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 : Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:25:23 GMT+00:00

Put the millionaires' tax money to good use - Washington Post

msnbc.com

Put the millionaires' tax money to good use
Washington Post
With the economy downshifting into first gear and their poll numbers sagging, the White House and Democratic congressional leaders are desperate for an economic and political game-changer as they head into the November elections. ...
Unemployment Rate Rises to 9.6 PercentThe Washington Independent
Stimulus? Who Said Anything About a Stimulus?FOXNews (blog)
President to aides: Find economic sparkCNN
San Francisco Chronicle -Bloomberg -The Business Insider
all 465 news articles »

Publ.Date : Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:03:09 GMT+00:00

Ariz. immigration law's legal costs could top $1 million - USA Today

GlobalVisas

Ariz. immigration law's legal costs could top $1 million
USA Today
PHOENIX — Defending the state against lawsuits related to its tough new immigration law has cost more than $440000 to date, and outstanding bills could easily add up to an excess of $1 million or more. ...
Wyoming Man Donates $1.5M to Defend Arizona Immigration Law in CourtFOXNews
Donations to defend Ariz. immigration law top $2MThe Associated Press
Law Offices of David Yerushalmi, P.C. Files Amicus Brief in Ninth Circuit ...PR Newswire (press release)
GlobalVisas -HSToday -WSFA
all 135 news articles »

Publ.Date : Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:59:58 GMT+00:00

Hurricane Earl weakens as it approaches Mass. - Boston Globe

CBC.ca

Hurricane Earl weakens as it approaches Mass.
Boston Globe
Hurricane Earl has weakened and may not pack as big a punch when it arrives off the Massaschusetts coast late tonight, the National Weather Service said this morning. Earl is now predicted to be a Category 1 hurricane ...
Hurricane Earl Sideswipes Carolina Coast; Disaster Declaration Issued for ...ABC News
Hurricane Earl path appears to be steering away from NJThe Star-Ledger - NJ.com
Patrick: Earl impact less severe than expectedNECN
NY1 -NOLA.com -Washington Post
all 13,754 news articles »

Publ.Date : Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:51:27 GMT+00:00

Third Pakistan Sectarian Attack in Week Kills 35, Injures 100 - BusinessWeek

Globe and Mail

Third Pakistan Sectarian Attack in Week Kills 35, Injures 100
BusinessWeek
Sept. 3 (Bloomberg) -- A bomb killed at least 35 people at a rally of Shiite Muslims in the western Pakistani city of Quetta, the third attack in as many days on minority sects. More than 100 people were injured in the ...
Suicide bomber, 44 victims killed in two Pakistan blastsCNN
Dozens Dead After Blast At Pakistan RallySky News
42 killed in Pakistan suicide bombing: policeAFP
The Associated Press -RTT News -Austin American-Statesman
all 424 news articles »

Publ.Date : Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:12:39 GMT+00:00

Police question scientist in Miami airport scare - Boston Globe

Aljazeera.net

Police question scientist in Miami airport scare
Boston Globe
A Miami-Dade Police and Fire Rescue officers are seen on the arrival level at Miami International Airport in Miami, early morning Friday, Sept. 3, 2010. A spokesman for Miami International Airport says four of its six concourses have been evacuated as ...
Police question scientist in Miami airport scareThe Associated Press
MIA reopens after evacuation due to 'suspicious item'MiamiHerald.com
Suspect held over suspicious package, Miami airport reopensAFP
NPR -USA Today -BBC News
all 979 news articles »

Publ.Date : Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:38:11 GMT+00:00

Oars stolen in Ohio from youngest Atlantic rower - The Associated Press

NewsNet5.com

Oars stolen in Ohio from youngest Atlantic rower
The Associated Press
CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio — The Ohio woman who became the youngest person to row across the Atlantic alone says oars used in her feat have been lost in a car theft. Katie Spotz of suburban Cleveland says the gear was in her 2000 Dodge Caravan when it was ...
Spotz's gear stolenNews-Herald.com
Precious Items Stolen From World Record HolderCleveland News - Fox 8
Local world record holder Katie Spotz looking for stolen bikeNewsNet5.com

all 83 news articles »

Publ.Date : Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:50:23 GMT+00:00

Apple's Ping a Scammers Haven? Security Experts Say Watch Out - PC World

Sydney Morning Herald

Apple's Ping a Scammers Haven? Security Experts Say Watch Out
PC World
Apple's music-focused social network, Ping is only a few days old, and already the iTunes-based feature is "drowning in scams and spams," security researchers say. The scams are nothing too advanced at the moment, and there are no reports of ...
Apple Ping unfriends meanie FacebookRegister
Apple's Ping succumbs to the spammersThe Guardian
Scammers Target Apple's New Ping ServiceTechtree.com
BusinessWeek -PC Magazine -USANewsWeek.com
all 4,365 news articles »

Publ.Date : Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:00:48 GMT+00:00

Display RSS Feeds on Your Website
Ways to Make Extra Money

10 Valuable Tips For Ezine Publishers

1. Write your own articles.Your articles will give you an... Read More

Future of Electronic Publishing

UNESCO's somewhat arbitrary definition of "book" is: "Non-periodical printed publication... Read More

Become an E-Book Author ... Make Money From Your Knowledge!

"E-Book" is short for Electronic Book---an organized set of content... Read More

5 Essential Online Tools for Writers and Publishers

Writing a newsletter or article can be very time consuming.First,... Read More

5 Tips for Catching Errors in Your Manuscript

What is your worse fear as a self-publishing writer? For... Read More

How To Write Powerful Newsletters, Offline And Online

The theory of writing for newsletters is very similar to... Read More

Who Should Offer an Ezine?

If you are a professional, consultant, coach, speaker, seminar leader,... Read More

10 Tips For Ezine Publishers

1. Many Ezine Publishers use too many styles of separatorin... Read More

How to Format Your Email Newsletter

When subscribers' email readers (programs) receive your text newsletter, they... Read More

Email Newsletter Format: HTML or Text

An email newsletter is probably the most effective way to... Read More

Internet Marketing Idea: Publish an Ezine

Chances are if you surf the net much you have... Read More

A Blog, 5 Minutes a Week and These 5 Simple Steps Equals Your Own Online E_ZINE

One of the fastest ways to gain "Guru" Status online... Read More

Emerging Trends in Web Content and Web Publishing

Content is King but the web pages are still littered... Read More

7 Benefits Of Using Newsletter Templates

1. Time saver. To get going make a quick visit... Read More

Employee Newsletter Ideas - 7 Creative Ideas for Your Employee Newsletter

Employee newsletters are an effective tool to communicate with your... Read More

Your E-zine Promotion Checklist

While there are seemingly endless ways to promote your e-zine... Read More

Internet Marketing Strategy: 9 Pragmatic Ways Increase Your E-zines Subscription

It is possible to increase the subscription to your e-zine... Read More

Email Newsletters: The Header

Managing Subscriber addresses: At the top of your email message... Read More

Making Money Online With Web Publishing

Who doesn't want to make money online? Internet is here... Read More

Finding the GOLD with Ezines and Google!

HiHow'd you go with your product search?Here's another way to... Read More

E-Power The E-zine Advantage

"Regular communication with your customers is essential to your success."... Read More

How To Use Viral Marketing To Grow Your Opt In Email List

If you have read my article called "What is Viral... Read More

7 Ways to Self-Promote Within Your E-zine

We all know that an e-zine won't attract and keep... Read More

Write an Ezine? But I Dont Know HOW!

If you've been promoting your business on the internet you've... Read More

10 Tips On Offering A Free Ecourse

1. Make your ecourse short like 5 - 7 days.... Read More