BookSurge Publishing
was Global Book Publisher
was Great Unpublished  

Manuscript Selection

No

Kind of Contract

Non-exclusive

2+2=5

Their contract has a number of serious problems:

  • Royalties and discounts are not clearly defined as part of the agreement (the information is only provided in their FAQ page, which is not legally binding).
  • It covers rights in too many formats, extending to print and all kinds of electronic media and electronic format.
  • It also menitions something about a right to publish the work "in whole or in part" which might be interpreted as covering anthologies and compilations in terms that can be described as vague at best.
  • They reserve the right to modify the agreement even after it's been signed (authors can invoke their termination clause but all fees paid would be lost in this event).

For a more thorough explanation of what this means (for more info on dangerous clauses check out Beware Treacherous Clauses Ahead).

Distribution

Unclear, they claim to have a distribution network but this doesn't seem to be particularly viable. If you want distribution through amazon.com, this is done through amazon marketplace rather than through their main site. This listing obviously does not extend to other retailers. In a best case scenario I would describe it as "through their site and some online retailers".

Price Range

Paperback

$498.00 in most instances though authors who are submitting their work as a ready to print PDF must pay only $99.00

Hardcover

$697.00 in most instances. It is unclear whether this refers to a hardcover or a combo.

Paperback/hardcover combo

Color publishing

Fees start at $699.00 ($499.00 for ready to print books).

Royalties

Royalties are 25% of the retail price for books sold through their site, royalties through other channels are 10% of retail price.

Author's Discount

The author's basic discount is 30%, but bulk discounts may reach 70% (for 1,000 copies or more)

Breakeven point

Between 300 and 400 copies (approximation based on external sales of an average length book, sales figures may be compromised by their limited distribution network).

Basic retail price

Competitive ($14.99 for a 200 pages book).

Interior Layout

They provide you with one or you can supply your own.

Cover Options

One of their templates, or you can supply your own.

Choice of Trim Size

Limited (three posible trim sizes)

Pros*

They are reasonably priced if you can supply a ready to print file.

Cons*

They have no real distribution channels as part of their basic package.

Royalties and discounts are kind of low.

Their setup fee is moderately expensive.

You have very little freedom when it comes to too many aspects of your book's design (they retain full right over the book's final format and pricing).

There is a very serious problem with their contract.

Additional Comments*

This company has renamed itself twice in a matter of months. It used to be Great Unpublished, then it became Global Book Publisher, now it goes by BookSurge Publishing (click here for an explanation of why this could be a red flag).

Take Me To BookSurge Publishing's homepage
Take me to the BookSurge Publishing's Forum

* These represent my personal views on the matter.

This page was last updated: January 11, 2005
 
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