Misleading Print on Demand Info
Why this service isn't as bad as critics say
Due to the unethical business actions of some publishers, print-on-demand is getting a bad reputation. But it isn't the actual service that is at fault.
Print-on-demand is just what it says - it's a method of printing that creates a product based on demand. When the product is needed, it is created. When there is no demand, books aren't stacked in a warehouse eating up overhead or crammed in a basement getting wet and moldy. Sounds simple, right? So why is print-on-demand, or POD, getting a bad rap?
Many authors and other writing gurus have come into the misfortune of having a bad experience with a publisher who happened to use POD as a printing technique. As such, the entire printing method has fallen under attack. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. have a "writers beware" section on their website with a page dedicated to POD services. While the information is meant to keep writers from making bad publishing choices, it is somewhat misleading.
"Print on demand-based publishing service providers (I'm going to call them POD services for short) aren't publishers in the traditional sense, but purveyors of publishing services to writers."
This is not true for all POD service providers. Just the bad ones. The good ones are working hard to offer a legitimate product to authors who can benefit from their services.
"They charge a fee for publication, ranging anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars."
The fee POD printers should be charging is the cost and markup of your per-book printing. Do beware of POD printers who are attempting to charge you in other ways.
"They don't screen submissions (except perhaps to exclude pornography or hate literature)--anyone who is willing to pay will be published."
If you are paying for the printing to be done and they have no other stake in your work, there is no reason for them to screen your submissions. It is no different than taking your book to the local copy shop. What would you think if they refused to print your brochures because they didn't like the topic?
"They don't routinely provide editing, proofreading, or book marketing (though some offer these as add-ons to the basic publishing package, at additional cost)."
This is neither good nor bad, it just is. Remember that most publishers are not SIMPLY POD printers, they use POD as a printing option along with many other combinations of services. Look for a POD company that offers additional services you want.
"Title to the books belongs to the publisher, often nonexclusively (which means the book could theoretically be sold elsewhere) but not always; some POD services make a nonexclusive or exclusive claim on subsidiary rights."
The POD part of the publishing services is totally independent from the exclusivity part. POD is simply a printing method, which is not inherently related to rights management. These two cannot be compared. This is a separate contract matter to take up with your publisher.
"Income to the author is a royalty on sales."
If you are selling online, your POD service will likely provide you with the royalty equal to the difference of their cost and markup to print and ship a product and your chosen retail price. Retail - costs = commission, just as in any other transaction.
Additionally, critics state using POD is detrimental to your sales because they don't offer marketing services. Again, POD is only a method of printing, not an overall type or combination of services. Printing is to publishing as advertising is to marketing. It is only one small section; do not confuse the two. Traditional publishers use POD as well as self-publishers. The marketing aspect, including distribution, reviews, and media exposure is a totally separate function that needs to be addressed based on your chosen method of publishing.
In any realm of printing and publishing you will find people who are out to get you. It happens in nearly every industry, and perhaps more so in writing because there is a steep learning curve to getting published effectively. However, keep in mind that while the bad guys do exist, it isn't the fault of the printing method. Separate the bad ethics from the legitimate processes, and you'll find great options for getting published that fit your needs.
