Happy new Year, folks!

   I thought this might be the appropriate place for this question, because if no one has any
experience, they might at least have some insight.

      I have a friend who is  trying to have a collection of essays about Salt water Flyfishing
published. I would be doing the illustrations.  The idea has been turned down by  I believe 3
publishers , siting  a lack of interest in this type of literature  ( I assume this to be a stock
polite refusal response). My approach with this so far, if someone was to be  interested, would be
for me to negotiate a contract directly with the publisher for the illustrations and possible the
cover jacket art. My friend has been sending examples of my work along with his proposal....

      He has proposed that we might possibly publish it ourselves, ala "desktop".....  he considered
this possibility  after needing to have his doctoral thesis bound.


     Sounds like a worthwhile project, but how realistic is it in regard to commercial success?....

   Is it even possible?

   I know, like nothing, about commercial printing....   what would some of the things we should be
considering?


   of the top of my head:

   what software?
   what  stock? (paper, ink, etc.)
   adequate equipment? (printer, scanner, etc.)
   who would  do the printing, and would it be a major time consuming thing?
   between  the two of  us,  I assume we would need a contract....  (I am not about to lose a fishing
buddy over a book)
    should we do this under the  auspices of a small business, i.e. ...... my D.B.A.  for art &
illustration?
what could we hope to accomplish in the end if we can do this? .....  a few copies for christmas
presents?   something to sell on a web site?  something to pass around at conferences?


    Can anybody  add/subtract/comment to this?

  I mean, it sounds great, but my impression  of this sort of thing is that it is done by published
people as a way to increase profit margins  and/or  gain more control over the process.  And wind up
with a full time career in the process.


   Thanks

Stephen