[Hidden-tech] Self-publishing options

[Jeff Rutherford]

Also, don't forget CreateSpace - a POD publisher owned and operated by Amazon.

Here are two very interesting articles/blog posts - one in favor of CreateSpace and one in favor of LightningSource.

http://write2publish.blogspot.com/2011/02/why-create-space-is-better-than.html

http://zoewinters.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/why-i-still-recommend-using-lightning-source-over-createspace/

Also, re: self-publishing, don't disregard eBooks. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I can answer lots of questions re: eBook publishing on Kindle, Nook, Apple's iBookstore, etc. I've published 6 eBooks in the last 6 months, and I have another 20 or so in various stages of production.

It's always great to have a physical book, but don't underestimate the growth of eReading devices and the number of people who would prefer to buy your book in one click from your website vs. waiting on a printed book to be shipped.

Best,

Jeff

Jeff Rutherford
413-475-0087
jeff at jeffrutherford.com
http://about.me/jeffrutherford

On Feb 15, 2011, at 8:53 PM, Shel Horowitz wrote:

>   ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>   ** If you did, we all thank you.
> 
> 
> With any POD printer or POD publisher (and there is a BIG difference in the industry--it all depends on who issues and controls your ISBN) there will sometimes be quality issues. In this case, it sounds like price is not the biggest concern but ease of experience is higher. I have not used them for POD, but I have been very impressed with Thomson-Shore, which added on-demand capability about a year ago.
> 
> My contact is Tod, todb AT tshore.com, and yses, you may use my name.
> 
> --> I consult on self-publishing as one of my primary services. Contact me off-list if you need more help (note that I'm out of town Thu-Sun) but use this address: shel AT principledprofit.com -- the frugalfun addy is primarily for newsletters and listservs, etc.
> 
> 
> At 4:46 PM -0500 2/15/11, Annamarie Pluhar wrote:
>>    ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>>    ** If you did, we all thank you.
>> 
>> Dan,
>> 
>> I feel your pain.  I too used Lulu for a book. I spent way too much money on "revisions."  Fortunately I wasn't so invested in publicity/promotion since it's  my dad's story of his escape from prison camp circa 1950 in Czechoslovakia. We got it published for the family and maybe someday I'll do marketing for it. But only after I get it off Lulu.com. it's here: Seven for the Run, by Ivan Pluhar http://www.lulu.com/content/4137077
>> 
>> I started to work with Booklocker  - having received rave reviews from a colleague.  We parted ways when they insisted on a Word file and couldn't handle my already formatted InDesign files. 
>> 
>> I have a friend who has very happily used Lightning Source. http://www.lightningsource.com/ for her book Snow Secrets. I can put you in touch if you are interested. 
>> 
>> Good luck, 
>> 
>> 
>> Annamarie Pluhar
>> 
>> Pluhar Consulting
>> http://www.pluharconsulting.com
>> 802.451.1941
>> 802.579.5975 (cell)
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Feb 15, 2011, at 7:34 AM, Daniel Green wrote:
>> 
>>>   ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>>>   ** If you did, we all thank you.
>>> Hello,
>>>  
>>> About a year ago we suggested Lulu.com as an option for a client with the desire to self-publish a book. Over the course of the next 10 months we found Lulu to be largely incompetent, extremely slow, error-prone and nearly impossible to contact. We also made the mistake of trying their "professional book formatting services" which largely amounted to Lulu's team of experts pasting the original Word document into a template and then hitting tab until it fits. After pointing out error after error, and following their correction request procedures to the letter, they proceeded to send back revision after revision with the same, or new errors, taking at least 3-4 weeks in between.  We suspect chimp labor, although I doubt anyone at Lulu is smart enough to ride a tricycle while smoking a cigar.
>>>  
>>> Does anyone have experience with the other options for self-publishing? We would like to move from Lulu to another option for future publishing.
>>>  
>>> By experience I mean you've actually gone through the process with the company you are recommending on two or more occasions. I made the Lulu recommendation based on a recommendation from someone who heard good things and had used them once. We ate over $1000 on this project because I made the mistake of recommending an opinion and didn't want to pass the impact of my poor judgment onto a client. Besides it is a dieting book. I don't want to eat another $1000. Somehow eating so much cash seems inconsistent with the author's focus on moderation.
>>>  
>>> Thanks,
>>>  
>>> Dan
>>>  
>>> Dan Green
>>> President
>>> The Green Internet Group
>>> Office: 866.506.1923 | Cell: 413.658.8470
>>> www.TheGreenInternetGroup.com
>>> 
>>>  
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net
>>> Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
>>> 
>>> You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion list.
>>> If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members   
>>> page on the Hidden Tech Web site.
>>> http://www.hidden-tech.net/members
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net
>> Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
>> 
>> You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion list.
>> If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members  
>> page on the Hidden Tech Web site.
>> http://www.hidden-tech.net/members
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> _________________________________________________
> Shel Horowitz - 413-586-2388/ shel at frugalfun.com
> -->Join the Business Ethics Pledge - Ten Years to Change the World,
> One Signature at a Time  (please tell your friends)
> <http://www.business-ethics-pledge.org>
> Marketing consulting * copywriting * publishing assistance * speaking
> How to market ethically/effectively: http://www.frugalmarketing.com
> Ethics Blog:  http://www.principledprofit.com/good-business-blog/
> Books: http://www.frugalmarketing.com/shop.html
> _________________________________________________
> _______________________________________________
> Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net
> Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
> 
> You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion list.
> If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members   
> page on the Hidden Tech Web site.
> http://www.hidden-tech.net/members

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.hidden-tech.net/pipermail/hidden-discuss/attachments/20110216/35965527/attachment.html