If you're thinking about self-publishing, there are a lot of things you need to know. One of those things is the difference between vanity and subsidy publishing.
Unlike traditional publishers, subsidy publishers do not purchase manuscripts. Instead, they request a fee from authors. They then distribute books under their own imprint and sell them to consumers.
What is Subsidy Publishing?
Subsidy publishing is a model that enables authors to pay a publisher to print and distribute their books. Often, subsidy publishers will include editing and cover design services as part of their services.
These services are not a substitute for hiring a professional book designer or editor, however, and may be costly. You should also consider whether your book will sell well enough to pay for the cost of these services.
Some subsidy publishers have a good reputation in niche markets, such as Christian living, cozy romance and soft porn. But many have a bad reputation with the mainstream book trade, such as royalty publishers, book reviewers and distributors.
Because subsidy publishers have no screening process, they have a tendency to print a wide variety of books. This can be a good thing for authors who are looking to print a small number of copies for family and friends, but it can be a bad thing for writers who want to build credibility in the general market and sell through bookstores.
This can be especially true if you are writing in a new genre or niche. The mainstream book trade has already established certain standards of quality and marketability that they expect from the books they publish.
Another reason that subsidy publishers have a poor reputation is that they do not take the time to screen their manuscripts before accepting them for publication. This can make it difficult to get mainstream reviews, or even get your book into bookstores, since those outlets don’t have the time to separate the wheat from the chaff.
A third reason that subsidy publishers have a bad reputation is because they do not pay the retail prices for the books they publish. This can be a problem for authors who wish to sell their books to book clubs and catalogs, as well as through wholesalers.
It’s best to consult with a lawyer who specializes in intellectual property before you sign a contract with any type of publisher. They can help you understand how your contract works, and what you can expect to receive in return for your money.
What Are the Benefits of Subsidy Publishing?
Subsidy publishing is a form of self-publishing where authors pay a fee to have their rough manuscript turned into a book and made available through major book distribution channels. These companies offer a variety of production services like editing and cover design, as well as marketing and distribution support. They are a popular choice for aspiring authors who want "one-stop shopping."
Traditional publishers are book investors; they purchase manuscripts and rights, pay advances and royalties, and assume the financial risk in exchange for hoped-for profits. They have significant financial incentives to invest heavily in marketing and distribution, to drive the sales that are their primary source of profit.
One of the major benefits of subsidy publishing is that it removes exclusivity and risk from the equation. This means that you can publish your book without the fear of being beaten out by a big-name author or publisher.
Another benefit of subsidy publishing is that it can save you a lot of time on the book's production. These companies are usually very nimble, and often have great editors and cover designers on staff. These firms are also known for their fast turnarounds, and many of them are able to turn out a large quantity of books in a short amount of time.
This can be a huge benefit for aspiring authors who may not have the resources to hire a traditional editor and designer. In addition, it can be a good choice for those who aren't concerned about selling through the traditional publishing channel or getting mainstream reviews.
Finally, subsidy publishing can be a great choice for authors who are looking to sell a small number of books to their local or family friends. These types of books don't require as much work to produce, so they can be less expensive to print than a larger-scale print run.
However, there are some major drawbacks to subsidy publishing. For starters, you will be unable to give bookstores and distributors the discounts that they need to sell your book. This can be especially true if you are targeting book clubs, catalogs, or corporate sales. Additionally, you will have difficulty pricing your book based on a competitive market.
Is Subsidy Publishing Right for Me?
Subsidy publishing is a business that provides services to authors who don’t have the time, money, or desire to publish their books themselves. These services include editing, book printing, and marketing. They may also offer a few extras like cover design and ISBN numbers.
Whether you decide to go with a subsidy publisher or not depends on your reasons for writing your book. If you’re looking to sell a small number of books to your closest friends and family members, or if you have an interest in seeing your work in print without worrying about selling it through traditional channels, subsidy publishing might be right for you.
However, if you’re interested in selling a large number of books through bookstores and getting mainstream reviews, subsidy publishing might not be the best choice for you. If you’re looking to get your book seen by as many people as possible, it is important to do your research before signing any publishing contracts with a subsidy publisher.
A good way to find out whether a subsidy publisher is right for you is to check their feedback on websites like Amazon and Google. You can also ask other authors who have used the service you are considering for advice.
If you do decide to hire a subsidy publisher, don’t forget to look for quality in their editing, cover design, and book printing. These are the parts that will make or break your book. If the book you receive isn’t up to the standard you were hoping for, it will be much harder to sell your book in the future.
Another thing to watch out for with subsidy publishers is their pricing. They tend to charge a lot for their services, and you don’t want to pay inflated prices for what should be a fairly simple and straightforward process.
Finally, if you need additional copies of your book sent out to reviewers, subsidy publishers are usually unwilling to do this for you. They will charge you for these copies and a percentage of your sales.
While there are some good, ethical subsidy publishers out there, most of them are unethical vanity presses that take advantage of unsuspecting writers. These businesses use pretty websites and marketing hype to seduce authors into paying them thousands of dollars for a substandard book that doesn’t sell.
Is Subsidy Publishing Right for You?
Subsidy publishing is a business model that allows an author to publish a book without having to invest any of their own money. In exchange for a one-time upfront fee, the subsidy publisher handles the editing, cover design, printing, distribution, and marketing of the book. In return, the subsidy publisher takes a share of the profits and pays you royalties on those sales.
However, while subsidy publishers may seem like an easy way to get your book published, it is important to realize that they are not necessarily the best choice. They may be more expensive and offer less control over the process than traditional publishers, so you need to do your research and make sure they are a good fit for your needs before you sign up.
While many subsidy publishers are legitimate, there are some that are not. These publishers are often called “vanity presses.” They have a bad reputation for taking advantage of unsuspecting authors, so it is important to do your research before signing up with them.
You should also be aware that some subsidy publishers require you to pay for review copies of your book. These can be expensive and take a toll on your bank account.
Finally, you should be aware that these companies aren’t always transparent about what they charge. Some of them have hidden fees, and others will only give you a limited number of copies to sell to reviewers.
Another problem with subsidy publishing is that it has a bad reputation with the mainstream book trade. This includes royalty publishers, book reviewers, distributors, and bookstores. They don’t know how to handle the influx of new titles coming out through subsidy publishing, and they don’t have the time or inclination to sort through them.
The sad reality is that this industry has been co-opted by pure naked greed, allowing subsidy publishers to reap huge profits from authors who are desperate for publication. This has created a situation where major independent publishers have joined forces with subsidy houses to cash in on the flood of books coming out through self-publishing.