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CreateSpace
CreateSpace is an Amazon invention, and as such, it can't
be satisfied with mere book publishing. CreateSpace will also setup a video, a CD, or an MP3. But as we're reviewing books here,
we'll talk about their book deal. CreateSpace is quite expensive, although
they make it look like they're cheap. Let me explain: You can publish on
Amazon for only $299. But if you look closely, you'll see that that deal
includes nothing. You send them your print-ready pdfs for cover and
interior and they will set your book up for print. That's it. If you actually
want help with publishing in terms of cover design, interior design, ISBN,
barcode, LCCN, back cover copy editing, and distribution, you'll have to go for
one of their more expensive packages. The next one seems likely at only
$499, but once again, you don't really get much for that price. A cover,
which you select from a template and a templated interior design. Okay,
they do provide an ISBN and distribution through Amazon and "your own estore,"
which is a webpage on one of their sites.
However, if you want a unique quality book at
the end of the process, you will have to opt for one of their expensive
publishing packages. For example, their Total Design Freedom Essentials
package, which costs $2213 and includes all of these services: copyediting at $990 for up
to 60,000 words, an ISBN (included), an LCCN ($75), a unique cover design
for $499, and custom formatting for $499. They will discount this if you take
everything to $1798. However, if you also want your back cover copy
edited, it's another $249, and and if your book has more than 60,000 words,
the cost will be an additional $.019 per word. Distribution is limited to Amazon, some online
sites that you select, and your own webpage (excuse me, estore) on their
site. For the same money, other publishers will provide many more services.
Their royalties are difficult to understand. They say
60%, but don't forget that is 60% of net, not gross, and when the numbers are
worked out, 60% of net is about the same as 10% of gross.
Amazon is big, but all POD publishers will set your book
up to sell on Amazon, and often other places as well. You can get all the
advantages of selling on the biggest sales channel on the web, without also
publishing through Amazon.
In Summary:
On the plus side:
-They're Amazon (they're big and well known)
On the negative side:
-They're Amazon (anybody can sell a book on Amazon, and
their size is not an
advantage when getting your book set up for publication.)
-Prices are high
-They're deceptive
-Book quality is questionable
-Too big for personal service
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