Print On Demand Questions

Home
>
Ezine Publishing
>
Print On Demand Questions

Print On Demand Questions

Print on demand (POD), a cross between self-publishing and digital technology, is a hot publishing trend. Your book will be printed within weeks, but POD is still a gamble. Answering these questions before you sign with a POD publisher will save you money and angst.

1. Is the publisher reliable? Read Internet reviews, articles, blog postings, and books about POD. If you know someone who has used POD interview him or her.

2. Do the printed books look good? Request a sample book from the publisher. It should have a professional looking cover, a sturdy binding, and clear, readable print.

3. What is the formatting fee? This will be the highest fee and chances are it doesn't include corrections.

4. What do extra services cost? POD publishers will edit, design your cover, write the back cover copy, write your bio, press release, and more. Editing is the most important service. The editing should be thorough, not a quick glance at your manuscript. Choose extra services carefully because they add up in the blink of an eye.

5. Are there hidden fees? You shouldn't be charged a reading fee or a fee to obtain an ISBN number.

6. Does the publisher have a distributor? Book sellers avoid POD books and won't carry your book unless it's listed with Baker & Taylor, Ingram, or a local distributor - yet another fee.

7. Is the contract fair? Some POD publishers pay low royalties. Find out the royalty rate and how often royalties are paid. You should also receive some free books and be able to buy books at the industry discount.

8. How long will it take to recoup your money? This number should be available and if it isn't, ask for it. Remember, this number is a guess, not a fact.

9. What will publicity cost? Most POD publishers don't publicize books. Get a publicity estimate from a book publicity firm. Add up the publicity and publishing costs.

10. Are you willing to spend this much to see your book in print? POD is a gamble and you may lose more than you make. But if you have the funds to invest and a book that fills a niche, go for it!

Harriet Hodgson has been a nonfiction writer for 26 years. Her current work focuses on health and she is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists. Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief, co-authored by Dr. Lois Krahn, is her 24th book. The self-help book was published by BookSurge, a POD publisher. Go to http://www.harriethodgson.com to learn more about her work.

In The News:

Top Stories - Google News
Updated : Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:17:39 GMT+00:00

American Linked to Terror Plot Brainwashed 6-Year-Old Son, Family Says - FOXNews

Times Online

American Linked to Terror Plot Brainwashed 6-Year-Old Son, Family Says
FOXNews
The 6-year-old son of a Colorado nursing student who ran off to Europe to join a terrorist murder cell was brainwashed into a hate-filled Islamic fundamentalist zombie, his family said Saturday, The New York Post reported. "He said that Christians will ...
Mom: Paulin-Ramirez Drifted AwayWall Street Journal
American Held in Ireland, No 'Jihad Jamie,' Is ReleasedABC News
2nd U.S. woman tied to alleged plot to kill cartoonistCNN
Los Angeles Times -Reuters -New York Times
all 983 news articles »

Publ.Date : Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:04:08 GMT+00:00

HBO's 'The Pacific' is real deal for veterans of World War II - New York Daily News

Times Online

HBO's 'The Pacific' is real deal for veterans of World War II
New York Daily News
I have just seen Part 1 of "The Pacific," airing Sunday on HBO, and the words you see here will illustrate true feelings - nothing embroidered - just the raw, unpolished reaction, tinged with a little Marine Corps lingo. You might wonder if this first ...
TV Review: Everyone Should Watch Masterful 'The Pacific'HollywoodChicago.com
'The Pacific,' book spotlight Lancaster veteran's hellish battle storyDallas Morning News
The Pacific, a reviewNews & Observer
Philadelphia Inquirer -Honolulu Star-Bulletin -Christian Science Monitor
all 719 news articles »

Publ.Date : Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:35:29 GMT+00:00

Wen Rebuffs Yuan Calls, Is 'Worried' About Dollar - BusinessWeek

Reuters

Wen Rebuffs Yuan Calls, Is 'Worried' About Dollar
BusinessWeek
(Adds comment from Lu Ting in fifth paragraph, Wen comments on global economy, domestic politics starting in seventh paragraph.) March 14 (Bloomberg) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao rebuffed calls for the yuan to appreciate and sought assurances that the ...
China's Wen rebuts claims yuan is undervaluedMarketWatch
Chinese premier has tough words for USLos Angeles Times
China PM defends assertive trade, foreign policyThe Associated Press
New York Times -The Guardian -Wall Street Journal
all 2,080 news articles »

Publ.Date : Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:42:12 GMT+00:00

A week on, Iraq PM pulls ahead in tight race - Reuters

Telegraph.co.uk

A week on, Iraq PM pulls ahead in tight race
Reuters
Iraqi's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki casts his vote inside a polling station at the green zone in Baghdad March 7, 2010. BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki edged ahead on Sunday in early results of an election Iraqis hoped would end ...
Iraq PM Nouri Maliki extends poll lead in BasraBBC News
Iraq PM takes poll lead in key provinceAFP
Prime minister's alliance leading after Iraq electionCNN International
The Associated Press -BusinessWeek -New York Times
all 2,158 news articles »

Publ.Date : Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:38:06 GMT+00:00

Protesters surge into Bangkok, demand new election - The Associated Press

Sydney Morning Herald

Protesters surge into Bangkok, demand new election
The Associated Press
BANGKOK — Tens of thousands of red-shirted protesters rallied in Thailand's capital Sunday to press their demand that the government dissolve Parliament or face massive demonstrations at key sites in the city. The protesters — many from the ...
Tens of thousands of Thai opposition supporters have rallied in Bangkok to ...BBC News
Analysis: who will blink first in Bangkok?Times Online
Thailand protesters want government dissolvedChristian Science Monitor
Washington Post -Wall Street Journal -ABC Online
all 1,763 news articles »

Publ.Date : Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:00:31 GMT+00:00

Obama promise: Brighter education futures for kids - Washington Post

CBS News

Obama promise: Brighter education futures for kids
Washington Post
President Barack Obama speaks at the Export-Import Bank's Annual Conference in Washington, Thursday, March 11, 2010. Obama's intense juggling of domestic issues reflects all the realities he faces: a vast agenda, a smaller window for results this year ...
President Obama changing 'No Child Left Behind'New York Daily News
Obama Calls for Sweeping Change in Education LawNew York Times
Duncan wants 3 ratings for schools in education overhaulUSA Today
Los Angeles Times -The Associated Press
all 976 news articles »

Publ.Date : Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:50:16 GMT+00:00

Obama aide condemns 'destructive' Israeli homes plan - BBC News

ABC News

Obama aide condemns 'destructive' Israeli homes plan
BBC News
Israel's announcement of plans to build 1600 homes for Jews in East Jerusalem was "destructive" to peace efforts, a top aide to Barack Obama says. David Axelrod said the move, which overshadowed a visit to Israel by US Vice-President Joe Biden, ...
Israel Seeks to Ease Settlement Dispute with USVoice of America
Axelrod: Israeli move 'insulting'Jerusalem Post
Israeli prime minister calls settlement dispute with US regrettable, hurtfulWashington Post
The Associated Press -FOXNews -AFP
all 3,577 news articles »

Publ.Date : Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:53:33 GMT+00:00

Add RSS Feeds To My Web Pages
Increase Website Traffic

Print On Demand Questions

Ezine Publishing