Self Publishing Sort of

DirtyDirtyVagrant

I've written a game system based in the same world as a novel I'm also working on. My friends, after playtesting some, tell me that I should 'totally try to get the local comic shop to put a few copies on the front counter'

I know most of the guys who work there, including the owner, so honestly, odds are good. But how can I pretty it up before that? I don't want to just drop a big stack of printer paper on their counter. The rule book is just an RTF at this point. I need layout, design, and maybe even a piece or two of artwork. Is there some program that I can use to construct something like this?

And where can I print for cheap? I'm thinking that I'm only going to try for 10-15 copies or so and see what happens.

Floofy

Adobe Indesign is the industry standard tool to prep stuff for printing- layout, pagination, etc. Incredibly deep but pretty easy to pick up, and it can sort out things like bleeds and printer marks for you as well. Bear in mind the Adobe Creative Suite is pretty expensive, but I believe you can get slimlined versions of it, of if you're a student your uni should be able to get you a discount.

There are some print-on-demand services around, Lulu comes to mind as one. OR depending on size you can print off at copy shop and bind it yourself, but that's a whole other kettle of knowledge fish.

One thing you may be reluctant to do but will be invaluable, is to to try to make friends with/reach an arrangement with a graphic designer/artist for the layout and interior art. Proper layout and attention to typography will not only give your product a shine of professionalism, it will improve the readability, attractiveness and prestige of the book immensely.

You may be only approaching this as a low-end sideline project, but all these are things you should consider.

Doxa

For instances of Fanzines people will just go to a copy shop and bind it themselves and be relatively successful. Though in that case people are more focused on getting their name out and breaking even than making a profit. I don't know what you're looking for in terms of motive.