UK. Initially I hired a printer and publicised by word of mouth with some success. I also sent demo copies to retailers, which was mostly a waste of money.
Subsequently the printer asked if they could take over publication and invest in better marketing and design. They did colour advertisements in Music Teacher magazine, etc, and canvased schools and music services. This has enlarged the customer base.
To get commercial printers to do print runs you need to use the correct compatible software, etc. In the case of my publisher that involves me doing the main text in QuarkXPress and importing the music (produced in Sibelius) as EPS graphics files, which their printing gear can then output properly. It's quite a long process.
Subsequently the printer asked if they could take over publication and invest in better marketing and design. They did colour advertisements in Music Teacher magazine, etc, and canvased schools and music services. This has enlarged the customer base.
To get commercial printers to do print runs you need to use the correct compatible software, etc. In the case of my publisher that involves me doing the main text in QuarkXPress and importing the music (produced in Sibelius) as EPS graphics files, which their printing gear can then output properly. It's quite a long process.
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- KVRAF
- 7489 posts since 6 Jul, 2004
PS: feel free to PM me if you need any specific advice/help.
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 508 posts since 6 Jun, 2004
Will do thank you very much!headquest wrote:PS: feel free to PM me if you need any specific advice/help.