Eanna de Freine – The Indie Photobook Publishing Guide

Since many of the readers of TPBJ are either interested in self-publishing or at least knowing more about self-publishing, we want to share a new and (somewhat) FREE Indie Photobook Publishing Guide. Okay, maybe not entirely free, as you can read the Guide on line, but if you want to download it and obtain some of the other freebies, then you will need to recommend it to three friends, providing de Freine with some additional email addresses for his newsletter. Regretfully not always a free lunch.

So in advance I will reveal that I was involved in the development of this guide as a Beta reader, Editor and interviewed for one of the self-publishing Case Studies about my recently released Bluewater Shore. I was also joined by Clare Rowland, Tom Westbury, Euan Ross, Kalen Lee, Domenico Bruno Lobkowitz, David Flynn, Gabriele Harhoff and Uwe Bedenbecke in the Editing and other Case Studies were provided by Rohan Hutchinson, Gabrielle Harhoff, Nuno Moreira, Sebastien Tixier, Dustin Shum, Christophe le Toquin, Matej Sitar (America My Way), Sandra Koestler and Diane Vincent (OBEN).

Eanna de Freine is the publisher behind the Indie press The Velvet Cell and has seven years experience producing over 60 titles (six of which are his own photobooks) that have achieved total sales of over 5,000 copies. So he draws on all of that publishing experience as well as the collective advice from the various Editors that he has enlisted to ensure that his Guide is based on solid footing.

That said, what the guide does not get into in much depth is the editing and sequencing of a book, but the accompanying Case Studies do discuss this important aspect of developing a photobook.

Where the Guide shines is:

Why consider Indie publishing for your photobook
Important questions to ask yourself before proceeding
The biggest mistakes self-publishers make
How to fund and validate your photobook before you go to print
How to prepare and print your photobook in the most economical way
How to sell and distribute your photobook online and to bookshops
Creative ways to grow your fan-base and build an audience who will eagerly await your next book

Thus if self-publishing is in your future then this practical Guide should help as many photographers and artists can attest that publishing a photobook, either with an established publisher or doing it yourself, can be a bumpy ride. It is really nice opportunity to take advantage of the pitfalls and experience of others.

So check it out (here) and see if this Guide might help you on your self-publishing journey. I would be interested in hearing your feedback. I am also available to assist with mentoring you on this journey if you would like some additional assistance.

Cheers, Douglas Stockdale