[stylist] Blind author for Robert's list

[LoriStay at aol.com]

Yes, I would appreciate more information regarding both offset and docutech 
printing companies.   Also, how one goes about getting the book into the store 
once it is done.
And whether I'd need to have the material on a disk or simply in manuscript 
form.

Have a good weekend!
Lori
In a message dated 3/27/09 4:15:50 PM, johnlee at clarktouch.com writes:


> 
> 
> Oh, NO!  Not another one down the iUniverse drain!
> 
> Maybe it's a good time to write a digression on the subject of
> self-publishing.
> 
> While it's very good to seek real publishers, when you have to self-publish,
> I strongly, with all of my fangs showing, advise against using any of those
> companies--iUniverse, Xilibiris, lulu.com, et al.  What you should do
> instead is go to a printing company and just have copies printed.  Here's
> why:
> 
> The vanity publishers--iUniverse and the like--do not promote your book
> beyond posting it on their site.  They may advertise to writers that they
> promote it to blah blah blah, but it's all worthless.  As good as lip
> service.  So on the promotional front, you'd be no better off.  You'd still
> be the one who makes all the sales happen.
> 
> With that in mind, when you use a vanity publisher, you are working to give
> them money.  That's exactly what you're doing.  They even make money if you
> sell zero copies, thanks to their set-up fee.
> 
> Now, that set-up fee ALONE could cover a small docutech print run through a
> printing business--there are many.  Two hundred fifty dollars could buy you
> a print run of one hundred copies of your book, if you want to start small.
> 
> In the event you do have your family and friends and colleagues buy some
> copies from the vanity publisher, you'll end up only getting a fraction of
> the proceeds.  Not only are you already set back because of the set-up fee,
> there's the cut the vanity publisher takes on each sale, and additional fees
> that you forgot about and hidden ones you never knew about until it's too
> late. 
> 
> If you are worried about the ISBN, the bar code, and posting your book on
> Amazon.com, all of which the vanity publishers make a big point of saying
> they will take care of, most printing businesses include these same things
> in the package when you order a print run.
> 
> The most profitable type of printing is offset, but it works only if you are
> sure you can sell a thousand copies.  Offset starts at one thousand dollars,
> and most of it covers the typesetting.  But after the typesetting, it's only
> the cost of paper and ink.  That's why there is a difference of only a few
> hundred more dollars for another thousand copies--because it's just for
> paper and ink and binding.  So if you have something you know will be a hot
> seller--relatively speaking in the context of self-publishing--offset is the
> way to go.
> 
> But if you can't afford to pony up a grand or you are not sure if you'd be
> able to sell a whole lot of copies, then go for docutech.  It is a different
> printing process with no huge set-up costs to begin with but is more
> expensive per copy.  Depending on the length of your book, it could be
> anywhere from two hundred dollars to four hundred dollars to print one
> hundred copies.  That's two dollars to four dollars per copy, against what
> would be just one dollar or even less per copy if you go offset, but this is
> still better than your working to make the vanity publishers richer without
> making any gain yourself.
> 
> If you want more detailed advice and references to both good offset and
> docutech printing companies, write to me privately.  My reward for helping
> you will be that you're not being ripped off by a vanity publisher.  I hate
> it when a good writer becomes a sucker--and yes, based on pure business
> sense, you'd be a sucker if you go to the vanity publishers.
> 
> If you happen to write me immediately upon reading this, I won't be able to
> respond until Monday because we are leaving for Iowa for the weekend.  But I
> will respond on Monday.
> 
> John
> 
> 
> 




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