An Incomplete Guide to POD Publishers

An Incomplete Guide to Print On Demand Publishers

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Xlibris
Manuscript screening:	No
Kind of contract:	Non-Exclusive
Distribution:	Through their site and online retailers mostly
Basic fees:	Paperback publishing	Basic paperback fee is $499.00.
	Hardcover publishing	Not available
	Combo publishing	Basic combo fee is $899.00.
	Color publishing	Basic color publishing fee is $999.00.
Royalties:	Royalties are 10% of retail price on external sales, 25% of retail price on direct sales.
Author's discount:	Basic discount is 40% on paperbacks and 35% on hardcovers.
Break-even point:	Between 200 and 300 copies (approximation based on external sales of an average length book through external channels).
Basic retail price:	Extremely expensive ($21.99 for a 200-page book).
Layout:	Your choice of five templates for a paperback and 9 templates for a combo.
Graphics:	Avaliable only as an extra for a paperback, up to 20 graphics for a combo (more can be purchased as an extra)
Cover options:	They provide you with a generic cover for a paperback or your choice of template for a combo.
Trim size:	They have a single trim size available.
Additional options:	There is a $1,599.00 package that adds a custom cover and a custom layout as well as a few more graphics.
Pros*:	Good distribution. Good contract.
Cons*:	Their setup fees range from slightly expensive to very expensive depending on package choice (and this fee is kept artificially low due to the extremely expensive retail price). Extremely high retail prices that will probably have a significant impact on book sales. When was the last time you paid over $20.00 for an average length paperback? (Retail price for a 100-199 page book bought through a bookstore is $20.99). *Their packages lack flexibility, so regardless of your needs you must purchase a package that includes everything you need, even if it also includes mostly things you don't need. All too often you cannot buy a less expensive option and complement it only with the services you require.
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Last updated: 2006-05-12

* These represent my personal opinion based on what I've seen in the publisher's site.

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