This blog continues your options for self-publishing, should that interest you. In addition to full-service companies, there are 2 types of self-service: á la carte and ATM. They’re described below:
SELF-SERVICE Á LA CARTE COMPANIES, like self-service pumps at the gas station, place the bulk of the responsibility on the author and provide minimal assistance, even if your pump leaks. Lulu and CreateSpace are both affiliated with Amazon for distribution. Lightning Source is the largest printing and distribution company in the U.S. It is connected with Amazon and Ingram, the largest bookseller in the U.S.
Depending on the author’s knowledge of the production and printing processes, it may cost less than the above full-service packages. Costs are based on book size, paperback or hardcover, number of pages, black and white or color, and related specs. You prepare the final PDF manuscript and complete color cover to precise specs and then upload both.
You must pay for each separate phase of the production process, such as manuscript preparation and formatting, copyediting and proofing, conversion to PDF, front and back cover design with or without graphics/photo images, obtain copyright and ISBN and LOC (Library of Congress) numbers, and sizing of PDF and cover to publisher specs. All of this must be completed before the uploads are possible. The company then prints and distributes your book based on POD. This option may not be appropriate for newbie and nontechy writers. All of these companies are worth investigating to find the one that is a best-fit to your needs and knowledge beyond book writing.
SELF-SERVICE ATM PUBLISHING is the brainchild of U.S. editor Jason Epstein and engineer Jeff Marsh. In 2004 they invented the Expresso Book Machine (EBM) that can print, cover, and bind a single paperback book, like POD, but in 5 minutes, while U wait! It’s like a Jiffy Lube oil change, but without the oil and the jiff. All you need is a PDF file. The machine is only $75,000. Look for sales in Best Buy. Kidding. They have been installed in bookstores and libraries at several locations in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and Africa. EBM is essentially the “Netflix” of books. It is turbo-charged POD. This direct-to-consumer model of publishing eliminates shipping, warehousing, and returns of unsold books; it provides global availability of millions of titles. It’s another option to consider. However, the quality of the books compared to the previous options has not been reported yet.
My next blog will address marketing your books.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT: I gratefully appreciate the feedback from my publisher John von Knorring (Stylus Publishing) on an earlier draft of this blog. He brought the EBM to my attention as another self-service option.
COPYRIGHT © 2009 Ronald A. Berk, LLC
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