Book Publishing Software for Writers

Books are published using websites.

Both professional writers and writing hobbyists have used self-publishing services to make their publishing dreams a reality. Using a self-publishing service enables a writer to have full control of their book. They can decide on what content to print, how the cover will look and where the book will be distributed. While some publishing services are cheaper, others are more expensive. Each offers its own valuable options and should be investigated by the writer who seeks to print a book.

CreateSpace

CreateSpace is a publishing service owned by Amazon.

CreateSpace is a self-publishing company owned by Amazon. Writers register with the site for free, upload their manuscript and design a cover using CreateSpace's cover design templates. Authors receive a free ISBN. There are many designs to choose from, and many book sizes and shapes to select. An author can select black and white books or color books, and can specify the size of their book's trim. Authors do not pay for anything but the proof copy. However, authors can select CreateSpace's pro plan, which enables their book to be available to the CreateSpace e-store, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. This is an inexpensive and useful author plan.

Lulu

Lulu's service is inexpensive and thorough.

Lulu offers a simple, cheap book publishing service. Authors can upload their books for no fee and choose what kind of design they want for their book. They receive an ISBN for free. Authors can also choose to create a cover using Lulu's cover creator. However, Lulu authors have the ability to use Fotolia, a photo service that is provided with a discount to all Lulu authors. Lulu also prints books specifically for poets, as Lulu is connected with the website Poetry.com. Authors may elect to choose services for their book, such as editing and marketing.

Cafe Press

Cafe Press offers a simple, straightforward service.

Cafe Press offers a very simple, to-the-point publishing service. Their fee is very inexpensive (just a few dollars) and allows the author to upload their book and choose from a few choices of design. The ISBN is included with the fee. When the author publishes his book, it is available on Cafe Press' website.

iUniverse

iUniverse has many different author packages.

iUniverse provides authors with a more expensive book printing service. iUniverse's publishing packages range from a few hundred to a couple thousand and offer authors the ability to send their manuscripts to the company, have them be turned into books and sold online through a few distribution channels, depending on the author's publishing package. The basic book publishing option ("select") provides the author with an ISBN and five free copies of their book. More expensive options include editorial evaluation and social networking set-up.

Infinity Publishing

Infinity Publishing charges only one fee.

Infinity Publishing allows authors to send their manuscripts to the company for a fee. Infinity only charges one price for their book publishing services. The price, which is a few hundred dollars, includes the ISBN, a designed book, the book's inclusion in the website's publishing database as well as distribution to various websites.

References

• CreateSpace
• Lulu
• Infinity Publishing
• iUniverse
• Cafe Press

Resources

• Poets & Writers: Writers Resources