When you self-publish, you have the option of using a book printing
service or a self-publishing service. Both are self-publishing processes but differ when it comes to your role and investment
in the processes. Once you determine your budget, the level of assistance you will require, and your ultimate goal as a self-publisher…you
will be able to determine which self-publishing process will work best for you.
Using
a Book Printing Service.
A book printer supplies you with a
product (your book). You will manage all publisher functions and processes.• You will pay the book printer a set price
for the print run. Your price will be determined by prepress work, the final format of your book, the method of printing,
how many books are printed, etc.
The following is typical when
using a book printer instead of a self-publishing service:
•
Your printed books will be delivered directly to you, your distributor, a retailer, or other destination. Many book printers
will inventory your books and, upon your request, ship different quantities to different locations.
• You do not pay a book printer any percentage of your sales profits. If a book printer’s
terms include a percentage of sales, the book printer realistically falls into the category of self-publishing service.
• The book printer is not the publisher. You are considered the publisher,
and your book will need to be registered with an ISBN that lists your publishing entity as the publisher of record.
• The book printer only supplies the product (your book). Because
you are the publisher, you will be responsible for sales, distribution, marketing, and promotion. You will also be responsible
for all the back-end, administrative functions of a publishing business.
• You will not (should not) be asked to enter into any type of publishing contract with a book printer.
You will not (should not) be asked to give the book printer any rights to your book or any percentage of sales of your book.
• When using a book printer, you will determine the retail price
of your book, discounts, returns options, and all other terms and conditions for sales.
• You will typically have higher up-front costs when using a book printer but will make
more profit per book.
Using a Self-Publishing Service.
A self-publishing service supplies you with the product (your book) and manages
most publisher functions and processes.• Because most self-publishing services use the print-on-demand method of delivery,
there are typically no upfront costs for book printing. This is because the buyer (customer) pays your self-publishing service
before your book is printed. This allows the self-publishing service to cover the cost of your book via the buyer instead
of you, the author.
The following is typical when using a self-publishing
service instead of a book printer:
• If you order copies
of your book for yourself, your cost per book will vary and depend on your self-publishing service’s unique terms and
conditions.
• Most self-publishing services manage
registrations, listings, sales, and fulfillment. Additional services are offered by most self-publishing services for a fee.
These services include, but are not limited to, book design, interior formatting, editing, marketing, and promotion.
• In exchange for the “service” part of using a self-publishing
service, the writer will give up part of the profits from sales to the self-publishing service. A very small number of self-publishing
services do not take a percentage of the sales profits but may increase your book cost or implement direct or indirect service
fees to cover their expenses for managing your book and your account.
• When using a self-publishing service, the self-publishing service is almost always listed as the publisher,
not you. Your ISBN will show the self-publishing service as the publisher of record, and this is how all of your listings
and registrations will read.
• When using a self-publishing
service, you will be asked to enter into a publishing agreement in which you allow the self-publishing service nonexclusive
rights to print your book. You, however, are always the copyright holder and should never use any book printer or self-publishing
service that insists on being the copyright holder of your work. The self-publishing service agreement will typically allow
you to end the agreement at any time and for any reason.
•
Some self-publishing services allow you to determine the retail price of your book, discounts, return options, and all other
terms and conditions for sales. Other self-publishing services will mandate that they determine the retail price, discounts,
return options, and so forth.
• You will typically
have lower up-front costs when using a self-publishing service but make less profit per book.
This information should
only be construed as a generalized assessment and not necessarily typical of all book printing services or self-publishing
services. Please consult with your book printer or self-publishing service for their specific terms, conditions, and practices. Contributed by Publisher Assistance — Where Writers Become Publishers.
For more information, please visit publisherassistance.com
