Star Writers' Literary  Agency.

ALTERNATIVE  PUBLISHING.

An overview.

Vanity Publishers.

Vanity publishers have in the past given any form of 'paid for publishing' a bad name. Sometimes it was by poor quality production. Sometimes it was by false claims regarding a book's quality and marketability. Added to this often the fees charged were on the high side.

To ensure that you get value for money talk with a company representative on the phone first and arrange to visit them.

PO boxes and suite numbers could suggest companies operating from a mailing address. Adverts lacking a phone number should be treated with caution.

PRINTING ON DEMAND. (POD).

This is a recent development brought about by new technology; and it can be a good way to produce a short run of books. However a print on demand publisher will be unlikely to offer you any editorial or marketing services. Also the price per book does not decrease with quantity; and the cost margin remains high. For example, a 370 page novel retailing at £6.95 has a low profit margin, which is why Print on Demand books often have to sell at high prices. This pricing policy can reduce the sales of  books by new writers.

Our view.

Unless you want to produce a book for a known readership (a family record for example) you will normally be better off taking the traditional publishing route and spending the money on Editorial services and extra publicity once your book is in print.

Having said that it should be noted that recently publishers have been checking vanity press books and if they are good, re printing them. A couple have sold large numbers. So there is a small chance. But possibly these books would have been picked up by publishers in time anyway.