Customer Reviews

The Fine Print of Self-Publishing: The Contracts & Services of 48 Major Self-Publishing Companies--Analyzed, Ranked & Exposed

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found this small book generally helpful in selecting a POD publisher. I say "generally" because the first few chapters on the general topics are interesting. While some readers may like the quartiling of the covered publishers, there are several serious problems with this part of the book:

1) At least one popular publisher, Wheatmark, is not covered;

2) Some publishers have changed their package pricing, e.g., iUniverse (much more expensive now!);

3) I fear (but can't be sure) that some publishers have also changed their publishing agreements for the worse (Levine does not provide updates via his website, which is mostly a promotional site for the book and his other services);

4) The coverage of the POD publishers is not uniform, with some publishers covered in more detail than the others. Also, Levine does not make it easy to compare two covered companies side-by-side. It would have been nicer, much nicer, if he provided a comparison table. As it stands, the review part ends up giving you an overdose of information and, at least in my case, makes the decision even harder.

I also think the book could have used a more professional editor. Because this is self-published through Bookspro (I believe, since the backcover says "Bridgeway books", which is one of the imprints of Bookspro), the quality of the book reflects this. At least this convinced me to stay away from Bookspro! To see what I mean, just lay this book next to a paperback from a traditional publisher. I wish Levine had picked a POD company that offered a better quality than this.

Overall, though, I think this is a must-have book for people interested in hiring a POD publisher. Like I said, the general stuff in the first few chapters are quite valuable. Mark, if you are reading this, please take my criticism as suggestions for improving future editions.

As a catalog of options, Mark Levine's book occupies a unique position in your library of self-publishing manuals. However, he leaves out one important option and he neglects some essential economics of self-publishing.

First--the important option: Becoming your own publisher via Lightning Source Inc., a subsidiary of Ingram.

What is LSI? They are a POD (and recently offset) printer. I emphasize they are only a printer, not a publisher. You have to become a publisher yourself to use them. This is not free.

Business License ............. $ 236

Ficticious Name Application ... $ 28

Ficticious Name Ad ........... $ 39

Bank Account ................. $ 100

ISBNs ........................ $ 270
(block of ten; need one for each title and format)

SAN .......................... $ 75
(You only need one.)

LCCNs ........................ $ 0
pcn.loc.gov (one per title regardless of format; best version when available)

Altogether, you'll spend about $750 getting ready to do business. Contrast that with, say, Outskirt Presses Diamond Plan of $999. So far it sounds like a bargain but there can be hidden costs. For example, interior formatting can cost you the price of Adobe Acrobat, and cover formatting can cost you the price of Adobe Photoshop. If you only have one book in you, going the Outskirts Press way may be more cost effective. If you plan to publish lots of books, the software expenses become mitigated.

At LSI you are also on the hook for title setup:

Cover
Perfect Bound: $50
Hardcover w/DJ: $75

Interior
Based on page count: ~$39
(272 pages)

Proof Copy $30

Print costs per book:
Wholesale Direct
Hardcover w/DJ $11.09 $11.63
Perfect Bound $ 4.44 $ 4.98


Why is this option so important? They are used by most of the Self-publishing companies listed in Levine's book. They are owned by Ingram, the biggest book distributor in the U.S. book market. They allow any author to compete on the same playing field as iUniverse, Outskirts Press, and the rest of them.

Second--the missing economics: While Levine does discuss discount rates, he does not adequately show how it impacts the bottom line. For that let's compare and contrast LSI and Outskirts Press.

LSI:
Pub company startup costs: $750
(one-time)
Paperback Title Set-up: $119
(each title)
Total $869

Cost per book: $ 4.44
(wholesale)
Discount rate: 50% (should get you into most stores)
SRP: $16.95
Discounted Price: $ 8.48
Operating Profit: $ 4.04
(Enough to cover marketing, et al.)

Outskirts Press:
Pub company startup costs: $ 0
Paperback Title Set-up: $999
(each title - Diamond Plan*)
Total $999

Cost per book: $ 7.32
(wholesale)
Discount rate: 50% (should get you into most stores)
SRP: $16.95
Discounted Price: $ 8.48
Operating Profit: $ 1.16
(Not enough to cover marketing, et al.)


[I have the above spelled out more clearly and in more detail in a 98-slide PowerPoint. I'll happily share same with anyone if you'll email me at efulsang@comcast.net.}

I have two titles published through LSI under Aarhus Publishing. I have sold about 150 copies in the last year or so. Self-publishing is kind of like the gold rush days of the mid-1800s. The easy money was made by the lucky few that got in early. Thereafter, the reliable money was made by the equipment vendors (who sold $1000 shovels), saloon keepers, and prostitutes to the late comers. Note how Levine's categorizations (outstanding, pretty good, and to be avoided) parallel the gold rush days. Go to an equipment vendor and you can get what you need but you'll pay dearly. Go to a saloon keeper and you'll feel better but spend your grubstake. Go to a prostitute and you'll feel better, spend your grubstake, and catch an STD. I could not help but wonder if Levine's favorite, Bookpros, was merely an equipment vendor with four categories of shovels starting at $6000. I also could not help but wonder if I'd been able to afford the $40,000 shovel would I have sold more than 150 copies of my books. Maybe I would have just dug myself in deeper. Self-publishing is no panacea to the barriers to entry that have been emplaced by the conventional publishers.

--Ejner Fulsang, author/publisher of "A Knavish Piece of Work" and "A Destiny of Fools" Aarhus Publishing

Recently, I wrote an article entitled "Wolves in Sheep's Clothing" which revealed the number of folks in the industry out to get over on unsuspecting authors. Though I didn't focus on print on demand (POD) companies, I probably should have, since there are a lot of them out to profit from what authors have worked hard to produce -- their manuscripts. Fortunately, I don't have to get back on my soapbox, because I can refer authors to THE FINE PRINT OF SELF-PUBLISHING: The Contracts & Services of 48 Major Self-Publishing Companies -- Analyzed, Ranked & Exposed.

Self-Published author and attorney Mark Levine has created a wonderful resource for those who are considering publishing their book through POD. I would suggest a writer do extensive research and consider establishing their own publishing company; however, if they are determined to go with a POD, I'd definitely recommend this book. Levine breaks down the pros and cons of many of the POD companies, as well as offers various tidbits on each, such as fees and issues with contracts and other terms affecting the writer's bottom line. This type of in-depth information can prove helpful in guiding you away from a publisher who is definitely NOT focused on the best interest of the author.

Levine even goes one step further and categorizes each of the 48 companies in one of four categories: Outstanding Self-Publishing Companies, Some Pretty Good Self-Publishing Companies, Publishers Who Are Just Okay, and PUBLISHERS TO AVOID. What makes the book even more valuable is the terminology. Levine has written it so anyone can easily understand the often confusing terminology found in legal contracts. Though there were a few editorial issues, it is my hope that THE FINE PRINT OF SELF-PUBLISHING will be updated annually (or more often) to provide revisions and additional information regarding the various POD companies.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

If you are thinking about signing with a fee-based publishing service, you MUST read Mark Levine's new book, "The Fine Print of Self-Publishing." Levine publicly analyzes 48 fee-based POD (or self-publishing) company's contracts and services and even ranks them for you. Levine says, "I can promise you that if you follow the advice in this book, you won't get ripped of by any self-publishing company and may, in fact, negotiate a better deal. If you don't follow the advice here, you may find yourself spending thousands of dollars in legal fees to battle an unscrupulous publisher."

Levine does more than just give you his opinion regarding self-publishing services. He helps you to decide by outlining 9 qualities of a good self-publishing company and he explains why these qualities are important. For example, you should expect from a reputable self-publishing company, "generous royalties without any fuzzy math," and "a good reputation among writers." And this author shows you not only how to check on the reputation of these companies, but how to interpret their contracts.

Levine fills one chapter by analyzing the fine print in self-publishing contracts. And then he begins naming names. Chapter 6 features the outstanding self-publishing companies that meet Levine's strict requirements of ethics and good business practices. You'll find some familiar companies listed as outstanding, including Booklocker, Infinity Publishing, Lulu and RJ Communications. Chapter 7 profiles some "pretty good self-publishing companies such as BookSurge and Writers World. Trafford and Xlibris made the "self-publishing companies that are just okay" list. And here's what everyone wants to know: which self-publishers should you avoid? Chapter 9 has the answer. Would it surprise you to know that AuthorHouse and PublishAmerica are listed there?

This certainly is a one-of-a-kind book designed to steer hopeful authors in the right direction. I particularly like that Levine strives to educate as well as inform authors.

If you are contemplating signing with a self-publishing company this year, do yourself a favor and read Mark Levine's book, first. It is definitely a 5-star book for the hopeful author.

Patricia Fry is the president of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) [...]

The "Fine Print of Self-Publishing" saved me making a BIG mistake...and the money that went with it...and led me from groups that advertised well to groups who DELIVER. If one wants to know the big picture--and the real skinny--on who delivers in POD and "self-publishing," read this book. Not all publishers or POD companies are created equal and Mark Levine's book tells you the differences--clearly AND HONESTLY.

As a new author, I didn't know my way around, but after reading this book, I ended up approaching the Booklocker.com, where my book was published. Mark Levine's book describes several great options, and different authors seek different things--for me, these are the finest people imaginable, and I'd have never found them without this book.

I am beyond grateful for the foresight, insight, grit and integrity it took to write this incredible book: "The Fine Print of Self-Publishing."

D. Steven Russell, Author of "No Time for ,s"

Overall very good and usable information. I say overall because even though it is only two years young there is information that is already out of date. For anyone gathering resources and having questions about POD publishing this book will save you tons of time and some trial and error to be sure. One of the great nuggets that I did not see mentioned in other reviews which is very important concerns ISBN's. I was not aware until I read this book that if you decide to go with a package from any POD publisher and part of that package includes the ISBN that if you leave that POD publisher for whatever reason the ISBN belongs to them not to you. So if you decided to move publishers or publish yourself you would need to get a new ISBN. Or, you could bring your own ISBN with you and take it when you leave which would allow an easier transition if you published elsewhere at a later date. Good book; very helpful.

For anyone who is writing or has written a book, and is considering self-publishing, this very informative book should be read before you decide on a self-publisher. Had I purchased this book months ago, I would not have selected the publisher I did. That cost me $399. Fortunately, I'm able to make a better decision after purchasing and reading this book. Without it, or another book like it, selecting a self-publisher would be similar to shooting fish in the dark, and who in their right mind wants to do that. I whole-heartedly recommend it to all who are considering self-publishing.

The book lacks a useful TOC or any index. Unlike the E-book version it is not arranged alphabetically. Unlike the ebook version it has no summary chart of vendors. There is some useful content but the above shortcomings make it very hard to use.

The cover is nice.

John Culleton

There is a memorable scene in the western movie "The Magnificent Seven" where Eli Wallach (playing the role of a Mexican bandit chief) leans over his saddle and says to Yul Brenner (playing the role of a mercenary gunfighter hired to protect a small Mexican village) that with respect to the villagers, "If God did not want them sheared, he would not have made them sheep!". I've often thought that all to often this was the kind of business ethic that many self-publishing or POD (print-on-demand) companies had toward their author clients. Now whenever I'm asked for my advice on POD companies, I'm going to give them the urgent recommendation that they read Mark Levine's "The Fine Print Of Self-Publishing: The Contracts & Services Of 48 Self-Publishing Companies -- Analyzed, Ranked & Exposed" from cover to cover. The focus is upon that all important contract between an author and a publishing company that is willing to take the author's manuscript and turn the authors manuscript into a published book -- for a fee. This handy, 'reader friendly' and 'user friendly' manual is packed from beginning to end with exactly the kind of publishing contract information needed to avoid being cheated, to insure getting what's expected, and to make the capital investment as wisely as possible in terms of selecting the vendor who will provide the best publishing services possible for those authors who cannot get their work published by traditional publishers and/or who do not (or cannot) simply publish themselves. Of special note is Chapter 9 "Publishers To Avoid". The key is the contract -- with all its component parts and fine print. Before signing a publishing contract with any POD company, read Mark Levine's "The Fine Print Of Self-Publishing", it could save you money, anxiety, and disappointment, while increasing your chances for success, sales, and fulfilled expectations.

Are you thinking of self publishing your book but feel confused and unable to choose between all the different companies out there? If yes, then this is the book for you. In The Fine Print of Self Publishing, author Mark Levine examines and analyses the contracts and services of forty-eight major self publishing companies and ranks them in order, from the most outstanding to those to avoid. In other words, he does all the hard work for you.

The book will explain you what to look for when choosing a POD publisher, how to negotiate a contract if necessary, how to make sure to get the best deal, and how to differentiate most of the biggest self publishing companies. Levine lists the nine qualities a good self-publishing company should have, and shows how to read `behind' the contract. He also explains the method he used to rank the companies in order, from Outstanding, to Pretty Good, to Just Okay, to Publishers to Avoid.

The only disadvantage with this type of book is that by the time it goes into print, some of the information is outdated, so some of the company services mentioned may not be available anymore. That said, this book is an invaluable resource if you're planning to self publish your book. It will open your eyes and make you decide which company works best for you and your book. Highly recommended.