Publishing and printing are related but separate businesses.
a printing press completes the work of a publisher. the publisher sends a product to the printer, as a work ready to be printed in multiple copies.
You are reading: How to start a publishing company for books
Do you have a passion for reading and writing? Do you have any experience editing documents? those traits are important, but above all, you need to have real skills in marketing.
understood? then you might be ready to run your own publishing house.
what is an editorial?
a printer prints. an editor does everything that leads to printing.
You can think of books, fiction and non-fiction, as projects for a publisher. People who own publishing houses can also work on magazines, textbooks, manuals, and similar projects.
Regardless of the project, the publisher purchases the manuscript, edits it, and manages the process to prepare it for print. including layout and cover. the publisher also oversees the distribution and marketing of the project.
how to start your own publishing company: 20 crucial steps
many desktop publishing authors entered the publishing industry to publish their own books. For self-published authors, creating their own publishing company gave the self-publishing company an additional measure of credibility.
If you’re not a writer, when you start out as a small publisher you can find new writers and help them publish their own work.
Today’s publishing world is a mix of the self-published author who decided to start a publishing house and his own business, with a person skilled in acquiring, editing and marketing who decided to start publishing books.
1. name your business and register
Choosing a business name is a key part of the process. Although the process may vary from state to state, it generally begins with your secretary of state. make sure your company name is not already in use. you can use your own name.
2. create an editorial imprint and logo
The imprint can be the same as your company name, as long as the company name lends itself to a unique logo. your print and logo should reflect the types of projects you complete.
3. choose a publishing niche and a market
books or magazines, manuals or newspapers? publisher of fiction or non-fiction books? children’s books? religious? independent publication? self help?
To maintain the passion a publisher needs, choose a niche. many small publishers start with a niche and then branch out. they can choose to “hybridize” by mixing pod (ordering copies as orders come in, called print-on-demand) with digital publishing (allowing people to request copies to read online).
4. create a business plan
Generally speaking, all new and established businesses need a business plan, especially small businesses. and that the small business plan should not be set in stone; it must be a plan that can evolve.
As a new publishing business, you need to develop a mission statement that reflects your reason for joining the publishing industry.
5. set up a business bank account
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You need a business account in your company name that is separate from your personal account. You must also have a dedicated business credit card and business cards. keep personal finances separate.
6. choose your location
In the digital age, this is less important than it was 10 or 20 years ago. the hotbed of publication was and is new york city.
but book publishers can be located anywhere in the united states. if you hire editors and proofreaders, they can work from home.
Required equipment includes high-end computers, publishing software, a CD burner, an excellent backup system, and anti-virus programs.
7. order licenses, permits and fees
After registering your business name, you will need an EIN (employer identification number). Required licenses and permits may vary from state to state, but to sell books you will need an ein.
The ein is used to obtain your sales tax license, which you will need to correctly report sales of your books. you’ll need it to pay state and federal taxes.
If you hire subcontractors, like publishers, you’ll need their EIN to file any 1099s you send them.
8. choose a business structure
many publishers choose the simplest business form, the limited liability company or llc. it’s a step up from sole proprietorship (also a popular choice among publishers).
Forming an LLC does involve some paperwork, filed with your state, but it’s worth the extra hassle. here is an example:
“newbie book company” is publishing a series of short stories by one author. As part of the editing process, the editor asks the writer if any of the stories have been published before. the writer says the stories have not been published.
but one of them has been published. Although the original publisher is a small magazine, that entity files a lawsuit. It turns out that the magazine, according to the contract, bought “all the rights” when it bought the story. “all rights” means that the magazine owns the exclusive rights to reuse or republish the story (as opposed to “first rights”). the magazine sues to collect damages from the company’s assets.
If you have established your publishing business as an LLC, your personal assets will be protected from lawsuits. the llc offers more liability protection than other business structures.
Forming a corporation can provide you with pass-through tax benefits. for more information on which legal entity to choose, you should consult an accountant.
9. buy accounting software
several companies, such as zoho, offer accounting software. Another favorite accounting system is QuickBooks. that makes it easy to track business expenses and income, separate from your personal publishing income.
zoho adds a comprehensive platform of associated business services, such as zoho expenses, invoice, one, reservations and more. these are integrated under the zoho umbrella for a unified product.
10. get your employer identification number and hire staff
As mentioned above, many new publishers employ subcontractors as editors and proofreaders.
11. buy isbn
which means international standard book number. is a 13-digit number that is the barcode of a book.
12. put your company’s taxes in order
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Consult an accountant to determine which business structure may provide you with the best tax benefits or tax breaks.
You will be required to pay federal, state, and local taxes on employee wages.
You will have to pay sales tax.
13. create a professional website and email id
Once you’ve chosen a business name, develop your website and register your domain name. create an email address that includes your domain name. this will help you establish an online presence.
14. set up an amazon publishing account
Once you’ve published a project, upload information about it, including sales numbers and comments, to your Amazon Publishing account. include your company credentials.
if you’re really lucky, amazon may acquire the rights to the project and pay royalties. Amazon currently has 16 impressions. When it comes to digital content, Amazon is one of the best places to sell eBooks online.
To be selected by amazon, you will first need to establish strong sales and reviews for your project.
15. register authors
You will need to develop a contract for the authors. will you offer advances? What percentage of royalties will you pay?
You can add your listing to author posts, where authors go to connect with publishers. For example, an annual called a Writer’s Digest lists all of the book and magazine publishers, by category (such as outdoors, romance, etc.)
16. publish books
buy your project with multiple printers.
17. market your business
You don’t need a formal education to be a great salesperson. you need genuine enthusiasm for your work.
engage your authors in online events, like q and a sessions and more.
18. launch your new business
advertise your new business wherever you can: local and regional publications, trade publications and more.
19. grow your business
support local writing programs and book clubs. attend writers’ conferences as part of marketing your book.
20. be a successful owner of your own business
don’t rest on your laurels.
now you know how to start a publishing house: start setting up your new business
How do you go from starting your own publishing business to owning an established publisher?
Keep an eye on industry trends. know what the competition is doing and what they are publishing, and above all avoid publication errors.
image: depositphotos
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