Support for Indie Authors discussion

I would like to order a few hardbacks of my book. I am still pretty new to this, and my question is, do I need to make a cover specifically designed for a hardback? Or will the pdf file for the cover that I used for paperback work? Also if anyone is willing to tell the different in cost to print your book in hardback and paperback, I am curious. Thanks.

There is a big difference in cover designs. One is just the cover, spine and back. Designing a dust jacket is a bigger effort.

I format my hardcovers at Lulu.com. I use the standard dark blue cloth cover for the book, and then use the covers I designed for the paperback as a dust jacket. Lulu provides for all of this, and allows you to format it. They also can tell you how much the book will cost based on your selection of format and the number of pages. Suggest you go to their website and spend a lot of time looking at the options. Best of all, it's free. You can see mine here: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/kendoggett

There is also another thread in this group that can give you some things to consider when formatting print books: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

So tempting. I'd love to have my book in hard covers. :) I may have to try it sometimes.. not that anyone would buy but I would lol

Hardback laminate covers at Ingram do not have dust covers and can probably use the same cover as your softcover.

G.G. wrote: "So tempting. I'd love to have my book in hard covers. :) I may have to try it sometimes.. not that anyone would buy but I would lol"

Do it. It's fun, and it's free. It's nice to have a classy looking copy of your own book sitting on your bookshelf. I just ordered a copy of my most recent book in order to approve it for wider distribution, and I love it. Here's how it looks, sitting next to its dust jacket (I put the website on it to use the picture for promos; the website isn't actually printed on it):

It looks fantastic! Love it!

P.D. wrote: "Hardback laminate covers at Ingram do not have dust covers and can probably use the same cover as your softcover."

That's different.. the only hard covers without sleeves that I remember were the ones from the library back when I was a kid. Must look different for sure.

Interior pictures:

P.D. wrote: "Hardback laminate covers at Ingram do not have dust covers and can probably use the same cover as your softcover."

Lulu does that type as well. I used that originally, but didn't really like the look of it. It was also sold on Amazon until I discontinued it and went with the dust jacket option I have now. That looks much better to me. Lulu does distribute to Ingram, by the way, if you go for wider distribution.

Ken wrote: "G.G. wrote: "So tempting. I'd love to have my book in hard covers. :) I may have to try it sometimes.. not that anyone would buy but I would lol"

Do it. It's fun, and it's free. It's nice to have ..."

Wow, that is slick! Very tempting indeed :) thank you for your helpful information.

Can an author publish a book with createspace and ingram, simultaneously?

Does this interfere with Kindle select?

Kindle Select applies only to ebooks. With Kindle Select your ebooks must be exclusive to Amazon, but paperbacks and hardcovers can be marketed anywhere. I use Createspace and Lulu both for my paperbacks, and because of the pricing structure at Lulu I can vastly discount my hardcovers on their website while marketing at much higher prices at Amazon and Barnes & Noble to cover the cost of wider distribution. Lulu distributes to both.

Yes, you can publish to both Createspace and Ingram simultaneously. And you can choose to publish from either to Kindle, or neither.

The difference between Createspace and Ingram is that Createspace is free and Ingram charges a fee (something like $43) unless you order 50 or more books.

Coupon for free set-up fee: INDIEFRINGE16

Expires May 31. You will still have to pay to make changes down the line, but this will get you set up.

My choice currently is to distribute to Ingram through Lulu, but it could be a good option for others.

I find your comments about pricing with Lulu vs Createspace interesting. I had expected profits would be less with Lulu because there is a charge to publish through them. It seems I need to explore it more. Thank you.

Stupid question here. To subscribe to Lulu, they ask FULL NAME. Do they mean full with middle name and all? (Gosh I hate having to enter my middle name!) lol

How does price and quality compare between Createspace and Ingram compare? I am looking at options. So far I have only used Createspace because it's free to publish.

Does Lulu put their imprint on the back of the book as publisher?

Gerry wrote: "Does Lulu put their imprint on the back of the book as publisher?"

They will list you as the publisher.

Gerry wrote: "I find your comments about pricing with Lulu vs Createspace interesting. I had expected profits would be less with Lulu because there is a charge to publish through them. It seems I need to explore..."

Lulu publishes free, just like Createspace. I've used Lulu for quite some time, and the only payments I made to them was when I ordered my books.