Has anyone had a children's book with colored illustrations published?

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   Billie Kelpinposted 11 years ago

   My question was removed because it apparently seemed as if it wouldn't generate a hub, but I'd LOVE someone to write an article about the whole process. 
   
   So, here's the thing.  I'm going to kickstarter to ask for funding to get my children's ebook in print.  The print-on-demand quotes sometimes come to $17 for a glssy, but flimsy, paper back cover.  So that's unacceptable.  I've heard that some people go to local off-set printers.  I'm also looking into bookbaby.  My problem is that this is a picture book and I really do need each of the 24 pages to be in color. 
   
   If you have experience in print publishing, I'd love to know. I know the perils of marketing, and I accept that challenge.  I just want to know how to get my little book printed.
   
   Cheerio and thanks so much.
   
   Billie

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      Billie Kelpinposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      oops, to clarify.  I meant self-published.  But actually the question should have been, "Has anyone had a color illustrated children picture book printed?"

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      Rochelle Frankposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This is one way. (How my friend and I did it.)
      http://rochelle-frank.hubpages.com/hub/ … -We-did-it
      and
      http://rochelle-frank.hubpages.com/hub/ … w-Whet-Owl

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         Billie Kelpinposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Rochelle, I had stopped by your hub a while back and can't remember if I emailed you or not.  I always intended to and I MUST buy your book on Amazon because ?  I REALLY want to   However, I'm still a bit hazy on how exactly you had that many copies printed.  It seems as if initially you made the book yourselves, but did you eventually get a printer.  I'm sorry if I'm missing that.

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            Rochelle Frankposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            My friend had previously had a book of quilting patterns printed, and we inquired about printing our our book -- not hard cover, but "Perfect Bound". We requested a certain weight  and quality of paper so the photos would reproduce well. They gave us some quotes for different quantities (usually the more you order, the lower the price per unit). We wanted to be able to sell them wholesale, in small quantities and still make a profit, so we ordered  (I think) 2,600 copies. Yes, It is a big number. 
            
            I'll email you.

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   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   I can;t help think you should have sorted this out before raising the cash?
   
   If you must have hardcover, that is not going to be easy.  Lightning Source can do it but they is a service you need a pretty high skill level to use successfully.

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   Billie Kelpinposted 11 years ago

   Thanks for that psycheskinner... I'm not going to submit before I have it sorted out   I've been sorting it out for about 2 years now and STILL can't decide what to do.  I know the options.  I'm just looking to get any suggestions from others at hurdles I might not have foreseen. I'll look into Lightning Source.  I have samples from about 3 publishers through the years since starting my inquiry.  I'm getting more samples. At some point a person has to close one's eyes and go.  Three years is too long to make a decision like this!  Thanks for the suggestion.

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   Rochelle Frankposted 11 years ago

   Oh, the other thing Other thing I forgot to mention, books are usually printed 8 pages at a time on a large sheet, then cut and collated-- that's why most children's picture books are 32 pages long.

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   Billie Kelpinposted 11 years ago

   Rochelle, 
   
   Thank you so much.  I'll look forward to your email.

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