<VV> Re: [FC] A Corvair FC "coffee table" book?

[Rad Davis]

Since this has been crossposted to VV, I'll answer it here.  The math for 
limited-run printing is very different than it was a few years ago.  If we 
do all the pre-press work and give them completed press-ready files, we can 
likely get the books (assuming hard cover and a page count under about 40) 
for less than $30 each all up in ANY quantity.  That's the beauty of 
just-in-time printing.

One of the major college textbook publishers got into the market about ten 
years ago with the idea of the "custom" textbook.  Their turnaround is 
about 14 days, and print quality is as good as the source.  Nowadays, it's 
a normal business model.

No stockpiles, no minimum runs.  No exhausted CORSA treasury.  No drain on 
the treasury at all, if the writing and editing, and layout is all 
volunteer (and I already have a professional's offer in pocket on the 
layout part, as well as local friends in that line of work.

Check out www.lulu.com, www.fastcolor.com and www.lightningsource.com as 
examples. The only difference between Lulu and the other publishers I've 
looked at is that they also handle billing and distribution, which is a 
definite win in my perception.  There tends to be some limitation in paper 
sizes and binding capability, so we'll have to tread carefully to pick out 
an option that meets everybody's expectations at an acceptable price point.

It's stupid financially if you expect a run of 1000-2000 books to go with 
this approach.  On the other hand, if you expect slow, and/or low demand, 
it's the only route that makes sense.



At 08:15 PM 12/13/2005 -0800, Merv Krull wrote:
>I can think of two approaches:
>1. Run a limited number of copies... maybe 50... number them... "limited 
>edition collector's item"... maybe $200 each?
>or
>2. Aim for a very reasonable price of maybe $25 ... solicit pre-orders 
>until printing costs are covered for maybe 250 books... see if Chapters 
>would like an exclusive...  right after the special price for CORSA 
>members... print them up...
>
>"a very naive book promoter"
>Merv Krull
>Salmon Arm, BC
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Rad Davis" <rad.davis at comcast.net>
>To: "The Corvanatics list" <corvanatics at corvair.org>
>Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 8:57 AM
>Subject: Re: [FC] A Corvair FC "coffee table" book?
>
>
>>I'm thinking about using a just-in-time printing service like Lulu.com. 
>>We'll have to do some research (here, and probably on VV) to see how many 
>>pages of color people want to pay for.
>>
>>The last thing I want is boxes of unsold books in my basement and a huge 
>>printing bill.
>>
>>I'm guessing that CORSA has some sort of preexisting authorization from 
>>GM to use their old press  photos.  I surely don't want to run in to 
>>copyright trouble.
>>
>>Your photos are very welcome, though.  I was worried about the lack of 
>>print quality graphics.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>At 02:14 AM 12/13/2005 -0500, you wrote:
>>>     Regarding the FC 'coffee table' book, I have some early 60's 
>>> advertising
>>>B/W photos from GM, and a ton of photos of my Rampside (some, at work).
>>>     I don't think you'll be lacking photos...just buyers.
>>>     Printing a coffee table book can easily cost $50 each unless the 
>>> quantity
>>>printed is in the thousands.
>>>     I've designed a few books in my last 30 years as an art director, 
>>> so I'd
>>>be willing to help where I can.
>>>Bill Beckley
>>>'61 Rampside
>>>__________________________________________________
>>
>>Rad Davis:                                        rad.davis at comcast.net
>>Corvairs--65, 66 Corsa coupes, '65 'brier Deluxe   http://www.corvair.org/
>>Keeper of the Forward Control Corvair Primer: 
>>http://www.mindspring.com/~corvair/fc1.html
>>"We did Nebraska in seven minutes today. I think that's probably the best 
>>way to do Nebraska."                            --Brian Shul, _Sled Driver_
>>
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>
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__________________________________________________________________________
Rad Davis:                                        rad.davis at comcast.net
Corvairs--65, 66 Corsa coupes, '65 'brier Deluxe   http://www.corvair.org/
Keeper of the Forward Control Corvair Primer: 
http://www.mindspring.com/~corvair/fc1.html
"We did Nebraska in seven minutes today. I think that's probably the best 
way to do Nebraska."                            --Brian Shul, _Sled Driver_