The basic print publishing process at Pothi.com works as follows:
- Author prepares the interior and cover files according to our specifications. Or he takes our formatting and cover design services for the same.
- Author uploads the book files to our site and selects production options (paper type, page size, binding etc.).
- The files are processed and the author can see the print ready PDF files as well as previews of front cover, back cover and spine. If he is satisfied with these, he fill up other information about the book (metadata, book description, author details etc.) and submits it for publishing. He can also select whether the book will private or public, and whether it should ship only within India or everywhere.
- Author also sets an MRP for the book. Depending on the specifications of the book, there is a minimum price that can be set. The minimum price takes into account production cost, a minimum margin for Pothi.com and commissions for retailers if the book goes into extended online distribution.
- The book goes through a technical review (Please note that it is not a content review. We only check to make sure that the file is going to print correctly as a book)
- After the review is done, the book gets listed on Pothi.com's online store and is available for purchase.
- Extended Online Distribution can optionally be ordered at this stage to make the book available through other online stores in India.
- The pricing and royalty work as follows:
- Depending on the specifications of the book, there is a minimum price that can be set. The minimum price takes into account production cost, a minimum margin for Pothi.com and commissions for retailers if the book goes into extended online distribution.
- Author can set any price above the minimum price.
- Production Cost depends on the physical properties of the book (number of pages, size, binding type etc.)
- Profit from the book sale after deducting production cost and retailer commission (when applicable) is shared between Pothi.com and author subject to a minimum margin for Pothi.com. The profit is higher when the book is sold through Pothi.com because there are no distributor commissions to be paid. When sold through Pothi.com, 50% of the profit goes to the author. When sold through other distribution channels, after profit is shared with distributors, 80% of the profit goes to the author.
- The minimum price, and royalties from different channels at those prices can be calculated through our Price and Royalty Estimation tool
- The various production options available on Pothi.com can also be checked in the same tool.
- The price does not include shipping and packaging cost.
- If the book is priced at the minimum price, then author will not earn any royalty.
- When somebody orders the book, the author's account is credited. Payment to the author will be made on a monthly basis if there is at least 200 Rs. in his/her account. Quarterly payments are made if the balance is at least Rs. 100/-. We pay by direct bank transfer (within India) or through paypal (outside India).
- Authors can track their sales and earnings in the Author's dashboard after logging into their account. The earning remittance information can also be entered there.