Anchor and Bee was founded to fill a void in the publishing industry – small, approachable, quality, author-controlled content that doesn’t depend on having a minimum number of followers on social media.
What We Do for You
You have an idea or maybe even a completed book, we help you through the publication process to bring it to print. We use LightningSource/IngramSpark for print on-demand and distribution to minimise cost and maximise author control. We took the best elements of traditional publishing (professional standards and bespoke design) and the best of self-publishing (the author-retained copyright/control) to create our process. Copies of every book we publish are furnished to the requisite UK and Irish libraries.
We aim to work with under-published and often under-considered members of the writing and creative community. The number of followers should not define the worth of a book to be published.
How It Works
You reach out to us and give us an idea of the scope of your project, what stage of completion it is in, and what your vision is for the final book. We then evaluate whether it is in keeping with our ethos and if it is able to meet a certain standard (we require editing and proofreading by someone other than the author). Next, together we consider what is needed to reach the final print stage and develop a plan. This is entirely dependent upon your work and how ready for print it is. It may include putting you in touch with a freelance editor, knitting tech editor, book designer, or illustrator. Perhaps all that is needed is proofreading and print set-up. It’s even possible your book is completely ready to print. We are here to support you through your unique publishing journey.
You’re in Control
You retain 100% control over your book. We do not offer any advances or payment for books to be published under our imprint. You cover all costs associated with your book. When you set up your book in our distributor’s system you pay the fees directly and input your bank details so that you receive all profits directly.
Costs
Often the daunting expense of self-publishing makes a book project seem like a distant goal or even dream. You’d be surprised how affordable it is. The initial costs to prepare a book for printing are unique to each project. The main expenses are:
- Freelance work done by editors, proofreaders, illustrators, or designers
- One-time printer setup cost (usually $49 per book). This fee only recurs when there are changes to the internal pages of the book. In the case of knitting pattern changes, to avoid the reprint cost for each errata, we have a dedicated errata page on our website which we list in the print book.
- Printing costs. This is very specific to the final book design based on from page count and paper quality to cover texture and trim size. IngramSpark print options are detailed on their website here and you can do a quick calculation of the estimated print cost per book based on your unique specifications here. We have found Color/Standard70/Paperback/Perfectbound/Matte to be a good balance of quality and affordability, but the choice is yours.
- Library deposit costs and postage. You need to budget for copies of your book to be furnished to the requisite UK and Irish libraries. This means print copies and postages, plus mailer envelopes.
- Marketing and promotion. This is personal to each author. We do not take care of this element, but can recommend someone to help.
Book Pricing
You will determine your own book price, this is led by print cost, market value, wholesale discount, and desired profit margin.
IngramSpark print options are detailed on their website here and you can do a quick calculation of the estimated print cost per book based on your unique specifications here. It is advised you conduct competitive analysis prior to know the market value.
Wholesale discounts are recommended to lend credibility and professionalism to market your book to retailers. The wholesale discount you set determines how much a wholesaler will actually pay for your book. Wholesalers include retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Costco. They sell your book at list price. The difference between the two is compensation, or profit. If they can’t make a profit from selling your book, they won’t buy it. It is up to you, the author, to determine what wholesale discount you want to apply to your book, but 30%–55% is a competitive range.
Book Sales
You have the option of making your book available to online retailers, or you may choose to order a batch of books to sell yourself in your own venue or shop. It is popular to do a combination of these. Anchor and Bee also has a dedicated online shop as well, though it is less popular than larger online retailers.
What’s In a Name?
The name Anchor and Bee comes from founder Evin Bail O’Keeffe’s grandmother. As a child, they would bind books using paper, a hole punch, and spare yarn. Her grandmother explained that you anchor the yarn with a knot through the bottom hole then you weave it around through the other holes like a bee flying around. Then you finish with another knot at the top. It always reminded O’Keeffe of the process of work. When writing a book report as a child, she would start with the outline then the long writing process and the final step is editing which pulls it all together. This always stuck in O’Keeffe’s mind and reassured her that sometmes it takes a bit of flying (i.e., hard work and research) to get something done, but it’s worth it.
About Evin
She grew up clanking away on her grandfather’s vintage Underwood typewriter at night. At Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, O’Keeffe fell in love with publication production while earning her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art Studio and Communications. During this time, she was editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper for three semesters and a PR interning editor of CHOPtalk at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. After years of applying this and learning other skills in the office environment O’Keeffe’s personal blog, EvinOK.com, won Best Personal Arts & Crafts Blog in Ireland twice (2014, 2017), won bronze once (2018), and led the Teamwork content team to win Best Corporate Marketing Blog (2016). In that time, she also published four books through the newly founded Anchor and Bee and continued her involvement with the Cork Non-Fiction Writers’ Group (co-founder 2008). For specifics, you may access O’Keeffe’s resume or writing portfolio. In her spare time, she enjoys time with her family, knitting, sudoku, and silently judging other people’s grammar.
Anchor and Bee 