Meet Southscript Press, my new publishing business
I am thrilled to introduce you all to SOUTHSCRIPT PRESS, the publishing business I’ve set up to self-publish my novels and fulfil a lifelong dream. Come and learn all about it and why I’ve done things up the way I have. I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions!! →
Today I am super duper excited to finally introduce you all to SOUTHSCRIPT PRESS, the publishing business I have set up to self-publish my novels. You may recall I announced back in September that I had finally decided to self-publish my contemporary YA novel Holding Up the Sky—and likely all my future books. Step one (after producing my jumbo to-do list, of course) was to set up the business side of things, which I present to you now!!
We are an indie author imprint based in Melbourne, Australia, making dreams come true one book at a time…
I’d love if you came and checked out the new website, where you can subscribe to all SOUTHSCRIPT PRESS updates, or connected with us (by which I mean me) on our social media (links above). Figuring out my marketing strategies and how I’m going to manage all these platforms without going insane will definitely be a project for December. And maybe January. We’ll see how it goes!!
It has undoubtedly been a massive two months, between registering my business name and applying for an ABN, setting up business bank accounts, commissioning a logo, creating new social media platforms AND a brand new website. So why, you might ask, have I gone to all this trouble? Well, there are actually a number of reasons:
Looking professional as an indie author/publisher. I always knew that if I went the indie route I wanted to do it properly—by which I mean I want to see a publisher’s stamp on the spines of my books one day. I think it’s actually all the more exciting that the stamp will now be my own!
Requirement for my chosen publication platform. After all the research I did back in 2020 on self-publishing, I decided to go with IngramSpark to self-publish my books. As an Aussie you need an Australian Business Number (ABN) to use this platform anyway, so I figured why not go all out?!
Finance management and taxation purposes. Yawn! But seriously, publishing books is, at the end of the day, a business, and it should probably be treated like one. Plus I want to keep this new adventure separate from my personal finances…even though it’s all still being funded by me… 😅
Scope for future expansion. Look, I know I’m getting WAY ahead of myself, but if the opportunity comes to grow this business one day, I want to be ready take said opportunity. While Southscript Press will only publish my own books for now, who knows what the future may hold?
Anyway, those were my key reasons for deciding to tackle my business set-up the way I have. It’s certainly not for everyone—and everyone should choose the approach that’s best for them. For now, I’m super excited to have SOUTHSCRIPT PRESS up and running and can’t wait to see how this journey unfolds. If you have any questions or want to know more, feel free to reach out, either through the comments below, my Contact form, or DM on social media.
Do you have a self-publishing business? How have/would you set yourself up to get your books out into the world? Are you as crazy as I am??
Rebecca Alasdair
I'm an Australian indie author who hoards books, loves dogs and coffee, and has a tendency of staying up all night!
13 Comments
barbarabrutt
I’m looking to self-publish a book in January, and I’ve chosen not to go the “create a publishing company” route…and we’ll find out if I need to do that in the future. EEp.
Rebecca Alasdair
Yay all the best with it!! Every choice is valid and I hope it works out for you! Things work differently in different places and on different platforms; since I needed to set up a business number etc anyway I thought a may as well do the whole shebang!! 😂
Andrew McDowell
Congratulations, Rebecca!
If I were to start any company, whether publishing or anything (right now doesn’t seem likely), I’d call it White Lion (since the McDowell coat-of-arms has a white lion on it).
Rebecca Alasdair
Oh I love that so much!! It took me literally months to decide on a name because I wanted it to look and sound good but also have meaning to me. And that’s a hard balance to strike!
Also, I love that you have a family coat-of-arms! 😀
Andrew McDowell
So do you! https://houseofnames.com/Alasdair-family-crest
Rebecca Alasdair
Oh that’s cool! Thanks for sharing!! 😀
Andrew McDowell
You’re welcome.
Tomas
I admit I always wondered why people go through all the “create your own imprint” stuff. So I’m glad to read your reasons, though I know I won’t bother unless it’s truly necessary for me.
All the best to your writing journey!
Rebecca Alasdair
Thanks Tomas! And all the best with yours! No two people have the same journey; we just need to do what works for us 😊
Tomas
Isn’t that the grand charm, how we all can find different paths?
Rebecca Alasdair
It sure is!! 😊
K.M. Allan
Congrats, Rebecca!
Rebecca Alasdair
Thank you very much!! 😊