Over the years, Print on Demand (POD) Publishers have grown in popularity.
These companies can take all of the responsibility for preparation and printing off your shoulders.
Some even offer marketing support.
Many authors like the idea of "one-stop shopping" you can get through one of the POD publishers.
They also offer a "seemingly" more affordable way for new authors to break into publishing.
There are several things you should know before deciding to choose this form of publishing.
1.
Your book will not be in bookstores.
2.
This type of publishing may be well suited for online sales, but they are not as practical for bookstore sales.
This is where it gets tricky for new authors.
Internet marketing has many cost advantages for authors who want to promote and publicize their book.
Many times online sales don't work as well for new authors as they do for established writers.
Readers who shop online tend to know what book or author they are looking for.
It's harder for people to browse through virtual bookstores online looking for a book to catch their eye.
3.
As the author, you retain the right to go to another publisher or sell the book themselves.
However, the actual book file may belong to them.
If you try to take the file that was formatted by the POD publisher to another company, chances are that the publisher will refuse to release the file and you will have to pay to get it reformatted with the another company.
4.
Many of the publishers provide an International Standard Book Number (ISBN), which may be registered in the publisher's name, which often raises the question if you are truly self-publishing.
You will need to weigh the benefits of having the ISBN in your own name against the cost of buying a block of numbers.
5.
Most of the services that are provided to authors at no charge by traditional publishers are available for a fee through POD publishers.
These include design and formatting, editing, marketing and distribution.
POD publishing companies are typically not in the business of selling books.
Their business is selling their services, services which may or may not translate into more book sales for the author.
So it's important to determine if you truly need their add-on services or if you could provide better results with your personal effort.
6.
The unit cost of the POD printed book is significantly higher than in commercial printing.
Most POD publishers purchase printing from another company.
When the POD publishers offer you printing services it includes an add-on fee over and above the actual cost of printing.
This allows the POD publisher to still make money even if you are the only one buying your book.
7.
The royalty calculations vary between the various online publishers.
It is important to know that your royalty will be less when your book is sold by a third party (i.
e.
Amazon, Barnes & Noble online etc), rather than the online publisher's website.
8.
Often times the publisher determines the retail price of your book based on a variety of factors determined by the company.
This may result in your book being priced out of the market or not being priced competitively when compared to other books in your book's niche.
When you choose a publisher, you will need to look over the contract carefully.
Make sure you are retaining your rights and getting the exposure and support your book warrants.