The Troy Book Makers
Troy Book Makers on River Street.
The Troy Book Maker's name sounds a little like it's run by guys who'll give you odds at Saratoga.
No, they don't make book. They make books.
Let's say you've always dreamed of publishing your novel. You could spend lots of frustrating time pitching it to various publishers and feeling the sting of rejection. And you could publish it yourself on line, but you'll need to find editors and illustrators. And then how do you get it into stores? This is where Troy Book Makers comes in.
More than just a vanity press, Troy Book Makers can help hook writers up with editors and illustrators, work with them on the layout and design process and put their books in local stores. And unlike many small presses, as the writer, you keep the rights to your work. If you're just looking for someone to help with the printing -- they're OK with that too.
In three years since bookstore owners and friends Susan Novotny and Eric Wilsa started their "your-book-on-demand service," Troy Book Makers has published more than 150 titles, including a couple by author Jon Katz. (Katz will be doing a reading at the TBM workshop at this month's Troy Night Out celebration).
Would-be authors can publish as few as 10 books or into the thousands. And once the book has been printed, Troy Book Makers can also help you with printing promotional materials, obtaining ISBN and copyright registration, and building Web sites.
Authors also have the option of selling their books at The Book House or Market Block Books -- owned by Novotny -- or at Wilsa's store, The Book Loft, in Great Barrington, Mass. They can even assist help set up readings.
Most of TBM's customers are locals. Many are just amateur authors looking to put together collections of family history or poetry or professors looking to put together their own text books.
Still, if that great American novel of yours is gathering dust in the attic, it may be time to take it out at last.
Find It
Troy Book Makers
282A River Street
Troy, NY 12180
689-1083
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Comments
Time to get out the ole notes & short stories. Maybe make a compilation. This is too cool! Good to know!! :)
... said Kari on Apr 9, 2009 at 3:29 PM | link
This is inspiring! This is the impetus I've needed to write some fiction. I'm ashamed to admit that I'm not writing stories anyway- just blog posts.
Do you know if the authors need to be local or if they work with people in other locations?
... said Katherine on Apr 9, 2009 at 3:33 PM | link
@katherine, although most authors are local, that's not a necessity by any means.
... said jess on Apr 9, 2009 at 4:05 PM | link
I saw a storefront a few years ago on fifth avenue in downtown troy that had a display of new books in it. Now it is gone and boarded up. Was that your outfit? Do you know where they went or who they are? They had some interesting titles and cover designs. I have a somewhat science fiction in progress. Sincerely, Frank Pravda
... said Frank Pravda on Jul 4, 2010 at 1:43 PM | link