PART 2
 
In the meantime, I have put my book on Amazon. I set up a store, so I can control the price and not have Amazon undercut the stores that are carrying my book. My book sells for 19.95. I sell it to retailers for $9.00-$10.00. At the $10.00 mark, they can still mark it up 45%, so they are happy. I set up my own ecommerce store through BigCommerce.com . I highly recommend them. Their customer service has been top notch. They have a deal with Facebook to sell on their site for free. So I can sell off of my FB page.

Another crazy part to all this was setting up the merchant accounts and linking my store with the bank. None that was fun or easy. I ended up using Wells Fargo, they had the best interest rate, the best monthly rate (which I negotiated) and an average set fee per transaction. This was a miserable process and have since found a great company that will do it all for you if you are not inclined. Parallel Solutions based in Utah is who I would talk to.

We can’t leave out Linkedin, Flickr, Googleplus, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. I have become involved with all of these and have learned far more than I could ever give back. These communities have been great ways for me to get my book out there and to learn so much. Writing these books, though extremely important, is such a small percentage of what being a self-published author really entails.

I hope this helps anyone that is considering publishing a tactile children’s book. Maybe it can serve as a roadmap or help out with anyone looking to go this route. I always have questions and welcome any advice that others may have to offer. The great thing about a tactile book is that it can’t be duplicated into an E-Book. There will always be a need for these books. Find your niche. Believe in it. Be persistent and relentless in your pursuit of your goal. It has taken me 7 years to get to this point. I don’t plan on stopping now and I wish you the same in your passion.

“Like” my Facebook page if you get a chance. You can always “hide” my postings on you page if you don’t want to hear from me, but that way you are still “liking” me and I get higher numbers!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Collegiate-Kids-Books-LLC/275259229184656

Bryan Jones