An Incomplete Guide to Print on Demand Publishers

<BODY TEXT="#666666" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" LINK="#666699" VLINK="#9999CC" BACKGROUND="graphs/backwhite.gif"> <P> </P> <CENTER><FONT SIZE="+2"><B><TABLE BORDER=1 BGCOLOR="#336666" CELLPADDING=5 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER> <FONT SIZE="+3" COLOR="#FFFFFF"><B><I>An Incomplete Guide to Print-on-Demand Publishers</I></B></FONT> <P><FONT SIZE="+3" COLOR="#FFFFFF"><B><I><TABLE BORDER=1 align=center> <TR> <TD BACKGROUND="graphs/backwhite.gif"> <CENTER><A HREF="mailto:cleasaal@booksandtales.com">Clea Saal <cleasaal@booksandtales.com></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </I></B></FONT><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/" TARGET="_top"><FONT SIZE="+1" COLOR="#FFFFFF"><B><I>Moving Notice: </I></B>This site is moving. The new URL is:</FONT></A></P> <P><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/" TARGET="_top"><FONT SIZE="+2" COLOR="#CCFFCC"><B>http://www.booksandtales.com/podframeo.htm</B></FONT></A></P> <P><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/" TARGET="_top"><FONT SIZE="+1" COLOR="#FFFFFF">Please update your bookmarks. For the next couple of months this page will remain online. However, I make no promises about keeping it updated </FONT></A></P></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </B></FONT> </CENTER> <BLOCKQUOTE>This is a head to head comparison of what the different POD publishers have to offer. The links on this page lead to a more detailed info page, including aspects such as design characteristics, comments, an explanation of those instances that are marked with a <FONT COLOR="#FF0000">2+2=5</FONT> warning (it means that something, somewhere in the publisher's page doesn't add up, usually with the contract). Those detailed info pages include links to the publishers' sites. I also want to make clear that I deliberately chose to include only fee-charging publishers in this comparison. You can also <A HREF="#marry">go to the bottom of this page</A>, where you will find a list of best and worst deals (with an explanation of how they got there). <P>To help you out, I have also included the following additional resources:</P> <P><TABLE BORDER=1 WIDTH="95%" align=center> <TR> <TD> <P><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/whatspod.htm" TARGET="_self">What is POD?</A></P> </TD> <TD COLSPAN=4> <P>A brief introduction to Print-on-Demand.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/isit4me.htm" TARGET="_self">Is POD for me?</A></P> </TD> <TD COLSPAN=4> <P>A sort of "User's Guide" that may help you evaluate the pros and cons of using this new technology, and it will also give you a clear idea of what to look for when choosing a specific publisher.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/rword.htm" TARGET="_self">Royalties, the "R" Word</A></P> </TD> <TD COLSPAN=4> <P>This will help you understand and compare the different systems used by publishers to describe what you can expect when it comes to royalties</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/feefree.htm" TARGET="_self">Fee or Free?</A></P> </TD> <TD COLSPAN=4> <P>An article in which I explain what are the pros and cons of paying a fee.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/beware.htm" TARGET="_self">Beware Treacherous Clauses Ahead</A></P> </TD> <TD COLSPAN=4> <P>Attempts to explain some of those dark clauses you may find lurking in some publisher's contracts (those that have earned them a <FONT COLOR="#FF0000"><B>2+2=5</B></FONT> warning here).</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/podfaq.htm" TARGET="_self">POD-FAQ</A></P> </TD> <TD COLSPAN=4> <P>Some questions that keep poping up are addressed here.</P> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P></BLOCKQUOTE> <CENTER><TABLE BORDER=0 WIDTH="75%" align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.chatarea.com/WritersWorld" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/pen.gif" WIDTH=32 HEIGHT=32 X-CLARIS-USEIMAGEWIDTH X-CLARIS-USEIMAGEHEIGHT BORDER=0 ALIGN=middle></A></CENTER> </TD> <TD> <P>You may also want to check out the <A HREF="http://www.chatarea.com/WritersWorld" TARGET="_self"><B><I>Writer's World</I></B></A>, a message board that complements this page. Don't worry if you find a blank slate there, it's new. Don't take it as an offense, take it as a challenge.</P> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> <P> </P> <P><TABLE BORDER=1 WIDTH="95%" align=center> <TR> <TD COLSPAN=6 BGCOLOR="#336666"> <CENTER><FONT SIZE="+2" COLOR="#FFFFFF"><B><I>And the publishers are:</I></B></FONT></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P>Publisher</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Manuscript Selection</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Kind of Contract</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Distribution</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Price range</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Royalties & Discounts</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/1stbooks.htm" TARGET="_self">1stBooks Library</A></CENTER> </TD> <TD> <P>No</P> </TD> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=2> <TR> <TD> <P>Non-exclusive</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><FONT COLOR="#FF0000"><B>2+2=5</B></FONT></P> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD> <P>Through their site and on-line retailers mostly.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>$598.00, plus extras.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>They pay royalties an "Author Payment Schedule" that is not described in their contract. Author's discount is unclear</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/booklock.htm" TARGET="_self">Booklocker</A></CENTER> </TD> <TD> <P>Yes</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Non-exclusive</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Their site</P> </TD> <TD> <P>$199.00</P> </TD> <TD> <P>35% of the list price when bought through their site. 35% discount.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/ipublisher.htm" TARGET="_self">BookPublisher</A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P>was iPublisher</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/ipublisher.htm" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD> <P>No</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Exclusive</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Through their site and on-line retailers mostly.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Quotes are calculated on a case by case basis. On average they range between $800.00 and $3,000.00.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>20% of sales proceed. 30% Author's discount.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/firstpub.htm" TARGET="_self">FirstPublish</A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/firstpub.htm" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </CENTER> </TD> <TD> <P>No</P> </TD> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=2> <TR> <TD> <P>Non-exclusive</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><FONT COLOR="#FF0000"><B>2+2=5</B></FONT></P> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD> <P>Through their site and on-line retailers, they offer a special discount to wholesalers.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Between $2,495.00 and $3,295.00 depending on your page count.</P> </TD> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0> <TR> <TD> <P>You can buy your book paying only printing costs.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P>You get the full price minus printing costs and 25% on books sold through their site.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P>You get the full price minus printing costs and 55% on books sold through third parties</P> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/gunpublish.htm" TARGET="_self">Great Unpublished</A></CENTER> </TD> <TD> <P>No</P> </TD> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=2> <TR> <TD> <P>Non-exclusive</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><FONT COLOR="#FF0000"><B>2+2=5</B></FONT></P> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD> <P>Their site.Distribution through online retailers is now possible, but it's not automatic.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>$199.00, or, $299.00 under their "Special Imprint" program.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>30% of the price for direct sales, 10% on sales through other channels. Author's discount ranges from 30% to 50% depending on quantity.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD ROWSPAN=7> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/indypub.htm" TARGET="_self">Indy Publish</A></CENTER> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=6> <P>No</P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=6> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=2> <TR> <TD> <P>Non-exclusive</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><FONT COLOR="#FF0000"><B>2+2=5</B></FONT></P> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=6> <P>Through their site and on-line retailers mostly.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Free, no extras or corrections allowed.</P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=6> <P>50% of net receipts minus $1.00 per printed copy. Authors get a 25% to 35% discount depending on the number of copies ordered.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD> <P>$189.00, plus extras.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD> <P>$285.00, plus extras.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD> <P>$575.00, plus extras.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD> <P>$999.00, plus extras</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD> <P>They also offer "back-in-print services"</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD COLSPAN=5 BGCOLOR="#FFFFCC"> <P>Indy Publish has had a moratorium in effect for a year now. They do not accept new manuscripts, and their packages have not been updated. The information presented here may or may not be accurate when (if) that moratorium is lifted.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/infinity.htm" TARGET="_self">Infinity Publishing</A></CENTER> </TD> <TD> <P>No</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Non-exclusive</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Through their site and on-line retailers mostly.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>$400.00</P> </TD> <TD> <P>20% of retail price on retali sales, 10% of wholesale price on wholesale sales.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD ROWSPAN=2> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/instapub.htm" TARGET="_self">InstaPublishing</A></CENTER> </TD> <TD> <P>No</P> </TD> <TD> <P>n/a</P> </TD> <TD> <P>n/a</P> </TD> <TD> <P>$299.00 (this fee includes twenty copies of your book)</P> </TD> <TD> <P>You pay only your printing costs.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD COLSPAN=5 BGCOLOR="#FFFFCC"> <P>It is important to remember that this is a printer, <B><I>not</I></B> a publisher. It has been included here as a reference for those publishers that enable you to buy your book paying only your printing costs.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/iuniverse.htm" TARGET="_self">iUniverse</A></CENTER> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>No</P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=2> <TR> <TD> <P>Non-exclusive</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><FONT COLOR="#FF0000"><B>2+2=5</B></FONT></P> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>Through their site and on-line retailers mostly.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>$159.00</P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>20% of sales proceed. 20% to 35% Author's discount (depending on the number of copies).</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD> <P>$349.00</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD> <P>$949.00</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/llumina.htm" TARGET="_self">Llumina Press</A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/llumina.htm" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>Yes</P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=2> <TR> <TD> <P>Non-exclusive</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><FONT COLOR="#FF0000"><B>2+2=5</B></FONT></P> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>Through their site and on-line retailers mostly.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Paperback $299.00</P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>Royalties are 10% on external sales, 30% on direct sales. Author's discount is 30%</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD> <P>Hardcover $359.00</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD> <P>Paperback & Hardcover $549.00</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/pagefree.htm" TARGET="_self">PageFree</A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/pagefree.htm" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD> <P>No</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Non-Exclusive</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Through their site and on-line retailers mostly.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>From $299.00 to $452.00 depending on your word count, plus extras.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Royalies are 75%. Author sets the bookstore's discount.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/trafford.htm" TARGET="_self">Trafford</A></CENTER> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>No</P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>Non-exclusive</P> </TD> <TD> <P>None</P> </TD> <TD> <P>$499.00</P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>60% of gross margin. The author can buy his/her book paying only the printing cost (but they charge a $10.00 handling & packaging fee for orders of fewer than 50 copies).</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD> <P>Their site</P> </TD> <TD> <P>$679.00</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD> <P>Through their site and on-line retailers mostly.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>$999.00</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/upublish.htm" TARGET="_self">Universal Publishers</A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/upublish.htm" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD> <P>Technical books only</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Non-exclusive</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Through their site and on-line retailers mostly.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>$495.00, plus extras.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>20% on books sold through other channels, 40% on books sold through their site, after the sale of the first three books on any calendar quarter. Authors receive a 40% discount.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/unlimited.htm" TARGET="_self">Unlimited Publishing</A></CENTER> </TD> <TD> <P>Yes, for unpublished works</P> </TD> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=2> <TR> <TD> <P>Unclear</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><FONT COLOR="#FF0000"><B>2+2=5</B></FONT></P> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD> <P>Through their site and on-line retailers mostly.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>$500.00 plus layout fee (for a total close to $900.00)</P> </TD> <TD> <P>50% of net revenues</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/bookworm.htm" TARGET="_self">Virtualbookworm</A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/bookworm.htm" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>Yes</P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>Non-exclusive</P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>Through their site and on-line retailers mostly.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Softcover $150.00 or $190.00, plus extras.</P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>50% of net receipts. Authors get a 30% discount.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD> <P>Hardcover $195.00 or $235.00, plus extras.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD> <P>Combo $335.00 or $370.00, plus extras.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/collective.htm" TARGET="_self">The Writer's Collective</A></CENTER> </TD> <TD> <P>No</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Non-exclusive</P> </TD> <TD> <P>None, but they'll host your site for you (if designed according to their specs).</P> </TD> <TD> <P>$225.00 for the first year. $175.00 yearly dues fee.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Royalties are 100%, you can buy your book paying only your printing costs.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <CENTER><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/xlibris.htm" TARGET="_self">Xlibris</A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/xlibris.htm" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </CENTER> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>No</P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>Non-exclusive</P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>Through their site and on-line retailers mostly.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>$500.00, plus extras.</P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=3> <P>Royalties are10% on books sold through other channels, and 25% on direct sales. Authors get a 40% discount on paperbacks and a 35% discount on hardcovers.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD> <P>$900.00, plus extras.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD> <P>$1,600.00, plus extras.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD ROWSPAN=2> <CENTER><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/ybp.htm" TARGET="_self">YourBookPublisher</A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/ybp.htm" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </CENTER> </TD> <TD> <P>No</P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=2> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=2> <TR> <TD> <P>Non-exclusive</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><FONT COLOR="#FF0000"><B>2+2=5</B></FONT></P> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=2> <P>On-line retailers mostly.</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Production plan: $3.50 per page of the final book</P> </TD> <TD ROWSPAN=2> <P>15% of retail price. Authors get a 50% discount when ordering more than 10 copies.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR><TD> <P>Yes</P> </TD> <TD> <P>Custom plan: Production plan plus lots of extras. A $150.00 reading fee applies.</P> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> <P><A NAME=marry></A><TABLE BORDER=1 WIDTH="95%"> <TR> <TD COLSPAN=6 BGCOLOR="#336666"> <CENTER><FONT SIZE="+2" COLOR="#FFFFFF"><B><I>"Marrying" a POD publisher?</I></B></FONT></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD COLSPAN=6 BGCOLOR="#80FF9B"> <CENTER><FONT SIZE="+2"><B>4 better deals </B></FONT>(best first)</CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD BGCOLOR="#99FF99"> <P>Publisher</P> </TD> <TD COLSPAN=5 BGCOLOR="#CCFFCC"> <P>Why are they here</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/bookworm.htm" TARGET="_self">Virtualbookworm</A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/bookworm.htm" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD COLSPAN=5> <P>This is the only publisher that actually met all of the criteria outlined in the "What to look for" section of the <A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/isit4me.htm" TARGET="_self">Is POD for me?</A> guide.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/upublish.htm" TARGET="_self">Universal Publishers</A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/upublish.htm" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD COLSPAN=5> <P>Moderately expensive, but they offer a good deal for authors of technical books, they are considered "specialized", and the fact that they offer the possibility of submitting work as a ready to print PDF is a good way to avoid the problems caused by special fonts and the need for numerous graphics and tables.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/pagefree.htm" TARGET="_self">PageFree</A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/pagefree.htm" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD COLSPAN=5> <P>They offer good royalties, a good contract, they give you a lot of control over marketing and they have an almost reasonably priced "basic" setup fee, but they don't screen manuscripts, you have very little control over your book's design, they have way too many things that are considered "extras", plus there are a couple of things that are too misleading for my liking in what they tell authors they can expect.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/llumina.htm" TARGET="_self">Llumina Press</A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/llumina.htm" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/lilstar.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD COLSPAN=5> <P>There is a problem with their contract, their setup fee is a little expensive and you have very little control over your book's marketing and design, but they screen manuscripts, they have good distribution and graphics are not a problem (or an extra, unless they have to scan them for you).</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD COLSPAN=6 BGCOLOR="#FF8299"> <CENTER><FONT SIZE="+2"><B>4 worse deals </B></FONT>(worst first)</CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD BGCOLOR="#FF9999"> <P>Publisher</P> </TD> <TD COLSPAN=5 BGCOLOR="#FFCCCC"> <P>Why are they here</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/ipublisher.htm" TARGET="_self">BookPublisher</A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/ipublisher.htm" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD COLSPAN=5> <P>They will work with the authors to publish works none of the other publishers would ever consider, but they are extremely expensive, they have an exclusive contract that covers most of the author's rights, they offer low royalties and you don't have a way out of their contract.</P> <P>They have recently renamed themselves. This company used to be iPublisher.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/firstpub.htm" TARGET="_self">FirstPublish</A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/firstpub.htm" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD COLSPAN=5> <P>They have the best bookstore discount, and they have a non exclusive contract, but they don't screen manuscripts, they are extremely expensive, and they have a system that forces the author to pay for each book before it is printed in order to accept book returns, so the costs to the author are impossible to predict in the long run.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/xlibris.htm" TARGET="_self">Xlibris</A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/xlibris.htm" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD COLSPAN=5> <P>They have a non-exclusive contract, but they are expensive, they lack flexibility, they offer low royalties and they are immediately recognized as a vanity press. Their books have a retail price that makes them very expensive, not a good idea for those who are not established authors.</P> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=center> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/ybp.htm" TARGET="_self">YourBookPublisher</A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/ybp.htm" TARGET="_self"><IMG SRC="graphs/liltrash.gif" WIDTH=16 HEIGHT=16 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD COLSPAN=5> <P>They have good distribution, they are a small publisher, and they may be willing to publish your book for free under certain circumstances, but they are expensive, there is a problem with their contract (which is not available at their website), their "Production Plan" is just too bare bones, and they charge a "reading fee" to consider a book for their "Custom Plan" that is almost as high as the entire setup fee with some other publishers.</P> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P></CENTER> <BLOCKQUOTE><CENTER><B>A fair warning, the information presented here was gathered from the publishers' sites. It tells you what each one of them has to offer,what kinds of fees they charge, which are their distribution chanels and how do their contracts work. This guide does not take into account the quality of the finished product (though for the most part there are no major differences in that regard, go to the </B><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/pod/podfaq.htm" TARGET="_self"><B>FAQ</B></A><B> section to understand why).</B></CENTER></BLOCKQUOTE> <CENTER><TABLE BORDER=0 BGCOLOR="#336666" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=3 WIDTH=300 align=center> <TR> <TD> <P><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=3 CELLPADDING=0 BACKGROUND="graphs/backwhite.gif"> <TR> <TD> <P>This site is moving, click on the home icon in someone else's frame,</P> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </P> </TD> <TD> <CENTER><A HREF="http://www.booksandtales.com/index.htm" TARGET="_top"><IMG SRC="graphs/homei.gif" ALT="Home" WIDTH=32 HEIGHT=32 BORDER=0 ALIGN=bottom></A></CENTER> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD COLSPAN=2> <CENTER><TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=3 CELLPADDING=0 WIDTH="100%" BACKGROUND="graphs/backwhite.gif"> <TR> <TD> <CENTER><FONT COLOR="#666666">©</FONT><A HREF="mailto:cleasaal@booksandtales.com">Clea Saal</A><FONT COLOR="#666666">, 2001-2002. 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