Online Publishing Companies
Online publishing companies provide printing, editing and marketing services for consumers who want to self-publish printed books and other media. Self-publishing, an author's decision to cover the complete cost of printing and marketing his own book, was once considered a last resort for those who couldn't find a traditional publisher. However, with the emergence of online publishing companies, self-publishing has become a legitimate and affordable option. With the continued demand for online media and ebook readers, content provided by online publishing companies will likely increase.
Other People Are Reading
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Online Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing
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Self-publishing may have overcome the stigma it once held, but it still has disadvantages. Reviewers do not usually review self-published books, and the multi-million dollar book deals that most authors dream of are made between agents and the major publishing houses. Very few authors are discovered through self-publishing. Authors who self-publish with online publishing companies are responsible for their own marketing plans, often resulting in few sales and small profits.
That said, self-publishing also has distinct advantages. A book published by an online publishing company is created and printed much more quickly than through a traditional publishing company, and with the rise of print-on-demand technology, authors don't have to invest as much money upfront in printed copies of their books.
Who Should Use Online Publishing Companies?
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Online publishing companies are the best choice for authors with an established following, such as industry experts, journalists or bloggers, who will already have a built-in audience for their self-published book. Consumers who most benefit from online publishing companies are those wanting to self-publish a small quantity of books: amateur authors eager to see their novel or poetry collection in print, family members creating keepsakes and gifts, or organizations selling guides, histories or cookbooks for charity.
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Services
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Typically, online publishing companies offer packages in increasing price ranges. These packages can include services such as copy editing, cover art design, marketing plans and International Standard Book Number assignment. At user-friendly Lulu.com, self-publishing books, ebooks, CDs and DVDs, photo albums, and calendars is as easy as answering a series of questions and entering payment information. At iUniverse, some packages include an editorial evaluation of an author's manuscript, providing advice on how to improve its quality. CreateSpace, a subsidiary of Amazon.com, offers an affordable paperback listing of an author's book on Amazon.com for no setup fees, although authors are required to buy one proof copy of the book.
Considerations
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Authors who choose an online publishing company must do considerable research as consumers. Some publishing packages are priced in the thousands of dollars and are highly collaborative, while others are practically free for authors who choose to the go through the self-publishing process independently. Some online publishing companies ask authors to submit a manuscript for approval, while others will accept any submission. Some offer listings of an author's book on well-known websites such as Amazon.com, while others list inventory only on their own websites. Authors may have to buy copies of their book to supply to bricks-and-mortar bookstores, as some online publishing packages only provide print-on-demand service.
The Future of Online Publishing
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Traditional print publishing is still the preferred course for mainstream authors, but the online publishing industry is growing. According to Scott Steinberg of Entrepreneur Magazine, ebook readers such as Amazon's Kindle and Sony's Reader Daily Edition, "represent the future of journalism, publishing and in-flight entertainment." With this in mind, authors of ebooks and clients of online publishing companies can expect continued demand for their product.
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