We’re talking about self publishing on Editor Unleashed this week. To follow up on yesterday’s post, I wanted to share with you which POD (print-on-demand) publisher I recommend and why.
First, please note that I have never used POD myself, so I encourage those of you who have gone through the experience to offer up your opinions. But I did spend years overseeing the world’s largest self-published books competition. In that role, I came across thousands of self-published books. Most of the books entered in the competition were POD books published by the major outfits including iUniverse, Lulu, etc.
To be very honest, I never noticed any difference in quality between the various POD shops. Most of these services use Lightning Source to actually print the books. So I wouldn’t recommend one POD company or another based on quality since from my observation they’re putting out a relatively similar product.
To repeat what I wrote yesterday, I don’t usually recommend POD as a first option. But for those writers who have decided they want to go the POD route, when asked, I typically recommend CreateSpace.
Here’s why:
• CreateSpace is owned by Amazon, and Amazon will only list POD books that come from CreateSpace or their other POD affiliate BookSurge. And without distribution by Amazon, you have to ask yourself how you’re going to distribute your book. It’s next to impossible to get a POD book on bookstore shelves. (UPDATE: I stand corrected. Amazon will list books by alternate POD services. Please read the comments for clarification).
• Why CreateSpace rather than BookSurge? Basically, because CreateSpace is the less expensive option. It’s more of a DIY approach and there are fewer expensive add-ons.
• And in case you’re wondering, no, I’m not being sponsored by CreateSpace or Amazon. I’m just calling it the way I see it. I assure you my opinions and recommendations are not for sale.
For more reading on PODs, I highly recommend this very thorough article by Writer Beware.
OK, I’m sure there will be lots of alternate opinions on the subject, so let’s hear it. If I’m wrong, I’ll be the first to admit it. More tomorrow.
-Maria Schneider
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s interesting. Is this a new policy from Amazon, to only list the POD books from their company?
I ask because I went with Trafford and they got my book listed on Amazon. I know several people who went with other major POD companies and they also were listed on Amazon. Also, you can list any book on Amazon’s kindle website so that’s a whole different thing.
Jai
RE Amazon. You can have a POD book page on their site if you sign up for an Amazon Advantage account. Also, in correspondence with Lightning Source, they say they are an Amazon partner in distribution. Lightning Source does not, however, provide the covers, text formatting, etc. that you can get from Lulu.com or CreateSpace.
Jai,
This was a policy Amazon implemented about a year ago. If they’ve changed their policy since then, I’d like to hear about it.
Ray,
Thanks for the information, very helpful. So Amazon will list books published by Lightning Source now?
There are thousands of books on Amazon from other POD services. Amazon made a motion to print all POD books through Amazon’s printer, but the books will still be listed.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120667525724970997.html
Amazon’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit based on this was turned down
http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2009/08/Amazon_fails_to_end_lawsuit_over_print-on-demand_books55419887.html
I appreciate this information. I’m exploring possibilities, as you know and POD was on my list. I’m also going to start querying agents for niche markets interested in biographies and especially those of musicians. Just trying to figure out the best way to go. Looks like vanity press keeps getting shot down for a project like mine. Thanks for devoting this week to the subject.
Maria,
Another useful post for your “self-publishing” week, thanks.
Most authors seem to only investigate the biggest, most well-known providers of POD production, although there are quite a few value-added suppliers out there. Create Space is a good option in my opinion. Both Book Surge and Lightning Source are really targeted more at publishers with multiple titles rather than the 1-book author/publisher.
My recommendation for @Susan or others researching this is to check Mick Rooney’s blog for in-depth reviews of many publishing service providers. It’s here: http://mickrooney.blogspot.com/
For example, check his extensive and thoughtful review of Dog Ear Publishing, as one such option.
Maria,
Thanks for letting us know about amazon’s new policy. I published my book almost three years ago now so I guess I was lucky to be there before the policy change. Please do keep us updated on this information and thanks for posting on this subject.
Jai
Jai,
I need to confirm this with Amazon, but several people pointed out in the comments that Amazon no longer has this policy in place. I’m going to attempt to get a straight answer from Amazon on the subject and let you know.
Thanks for posting this Maria. I’ve been trying to decide between CreateSpace and Lulu, and was veering more towards CreateSpace, but wasn’t sure. It’s good to have validation.
I have a question though. My book will not be for sale; I’m having it printed as a gift for family only, hence the POD option,(however, several writer friends have suggested I rewrite it for public and sale the dang thing – thinking about it). That said, is CreateSpace still the best option, or is there possibly another company that might be a better choice for this situation? My first thought was to go with a local POD company, (to support my community), but then I discovered there are none, so that’s out the window.
Thanks for a helpful post!
Just saw the news – congratulations on your Top 10 Blog spot, Maria! :))
@Deanna,
Actually, if you just want a few copies printed for family and friends, you might want something a little more unique than what a POD service would offer. I think Blurb http://www.blurb.com/ is doing really interesting work for this type of project. Check it out and let me know what you think.
If you are going to offer the book for sale, that’s a whole different thing and for that POD is probably your best option.
@Lori, Thank you!
Thanks Maria! Blurb does look like a good option. Though I’ve only viewed the home page I already like what I see, especially being able to add artwork. I want to include my handwritten signature on the dedication page, and acknowledgements, as well as use a photo of a photo, (you’d have to know the story behind the book, long one), for the cover. That’s one thing I didn’t like about the PODs I’d researched – no option for these things. Thanks so much for the suggestion!
@Deanna,
I’d like to put in a good word for Blurb. I know numerous professional photographers who do their books on Blurb and most of them are very happy with the result. That says something because these people are not easy to please. The books I’ve seen from Blurb look better than anything else coming out of the POD world. They would be very good for your project since you only need a few books. Unfortunately, due to their pricing, they are not very practical for commercial purposes, but definitely consider them for your book. Good luck.
I recently went through the article published on Writer Beware. It gives an interesting account of POD services in much detail. The discussion over here as I see is centering around amazon’s services.
And Maria, you are very true when you say that the quality of POD service doesn’t vary too much when put into comparison. I just wanted to mention one more name into the list of discussion – A1Books (www.a1books.co.in). This US based online bookstore has recently introduced POD services to its Indian publishers recently… As i have purchased certain titles from this site and also sold my old used books, my relation has been so far a good one with them in terms of their service.
So when we talk about POD and its quality of service, I would for once refer to this online bookstore not for the authors out there but for the publishers (a different approach to POD offered by A1Books).
Thanks and a nice blog indeed!