Niche book imprint run from home

Readers in your niche buying direct or via online retailers, plus bookshops, gift shops and visitor attractions that stock local interest titles.

You keep the sale price after printing, retailer discounts and any author royalties. Direct sales through your own website give the best margin.

• Good eye for what readers in a niche want
• Editing or the ability to hire freelance editors
• Organised with deadlines and budgets
• Basic online marketing

• Publishers in the UK are expected to send copies of new books to the legal deposit libraries, so check the current requirements
• Author contracts and copyright: consider getting a solicitor or the Society of Authors' guidance to check your contract
• Check permissions for any images, quotes or maps used in books
• Most books earn little, so budget for editing and design before you print
• Check with your landlord or mortgage lender if you will store stock at home

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how many titles you publish, and what you spend on editing, design and marketing. These are estimates, so budget for editing and design before you print.

Monthly revenue is typically around £100 to £1,500, depending on your titles, prices and how well they sell online and through local shops. The estimates start from about eight hours a week. Most books earn little, so plan carefully.

Check the current legal deposit requirements for sending copies of new books to the libraries. Have author contracts checked, for example with a solicitor or the Society of Authors' guidance, and check permissions for images, quotes and maps. Check with your landlord or lender if you store stock at home.