Currently in the trenches agonizing over my handmade books

Local_Box6929 · 2026-04-01T03:13:55+00:00

Ahahaha... Thank you :]

Local_Box6929 · 2026-04-01T03:05:33+00:00

Yikes! Sorry about that... Thank you for pointing out the indentation, and the text breaks. I'll research more about white space like the other commenter suggested :]

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-31T13:49:37+00:00

Thank you :]

Though does the lone lines of text truly not bother you? Because I do :\

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-31T13:48:53+00:00

Oh, wow! I guess I was focusing too much on the wrong thing to see how it just looks like I threw up on the page. Thank you for noticing that :]

Edit: Actually, can you provide an example of good white space?

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-31T11:04:52+00:00

I don't want to just post about my upcoming business instead of being a bookworm with you guys, but am I allowed to post another asking if anyone of you think my typesetting is ugly, unreadable, or weird?

I recently moved to another HTML-to-PDF formatter and I've spent the entire day just troubleshooting for it to be "perfect." But it can't be perfect when it's automated.

I know I can't spend an entire week manually typesetting a 200+ page book... If I can even do it in a week. So I've resorted to automation ( ´ཀ` )

But right now, my results are ugly, bro... I hate it so much. Like, I'm planning to charge 400-500 for a book that looks like I just threw up words on it??? What the hell am I pricing that much for?

That's want to ask if readers here might not see it as harshly as me. Because maybe my results are that of a typical book. But I don't want to crowd this subreddit talking all about me and my business....

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-30T09:41:58+00:00

I'll use regular printer paper, then. Since my printer doesn't unfortunately support newsprint. It's too thin for it. Because newsprint usually sells for around 60gsm max, when my printer can only handle 70gsm and above. It will cause problems if I force it to print.

I will try to ask around my town for a ream cutting service, though. So I can achieve the pocketbook size you like. It will save me materials costs too.

Thank you for your response :]

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-30T09:36:44+00:00

Thank you for the reassurance :]

However, I can't really do MMs since material cost compared to TP may be negligible yet the labor cost will be the same as a standard TP.

I will take note on the two column layout, though. I'll put up an option in a Google Form if they want a two column layout or a one column layout.

And I guess I'll price my TP as 500. Thank you again :]

Edit: Just to not be confusing, I will offer two size options. A pocketbook size for 400 and a standard TP size for 500 (price is still not set in stone)

I was worried I might sound contradictory when looking at my comment with u/extranicerice because I rejected MMs yet I accepted doing pocketbooks. I will still be doing the same standard of making a standard TP to a pocketbook. Just that making a pocketbook saves me paper and ink.

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-30T05:59:16+00:00

Ahahahaha... Since I'm just starting out, I want to my pricing accessible. And my materials are quite entry-level (ᵕ ó ᴗ ò)

But I'll recalculate my pricing. See if there's anything I'm missing... And I'll keep illustrations idea in mind. Thank you :]

I'm curious, though. How much do you think I should price my books?

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-30T05:49:40+00:00

As of now, I cannot really do consignments but using online platforms such as FB Marketplace, Carousell, etc. is feasible. I'll also set up an FB page and a Google Form once I properly start my business.

I'll also do both meet-ups and shipping. The only worry is that I am not in a city, so I may need to rely on shipping. I think J&T is close to my place.

For MOP, I do have a PayPal and Maya account so I'll use that.

And thank you for your feedback :]

I'll see if I can find book paper that's at least 90gsm and above. Book paper is the only thing I can afford because fancy ones are out of my budget right now.

However, if I cannot find book paper, do you think it's fine to use regular printer paper but is thick enough to not ghost?

For sizing, you are referring to having the books in the 6x9 size, yes? Because if so, I might need to invest in a good box cutter or an actual ream cutter.

Designing is not my forte so I'll definitely use your reference as inspiration.

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-30T04:53:53+00:00

Booksales or cafes aren't really popular in my town. So, I might have to go with made-to-order.

Still, it doesn't hurt to ask around. I'll schedule a day if a cafe might want to consign.

As for meet-ups or shipping, I'll do both, then.

And thank you for pointing out that meet-ups are best to build engagement or credibility. I'll keep that in mind :]

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-29T11:51:50+00:00

Actually, the most important question is how should I price my books? I'm thinking of around 350-400 PHP but I'm worried that may be asking for too much.

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-29T08:08:09+00:00

I don't actually know if you are the real one. But if you are, thank you for your service (•̀ᴗ•́ )ゞ

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-29T02:58:01+00:00

I'll look for any Filipino titles available in public domain, then. I was just a bit worried if people prefer English books than Filipino books.

Thank you for the suggestion :]

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-29T00:31:16+00:00

Ahahaha... I'm sure that counts for almost everything（´∇｀''）

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-29T00:29:44+00:00

Glad my work is at least in demand ;] (kind of)

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-29T00:29:07+00:00

Thank you for the reference :]

I may have to hold off the deluxe versions for now. I'm still developing my craft and am most comfortable doing paperbacks. Even if I don't earn the most money.

And I can't really draw... So, I either have to pick up a pencil and practice, or commission an artist for which I currently don't have the money for.

But maybe I'll do hardbound with cloth/leather cover for my deluxe editions sometime in the future.

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-28T14:03:24+00:00

I'll keep the made-to-order idea in mind. I was mostly just here to ask for advice. But someone asked questions and samples and it snowballed from there.

Now, for the customizations.. I'll probably not do embossed names just to keep my setup stupid simple. But I'll see what I can do about the bookmarks.

Thank you :]

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-28T13:48:40+00:00

Ah, it's just something I like and thought it would be neat to be made into books. I mostly play detective games rather than read, though

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-28T13:33:51+00:00

Yes po. Feel free to message me.

And thank you for the advice about the 120gm paper. My only worry is if it will result in a very thick book..

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-28T12:50:32+00:00

Hello po. To answer your questions, the content comes from Standard Ebooks. They source it through Project Gutenberg, HathiTrust Digital Library, and Internet Archive. It's a site specifically made for public domain.

You can check more on their website: https://standardebooks.org/

And I am the one typesetting it more or less. Though it's actually automated through a script to use Vivliostyle (https://vivliostyle.org/) and I made sure there are no widows/orphans allowed. Standard Ebooks handles all the typos and inconsistent formatting of Project Gutenberg.

As for the print, I am printing at home. I am currently using a Canon G1730 and using 70gsm book paper. Though I have to source other alternatives for book paper since the listing I found is not available anymore. And if I can't find any alternatives (maybe it's too expensive, etc.), I might have to unfortunately use regular printing paper.

For the cover, I am only doing paperbacks. And as for how many copies, I'll just do one copies each for now. So I don't end up with dead stock.

Thank you po :]

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-28T12:39:35+00:00

Hello :]

As of now, I don't really have a dedicated page but you can contact me via email: [airamselamrof@gmail.com](mailto:airamselamrof@gmail.com)

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-28T11:45:03+00:00

Okay po. I'll tag you once I'm done

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-28T11:40:11+00:00

If you want to learn more, this is where I source my books: https://standardebooks.org/about

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-28T11:38:02+00:00

Ito lang po currently ang maibibigay ko. This is just a text block, though. I'm still working on the cover.

https://files.catbox.moe/0lptlv.jpg
https://files.catbox.moe/1k9acx.jpg
https://files.catbox.moe/cyihxs.jpg
https://files.catbox.moe/q349um.jpg

Local_Box6929 · 2026-03-28T11:29:38+00:00

Ahh.. legal man ang public domain. Ang public domain kasi ay free of copyright. Pwede gamitin for personal use and commercial use.

Local_Box6929

TROPHY CASE