Recommendations for either publisher or self-publishing companies

[drgondog]

I have completed manuscript, image and drawing and document assembly and was ready for final step with Pen & Sword when I fired them for trying to low-ball me on commissions.

I have reached out to Cercy and back to Osprey but my Lightweight Mustang story is a combination of the history of Long-Range escort, development of the lightweight fighters including why they weren't produced in time. The combination is out of the strike zone of both and Schiffer is considering it.

That said I would like to consider self publishing but need a company in that biz with resources to do the book layouts, present high quality images and paper for a hardback.

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Bill

 

[BarnOwlLover]

I had been wondering about the progress of getting that book published. Too bad you fell out with Pen & Sword, though considering how things were going, it was probably for the best. Sadly, not being an author myself, I can't really offer any advice. But I do hope that soon the work can be published and that it'll also be closer to what you originally envisioned.

 

[cvairwerks]

Probably should drop Nick V a note, but be aware, he's quite limited on his computer time til sometime past early October when his next bookis due out. It may take him a week or two before he answers.

 

[tomo pauk]

Just perhaps, M. Pryce might be willing to share his opinions on the Penguin books.
Also, Dan Sharp might be of help.

(seems like Morton Books - Tempest books - is not that great under the new management...)

 

[bada]

That said I would like to consider self publishing but need a company in that biz with resources to do the book layouts, present high quality images and paper for a hardback.

Suggestions?

Why don't you do it yourself? this could be a fun job, there is a nice free-Software to do the layout: "affinity", a lot of tuto's on youtube. Tried by myself just for fun and yes, it's easier than "Scribus".
Once you know the number of pages, you can check on Amazon how much will it cost.
example:

You also have Ingramspark that has a good reputation in the anglo-sphere, with more print options than Amazon.
there are few others too.
Otherwise, check youtube for "self-publishing", there are good vids explaining the differences between self-publishers, sadly most speak about "text-books" and not enough about "Picture books".

And: buy yourself a dedicated USA isbn number, don't use the ones that are provided by those publishers.
Be aware to determine the book format at the start, if you change the format when changing publisher for example, you'll need a new isbn.
By format i mean size and book style (hardcover of paperback) each change requires a new isbn.

Marcel : maybe move it to the book section?

 

[Barrett]

A couple of years ago I (with a couple of others) had a tentative deal with Nick Veronico to reprint some volumes whose original publisher tanked. I think that Nick tried on his end but had no success.

I mention it because the WUHAN virus hammered the publishing world. Four of my favorite magazines went away: from 12 or 6 issues to 4 to online to lights out in about 2 1/2 years. Book publishing has steadily drifted toward e-books and kindle over Real Books. Few people realize that the CHINA virus caused significant backlogs/supply chain problems not only with paper but even with ink.

FWIW: looks as if much is to be said for print on demand (no warehouse/basement inventory) or e/kindle books.

 

[c1951]

I have completed manuscript, image and drawing and document assembly and was ready for final step with Pen & Sword when I fired them for trying to low-ball me on commissions.

I have reached out to Cercy and back to Osprey but my Lightweight Mustang story is a combination of the history of Long-Range escort, development of the lightweight fighters including why they weren't produced in time. The combination is out of the strike zone of both and Schiffer is considering it.

That said I would like to consider self publishing but need a company in that biz with resources to do the book layouts, present high quality images and paper for a hardback.

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Bill

Do it yourself. Happened to me they gave out my manuscript to experts for review and within days my information was allover the place. Find a printer who does A5 paperback,convert from Word to PDF and you're made.Cost it get a run and an ISBN and you're there. The trick is reprints. I put the manuscript into print and never looked back. Doing Fedden in Germany as I type. Go for it and enjoy yourself

 

[GTX]

I know some people at Mortons Books (https://www.mortons.co.uk/) - they do a lot on the Aviation books front: https://shop.kelsey.co.uk/aviation-books-specials

I can dig up contact details and send them to you if you wish.

 

[Marcel]

You've got self publishing companies. They give you a word template and you can apply it on your tekst for formatting. You'll need to find an artist to make the cover. You'll upload the file and they will do the ISBN, printing, selling etc. One of the advantages is that they do print on demand, which means as an author, you don't have the usual risk of having to buy a couple of hundred at the start.

 

[bada]

Hi drgondog

You should first, decide the way you want to go but do not forget you're in a niche sector, you're not writing "40 shades of rainbows" for the frustrated housewifes, the number of Sold copies will be much smaller.

Here are MY personal thoughts about it:
1°via publisher: it's the easiest way in my opinion, they help you to "format" the book and take all administrative part out of your hands and the print quality is very good... but, but:
-much less commissions
-you still need to have a "formatted" book that fits YOUR vision of the book, that will serve as base format, otherwise they'll rape it to fit their view of it.
-still need to have your own ISBN as this is a kind of ownership/intellectual property proof, and not using "their" isbn they provide.

2°via self-publishing:
here you have several possibilities:

a°) on Demand with distribution
AmazonKDP/LULU/Bookbaby/ingramspark for example.
Each has it's own fees, so it's a question of what you need/you're able to do by yourself, you're ready to pay, etc..
You need to research and compare by yourself, which one would fit your needs.
AmazonKDP is the cheapest with the best distribution (biggest library in the world) but has downsides with much less print options.


b°) on Demand with physical distribution (physical bookshops)
ingramspark/bookbaby (for example) But most require to reduce the price by 45% so street-bookshops would order it, your comission droping like hell.
ingramspark has such a calculator.

c°) on Demand with auto-distribution.
one from above or local printer. research needed. a lot of work as you handle the orders, the sending and all administrative/financial paperwork.


In all cases, you need to "build" (format) your book first and decide the way you want to go and also in all cases, you'll need to put some work to promote your book (Fora's, discussion groups, blogs, send copies for reviews, etc... ) and i wouldn't go for the Ebook Format, just because the day it's released, the same day it will find it's way to a shadow library.

Is your book B/W or is it in color? Lot of pictures/color maps?

Links to start reading about this:

Top Print-on-Demand Book Services in the USA (2025 Guide)

Looking for the best print-on-demand book services in the USA? This 2025 guide covers top POD platforms like KDP, IngramSpark, and Lulu to help you publish and sell your book with ease.

harmonypublishing.net

The 9 Best Book Printing Services for Authors (2026)

What's the best service to print your book? In this post, we assess and compare the best print-on-demand and offset printing companies on the market.

reedsy.com

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_frud8QbxwQ

 

[drgondog]

Hi drgondog

You should first, decide the way you want to go but do not forget you're in a niche sector, you're not writing "40 shades of rainbows" for the frustrated housewifes, the number of Sold copies will be much smaller.

Here are MY personal thoughts about it:
1°via publisher: it's the easiest way in my opinion, they help you to "format" the book and take all administrative part out of your hands and the print quality is very good... but, but:
-much less commissions
-you still need to have a "formatted" book that fits YOUR vision of the book, that will serve as base format, otherwise they'll rape it to fit their view of it.
-still need to have your own ISBN as this is a kind of ownership/intellectual property proof, and not using "their" isbn they provide.

2°via self-publishing:
here you have several possibilities:

a°) on Demand with distribution
AmazonKDP/LULU/Bookbaby/ingramspark for example.
Each has it's own fees, so it's a question of what you need/you're able to do by yourself, you're ready to pay, etc..
You need to research and compare by yourself, which one would fit your needs.
AmazonKDP is the cheapest with the best distribution (biggest library in the world) but has downsides with much less print options.


b°) on Demand with physical distribution (physical bookshops)
ingramspark/bookbaby (for example) But most require to reduce the price by 45% so street-bookshops would order it, your comission droping like hell.
ingramspark has such a calculator.

c°) on Demand with auto-distribution.
one from above or local printer. research needed. a lot of work as you handle the orders, the sending and all administrative/financial paperwork.


In all cases, you need to "build" (format) your book first and decide the way you want to go and also in all cases, you'll need to put some work to promote your book (Fora's, discussion groups, blogs, send copies for reviews, etc... ) and i wouldn't go for the Ebook Format, just because the day it's released, the same day it will find it's way to a shadow library.

Is your book B/W or is it in color? Lot of pictures/color maps?

Links to start reading about this:

Top Print-on-Demand Book Services in the USA (2025 Guide)

Looking for the best print-on-demand book services in the USA? This 2025 guide covers top POD platforms like KDP, IngramSpark, and Lulu to help you publish and sell your book with ease.

harmonypublishing.net

The 9 Best Book Printing Services for Authors (2026)

What's the best service to print your book? In this post, we assess and compare the best print-on-demand and offset printing companies on the market.

reedsy.com

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_frud8QbxwQ

I get the 'less work'/better quality and marketing of a publisher. If I find the right one I will take that approach.

Black and white is acceptable delivery format, but I have several tables where bars separated in color would be useful.

My intention regarding this book is that it become one of several that is always in-reach by another researcher or person that wants rich detail that no other book provides. It will be complimentary to my "P-51B/Bastard Stepchild" book or Gruenhagen's "P-51 Mustang" book from a NAA technical/AAF history narrative----------> if you have a question about why the development of the long-range escort was not only wanted by AAF but also required pushing the key manufacturers to deliver on 'hard requests', this book will provide the facts and the timelines. If you have a question why the P-51F didn't replace the P-51D by mid-1944, this book will show you and all of the necessary choices leading to the final P-51H.

 

[MIflyer]

Just PDF it and also put it in Kindle format. There are inexpensive programs available to help with that.

 

[bada]

drgondog

So, you already wrote a book about the same subject, a "knowledgaeble writer", less risks for the publisher, that's a good point.
If you go the "editor's way", a few color pages shouldn't make a big difference in the price as the costs are calculated on the number of color pages and not as at KDP, for the full book, even if you have only 5 of 200 pages in color (that's a stupidity on KDP). But, just to be sure, maybe rework the Tables with B/W separators, using shapes/styles if the colored version seems at the end to be much more expensive than the full B/W. This way you have directly an alternative ready...just saying....

Just PDF it and also put it in Kindle format. There are inexpensive programs available to help with that.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

This is the best way to loose a lot of sales. Ebooks are on the shadow librairies the day they are available online. (Anna's library, libgen, Z-lib, scihub,etc...)
Sure writers lurking here could confirm my saying....

 

[MIflyer]

This is the best way to loose a lot of sales

Depends on whether you are mainly interested in getting published or more interested in getting paid. I have been paid only a very few times for works I authored, and Air Classics never paid me for my P-38 article; did not matter since I enjoyed doing it and I was able to please some vets.

 

[special ed]

My late friend Frank Landry authored an article in Air Classics about his flight in the CAF B-17 and was never paid.

 

[bada]

Depends on whether you are mainly interested in getting published or more interested in getting paid. I have been paid only a very few times for works I authored, and Air Classics never paid me for my P-38 article; did not matter since I enjoyed doing it and I was able to please some vets.

Mostly, both go hand in hand, and your story and special ed's one seems to imply Air Classics are grifters, not that all publishers are.

 

[cvairwerks]

My late friend Frank Landry authored an article in Air Classics about his flight in the CAF B-17 and was never paid.

Have heard multiple people with the same experience over the years.