Answers to frequently asked questions about the book
Why publish the book via Ulule? Is not €25 expensive? Why not offer something cheaper and simpler?
These are the questions we have been asked the most over the last few days! We will try to answer them and explain why in our case Ulule is the best solution.
A Honua Honu tale – Lilou
To begin with let us take a look at what we are offering: a children’s book of the highest quality (cover, paper) designed to inspire dreams and introduce children to the world of Honua Honu but also to educate them about safeguarding and protecting the animal world.
But that is not all! Along with the storybook you will receive a little pouch containing… a surprise! This pouch is not to be opened until the very end of the book when you and your child will have discovered why Lilou has gone on this adventure.
In addition to the book a number of goodies will be added depending on the number of copies sold.
And for this sale we have chosen to use the Ulule platform.
What is Ulule?
It is a collaborative platform also known as “crowdfunding” which enables project owners to propose their works or ideas in order to raise funds and enable them to see their project through to completion.
Ulule collects the funds hosts the project promotes it and offers a whole host of practical possibilities. You do not need to create a website or have any specialist knowledge to use it. Once the project’s campaign has been launched it will run for a set period of time (one month in our case) and Ulule will take care of collecting payments (via credit card, paypal, etc.) and postal addresses.
At the end of the campaign the funds will be transferred to us and we will start printing the books. This will enable us to print just the right number of books and prepare the associated goodies and bonuses.
The main argument “against” Ulule is the fact that the platform takes an 8% fee on the total amount of the sale.
It is true and it is a big budget. But given the services offered it is only logical that the platform should be able to make a profit. And it is still much cheaper than self-publishing services like those offered by Amazon.
If we look at the pricing conditions for a paper book published on Amazon here is what we find: “The amount remaining on the sales price excluding VAT deducted from printing costs and Amazon’s 40% commission for the paper book. In general this sum is between 1 and 6 euros depending on the book’s selling price.”
At 8% Ulule is a far cry from the 40% taken by Amazon.
What is more with Amazon it is not possible to offer a very high quality cover or paper. The options are limited, and very low quality for children’s books with hardback covers.
Is €25 for a children’s book really realistic ?
The other totally valid argument against Ulule is that a price of €25 for a starter pack is high especially for a children’s book.
In stores a 21×21 cm children’s book (the square format commonly used) is generally sold for around €12 to €15 depending on the number of pages and the print quality. But these books are printed in very large runs. This will not be the case with our book.
A book of the quality we offer printed in 50 copies costs around €20. It is therefore mathematically impossible to sell it at the same price as a book in a supermarket or bookshop. Add to that the cost of postage and goodies, and you have done the math!
This is where Ulule’s strength lies. By making it possible to buy the book for one month we will be able to present not only the book but also all the goodies that will be added to it. Sales levels will be defined and each time you buy a book we will add another goodie!
The more books we reserve the lower the printing price. And that means we will be able to offer you some very nice things on the side.
Another very important point is that “Un conte Honua Honu – Lilou” is not just a children’s book to keep your little blonde head occupied for 5 minutes at night.
The idea is to offer you a story to share together parents and children and to discover the world of Honu as a family. Every line of text has been written and rewritten so that the story and adventure really take you into the world of these little turtles.
The experience is interactive thanks to the sleeve tied to the book and with what is inside. Your child will have the chance to have fun (we will not say more about that for now) and you will also be able to take part.
And do not forget that all prices for the 3 different packs include shipping. Whether you are in France Canada or Belgium you will not have to pay any extra! We take care of everything from start to finish.
The other advantage of Ulule is that the money is released at the end of the campaign. This will enable us to print the books ourselves and control the entire chain from printing to delivery to your mailbox.
The same goes for the goodies: we are going to use companies we know with whom we will be delighted to work and who will give their all to ensure that your child receives the most beautiful book and goodies possible just as they are in our imagination.
Another frequently asked question is “Is there a minimum number of books required to launch the campaign?”
The answer is yes. Below 50 books the starting price of €25 is not enough even to pay for the printing. It will therefore be impossible for us to send you the books if the Ulule campaign does not exceed 50 reservations!
But do not worry in that case Ulule will reimburse buyers in full. But we are confident and we know that the adventure we are about to embark on in January is going to be incredible!
So we are counting on you to give us the strength we need and to boost sales so that we can offer you the most beautiful things possible!
One book 3 possibilities
As a reminder here are the 3 packs that will be available on Ulule.
- “Honu baby” pack – €25
It includes the book the pouch with the surprise and all the goodies that will be added via the Ulule sales stages. - “Honu teen” pack – €40
Like the previous pack this contains the book the cover and all the goodies. The copy will also be autographed by the author and illustrator.
A high-quality bookplate will also be included. It will feature a never-before-seen illustration created exclusively for you! - “Honu adult” pack – €55
In addition to all the contents of the “Honu teenager” pack this pack includes a booklet of illustrations showing you how the book was created. You will get sketches unused illustrations and maybe even a few surprises…
With all this information is a base price of €25 for a children’s book still high? A bit.
But will you have in your hands a unique work designed to make your children dream and discover turtles and the animal world? Absolutely!
Will you receive a book a gift bag and possibly tons of goodies? We would just like to say “and much much more”!
We are counting on you! From January 8, we will be able to tell you all about it and we hope you will join us in the adventure!
Do you still have a slight doubt as to whether you will fall for it? Do not forget that 7.5% of profits will be donated to the Honua Honu association which works for the defense and survival of animals.
Let us not forget that we do not save the world by saving an animal. But for this animal, the world has changed. Today’s children will be tomorrow’s adults so let us help them be aware of that!
And whether you buy a pack for €25, €40 or €55, or whether you are just present on the networks to give us strength it is already fantastic for us! So thank you all in advance!