Print on demand
A tale of self-publishing on the web
Writer and author Paul Lima looks at "the ups and downs" of POD. The article explains a bit of the process of Print on Demand, which I've not really done myself, but I'm going to hold and browse some other popular services to make some comparisons with Lulu. Another post for another time.
Essentially below is a condessed introduction, and two major points of interest from the article.
Lima was trying to publish his book, a how-to for freelance writing, and met what seems to be common with many writers, "tentative interest". This tentative interest sprouts from the publishers issue of whether or not the manuscript they are looking at will generate enough sales to be profitable.
The traditional publisher that Lima first sought for the book wanted Lima to guarantee 2000 copies would be sold. No being able to make this guarantee Lima was looking for other publishers when he found Lulu.
Things to consider:
Lima's book, like so many is part of a niche. There are only so many freelance writers, and only so many looking for how-to books. (This idea of niche is a common theme throughout many articles I've read surrounding POD to the point that I'm confusing the articles they all say about the same thing.)
When the book being sold is part of a niche like so many, and only appeals to a small audience of a few hundred people traditional publishing is not a viable method. Lima, and others, mention publishing houses with over stock and authors with boxes of unsold books taking up space in the basement. To this end print on demand makes sense, supply and demand without the needless surplus.
The downside:
The example of all examples is that if you self publish chances are you're not going to end up with fame and fortune JK Rowling-style. For many self-publishers it seems (from what I've read so far) that this is just fine. Realistically even a profitable author won't reach Rowling fame or fortune. Some authors are in it to make a couple bucks, but lots are just looking to have their work (whatever it may be research, a cookbook, a novel, etc.) in print on paper in their hands.
I intend to look into this a little more later, I've stumbled across a few articles with snide remarks about amateurs, but that’s for another post.
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