Small niche book press

Readers in your niche buying online, at markets and through independent bookshops, plus libraries, schools and sometimes authors paying for publishing services.

Sales of each title, direct from your website, through online retailers and distributors, and in bulk to organizations. Some presses add paid services like editing or design for self-publishing authors.

• Spotting good manuscripts
• Project management and deadlines
• Working with editors, designers and printers
• Marketing to a niche audience

• Copyright and contracts: get clear written agreements with authors, illustrators and designers about rights and royalties
• Check how ISBNs are issued to Canadian publishers and whether legal deposit copies are required for your titles
• Check how GST/HST applies to books and to your direct sales, and when you need to register
• Most titles sell modestly, so keep print runs small and costs for each title controlled
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
• Check provincial and federal arts or publishing grants, but don't count on them

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many titles you begin with and the editing and design help you hire. Print-on-demand can help you avoid large print runs.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $300 to $1,500, depending on your titles, niche and sales channels. Most titles sell modestly, so keeping print runs small and costs for each title controlled matters.

Check written agreements with authors, illustrators and designers on rights and royalties, how ISBNs are issued to Canadian publishers, whether legal deposit copies are required, how GST/HST applies to books and direct sales, and home-based licence rules.