Posted by Fred Stearns on August 3, 2007 at 8:20 PM
I received an email from Xlibris Corporation of Philadelphia, PA. While they were very complimentary and polite, it sounds like this is a vanity publishing house. Their web site at http://www2.xlibris.com/requestkit/index.asp?src=aop&key=mm seems to confirm my suspicions. They did say that the books would be made available at Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Amazon, but they did not say that they would market the books anywhere. Has anyone any knowledge of these people, or had any experience with them?
Fred, They're not a vanity publisher, or so they claim. But they DO provide services that you pay for to help you get your book self-published and marketed. I've had several clients check into them and that's what we discovered. I can't vouch for them, but in the fast-growing world of self-publishing, if they can really help you market your book to make more sales, this might be worth checking into.
Take a look at their FAQ's page and many of your questions will be answered there.
Nancy
Posted by Carol Hyman on August 4, 2007 at 12:10 AM
I too received an eMail but have not had a chance to follow up. I'm assuming we all did ... Has anyone used them?
I approached them, but did not follow through. You pay for all you get, including marketing. Of course, they run specials... I saw a review of several self-publishing sites and they faired OK, but then it was another site that did the review
Check out the following site for one comparison: www.outskirtspress.com/compareX.php
There are so many self-publishers out there right now, it requires extensive research before making a commitment. A painter friend of mine used BookMasters, Inc. out of Ohio earlier this year, and it turned out to be a nightmare. Her book was finally published, but not without many delays and extra costs above and beyond what they had originally promised (and she had to plunk down $20,000 up front!). Be careful out there....
Posted by Fred Stearns on August 4, 2007 at 5:47 PM
Thanks for your responses. I am not ready to publish yet. I hope that will come. So, these people at least deserve some consideration in the future. When I am ready to publish a book, I will be sure to do my homework!
I was talking to a "retired" professional photographer last weekend. He uses a place called www.blurb.com to print up books for himself and family/friends. He has also used the books as a portfolio. The price is very reasonable. The copy he had showed good photography reproduction. He even had one book that was put folded before the ink was dried and they gave him a full rebate without problems.
Discussion
5 repliesThanks for your help.
Take a look at their FAQ's page and many of your questions will be answered there.
Nancy
Thanks,
Carol
There are so many self-publishers out there right now, it requires extensive research before making a commitment. A painter friend of mine used BookMasters, Inc. out of Ohio earlier this year, and it turned out to be a nightmare. Her book was finally published, but not without many delays and extra costs above and beyond what they had originally promised (and she had to plunk down $20,000 up front!). Be careful out there....
I was talking to a "retired" professional photographer last weekend. He uses a place called www.blurb.com to print up books for himself and family/friends. He has also used the books as a portfolio. The price is very reasonable. The copy he had showed good photography reproduction. He even had one book that was put folded before the ink was dried and they gave him a full rebate without problems.