Online ebook and print-on-demand publisher

Online readers buying through retailers and your website. Some sales may come from authors paying for publishing services, which should be clearly separate from your own publishing list.

You keep the sale price minus retailer and print costs on each copy, and pay authors a royalty. Revenue builds slowly as the catalogue grows.

• Editing or managing freelance editors
• Book formatting and cover briefing
• Online marketing and email lists
• Reading platform terms and royalty reports

• Be upfront with authors about what you pay and what you charge, to avoid disputes
• Check copyright, permissions for images and legal deposit requirements
• Platform rules and royalty rates can change, so don't rely on one retailer
• GST and overseas sales tax rules can be complicated, so consider talking to an accountant
• Competition is strong, so a clear niche matters

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $800 to $5,000, depending on how much you spend on editing, cover design, formatting and marketing. Because books are printed only when ordered, you avoid large print runs and stock storage.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $100 to $2,000, depending on your niche, how many titles you release and how well you market them. The estimate assumes at least about 6 hours a week.

Check copyright, permissions for images and legal deposit requirements. Be upfront with authors about what you pay and what you charge. Also check how GST and overseas sales tax apply, and consider talking to an accountant, since platform rules and royalty rates can change.