It is not encouraging that the once-independent companies, AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Xlibris, and Canada-based Trafford Publishing are now all owned by Author Solutions Inc. This explains why most of the websites have a very similar look and feel to them. Prices range from $399 to $13,999, and each company has a series of packages. Most of the low-end packages include no images, no copyright, no "complimentary" copies, no sophisticated publicity or marketing. The high-end packages still seem to include some gimmicks, like book-signing "kits", marketing "kits", and other things that still sound like do-it-yourself options.
As the WriterBeware article notes, "When researching POD services, it’s important to remember that you are a consumer buying a service, not an author contracting with a publisher. As with any consumer service, the sales pitch is not intended to benefit you, but to motivate you to buy."
Several years ago, I purchased a copy of the "Happy Minimalist" by Peter Lawrence. Peter used to be a customer at our library until he moved to California. It is a very interesting book, but the topic is probably not one that would have caught the interest of a traditional publisher. Peter had it published through XLibris, and they did a good job with it. I quoted some sections of it in an earlier post on this blog, on 9/6/08, in the iHCPL module on Going Green.
Before I purchased Peter's book, I read a review of it in "Foreword" magazine, which is described as "Reviews of good books independently published." At the time, I felt that "Foreword" was a good way to sort out the wheat from the chaff of self-published materials. The books included there look good for the most part. However, with this module, I took a closer look at the magazine.
It seems that rather than "independently" reviewing good books, authors pay for their reviews, just as they paid to have their books published. The publisher, Clarion, described their Review-For-Fee Service in this way: "A qualified, respected review is one of the best marketing tools an author or publisher can have for a book. With today's growing number of published books and dwindling newspaper review sections, it's harder than ever to get a review. Clarion provides a professional review, guaranteeing the same quality and word length you see in ForeWord Magazine reviews. "
Exercise #2: What do you think of self publishing? As a reader, do you prefer books that have gone through the traditional route and have the confidence of a company’s financial backing, or do you not care how the book got printed, you’re just glad it did?
If the book has any merit at all, we try to give local authors a break. We invite them to present a talk on their book at the library. The Barbara Bush Library Friends assist them in selling their books at the program, and having a signing. Before we offer the invitation, we ask for the book to be added to the HCPL catalog. That way library customers could read the book without having to purchase it. Having someone interested in their book, having the opportunity to sell copies, and having the book added to a library seems to be a big boost to a local author. We feel that this is part of our role as a community library.
There are so many books on the market that I prefer books that have gone through the traditional route. I think you can have more confidence that the book will have valuable content, will be well-edited, well-illustrated, and professionally reviewed.
I am enough of a '60s "hippie" though to not totally trust the establishment. Sometimes people have good messages to tell, but can't get a hearing through the mainstream channels. I am glad that there are options out there for anyone who wants to be heard.
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