Publish Books with Online Tools
Self-Publishing Made Simple with Print-on-Demand Services
May 31, 2009
Because of the many self-publishing alternatives that are available today, writers are able to avoid the often long and difficult process of traditional publishing. Writers no longer have to endure rejection slips, finding just the right agent or long wait times. Writers decide when, where and how to publish. The author also determines the size of the book, the cover design, price, marketing and promotion. Writers have complete creative control. In other words, self-publishing allows authors to control their own destiny.
Besides having creative control over the product, on-demand publishing is an affordable option for authors; costs are quite low and writers are not stuck with inventory that does not sell. Print-on-demand services simply print and ship the product when it is ordered.
Once the manuscript, children’s, self-help book or best-selling novel is written and compiled, what next? The following websites provide a wide array of self-publishing, print-on-demand services for seasoned and aspiring authors.
Self-Publishing On-Demand Services
LuLu - This service publishes all sorts of products; from hardcover or paperback books, cookbooks, calendars, to music, photo albums and more.
- No setup fees are required
- Publishing is free
- Upload file, select size, color and price
- Products are printed and shipped only when ordered
- Authors set the price on the product
- Author retains 80 percent of creator revenue on each sale
- Can also create storefront
- ISBN numbers can be purchased
Create Space – This Amazon subsidiary offers another print-on-demand publishing service. Users can create books, MP3s, CDs and DVDs on demand.
- The book must be in the PDF format prior to publication
- Free setup is included however a proof copy is required
- All covers are printed in full-color and include a protective finish
- Handy cover create and preview tools are available
- Free ISBN numbers are included
- Author retains 80 percent of revenue on each sale, but other charges may apply
Café Press – This California based company, founded in 1999, currently offers more than 150 million user-created products including t-shirts, stationary and books.
- No setup or minimum quantities are required
- Five different sized books are available
- Three different book binding types are available
Book Surge – Launched in 2000 by a group of writers, Book Surge is now a subsidiary of Amazon.
- No annual fees
- No minimums
- 35 percent royalties on sales of paperback books
- Interactive design center
- Books are available in hardcover and paperback form
Xlibris – In business for more than ten years, Xlibris offers on-demand publishing for authors.
- Authors retain all rights
- Provides a 100 percent money-back guarantee
- 24 hour support is available
- Offers both black and white and full-color publishing in paperback and hardback versions
- Specialty publishing is also available for authors of particular genres and specific niche topics
- Offers leather-bound editions
Publishing a book has never been easier with the print-on-demand, self-publishing services listed above.
For more information on electronic books, read EBook Compilers for Writers and EBooks 101 for Aspiring Authors.
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