|
Xlibris
Xlibris is owned by Random House. Xlibris charges a lot more
than most POD publishers, anywhere from $500 to $1600 for a book (marketing
packages and copyediting extra).
One difference is in the quality of the cover: For $500 writers get a
plain, generic cover. For $1600 you get custom service. Packages lack
flexibility, and all
too often you cannot buy a less expensive option and complement it only with the
services you require.
Their website is huge and fully automated. Writers can
choose interior fonts and cover styles from templates depending on which package
they choose.
Xlibris takes anything
that comes in,
maintaining no editorial standards. In addition, their books are priced
significantly higher than books of the same type and page number found in bookstores, and they've
lowered their
discount to wholesalers as well, making their books even more unattractive in
terms of price. They do offer what they call "copyediting," but this
consists of what is usually termed "proofreading." It's priced at $.012
per word. They don't tell you the cost until you fill out the form to buy the
service.
Some of the key points in the contract include:
The author's discount starts at 40% of retail on paperbacks and 35%
of retail on hardcovers. For 25 books the discount is 49% on paperbacks
and 44.75% on hardcovers. But because the retail prices are high, the cost
of books to the author is also going to be high.
Their royalties are low (10% for books sold through
third parties and 25% of retail sales directly through their web site).
Distribution is through their site and most on-line
bookstores.
In Summary:
On the plus side:
-Non-exclusive contract.
-Large automated site.
-Marketing services are comprehensive (but costly).
-Copyediting available (really proofreading with
comments).
-Custom publishing service available (cost: $1600)
On the negative side:
-Well known as a vanity press
-All services are expensive
-High retail prices on books
-Publishes anything
-Low royalties (10% - 25% of retail)
-Author's discount sounds good but is based on high retail pricing.
-Little or no flexibility in their packages
-Large company: Authors can get lost in the "system"
-No returnability option through Ingram
C
|
