Print-on-Demand

Print-on-Demand ( or POD) is very popular since people can now publish their work without having to worry about rejection slips from agents or publishers.  This is a healthy trend since a lot of books are published every year that shouldn't see the light of day, and many worthy books are passed over.  To restrict the flow of ideas is almost Orwellian in nature.

But there are a few caveats when approaching print-on-demand publishers.  The basic price from iUniverse, which helped start the POD revolution, was only $99 ten years ago.  Today, prices from POD publishers range from $400 to $1600.  Always check out sample books from the publisher you are approaching to verify that its production values are high and that the cover art is professionally done.

The biggest problem with POD publishers is that they attempt to upsell you with package publishing deals--services that you really don't need.  Their sales reps attempt to get you to buy extra services to promote your book, put you in contact with agents, take you to the next level of publishing, and, in general, position your book to become a bestseller.

Here's the reality about these packages.  The promotional services usually include sending out a one-page press release about your book.  The book is also sent to reviewers who will allegedly help get your title some visibility.  The problem is that the press releases and advance review copies are sent to people, newspapers, and magazines that have little, if any, interest in your topic or genre. The POD companies have a generic list of publications and reviewers that they send all books to.  In the long run, you may get a brief review (which may be more of a summary of your book than a review) and a few lines in an obscure publication.  The reality is that few sales are ever generated by these publicity packages.  The average POD title sells 148 copies to family and friends unless the author, as is sometimes the case, has some advertising and promotional savvy, as well as a platform and credentials to more effectively create interest in the title.

The companies sometimes charge an additional fee to list the book on the Amazon or Barnes and Nobles websites, but any POD fee should include this service as part of the basic plan since anyone can put his or her book on Amazon for free.

In terms of putting you in touch with literary agents, most respectable agents have nothing to do with print-on-demand companies.  If you self-publish your book, agents will become interested in your title if you sell 10,000 copies or more.  If that happens, you will have no trouble getting a return email from an A-list agent.  For a fee, the POD company may indeed send your book to an agent, but don't expect to get representation.

In short, there is nothing in these add-on packages that you can't do more effectively yourself.  Print-on-demand companies take advantage of their customers' lack of knowledge about the publishing industry.  Work hard, but work smart.  Don't pay for unnecessary and ineffective services.

~ William Hammett

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