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Self-Publishing, Vanity Publishing, Print on Demand (POD)

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My last post in this series on publishing is to give you information about self-publishing, vanity publishing and print on demand (POD) as outlined by Jared Kuritz, Co-President of Strategies, presented on March 21st, 2009 at the Southern California Writers’ Association.

Self-publishing allows the author to have 100% control over every aspect of the book. That includes design and production decisions. The bad part is that you are responsible for all production and publishing costs too. A rough estimate on cost of 1,000 copies, is $9,000. Fortunately a second print run of 1,000 books will cost you around $1,500, since you’ve already dealt with cover design, interior design, etc. Unlike traditional publishing, and cooperative publishing where the author nets ($1.36-$2.04) and ($1.80-$5.70) respectively, with self-publishing, the author nets ($6-$11.40) on a cover price of $20.

As with any other form of publishing, PR & Marketing, are key to successful sales. Kuritz pointed out that if you decide to self-publish, you are strapped down to the U.S. Cooperative and traditional publishing give you more flexibility, in terms of traveling. As I mentioned in a previous post,
W.C. Jameson, mentioned self-publishing being more suited for poets and experts on a specific subject as they sell most of their own books through speaking engagements and therefore back of room (BOR) sales.

Vanity Publishing is generally expensive, around $20,000, and often, there are many problems, according to Kuritz. For example, Vanity Press, promise you distribution, but they generally just mean contacting the “.com” like amazon.com, etc. Anyone can do that. Often things are done incorrectly, the title is not on the spine of the book, or the ISBN # is in the wrong place, so you have to pay to get it re-edited and a new layout, after you’ve already spent $20,000.

Print on Demand (POD) should be used sparingly, according to Kuritz. It will cost you between $9 to $12 per copy to get 100 copies out. Distributors won’t accept (POD) books. Kuritz mentioned an example of where (POD) books can be useful. If you want to send your book to reviewers 5 months prior to it being published, then you can get (POD) copies. Also if you have speaking engagements prior to your book being published, then (POD) is useful.

I asked you for a 25 word synopsis of your book to share, and so far I have seven, including my own. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMENT ON THESE SYNOPSIS AND ADD YOUR OWN IF YOU WISH.

Thanks for submitting them, and good luck with publication.

Rob-bear: Many people live with chronic pain which is “poorly managed” — that’s an ethical problem. How do we come to a better ethical solution?

Kelli-Norgaard: “Most foreigners move to a new place, expecting adventures, but what they find is a place totally different from home. Then they get upset.Why?”

Shirley H.S.: As a Mennonite, I grew up with my nose pressed against the window of the world. From birth to college, 1948-1966, I became a conservative-rebel, proud-humble, deep-wide bundle of opposites ready to pioneer a new path.

Lady Glamis: Synopsis For Monarch:
Fighting for his life from terrorists in the South American jungle, a double-crossed CIA officer heads to the mountains of West Virginia, prey to an even larger battle: the one for his heart.

Jungle Mom: Synopsis: Jungle Mom invites you along as she experiences adventure in the Amazon jungle living among a primitive tribe. It’s a wild ride!

Cindy: A terrible loss and heartbreaking prophecy lead Shannon on a challenging course to return home and battle with the trials of her waning faith.

Gutsy Writer That’s me: Parents chuck the good life and move their defiant teenager and entitled siblings to a Caribbean island where they all learn about real life and gratitude.

Publishing with a Purpose – Part II Cooperative Publishing

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My first post was about traditional publishing. This post will outline what Jared Kuritz, Co-President of Strategies, presented on March 21st, 2009 at the Southern California Writers’ Association about a new trend in publishing: Cooperative publishing. Since traditional publishers have a 96-97% failure rate, Jared mentioned the need for publishers to increase the effort invested in each writer, and decrease the number of books they publish.

Many traditional publishers and distributors are now opening coops. Basically cooperative publishing is where both the author and the publisher share the costs and the profits. Mid-size publishers can’t carry the same risks as large publishers so many are now offering quality cooperative publishing.

The benefits of cooperative publishing are numerous. The publisher shares in the costs of production but this gives the author more flexibility in publishing and production decisions. The publisher is responsible for all publishing duties as well as participating in PR activities. The biggest advantage is the sales profit to the author which can range from 30-50%. The author also gets free books for PR and a huge discount for BOR (back of room) sales.

The main disadvantage of cooperative publishing is that the author shares in the production costs.
In general, the author pays for the design of the book, and the cooperative publisher pays for the printing, editing and distribution.

So if the book cover is $20, after the bookstore and distributor get their share, the author can expect to net between $1.80-$5.70 depending on whether the cooperative publisher has a 50/50 split or a 70/30 split with the author.

Jared Kuritz mentions that PR and Marketing are crucial whether you use a traditional publisher, a cooperative publisher or you self-publish. Jared also warns writers to be careful who they pick as a cooperative publisher. Chose a reputable publisher and ask if they also offer cooperative publishing.

Since this is a long post, and if you haven’t already done so, please share with us, your book synopsis in 25 words. I shall post it with a link to your blog at the end of this 3 part series on publishing.

Next post, I shall talk about Self-publishing, vanity publishing and Print on demand (POD.)

Why do you write? Publishing with a purpose: Part I Traditional Publishing

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The first question you need to ask yourself as a writer is, “Why am I writing?” says Jared Kuritz, Co-President of Strategies, during his presentation, “Publishing with a Purpose.” The answer to this question will help you determine your publishing needs.
Jared offers writers 4 reasons, and it’s important to select the one that best fits you.

1) For a personal reason. Is it an extension of journaling?

2) For posterity. For example a grandparent writing for his grandchildren or a CEO writing for his employees.

3) For professional reasons. To augment your existing business.

4) Writing for profit. To make a living at it.

Your answer to, “Why am I writing?” will determine your publishing goals.

Jared covered traditional publishing, Cooperative publishing, Self publishing, Vanity publishing and print on demand (POD).

This post will highlight the points Jared made on traditional publishing, that I found useful and interesting.

With the traditional BIG publishers, 96-97% of all books FAIL. What kind of a business can succeed with such a high failure rate? “It’s the Stephen Kings and J.K. Rowlings that carry those publishers,” Jared said. The pro’s are that the publisher absorbs all the costs, and the initial and ongoing publishing duties, for example sending your books to book events where you have decided to promote your own book. The con’s are that you, the author have no control over any publishing decisions, and that you have to buy books from your publisher for PR, unless you’ve negotiated say 500 or so books specifically for promotion in your contract. Otherwise any book you need, you’ll have to pay the publisher 60% of the cover price.

In general on a cover price of $20.00, the bookstore gets $8-$11 (40-55%), the distributor gets $3.40-$7.00 (17-35%), the publisher $4.40-$9.00 (22-45%), the agent ($0.24-$0.36) and the author nets $1.36-$2.04

I know most writers are aware of all these layers and how, with the traditional big publishers, authors are at the bottom of the totem pole. What I had not heard of myself is that many mid-size to small publishers are offering Cooperative Publishing. I shall let you know what Jared Kuritz, said about this new trend in my next post.

How would you answer, “Why am I writing?”
Another thing I’d love to have you share with us, and I shall post it with a link to your blog in my next post, is your book synopsis in 25 words. I worked on mine, and shall post it next time as it helps determine your publishing goals.

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