| In my previous article, "Writing: It's a Crowded, Lonely | | | | of day. Beyond the query letters, proposals, rejections, |
| Business" we discussed briefly what POD, or | | | | and final acceptance of a manuscript, there is the |
| print-on-demand is, and what to look for in a POD | | | | editing. Then there is the editing. And finally, there is the |
| publisher. In this article we will look at the pros and | | | | editing. Did I mention editing? Everything about the |
| cons of POD publishing. To state it briefly, | | | | manuscript is examined, picked apart, and re-examined. |
| print-on-demand's strengths are also print-on-demand's | | | | The author may have to do re-writes. He will definitely |
| weaknesses. Let me show you what I mean... | | | | have to endure the agony of seeing his work |
| Anyone can be published -- even idiots and crackpots. | | | | ruthlessly scrutinized and questioned. It's a necessary |
| In the world of POD publishing, the rule of the day is | | | | part of the process. With POD publishing it's all on you, |
| caveat emptor, or "buyer beware." Because POD | | | | unless you hire someone to do it for you. If you are |
| allows just about anyone to print just about anything, | | | | your own editor, be sure you know what you are |
| the books offered by POD publishers are a mixed | | | | doing.If your excuse is, "Well, I'm just a storyteller. I'm |
| bag. Some POD sites offer user ratings and reviews | | | | not good at grammar," then you may just be writing |
| with their books, and that's a definite plus, just pay | | | | your book for yourself. Your command of the written |
| attention to who is doing the rating and reviewing. It | | | | word is a reflection on you as an author whether you |
| might just be the author himself!You can write what | | | | care to accept it or not. And that only covers the |
| you please. Just remember, that doesn't mean people | | | | mechanics. As author you need to be passionate |
| will be pleased with what you write. Traditional | | | | about your writing. As editor you must be brutal. Does |
| publishers will go with what is safe and proven | | | | everything in your story really belong there? Are all |
| ninety-nine percent of the time. With POD, the sky's | | | | your characters necessary? Does everything they |
| the limit. Got an experience you want to write about | | | | say make sense? Are they and their dialogue |
| and share with the masses? Have a particular interest | | | | believable. Will anybody even care about this particular |
| you enjoy writing about? Have an experimental style | | | | story? There is more to editing your own work than |
| of writing that you'd like to try out? Did you come up | | | | just spelling and grammar check.Brick and mortar |
| with a killer idea for a cool novel? Great! Go for it! Just | | | | stores may or may not be interested in your book. |
| remember that there is a reason so many manuscripts | | | | Because POD books do not need to pass through the |
| receive rejection notices from the big-name publishers: | | | | same filters as books produced by traditional |
| they just won't sell to a wide enough audience. | | | | publishers, most bookstores, particularly big-name |
| Traditional publishing houses are about taking | | | | bookstores, are reluctant to feature POD books on |
| manuscripts, turning them into books, and making | | | | their shelves. Who can blame them? POD books are |
| money with them. It's a gamble. Even with the books | | | | varied in quality; some are superbly written, some are |
| they do publish, there's no guarantee they'll turn a profit. | | | | just no good. Then there is the problem with returns. |
| Given the risks involved, going forward with an unusual, | | | | Most POD's do not have a return policy except on |
| or eccentrically unique book is a rarity amongst | | | | damaged books. They won't take a book back simply |
| traditional publishers.Self-publishing through a POD let's | | | | because a customer decided they didn't like it. So if a |
| you write pretty much what you want, with a few | | | | bookstore agrees to sell your book, what are they |
| limitations, but that does not mean people are going to | | | | supposed to do if a customer wants their money |
| beat the doors down just to get a copy of your book. | | | | back? This is a problem.One solution is to offer your |
| Sadly, you may learn the hard way why so many | | | | books to smaller bookstores on consignment. You |
| "regular" publishers turned you down. But please don't | | | | provide the books at your own cost, and you split the |
| let that stop you from writing! If one thing doesn't work, | | | | profits with the bookstore owner, plus you agree to |
| try something else. Keep perfecting your craft and let | | | | buy back any unbought or returned books. It isn't the |
| your mistakes teach you, not discourage you.You can | | | | best solution, but who said this was going to be easy? |
| write about any topic you please. Their are plenty of | | | | Besides, look on the bright side. People may LOVE |
| folks with specific interests who would love to have | | | | your books and want more; and if that happens, the |
| just one more book on their topic of interest. You | | | | bookstore will want more of your books, too. That |
| could become their next favorite author. Just | | | | could lead to big dividends later. |
| remember that niche markets are characterstically | | | | There is nothing more exciting for an author than to |
| small. But a well-written work can garner you a loyal | | | | see his name in print. It's like seeing your name on the |
| following, and that can spring board you into larger | | | | marquee for an actor. Having people read your work |
| projects.You get to be your own editor. The downside | | | | and like it is an excitement that extends beyond words |
| of that is that you get to be your own editor. One | | | | even for the best of writers. POD publishing is one |
| reason traditional publishers carry more clout than POD | | | | way to accomplish that dream.Glenn Haertlein is a |
| publishers is that the authors and manuscripts of books | | | | teacher at a Christian school for children special needs. |
| produced by traditional publishers must endure a long | | | | He is also a freelance writer. |
| and drawn out process before a book ever sees light | | | | |