So tomorrow morning I've got an appointment with a literary agent. It's the first in what I imagine will be many such meetings with a lot of different people in an attempt to get a book made from the 365 Portraits project I finished a few weeks ago. I've got my portfolio ready. I've got my book proposal ready. I've even got sample pages ready.
I'm a fairly rational person and I've done as much research as I could, but I still have no good idea how the publishing world works. I have read conflicting information on almost every aspect of what to do to get a book deal, so I've decided to just use a shotgun approach and talk to as many people as I can. I'll try literary agents, or going straight to the publishers, or publishing it myself if I have enough interest.
The book, if it gets made (and I hope it will), will be a big one. At least 365 pages, probably closer to 400, and from what I've heard, publishers don't like photo books because they're expensive to make and they don't sell that well. And even though I've had a lot of people say they'd buy it, I have no real idea of how big a market I would have or how much people would be willing to pay for such a tome.
This is all to say that tomorrow is the beginning of a journey that I'm sure will include many setbacks, but at the very least it should prove to be an interesting adventure.
Any help, advice, or suggestions are welcome.
I'm a fairly rational person and I've done as much research as I could, but I still have no good idea how the publishing world works. I have read conflicting information on almost every aspect of what to do to get a book deal, so I've decided to just use a shotgun approach and talk to as many people as I can. I'll try literary agents, or going straight to the publishers, or publishing it myself if I have enough interest.
The book, if it gets made (and I hope it will), will be a big one. At least 365 pages, probably closer to 400, and from what I've heard, publishers don't like photo books because they're expensive to make and they don't sell that well. And even though I've had a lot of people say they'd buy it, I have no real idea of how big a market I would have or how much people would be willing to pay for such a tome.
This is all to say that tomorrow is the beginning of a journey that I'm sure will include many setbacks, but at the very least it should prove to be an interesting adventure.
Any help, advice, or suggestions are welcome.
No helpful advice, unfortunately, but I have been an avid follower of 365 Portraits, and I am already planning to make room on my shelf for the book. Good luck, Bill!
Again, no helpful advice, but I'm holding a spot on my mantel for your book. I'd love to have your statements to go along. Best of luck.
Good luck with the book, Bill, hope it all works out well for you — I know a lot of people believe you deserve it by right. Hope once the book gets published, it will ship to Russia, as I'd love to get one. Is there any chance to get it signed by the author, btw?
Cheers!
It doesn't have to be 365 pages or more does it? I imagine that will be the first suggestion. Some pages might have more than one photo and others highlighting just one.
Photo books are always super pricey hardback, but the ones I have are soft and not too expensive. The priciest was Leibovitz 1970-1990 (HarperPerrenial). It's oversized and has 232 pages but more pics than that. I don't remember the price and it's not on the book. (Used now hardback go for lowest $80 a pop though.) But her "Photographs" published 1983 soft was only $15.95 and is smaller with no page numbers. Grr. Rolling Stone published that one, go figure. This summer at a Philip Trager exhibit his hardback Faces was 50$ priced by the museum. Publisher was Steidl and the book was gorgeous and well bound. The last photograph book I bought was the U2 self portraits deal this Christmas at $24.95 soft cover.
I think people will pay for the quality that will be evident in spades. Good luck with this. You have something very unique with 365.
Sorry to have gone on.
I'll bet you sell at least 365 copies ;-)
I love photobooks! I find them so inspirational. I would be interested in a copy if you got it published. I own several. I think the most I ever paid was close to $55. When they start hitting the $75 or more range I generally bow out. But that's just me. The "perception" of value can go along way.
Good Luck and I really hope it works out for you!
I know I'm a bit late in the game, but I discovered 365 Portraits a few months back. I am in love with the art. It is almost as though the subjects are shown as they view themselves rather than as the world views them. I can't even explain how I've connected with the portraits. Fabulous. I would love a copy of the book and I'm curious on the progress of publication. Any information would be appreciated! Thank you!