The postman arrived with a book I had ordered from Amazon. It is a self published book, and I was interested to see the quality, because that is what I have been investigating for my proposed book.
I was so disappointed. I didn't like the shiny cover, I didn't like the typeface, I didn't like the startlingly white paper it has been printed on. The paper is awful and cheap looking. In fact the text looks just like it has been typed onto the page. You can see right through it. In fact it could, if you were so inclined, be used as a tracing paper, it is that thin. Also the book has no feeling of quality about it. The cover is very thin too. The whole book is very floppy. It wasn't cheap to buy either. Including the postage it came to over £10.
When the parcel arrived I thought there must be some mistake. Surely I thought, the book I ordered is not in that thin packet? This is all such a shame because the book itself, although I have just started to read it, seems like a good read.
It would certainly not be suitable for my pen and ink illustrations. They would show right through the page.. Still I suppose, as the old saying goes, beggars can't be choosers. If one wants to self publish for free, then I suppose one has to put up with it.
But no, I am not going to. Stuart and I are looking at other publishing options. I cannot abide the idea of putting out my book, unless it is the very best I can get it. Unless it looks like a proper book. I wish I was rich enough to have it all done perfectly. This week I shall attempt once again to win the lottery, then you can all have a free signed copy.
See you later alligator.
