Ask HN: Has anyone here self published a book before?

1 point·palidanx··4 comments

I'm looking to self publish a cookbook, and was wondering if anyone here had any advice about platforms and methods? I want to publish the book in a hardcover and also via ebook.

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Depending on your budget, I'm a big fan of a commercial tool called PrinceXML, which consumes [html|xml]+css and produces PDF. All of the big self publishers accept PDF as one of their printing targets.

Of course, this means you're writing a book in HTML, which is either a huge win or an enormous loss, depending on who you are. But, given that it's HN, I figure there's a half decent chance this is right for you.

There's a free version you can try it out with; the commercial version is around five hundred bucks. In my opinion, totally worth it. YMMV.

Is there a reason you don't use Word's print to pdf function? Or does it generate kooky layout?

Lulu. I've self-published twice with Lulu and it was a painless enough experience.

Actually, no. Let me correct myself. It was a lot of work, and quite painful, but Lulu's tools made it a lot easier. I highly recommend them.

EDIT: I used Word (actually, I think it was Open Office) to write and layout the book and not any page design software.

One more thought. Cookbooks - the popular ones anyways - are plastered with glossy pics. The typsetting and design are immaculate. You may want a professional designer to design the book for you.

Okay, I'm done.

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