Creating a quality, full-color, hardcover children’s book on allergies is a labor of love, dedication, and significant investment.
As an independent publisher, many factors contribute to the $30 price of each book. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand why this price is necessary.
Independent Publishing
Unlike books from major publishing houses, independent publishing doesn’t come with a team of experts. Traditional publishing offers a range of professionals:
- Publishing Experts: They handle everything from printing to legalities, ISBNs, and library deposits.
- Editors: I was fortunate to connect with an amazing editor and proofreader, but their expertise does come at a cost, even with a generous discount!
- Graphic Designers: I’ve been lucky to collaborate with fantastic designers worldwide, but again, these connections and their skills come with a price.
- Marketing Teams: Oh, how I dream of having a marketing team! As a creative, I love making things but selling them…that’s a whole different story!
- Top Software Packages: Creating characters and using stock photos requires subscriptions to top-tier software.
- Online Platforms and Suppliers: Setting up websites and maintaining relationships with suppliers are additional costs.
As an independent publisher, I invest personally in these areas. The time and resources spent on education, research, writing, designing, and marketing are substantial.
Higher Production Costs
When you see books in large stores for $12, they benefit from bulk printing discounts. Independent publishers face higher printing costs due to:
- Lower Print Runs: Smaller batches mean higher per-unit costs.
- Quality Materials: Full-color printing on high-quality paper and durable hardcover binding are essential but costly.
- Professional Printing Services: Ensuring vibrant colors and durability often requires specialized printing services.
Time Investment
Creating a comprehensive resource on allergies involves:
- Extensive Research: Compiling accurate, up-to-date information from experts and those with lived experiences, including kids!
- Graphics: From creating characters to sourcing or taking photos, the software and equipment costs add up.
- Careful Writing and Editing: Ensuring the language is age-appropriate and clear.
Each step takes time and expertise, contributing to the book’s overall cost.
Larger Page Count
Unlike typical children’s storybooks, this resource covers allergies in-depth, from symptoms to risk management strategies, resulting in more pages.
Supporting a Worthy Cause
One motivation behind this book is to give back to the community. All proceeds from each sale go to allergy-related non-profits. By purchasing this book, you’re not only getting a valuable resource but also supporting essential services and advocacy for those with allergies.
Value Beyond the Price Tag
While $30 might seem higher than some children’s books, the value is immeasurable:
- Educational Resource: Offers practical information that can make a real difference.
- Quality Assurance: Ensures a durable, long-lasting book.
- Support for Independent Creators: Helps sustain the work of passionate independent authors and illustrators.
And just a little transparency – when I launched “Pete the Peanut,” I tried to match big publishers’ pricing. Selling at $20 meant losing money, and even at $25, proceeds from each book sold on Amazon were just 10 cents! And that’s without considering postage. But that’s a story for another time!
Every aspect of this self-published book has been carefully considered to ensure it provides valuable, accurate, and engaging content for children. The $30 price reflects the quality, dedication, and purpose behind the book.
Thank you for supporting independent publishing and making a difference in the lives of children with allergies.