Desk Research

We want to set up a process for simply but effectively publishing a book as an ebook (Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc) and print-on-demand.

We need to compare pros and cons of services like CreateSpace, Lightening Source, BookBaby etc well as reviews of other authors about what has worked. Ultimately we need a book to say "in stock" on Amazon and also be able to be ordered by bookshops to have in stock for them (that means being with wholesalers). Need to design easiest, cheapest and most reliable of doing this compared with different costs per book (both set up and per copy). We also might have missed something out that is 100% necessary.

Please cover US and UK.

e.g. blogs like this https://kindlepreneur.com/ingramspark-vs-createspace-best-print-on-demand-services/

It changes a lot as different services change their product so we want super up-to-date summary from the last 6 months of blogs and discussion. This needs to be super rigorous research not just looking at first page of Google search. We need to know we are going to do the best way possible.

Please look at which services offer short runs of printed books (like 50 or 100) at lower costs than usual POD price.

Also look for other things worth doing from your research like getting a Kirkus Review to mazimise impact and sales.

Think less about this being conventional self-publishing but more like setting up an indie publishing imprint with a number of books published like this but without the costs of publishing.

I reckon 3-4 hours should be a good start. Outputs ideally are:

1) Spreadsheet of the POD / kindle options for us to understand
2) Recommended workflow from final edit to selling live