The purpose of this article is to consider Print-On-Demand publishing as an alternative for the aspiring author. It has its strengths and its weaknesses. You may wonder as you begin reading this, but in the end I'm going to say some good things about it.
The title explains the technology. The way that literature has traditionally been printed involves running many copies simul- taneously in order to bring the price per copy down. Smaller print runs, such as advertising, brochures, or concert programs, cost more per copy because they are small print runs. Until recently, printing a single book was all but unthinkable.
In the case of novels, the traditional print publisher begins by printing several thousand copies. His goal is to run off the smallest number of copies he can while getting the best possible price per copy.
These books are then sent to bookstores, which tend to prefer something along the lines of what has succeeded before. The remainder sits in a warehouse somewhere. Perhaps to be shipped as the orders come in, perhaps to be joined by any "remaindered" copies the bookstores couldn't move.
This represents an investment on the part of that publisher, hence his paranoia about experimenting with new formats or (more importantly) new authors.
Print-On-Demand (POD) uses a completely different process. The end result is, the price per copy on a small run is much lower. How small of a run? Try one book. Zero inventory. The book is economically produced when the reader orders it, not before.
This technology was probably invented for sales literature. Then someone realized it might be a pretty cool way to get ARCs (Advance Review Copies) out to the book reviewers before the book was actually available. Finally, someone decided to get it into the publishing mainstream.
Why is it so much cheaper to publish a single book via POD? The reasons really aren't relevant to this article, besides which they'd probably bore you. But if you care, the first link below spells it all out.
http://www.jdwrite.com/writing/pod_01.htm
http://www.jdwrite.com/writing/pod_02.htm
http://www.jdwrite.com/writing/pod_03.htm
http://www.jdwrite.com/writing/pod_04.htm
http://www.jdwrite.com/writing/pod_05.htm
I recommend reading (or at least skimming) all five of those, by the way. It's quite a comprehensive analysis of how. Then come back to this article to determine why. Or if.
Have you ever heard of the author who self-published and wound up with a best-seller? They do exist!
Now look at all the self-published authors who couldn't do that. They're the vast majority. The author who uses POD faces similar longshot odds.
POD has a definite advantage over other self-publishing, in that you don't wind up with a few hundred (or more?) copies of a book in your basement because you can't sell them. Thus, it's cheaper, with no difference in quality unless you hook up with losers.
But neither option will bring you the readership that you'll get from a successful book with a traditional print publisher.
I have self published. I went to a local print shop back in the pre-POD days, ran off 80 copies at $3 a copy, and sold them to local bookstores for $6 a copy. Lots of fun, and lots of learning, but I didn't get rich. My wage per hour stunk, but that was fine with me because I honestly didn't care. I broke even and gave away the rest. A pleasant way to spend lunch hours during the work week.
Most of us, though, just don't have that kind of time. And even if we do, why bother? Take the money you'd have invested and buy some Microsoft stock, then take the time you'd have invested and write more books. You'll be happier and you'll make more money.
Having said all that, why am I recommending POD at all? In my case, it's because I've written some books that no print publisher will ever pick up. That's my honest appraisal.
If I were a mercenary type, I'd follow that up with something like "Why'd you even write those books then?" But if you're a REAL writer, you know the answer.
It's always about writing first, marketing second. Two different hats. I'm assuming you already did the writing and now are wondering what the heck to do with it.
As an example, my EPPIE 2002 finalist is too short. I wrote it back when print publishers wanted 40,000 words. Now they want 50,000. But it doesn't take 50,000 words to tell that particular story, and I'm not padding it. Even if I were willing, it'd stink and nobody would buy it. Give the publishers some credit. They know padding when they see it. The same goes for the readers.
As another example, consider my short story collection. Critically acclaimed and selling moderately well, but no traditional publisher wants short story collections from unknown authors. It's just that simple.
So, I simultaneously published these books in e-book format and POD format. E-books are cheaper and more environmentally friendly, but the paperback option is still there for those who can't or won't ever read an e-book.
(Daddy is in that group, by the way. How about your family?)
Places who publish only POD began by accepting anything sent their way. Pay your money, and do your own editing and marketing. This gave POD a credibility problem. There are POD outfits who don't operate this way, but the credibility problem will take time to heal.
As an author, your goal is to write what's in your heart, find people who like to read what you like to write, and get it out to them. (That's my goal, anyway.) If your name happens to be Tom Clancy, that equals many readers. But that's simply luck of the draw.
Many of us don't have such mass appeal. Possibly you're the sort of writer who knows exactly where you stand in that respect. But many don't, and they're flooding the POD market with stuff that most readers just plain don't want. Add to that the badly edited stuff, and the credibility problem with POD is understandable.
Ideally, what you want is for your e-publisher to simultaneously release your book in both formats without charging a POD setup fee. That way, you can direct all your promotional efforts to that single URL. However, these e-publishers have a real problem with backlog now, so if you want to travel the road I did, you'll need much more patience than I did.
Taking advantage of a free POD option with your e-book will also help your promotional efforts. Many reviewers just plain won't touch an e-book. If you've done the POD bit, in addition to being able to tell all your friends and family, "Look at this, I'm a real author because here's the paperback," you'll be able to send review copies via POD to those book reviewers.
If you find yourself with an e-publisher who doesn't offer free POD, you may wish to shop around for a POD publisher. As you do this, remember the business model. If a publisher makes all its money from writers, it doesn't need to sell a single book to a single reader to stay in business.
No matter how much praise they send your way, that's the bottom line. Writing is a calling, but publishing is a business. Those authors who can't distinguish between the two are what keep the opportunists in business. I was such an author for most of my life.
Some POD places are no more than thinly veiled vanity (or subsidy) presses. They have a role to serve, but let's be honest. Most do no editing, and they don't care. They may not be making a massive profit from your setup fees, but they're making enough to stay in business. Even if you don't sell any books to anyone except your Gramma.
Earlier, I recommended e-publishing before print publishing for the free editing you'll receive. If you're going with POD, consider it mandatory. Either that, or pay an editor. The author who can write a mistake-free manuscript does not exist.
Still interested in POD publishing? Here are the questions you should ask yourself when you select a POD publisher:
A) Sale price of each book
1) Who decides what it is?
2) Will readers pay that much?
B) Profit per sale vs. your setup cost
1) How many copies must you sell to break even?
2) Can you do it?
3) If not, do you care? How big of a financial hit are you willing to take just to see your name in print?
As a rule, US$100 or less setup cost is good and US$1000 is very bad. The latter, no matter how much publicity they promise you, is only a thinly disguised vanity publisher. You won't sell enough books to recoup that $1000 unless you're a real marketing machine. Even then you shouldn't pay the $1000. It won't get you anything that $100 won't.
If the POD place only prints "trade paperbacks," which are the larger ones, your cost per book (and sale price per book) will be higher than if you can print "mass-market paperbacks." The choice is yours, but whatever you decide, visit the local bookstores and price similar-sized books. If you write like Stephen King but charge twice as much per book, readers are going to buy the author they've heard of, and that's probably not you. Yet...
A comprehensive list of POD publishers, along with descriptions, can be found on-line at http://dehanna.com/database.htm
It fails to mention Booksurge (http://www.booksurge.com), also known as Digitz (http://www.digitz.net). US$99. I have no experience with them, but I've heard only good things about them.
Another that isn't mentioned is Digital Print Australia at http://www.digitalprintaustralia.com. I've used them. My setup cost was AUD$35 (roughly US$18 back then), which compares rather favorably to those listed.
Their price per copy is also excellent. The quality equals what you'll find in the bookstores. If you've ever bought a paperback from Writers Exchange, you've seen it. If not, Digital Print will send you a free sample. They sent mine to China.
Two problems you may have with them, though, are shipping charges from Australia if that's not where your readers are located, and the fact that they don't offer a way to sell the books on their site.
Copyright 2005, Michael LaRocca
Michael LaRocca's website at http://www.chinarice.org was chosen by WRITER'S DIGEST as one of The 101 Best Websites For Writers in 2001 and 2002. His response was to throw it out and start over again because he's insane. He teaches English at a university in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, and publishes the free weekly newsletter WHO MOVED MY RICE?
cheap limo service Lombard .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareI've seen it time and again. One of the most... Read More
When we think of writing it triggers many thoughts and... Read More
Have you ever had a student write to tell you... Read More
Q: How do I expand on an idea without getting... Read More
Punctuation, when used creatively, is powerful. Note, however, that when... Read More
A well-punctuated approach letter may make the difference between acceptance... Read More
Sure you can write, but can you write crisp, compelling... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Writing is a creative process and how... Read More
Have you ever considered writing a book? If so, maybe... Read More
EditingExpect, allow, and accept that every first draft will represent... Read More
It is satisfying to be a part of such a... Read More
How do you describe a scene without slowing down the... Read More
Remember back in the dark days of your school years... Read More
IntroductionSometimes it may be beyond a companies or individuals budget... Read More
When attempting to understand Creativity and Innovation, it pays to... Read More
Finding the time to write a novel is one of... Read More
Writing a sales letter doesn't have to be that difficult... Read More
Q and A.Best choice when subject is very verbal or... Read More
1. What Is A Premise?A premise is the point you... Read More
Have you ever wondered why certain writers are able to... Read More
In large publishing houses, many manuscripts penned by first-time authors,... Read More
More Tips For New Writers (Part I)Explain in your own... Read More
Suspense novels, unlike any other genre, need fast starts. Fans... Read More
Word processors are so widely used now that I tend... Read More
When you sit down to write a steamy romance, a... Read More
limo O'Hare Glen Ellyn ..There are various forms of structure, including frameworks, work processes... Read More
Sometimes a freelance writing career can feel very much like... Read More
1) Convince yourself you want to do something else. If... Read More
"If you're like me, than I'm sure you're pretty familiar... Read More
A frequent conversation I have with my writing clients is... Read More
Every writer eventually develops her own unique style of writing.... Read More
Just about every marketer on the Internet claims to be... Read More
Q: How do I expand on an idea without getting... Read More
Word processors are so widely used now that I tend... Read More
I recently set up a website to promote a new... Read More
1. No one else will do it for you.2. No... Read More
Using a ghostwriter to craft your free reprint articles and... Read More
To keep it simple and basic: Jack Finney's Invasion of... Read More
There is a lot of confusion about recommendation letters.Recommendation letters... Read More
Take out a white piece of paper and place it... Read More
Eight or nine times out of ten, picking up and... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?For a theme to work and the... Read More
You have a new website, or a new business, or... Read More
Les Edgerton writes in his book, Finding Your Voice, that... Read More
It would be very selfless or noble of me to... Read More
"This is just brilliant. The whole interview is incredible? I'm?... Read More
One of the nice things about being an author is... Read More
Is your book nearly finished, finished, published, or even in... Read More
Self-examination sheds light on a writers motives, goals, and aspirations,... Read More
Want to write an article or book, but are stuck... Read More
Writing |