Small independent book publisher

Readers buying direct online, independent bookshops and gift shops, libraries, schools and event or market buyers.

Sales of each title at retail or wholesale price, minus printing, freelancer and author royalty costs. Extra income can come from ebooks, audiobooks and bulk orders.

• Good eye for a strong manuscript
• Project management and deadlines
• Budgeting per title
• Marketing and selling to a niche audience

• Contracts with authors and illustrators: check who owns copyright and how royalties work, and consider legal advice
• Check defamation and copyright risks in manuscripts, including images and quotes used
• Legal deposit rules require copies of published works to go to libraries, check current requirements
• Unsold stock and printing costs can tie up cash, so keep early print runs small
• Check whether your council allows a home-based business, and your GST obligations once turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many titles you start with and your editing, design and printing choices. These are estimates. Keeping early print runs small can limit cash tied up in stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $3,000, depending on your niche, number of titles and sales channels. These are estimates of revenue, not profit, and printing, editing and design costs for each title come out of it.

Check author and illustrator contracts for copyright ownership and royalties, and consider legal advice. Check defamation and copyright risks in manuscripts, including images and quotes, legal deposit requirements, council rules for home-based businesses, and your GST obligations once turnover reaches the threshold.