Publishing One's Own Family History - any advice?

[Keith Sherwood]

Hi, Everyone,
Does anyone have any advice to give on the subject of actually making an attempt to publish an aspect of one's own family history - on the printed page, I mean, not just on the internet.
Are there reputable publishing companies who might produce a fairly low-key book or booklet; or do other Rootschatters have experience of their own in this matter.  On the one hand, I realise that you can pay large amounts of money to a publisher just to see your own name in print.  And on the other there are the firms like Phillimore's, for example, who produce excellent, high-quality and expensive-to-purchase editions.
Some time in the future I was thinking of giving it a go...
Best wishes,
Keith

[casalguidi]

Hi Keith

If you are after a low-key type of (A5 perhaps) booklet to begin with, there are small printing companies in most main towns who do this type of thing ie. local/family history booklets, football programs - glossy or not.  I would suggest getting your stuff into some kind of order ie. what you would like to include ......... stories, photos etc., typing it out (publishing program on the PC) and seeing roughly how much space you would need.  Have a look at other booklets (your local library perhaps) and make some enquiries with a couple of local printers where you can see some of their work.

Much would probably depend on how many copies you require, ie just for immediate family (mustn't forget a copy for the local libary and county record office) or might it appeal to a wider audience for some reason.

It's a difficult one sometimes because new information is often coming to light all the time.  When I typed a lot of mine up some years ago (one for myself and two copies for my dad and grandmother as Christmas presents), I chose to use a large loose leaf A4 binder so that I could add to it (and theirs)  without problem - as I have done over the years.

Good luck

Casalguidi

[Keith Sherwood]

Thanks for all that advice, Casalguidi,
I'll bear it all in mind before I take the plunge.  I suppose showing someone/people what you have when it's all organised and set out might determine how one publishes it eventually.
Very best wishes,
Keith

[Paul E]

Hi Keith

Have you considered 'burning' your history to a CD or DVD?
That way, you can produce as many copies as you like, relatively inexpensively, and 'on demand'. 

Paul

[JillJ]

Hi Keith,

In my humble opinion you have to ask yourself one big question first, i.e.  what the eventual format is to be.   You could quite easily produce a simple booklet yourself, even using just Microsoft Word.   You could then burn it onto a cd and give this to any local printer who could put it into book form for you and run off as many copies as you want, all relatively cheaply.   

If however you want the end result to be a little bit more sophisticated and you want to use a professional publisher and editor, then it gets a little bit more difficult.   First of all you have to produce at least a draft copy, then you have to find a publisher who is interested enough to take on the job.   In order to find the publisher you may need an agent - even more difficult!   

Enough said I think until you answer the big question!

Jill

[Keith Sherwood]

Thanks so much for your further consideration of this matter, Paul and Jill.  Once I've eventually put the thing together, then I'll decide on how sophisticated it out to be.  Lots of hard work before that moment, though...
Keith

[MarieC]

I recently self-published a book about my Dad - containing poems and diaries that he wrote as a young man, and some wartime diary material.  I did a whole lot of research about his life as a framework for his own writings (and I must say everyone I contacted was most helpful!)  I typed it up myself on a floppy and took it to a small local publishing company who couldn't have been more helpful.  They advised on cover design and binding, formatted the whole thing, and printed it for a very moderate price.  I have given lots of copies away to family (and one person actually bought a few extra!)

It is a great feeling when you actually hold your book in your hands.  And quite emotional, when you have done it as a tribute to a wonderful Dad who is no longer here.

MarieC

[Keith Sherwood]

Hi, Marie,
What a touching and encouraging story.  I must get down to work, tracing the story from beginning to end of a particularly elusive member of my family, with many twists and turns along the way.  So important we put it all into words for posterity...
Keith

[lizdb]

My brother and I produced our family hisotory, about 12 copies for family members, some years ago. I typed it up on word, scanned in photos, certificates, etc. We got them 'bound' with one of those spirally ring things at a local print shop. The result was very impressive - though I say so myself!! especially as it ended up about 3 inches thick!

The trouble with Family History, though, as I am sure you know, is that it is never ending. My brother has just started putting pen to paper for the 'supplement'!! And very soon I am expecting the first draft for typing up..........!!