Self-publishing a book(s) - a dilemma.

[Oliwerko]

Hi folks.

So I'm going to self-publish my first book using one of the available POD options.

I write both poems and short stories, and the question is: is it better to join them into a single book, or is it better to do separate books for poetry and for prose? In the pocket format, 11x18cm, which I'm planning on using, poems are a little over 100 pages; the short stories make roughly 130. So together, it would be a 230-page pocket-sized book.

Needless to say, two books would be cheaper each, but more expensive together, as opposed to a single book.

From the point of view of the reader, which do you find better, or more attractive?

I don't know what scenario is more probable: a person not buying a single joined book but rather just one of them, or vice versa.

Any ideas?

[Andail]

I think you would only publish a mix of poetry and prose if you were an established writer and wanted to make some kind of "best of" volume (like "the collected works of Oscar Wilde" or whatever), but as a debutant, definitely release them separately.

Artistic unity and theme > practical/economical solutions

Good luck, by the way!

[Stupot]

Definitely seperately. That way you're not alienating anyone, short story lovers who aren't necessarily in to poetry and vice-versa. If there are people who want to read both, perhaps you could rig up some special offer where they could get a discount if they by both books together.

But best of luck, whatever you decide.

[Anian]

I think you would only publish a mix of poetry and prose if you were an established writer and wanted to make some kind of "best of" volume (like "the collected works of Oscar Wilde" or whatever), but as a debutant, definitely release them separately.

I agree. separate is usually the way people publish these things, because not only does the readership usually differ, but the tone changes when there's mixed forms in a book.
And indeed they're usually together only when there's a collection or bibliography compiled of a certain author.

[bicilotti]

I would rather buy the mixed poem/poetry, it's a format which I find more interesting.
I remember liking your verses, so good luck with it (and let us know when we can order the book, whichever format you decide!)

[Tabata]

I'd go for the separated version (including the special offer for those, who order both). People love special offers

Good luck!

[Fitz]

I'd say keep them separate -- unless you find a clever way to mix them based on shared themes/motifs, e.g. a poem about something, and then a story about something related, and then another poem, etc. Dividing them into separate, independent entities within one volume just won't look good.

Also, which option are you considering: paperback or e-book? Which one would all you guys prefer? I'm asking in case I decided to publish something of mine one day. Also, which one would you prefer: a collection of stories sharing a common theme or a novel? I've once been told by a publisher that they don't usually publish collections of shorts from newcomers, they usually want a novel -- but given today's easy self-publishing options (like Amazon, which even allows you to set the price), it's so much more about what PEOPLE want, not what BIG CORPORATE PUBLISHERS *think* people want. Or so I'd like to think, at least Back in the day I used to write a lot of magical realism-themed stuff set in some fairy-tale American city -- so when I sent manuscripts out to publishers here in Poland, I didn't even get rejection letters, because no one would even look at those books -- and publishers in the US wouldn't publish a book by a non-American for obvious reasons like poor promotion options. Of course, to be fair, I was young, naive, and my writing needed some maturing.

[cat]

I only like poems if they are accompanied by great drawings or are at least layouted in a creative way. So I probably wouldn't buy a book containing poems.

I'd prefer separate books and in printed form (I hardly read ebooks)

[Oliwerko]

Thanks for replies all!

It's gonna be a paperback and possibly also an e-book. I'm starting with slovak language first, because that might get locals to acknowledge me as an author, only later will I publish my english stuff. It's good I asked, I would think that a combined book would be more interesting (me? I would definitely buy a combined book - I get something from both!).

Fitz is right about publishers wanting novels. I'm currently sending some e-mails to publishers here in Slovakia, but I don't hold my breath. Here you have to be either an established author or a newcomer with substantial published material in literary magazines to succeed. And if I use lulu.com, the price is going to be ridiculously high on Amazon, so all I have left is to sell the books myself. Not a great prospect.

Do you guys know any other good POD options in Europe? I would use CreateSpace, but they ship author copies from US, so that's a no-go for me. I want the whole thing to happen in Europe.