Self Publishing is Fun?

For my most recent writing project, the publication of an Anthology about how the Covid-19 is affecting people, I’ve had some decisions to make, and have been umming and ahhing about them. One of these decisions has involved thoughts about proper compensation for contributors to the anthology “Plague Invasion – Creative Writing in Response to Covid-19”.

Some of the contributors are new to such things, and are thrilled to be having their words published in such an important book. Others are glad such a book is being printed, and are happy enough about that, with no call for compensation. There are contributors from overseas, not just Australians, and some of those overseas contributors have indicated happiness with just being in the book, with no expectations beyond just being in the book.

I’ve been pondering these matters, thinking about what I can afford, what my costs are, and how much I can afford. I’ve self published several books, so far, and have never ended up out of pocket in any major way. That is, unless I factor in my time, of course. But a writer is who I am, and writing is what I do, so I’m enjoying myself, doing the various things needing to be done.

So I’ve thought about it, and I’ve decided to provide a free copy of the book to all contributors, but will ask for postage and handling from overseas contributors. I am funding this Anthology out of my own pocket, and don’t want to send myself broke. I can afford a certain amount, but not too much … So I will cover the postage and handling costs in sending these free copies of this book to contributors who live in Australia.

So that’s that. There will be a book launch, I hope in the early part of 2021, and books will be available there for contributors, (one free copy), as well as copies available to all others there for the launch. Copies will also be available at the launch for contributors to purchase at half price, for them to keep, give to others, or sell, at whatever price they want to ask. (As long as they don’t sell them at the launch, when I’m also trying to sell books).

Copies will be available to contributors from overseas, on payment of postage and handling costs to my designated account. Unless of course they come to the book launch, when they will get their free copy! (joke there, of course!)

And there’s one really good thing about being involved in the publishing of this book – I now don’t have to think about how to spell PLAGUE!

As always, I welcome further comment about these thoughts of mine.