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Matt
Posts:2
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| 15-05-2012 5:07 PM |
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So, I've chosent to take the plunge and publish my first novel myself. I've decided to go with a company called CreateSpace, which offer a Publish-on-Demand service, and I used another site called CrowdSpring to create the front cover (which I was extremely happy with).
I'm now at the point of acquiring an ISBN. CreateSpace offers a free ISBN, but the book will appear as if the novel is published by CreateSpace. I am exploring the concept of acquiring my own ISBN and creating my own Publisher Name (as I think it will look nicer on the spine, than the generic CreateSpace name), and I wanted to know if anyone else has gone down this path.
My question is really this: If I do create my own publishing company, will it be a "REAL company"? i.e. How official does it need to be? Do I need to acquire an ABN for the company? Do I need to register the business name? Do I need a business bank account?
I'm really looking for any tips, hints or experiences from people that have self-published, and interested to hear how they have handled the business and finance part of it. Would be MUCH appreciated, as it is certainly not my forte.
Thanks,
Matthew
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Matt
Posts:7
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| 29-08-2012 10:14 AM |
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Hi Matthew ...
You don't need to register a company, but yes, its wise to register an ABN (as a "Sole Trader"), but don't register for GST unless you know you'll be going over $75,000 in sales per year! (Otherwise the BAS statements are a real hassle). Income from sales (over a certain low threshold) is taxable like anything else, so it's good to get your ABN setup before you start.
I run "The 7 Percent" — members-only courses for self-publishing — as part of my business (Independent Book Publishers Australia), so let me know if you have any other questions! I'll be happy to help as much as I can! |
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Resources for Australian Self-Publishing Authors
→ www.independentbookpublishers.com.au |
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Matt
Posts:2
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| 09-12-2012 9:14 PM |
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It occurred to me that I reached out for help many months ago and hadn't checked by in quite a while. Thanks to Matt for his offer of help.
For the sake of any other authors that are thinking of exploring the self-publishing route, I thought I'd post a reply with an update on how I went.
So after doing a good deal of research (and some help from another independent author, Rachel Amphlett), I managed to successfully self-publish my novel in September 2012. There was a lot to getting this actually done (and I plan on writing a definitive blog on my website over the Summer), but some of the highlights are:
- I used a Print-On-Demand company called Lightning Source to print the paperback version of the novel. They are based in Melbourne (with locations in the US and UK as well) and I have been very happy with the quality of the final product.
- Lightning Source also provide an e-Book distribution network, which has also allowed to me to offer my novel on Kindle, Kobo and iPad.
There are many different printing firms (CreateSpace and Lulu to name some of the bigger ones), but Lightning Source seemed to cater better for Australian writers (as I didn't have to worry about getting a US Tax File Number).
As I mentioned, I'll be adding a blog to my website soon with more details, but if anyone would like more information (about my novel or the process of publishing it) you can get in contact with me via my website http://www.matthew-s-wilson.com.
The response to my novel has been very positive, with online sales going strong and several local bookshops stocking the novel.
Good luck with your own novel!
Matthew S Wilson |
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