Blurb is a company (and community) that shares your joy of books. That includes reading them, making them, sharing them, and selling them.There is something magic about holding a book of your work (poems, stories, photos, recipes...)
At one time, publishing your own book used to be called the "vanity press" but these days lots of writers are self-publishing. I should do a longer post on some of the better publishers for that. It doesn't take as much time, technical skills, money , or a friendly editor, agent, contest judge or publisher to actually publish a book - or 100 copies of that book.
One service that a friend used recently and liked is Blurb.
- Prices start at only $12.95 for a 40-page softcover, $22.95 for Hardcover, Dust Jacket and $24.95 for Hardcover, ImageWrap.
- Their bookmaking software is free.
- All feature professional bindings and coated, semi-matte paper.
- You can order just one copy or many, and you have the option to place your book in Blurb’s bookstore for friends and family to purchase.
- Interesting formats -a distinctive Square 7x7 to Landscape 10x8 or Portrait 8x10 to Large Format Landscape 13x11.
- Dozens of book styles, backgrounds, page designs, and text options to showcase your writing.
- Orders arrive on your doorstep in approximately 7 to 10 business days
Nicely done website with lots samples - check out "poetry" to start.
If an author is going to work with a POD publisher, I think Amazon's Booksurge, Lulu.com, booklocker and Outskirts press have a good reputation. There are many not so good POD companies so authors need to be careful.
ReplyDeletePOD publishing can help an author get started, but if book sales start to take off, authors need to look into getting their own ISBN and finding their own printer. This will save in printing costs. Normally, POD book printing is more expensive when you start selling more copies of your book.