Publishing a book -> need advice

[Ostmark]

Hallo

I am not sure if its the correct forum here ... but i give it a try

I meet a vet who wrote down his memorys which makes in summary
~400 pages including a lot of documents like christmas cards from 1943 russian and german handbills and so on. His wish was always that somebody pulishes his memorys.
Now he is 86 years old and lying in the bed. I am now sorting out how
it would be possible to fullfill his last wish. He served in the 97. Jägerdivision (Spielhahnfeder Division). He has all his awards and documents. So i think this book will contain a lot of information and documents never seen before related to the 97. Jägerdivision. He kept
really everything ...

Does anyone have experience in publishing a book and is able to give
me some hints for the start (costs, publishing company, contracts ..)

Any help is appriciated ...

Grüsse
Herbert

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Herbert, this is a nice thought

A forum friend in the UK is interested in doing this type of thing and has family connections to publishing. I will send you a PM with his details.

Cheers, Ade.

[bigschuss]

Herbert,

One idea that you might want to consider is what they call "print on demand" (POD) publishing. If you do a google search for this you'll find publishers who do this kind of printing and publishing. Essentially, you prepare a work and the publisher will only print copies when requests are made to purchase the book. It's a great way for first time authors to publish a book.

Here's a link to some POD info:

http://www.paraview.com/print_on_demand.htm

Best of luck,
Blair

[Rikster]

Hallo

I am not sure if its the correct forum here ... but i give it a try

I meet a vet who wrote down his memorys which makes in summary
~400 pages including a lot of documents like christmas cards from 1943 russian and german handbills and so on. His wish was always that somebody pulishes his memorys.
Now he is 86 years old and lying in the bed. I am now sorting out how
it would be possible to fullfill his last wish. He served in the 97. Jägerdivision (Spielhahnfeder Division). He has all his awards and documents. So i think this book will contain a lot of information and documents never seen before related to the 97. Jägerdivision. He kept
really everything ...

Does anyone have experience in publishing a book and is able to give
me some hints for the start (costs, publishing company, contracts ..)

Any help is appriciated ...

Grüsse
Herbert

I am actually undertaking a similar project, although i am some way from publishing.
let me know how things go

cheers, Rik

[Ralph P]

Herbert - I am right now going through the process of turning my manuscript into a book in the next few months. Not sure what you have done so far so here is an overview that might better assist you with your endeavor.

Publishing -
There is a lot to think about as to the direction you want to go with turning your manuscript into a book and what you want to do with it. First and foremost how will your manuscript get turned into a book, ie...
- a publishing company,
- self publishing,
- e-publishing or some other method. Each one of the obtions has its good and bad points that you will go through. And the length that it might take to complete your project from manuscript to book.

Cost -
This will depend on what your initial direction you will go for publishing. Either the publishing company foots the bill. Or self publishing which you will foot the bill upfront. But again you need to be aware of both the good and bad points with either.

Contracts -
From my experience so far as it comes to contracts it depends on the publishing direction you go. Some contracts can be simple and to the point and other contract might be complicated and make your head spin...and might cause you to start drinking...

I hope this better assists in your quest. First and foremost how do you want your manuscript to be published...

[Wiegert]

Great idea guys. I only wish that I got more stories from my grandfather about his experience in WWII US Navy. Now he is passed on and all I have is the history of his ship. Not the first hand experience. Why not turn them into short stories but some how link them together. Maybe the three of you guys should collaberate on something together. I think a book of the experience of both sides in one book might be a better idea and all split all costs.

Just an idea. Good luck!!

Cheers
Brian