AND NOW THE BAD NEWS

We’ve spent a few installments discussing the type of publishing available to you as a writer, now it’s time to discuss the last and worst option.  In a time not so long ago, writers were offered the option of doing what was called vanity publishing.  That name gives you exactly what you think it does.  Because of your “vanity” you are going to spend in the ballpark of $10,000 or more to publish your book.  If you happened to have a children’s book, the pictures will be poor and without color unless you mortgage your house and pay a whole lot more to get decent, color illustrations.  For your investment you will receive the agreed upon number of books which you can store in your basement until you die when your children will throw them out in the trash heap or make a marvelous bonfire in the backyard.

All I can say is DON’T DO IT!  At one point when I first started writing, I considered this option.  Fortunately, the money was a problem.

In addition to the outlandish cost, the books are printed on paper which is one step, a very small step, above newsprint.  The covers tend to be at the same level of the first grade art show and marketing help is unknown.

So once again, I repeat– don’t do it.

Another similar endeavor surfaced in the 1980’s called Co-op Publishing.  In this scenario you and the publisher share the expense of publishing the book and share in the profits.  The problem with this endeavor seemed to be that your profits never seemed to materialize.  Frequently the publisher went out of business leaving the author with no books and a large bill to pay for the lesson.

Here are a few of the basic drawbacks of either one of these types of publishing.

1. Poor quality product
2. High expense
3. No editing
4. Book set-up (copyright page, index, pagination, etc.) is not done properly.
5. No marketing is available, so you are on your own.
6. The publishing industry considers these books to be of poor quality and booksellers won’t take them to sell
7. After giving away a few to close friends and relatives, you have a basement full of books

One thought on any kind of publishing, I know it is exciting to get a contract for your book, but please, please read your contract carefully.  Be aware of what your publisher will do and what is expected of you. You may be so excited that you need someone with legal training to read the contract.  When you’re are satisfied, sign the contract and Congratulations, you are on your way.