Universal Publishers (uPublish)

Manuscript Selection

Technical books only

Kind of Contract

Non-exclusive

Distribution

Through their site and major on-line retailers

Price Range

Paperback

$495.00 plus extras (namely cover art setup, you can get a $100.00 discount if you submit your own layout).

Hardcover

Not available

Paperback/hardcover combo

Not available

Color publishing

Not available

Royalties

Royalties are 20% on books sold through external channels, 40% on books sold through their site, but you don't get paid for the first three copies sold in each calendar quarter.

Author's Discount

Authors get a 40% discount.

Breakeven point

Less than 200 copies (approximation based on external sales of an average length book).

Basic retail price

Competitive to expensive depending on the subject (prices could be described as somewhat expensive by fiction standards but technical books tend to be more expensive anyway). $19.99 for a 200 page s book.

Interior Layout

You can submit as a ready to publish PDF, so your book can actually look like you want it to (and get a $100.00 discount in the process).

Graphics & Tables

OK, where you want them and how you want them.

Cover Options

Generic, or you must pay $100.00 extra to submit your own.

Choice of Trim Size

No

Pros*

You can format your own book, this is useful is you require too many tables, graphics and special fonts and in addition to that you get a discount.

You get a good contract.

Good royalties.

Reasonable setup fee.

You get good distribution.

The fact that it is a specialized publisher minimizes the vanity press stigma as much as possible.

You can supply your own cover.

Cons*

They have a single book size available (5.5x8.5 in.), and while this is a standard paperback size, the fact is that technical books sometimes require more flexibility than that.

There is an administrative fee in the form of all royalties for the first three copies sold in any given quarter. Could be an issue for a book with a very limited audience.

Additional Comments*

This is an interesting option, it enables authors to publish books technical books that have a limited audience. It allows authors to format their own books, and, since it is a specialized publisher, it reduces the vanity press stigma.

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* These represent my personal views on the matter.

This page was last updated: January 20, 2005
 
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