Self-Publish with Books from Blurb
Doesn’t everyone want to have their own book published, it’s most people’s dream to see their name in print along with their life stories, diary notes and recipes…..and if you are an avid photographer, it’s even better to see all of your images published too. Well, if you are keen to have your own book (or books) published and see them for sale globally, then Blurb is the platform for you.
Put quite simply, Blurb is an independent publishing platform that gives you the ability to create, publish, sell, and distribute your own photo books, trade books or magazines in print and digital formats. You get help along the way with creative templates and layout software as well as being able to import your manuscript from Microsoft Word (or any word processing program) or publish from Adobe InDesign. You can then sell your print books directly through Blurb or on Amazon, or distribute them globally via Ingram.
I was a convert to the idea already, so, what else was needed to convince me that this is the way to go…….well, how about a book? I was sent a self-published book to look at and review, and I was instantly impressed with the quality and content of the book I was sent; the book arrived well wrapped and straight through my letterbox – it was a beautiful book called Addictions by Meagan Klementowski which retails at £19:99. Packed with seriously addictive dessert recipes, hence the title no doubt, I curled up on the sofa to read it.
The layout was easy to follow with a “menu” of contents at the front, as well as some handy “tools” and “shopping lists”. The “baker”, Meagan, shares a personal insight into how the book was conceived, from her tiny little apartment kitchen and you are immediately drawn in to her recipes and life, something that doesn’t always happen when reading a celebrity chef’s cookbook. Each recipe has an image on the opposite page and the layout of the recipes was very easy to follow.
The print quality was very good with a lovely glossy cover, and the images were an essential part of the book. I was captivated with recipes such as Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Buttermilk Pie and Maple Sugar Cookies as well as Pure Vanilla Extract and Dulce de Leche. It was a very professional looking book but with an air of individuality about it, something that you have complete control over when self-publishing.
As well as this lovely recipe book that I received, I can see this service to self-publish being a wonderful idea for Wedding Albums, personalised Year Books for the grandparents or a collection of the children’s work and writing that they bring home from school – like a journey through life. A personal book published through Blurb would also make a fabulous Christmas present when personalised to suit family and friends, and how about an “Office Party” book to give to all your colleagues?!
If you want to have a look at what Blurb offers, then the best place to start is over at their very informative website here: Blurb. I was particularly impressed with their Adobe InDesign plugin as well as their multi-featured design and layout application, BookWright, with BookWright you don’t need to hire a designer, know a line of code or buy expensive software, and it looks like a breeze to use too.
I’d like to end with a rough guide to costs – you can make both fixed-layout and reflowable ebooks with Blurb. Fixed-layout ebooks for the iPad cost £8.39. Reflowable books for the Kindle are free for a limited time. You can also create a PDF version of any book you make with Blurb for £3.59. Prices then start at £8:99 per 20 page book for a small run of 1 to 9 books with considerable discounts for large runs. When you consider a 12 page personalised calendar can cost between £6 and £15 to produce, I was very impressed with the pricing structure.
I was thrilled with my review book and I am now definitely going to create and self-publish my own cookbook in the New Year, and who knows, maybe it will be a top seller!
Book Reviewed:
RRP: £19:99
By Meagan Klementowski
A few recipes from my private stash!
These recipes are as good as they look! This lovely collection of recipes was created with the home cook in mind. They are easy to read, easy to make, easy to devour.
Recipes and images were created by Meagan Klementowski of Nutmeg Imageworks.
Dimensions: Small Square 80 pages
Category: Cooking
Links to Blurb’s Social Media accounts for more information:
Facebook:
/BlurbBooks
Twitter:
@blurbbooks
Google+
/+BlurbBooks/posts
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All views and opinions are my own and these are my honest impressions of the service and book. Karen S Burns-Booth
Marcus says
Karen,
Thank you for this…is the push I need to get my next book published.
There’s lots of options…and the pricing looks great.
Meagans book looks stunning.
Good luck with your book.
Cheers
Marcus
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Marcus – good luck with your book too! Karen
Foodgloriousfoodx says
I can’t wait to see your new cookbook 🙂 x
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much – will start on it in the New Year!
Janice says
Look forward to seeing your book Karen.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Janice – not sure what recipes I will use yet!
Eat Like You Love Yourself says
I published a book for my Mum all about my Mum on her 70th birthday with Blurb and I also wrote a book of poems for my other half (all self penned). Tbh I prefer the personal nature of a blurb book. I don’t think self publishing is the way to make that much money if you’re going to do it in print, the first option would surely be an e-book. I can testify it’s easy to use. If anything, you need to calm down and not use too many layout styles, otherwise it could look messy.
Karen Burns-Booth says
That’s really interesting to hear…..and also about the e-books too, I may publish e-book first and then a normal book later. Thanks for all of your advice, Karen
Glamorous Glutton says
I remember seeing Blurb at FBC and being enthused to create a book. I love the look of Addictions, the photography is gorgeous. I might try an ebook first and see how that goes. There are so many ways this could be a fabulous gift. GG
Karen Burns-Booth says
Yes, I agree GG – I will also try an e-Book first and then see how I go!
Jude says
I did an Instagram book in the summer, it’s a lovely way to keep photos together, and like everyone I keep thinking I must do a book, they’ll be inundated in a few months!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Yes, it’s such a great idea Jude and I also love the idea of your Instagram Book too…..I am going to try to do my book in the early New Year.
Janie says
Really interesting review Karen. I’ve seen a couple fo Blurb books too, and was also impressed with the print quality.
Janie x
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Janie – it’s a great way to publish personal stuff too, for family and friends. Karen
Patricia Shea says
You would create a STUNNING book with Blurb – your recipes and photos are fabulous and I would most assuredly share it with my network of recipe lovers! I am creating a blurb book right now, a day planner, and am looking forward to figuring out their templates etc. Can’t wait to see your book!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much Patricia – what a lovely thing to say! Can’t wait to see your day planner book…….maybe we need to share notes with each other about templates etc! Karen
Patricia Shea says
Sounds like a plan to me, Karen. I’ll let you know how it’s going!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Okay – let’s keep each other updated! K xx
denise@magnoliaverandah says
I made a Blurb book a couple of years ago. All my family favourite recipes adapted from my blog with photos. The layout was so easy to use. I ordered about 12 and gave them to family for Christmas – they were blown away by it. I left this very close to Christmas and they rushed the order through. I was thrilled. Doing it again this year. /go for it Karen.
Karen Burns-Booth says
WOW! That is such great news Denise and thanks for letting me know too! What format did you use? The small one that is soft-back? It would be interesting to see which format you used, and are your books available to look at in the Blurb shop, or were they private? Thanks again……Karen
Emma says
This is such a fabulous idea – and as a family cookbook for those of us who are less cook, more eat foodies it would be a perfect group project!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Yes, a great group foodie project Emma, may have a think about that!