There seems to be no shortage of ways that POD publishers can concoct to separate authors from their money. Here are a few DOOZIES that we bet cost far more than most (if not all) authors will ever earn back in resulting book sales.
If these publishers are earning profits on the sale of each book, and if these services really did result in lots of book sales, don’t you think they’d be offering these services for FREE? Heck no. These are just a few of the seemingly endless ways some POD publishers have thought of to dig deeper into authors’ pockets.
AUTHORHOUSE
A promotional campaign or your ebook “app” – $2,499!
A weekend where you learn how to pitch your book to movie and TV execs – $3,499!!
Hire them to turn your book into a screenplay – $14,999!!!
Creation of a “Hollywood Trailer” – $19,999!!!!
XLIBRIS
Press Release Distribution – $999!
Galleys for Reviewers…but only 5 copies – $299!!
That’s $59.80 per book!
Ads in “BookSeller Magazine” – $2,599 to $8,999!!!
A small spot in a New York Times Book Review ad that also promotes other Xlibris authors’ books (and Xlibris itself) – $5,499!!!!
IUNIVERSE
Review Service – $3,000!
Online Radio Interview – $3,299!!
Video Press Release – $3,299!!!
“Social Media Publicist” – $6,499!!!!
TRAFFORD
Booksellers Return Program – $699!
Remember, if making a book returnable (https://writersweekly.com/the_latest_from_angelahoycom/004472_01162008.html) really led to a significant increase in sales, wouldn’t POD publishers be offering this service for FREE?
Book Trailer – $1,999!!
“Web Newsfront” – $7,499!!!
CREATESPACE
Library of Congress Control Number – $49
(You can get this for FREE very quickly on your own right here:
https://pcn.loc.gov)
Kirkus Indie Review – $379 to $529!
DON’T PAY FOR BOOK REVIEWS! Doing so can ruin an author’s reputation !
Press Release Distribution – $598!!
Book Trailer – $1,199-$2,199!!!
LULU
“Marketing Consultation” – $399!
Press Release Writing only (not distribution) – $650!!
Book Publicity Campaigns – $3,500 to $10,275!!!
I’ll say it again. If any of these services really resulted in significant book sales, wouldn’t these POD publishers be offering these services for free?
At BookLocker.com, we give all BookLocker authors a FREE copy of our book, 90 DAYS OF PROMOTING YOUR BOOK ONLINE: Your Book’s Daily Marketing Plan. The advice in that book is simple to follow, the marketing methods work, and almost every promotional step in the book costs authors ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Sure, we could sell it to them, but why? Since we earn money when an author’s book sells (just like the companies above), it only makes sense to give the book away for FREE to Booklocker authors. They benefit and we benefit.
Angela Hoy is the Publisher of WritersWeekly.com and co-owner of the POD firm BookLocker.com. WritersWeekly.com is the free marketing ezine for writers, which features new paying markets and freelance job listings every Wednesday. According to attorney Mark Levine, author of The Fine Print, BookLocker is: “As close to perfection as you’re going to find in the world of ebook and POD publishing. The ebook royalties are the highest I’ve ever seen, and the print royalties are better than average. BookLocker understands what new authors experience, and have put together a package that is the best in the business. You can’t go wrong here. Plus, they’re selective and won’t publish any manuscript just because it’s accompanied by a check. Also, the web site is well trafficked. If you can find a POD or epublisher with as much integrity and dedication to selling authors’ books, but with lower POD publishing fees, please let me know.”
Angela’s P.O.D. Secrets Revealed Series can be found HERE.
Got questions about Print On Demand and Self-publishing? Ask Angela.
Have a POD Book with another publisher? See if BookLocker can give you a better deal. (BookLocker offers “disgruntled author discounts” to those who want to move from other POD services.)
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