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GENERAL FAQ
What are you doing?
We're starting a publishing business based on printing on demand (POD). We'll print books, comic books, and graphic novels; if we say "book," we mean any of those.
Is POD something new?
Yes and no. We're using off the shelf technology (like computers and high-speed laser printers), so that's nothing new; but we're combining them in new ways.
What makes POD such a big deal?
POD lets us do several things.
- We can print as many or as few of any item as we like, from one to infinity.
- We can print comic books as easily as we can print a regular book.
- We don't have to print a book or comic until someone buys it.
- Nothing is ever out of print when it's with us.
Nothing is ever out of print? What does that mean?
Exactly what it sounds like. Your book is a bunch of ones and zeroes sitting on a disk, waiting to go to the printer. We don't have to print it until someone buys it, so we don't have thousands of copies sitting around collecting dust from lack of sales. If you have a comic with us, fans can get #1 just as easily as they can get #10. Back issues are always available.
So say my comic Telephone Boy is at issue #12. If a fan wants a back issue, can
she get it?
Yep. She can get any issue any time. She can get as many or as few as she likes.
Won't that play bloody hell with collectibles?
We can print each comic with the date and time it was printed, down to the second. That will play bloody hell with collectibles.
What can you print?
We can print comic books, paperback books, posters, cards, and trading cards.
What size are the books?
The paperbacks will come in two sizes, mass market and trade.
What do the books look like?
Just like the books in the bookstore.
Can you make comic books?
Yes. We are basing 1/3 of our business on comics.
How much will the books and comics cost?
Exact prices depend on the book, but you'll basically pay the same price as you would in a bookstore.
How long does it take to print a book?
About a minute and a half for a 300-400 page book. Adding the cover, binding, and trimming add another couple minutes. We can print 20,000-40,000 books per month, depending on the size of the book.
How long does it take to print a comic book?
About 10 seconds. Adding the cover, binding, and trimming add another couple minutes. We can print about 130,000
standard-size comic books per month.
Are your comic books color?
Color cover, B&W interior.
Can we get the comics and the books at a bookstore?
You can get them directly from us over the Web, on the phone, or through the mail.
What kind of posters can you print?
We can print posters of your favorite covers in almost any size at all. All you have to do is ask.
Why are you doing this?
It's clear that there's something wrong with the publishing industry, maybe several somethings wrong.
- Authors can't get published if their books aren't "best sellers."
- Publishers want to treat authors like entertainment factory workers instead of letting them create according to their vision.
- If it can't be turned into a movie or a toy, publishers don't want it.
And so on, and so on.
Well, that's wrong. Books can stand on their own merits. There are great books that don't sell many copies. Creators should create something with authenticity, not something based on the flavor of the week. We can make that happen, so why shouldn't we? We like books, and we like working with books. Good for us, good for them.
How come nobody has done this before?
That's a good question. The Romans could have invented the bicycle, but they didn't. We also think that big publishers don't stand to gain anything by doing this: they'll be more flexible, but they won't be more
profitable, so their accountants probably told them, "Don't do it."
We also have these additional FAQs for your perusal:
Investor FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Submissions FAQ
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