An Incomplete Guide to POD Publishers

An Incomplete Guide to Print On Demand Publishers

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Publisher	Virtual Bookworm	Lulu	WingSpan Press	iUniverse
Manuscript screeining:	Yes	No	Yes	No
Kind of contract:	Non-Exclusive	Non-Exclusive	Non-Exclusive	Non-Exclusive
2+2=5	No	No	Yes	No
Distribution:	Through their site and online retailers mostly	Through their site and online retailers mostly	Through their site and online retailers mostly	Through their site and online retailers mostly
Paperback publishing:	Basic paperback fee is $360.00.	Basic paperback fee is $99.95.	Basic paperback fee is $499.00.	Basic paperback fee is $499.00.
Hardcover publishing:	Basic hardcover fee is $430.00.	Not available	Not available	Not available
Combo publishing:	Basic combo fee is $590.00.	Not available	Basic combo fee is $699.00.	Basic combo fee is $698.00.
Color	Basic color publishing fee is $625.00.	Not available	Basic color publishing fee is $899.00.	Not available
Royalties:	Royalties are 50% of net receipts.	Royalties are 80% of net receipts.	Royalties are 20% of retail price on external sales. There is a 15% fulfillment charge on direct sales.	Royalties are 20% of payments received by the publisher.
Author's discount:	Basic discount is 30%, bulk discounts may apply.	Authors can purchase copies of their book paying only their printing costs (a word of caution here: their direct printing costs are $3.00 more expensive than their external printing costs).	Authors can purchase copies of their book paying only their printing costs.	Basic author discount is 20%, bulk discounts are available.
Break-even point:	Less than 200 copies of an average length book sold through external channels.	Less than 200 copies of an average length book sold through external channels.	Less than 200 copies (approximation based on external sales of an average length book).	Between 200 and 300 copies (approximation based on external sales of an average length book).
Basic retail price:	Retail price is competitive ($13.95 for a 200-page paperback).	Up to the author but it is possible to set it so that it is competitive.	Competitive ($14.95 for a 200-page book)	Somewhat expensive (about $16.95 for a 200-page book).
Layout:	They format your book for you, or you can submit your own layout for a $50.00 rebate (subject to approval).	You must supply your own layout.	They format your book for you.	They prepare your manuscript for you.
Graphics:	Up to 15 graphics are included in the basic setup fee, more can be purchased as an extra.	As many as you want seeing how you must provide your own layout.	Available as an extra only.	Up to 50 graphics allowed as extras, no grapichs included in the basic setup fee.
Cover:	They provide you with a basic cover design or you can submit your own for a $50.00 rebate (subject to approval).	You must submit your own, though they do provide you with some templates to help you.	They provide you with a cover design.	They will design your cover for you, you can submit a graphic for the front cover and a photo for the back cover.
Trim size:	You have a number of trim sizes to choose from.	Two trim sizes to choose from.	You have a number of trim sizes to choose from.	You have a number of trim sizes to choose from.
Red flags:	None	None	None	None
Detailed publisher profile:	View a more detailed profile for Virtual Bookworm	View a more detailed profile for Lulu	View a more detailed profile for WingSpan Press	View a more detailed profile for iUniverse
Publisher's site (direct link):	Visit the publisher's site	Visit the publisher's site	Visit the publisher's site	Visit the publisher's site
Publisher's forum:	Visit the publisher's forum	Visit the publisher's forum	Visit the publisher's forum	Visit the publisher's forum

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