How to kind of publish a book?

[kerry1379]

My father recently passed away. In revisiting memories, I rediscovered a poem he had written for his grandkids. I know at the time he showed it to me, I told him he could truly become a children's author but he specified that this was for his family, not something he really wanted to publish. I want to honor that. But I am also worried that if it just stays as something on a piece of paper, it will inevitably get lost someday in the distant future. I would love to have it made into a book where we work on the illustrations as a family and get it "published" in a format nice enough to keep on the shelf and more easily preserved as well as read and reread rather than forgotten. I would also like to get enough copies of said book to give to each one of his grandkids so that they have it for their families. Does anyone know of someplace that does something like that for a reasonable price and where we retain the rights, etc?

 

[Lumpy1106]

My father recently passed away. In revisiting memories, I rediscovered a poem he had written for his grandkids. I know at the time he showed it to me, I told him he could truly become a children's author but he specified that this was for his family, not something he really wanted to publish. I want to honor that. But I am also worried that if it just stays as something on a piece of paper, it will inevitably get lost someday in the distant future. I would love to have it made into a book where we work on the illustrations as a family and get it "published" in a format nice enough to keep on the shelf and more easily preserved as well as read and reread rather than forgotten. I would also like to get enough copies of said book to give to each one of his grandkids so that they have it for their families. Does anyone know of someplace that does something like that for a reasonable price and where we retain the rights, etc?

We have made trip albums before through Snapfish. Might that work?
https://www.snapfish.com/photo-book

 

[Karalee402]

My father recently passed away. In revisiting memories, I rediscovered a poem he had written for his grandkids. I know at the time he showed it to me, I told him he could truly become a children's author but he specified that this was for his family, not something he really wanted to publish. I want to honor that. But I am also worried that if it just stays as something on a piece of paper, it will inevitably get lost someday in the distant future. I would love to have it made into a book where we work on the illustrations as a family and get it "published" in a format nice enough to keep on the shelf and more easily preserved as well as read and reread rather than forgotten. I would also like to get enough copies of said book to give to each one of his grandkids so that they have it for their families. Does anyone know of someplace that does something like that for a reasonable price and where we retain the rights, etc?

I'm so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful idea! I've made books using Mixbook, and I've been very happy with them. They're a bit more expensive, but if you put the books in your cart, they'll send you a coupon for half off! Works every time for me!

 

[Clifton Tesh]

I'm not sure where you live but if you're in the US try going to your local library and telling the librarian what you are wanting to do.

They tend to know a lot about stuff like that and can point you in a lot of great directions.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I've got a friend that actually published a book through I think Amazon that other people could buy. She didn't make a lot of money off it - but she did find a husband. He contacted her with some positive feedback and they hit it off.

I realize that's not OP's goal of course

 

[Imzadi]

You actually want a book printed and bound, not published.

Depending on how many pages you want the book to be will determine the price, style of book, the binding, etc., and where you get it done.

For the pages you want to work on and illustrate, you could just order blank pages as part of the book. Order matte pages which can accept colored pencils and markers. And make sure you order thick paper.

First place I'd recommend is Barnes and Noble Press, look for “Print personal books”.
https://press.barnesandnoble.com/print-on-demand

Second place is LuLu.com:
https://www.lulu.com/create/print-books

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Hug Kerry and prayers of peace. I echo others in saying what a beautiful tribute idea.

 

[DodgerGirl]

My cousin always had a dream of becoming a famous author and had always dreamed of having his books published but never got around to doing it. But what I think you could do is try to call your library and see if you can bring in your father's poem and have you read it to people in person and once you can get it published into a book you can ask the library if they can place it on display. Because I do know that libraries have a section for new and upcoming authors and their new books that are showcased called the local interest section. You might also want to contact any authors and ask for their advice because before book authors release books or publish them they contact different authors and publishers for advice because that is the first step to becoming a famous author. It's so sweet that you thought of an wonderful idea to keep your father's legacy alive and I do hope you get your father's poem turned into a book because people are sure to read it if it is published
Let me know how it goes Kerry and good luck
Dodger

 

[tony67]

As a PP mentioned a Photo Book may be the most reasonable option.
I used to get a photo book from each trip through Shutterfly.
You can scan the poem and have it one one of teh pages, include whatever illistations and photos you want as well.
They do a really nice job.
Its a hard cover professional looking product.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

You actually want a book printed and bound, not published.

This.

Shutterfly was my first thought as well. Could upload the drawings and/or add photos. The final product is really nice quality.

 

[Pooh2]

I use Blurb and Shutterfly. Both have frequent promo codes to make it more affordable.

 

[PollyannaMom]

My father recently passed away. In revisiting memories, I rediscovered a poem he had written for his grandkids. I know at the time he showed it to me, I told him he could truly become a children's author but he specified that this was for his family, not something he really wanted to publish. I want to honor that. But I am also worried that if it just stays as something on a piece of paper, it will inevitably get lost someday in the distant future. I would love to have it made into a book where we work on the illustrations as a family and get it "published" in a format nice enough to keep on the shelf and more easily preserved as well as read and reread rather than forgotten. I would also like to get enough copies of said book to give to each one of his grandkids so that they have it for their families. Does anyone know of someplace that does something like that for a reasonable price and where we retain the rights, etc?

My mom did something like that years ago with a story I wrote for school. This is the sticker in the cover:


I'm not sure if they're still around, but it might be worth looking them up.

 

[sam_gordon]

My wife just finished a project with a coworker where they put a book together for a family. It included pictures and quotes from family members.

She used Publisher to lay everything out, saved as JPGs, and used VistaPrint (https://www.vistaprint.com/) to do a "sample" book to see if that's how the client wanted things to look. That was only ~25 pages and cost was reasonable for one book (<$100).

The final book was 108 pages, VistaPrint wanted a LOT more money, so they ended up going to prestophoto (www.prestophoto.com).

DW, after I explained the issue, said to also mention a different coworker of hers tried to publish a book through Amazon, and while the process was easy, the final product was not good... misaligned pages, missing pages, etc, and different issues on different copies of the book.

She also said if you need help putting things together once you have your documents & pictures together, she only charges $20/hour.

 

[_19disnA]

Relatives have often put together 'books' with various pictures of their growing family throughout the year as Christmas gifts. I think they use shutterfly but would imagine there are several online sites who do the same thing. Have the impression you upload images, arrange them how you like and add text/background/colors. Likely you can print as many copies as you want and you retain ownership. Not much different from have some online site print copies of your pictures, but in this case they compile them in a book.

I doubt a true 'publishing' company would have any interest since they likely need to make thousands of copies to sell and make a profit.

 

[starry_solo]

Check your local library. I know one about 30 miles away that has a self publishing machine to create and bind your own book. It was called an espresso book machine. I don’t know if they still have it.

Here’s a description from 2019:
https://librarypublishing.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Community-Espress-ion-murtough.pdf

It looks like the company went out of business earlier this year but some machines may still be available.

https://www.flintridgebooks.com/espressobookmachine

 

[LuvOrlando]

Sorry for your loss, this sounds like a lovely idea.

I did something similar, DH took a family recipe that makes me happy and had it etched with notes and all into a wood serving board which I now hang on the wall.

It is very comforting to keep things preserved.

 

[DodgerGirl]

Is Lulu that company that makes that Illustory book creating kit that had children create their own books and then you would mail the finished project and then weeks later your child's story was a actual book? I believe Lulu is known now as Creations By You but you should call them and ask how much it would cost to have them publish your book
Keep up the excellent work with your book Kerry
Dodger

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Staples and Fed Ex Office also bind paper together. I'm not sure whether a hard cover is an option though. Best to anyone putting written memories together

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

When I built paperbacks for self publishing I used create space but I now think Amazon bought them. One is a children’s book with illustrations in it and I’m pretty happy with how it looks. It was fairly easy to do the most difficult part being the cover and back cover if I remember correctly. I haven’t tried in years since I am seeking agent/publisher for latest work. But after loafing up you are able to order copies for proofing and it’s quite affordable.