So you’re thinking of publishing your own book. Is self-publishing a scam?
Posted By Sue Collier on April 15, 2010
I read another blogger today who asked this same question—and his answer was that 99 percent of self-publishing is a scam. I’m going to have to respectfully disagree with him on that one—but only because he is using incorrect terminology. Subsidy publishing—now there is a scam (for the most part—I would probably agree with 99 percent). But it is not the same as “self-publishing” although many mistakenly put the two in the same category.
There is the obvious: No company can self-publish books for you. So let’s take a look at subsidy publishing, which is really what the blogger in question was referring to.
A subsidy publisher puts out books only when the author underwrites the entire venture. Vanity fare feeds the ego. Just remember that no traditional publisher advertises for manuscripts. When you see a headline such as “Manuscripts Wanted,” it’s always a tip-off that its source is a subsidy outfit.
The advertising copywriters hired by subsidy publishers are the best in the business. Brochures are cleverly worded to portray Utopia. Self-publishing successes are made to sound like subsidy accomplishments with statements such as, “It will probably surprise you to know that many prominent authors found it necessary to finance their entries into the literary world.” You’ll be led to believe that many dynamic leaders opt for this alternative.
Another blurb says, “An Associated Press feature about the author and her book ran in hundreds of newspapers from coast to coast. Yes, imaginative and aggressive promotion paid off for the author of this book.” But nowhere does it say they generated this AP spread. It could very well have resulted from the author’s own efforts. Further, they allude to outsmarting the conventional trade houses when telling how an obscure businessman, whose work was rejected nine times, published his book through them and achieved sales of almost 100,000 copies. These are not typical results. Instead, most subsidy-published authors never recoup their investments.
If you send your manuscript to a subsidy publisher, expect to receive a glowing letter in return. This letter will probably also imply that wealth and fame are just around the corner. There are those who say that subsidy publishers often praise writing that couldn’t earn a passing grade in a junior high school English class. There is no question that quality control is missing in many of these publishing houses. They make their money up front when writers pay to have their books printed, reducing incentive for producing well-written material, and for that matter, for selling it.
A major drawback to subsidy publishing is the lack of promotion. Book reviewers shun these titles. Most reviewers admit to tossing them into the trash when they come in.
While the conventional trade publisher employs sales representatives or has developed a national chain of distribution, and the self-publisher seeks out specialized markets and uses creative publicity to generate attention and sales, the subsidy publisher does virtually none of these things. Oh, maybe he adds the book to his catalog and runs what is known in the industry as a “tombstone” ad (where dozens of titles are lumped together and read like a laundry list). Anticipating books to move from this kind of advertising would be like expecting a mechanic to overhaul a diesel rig with jeweler’s tools.
Bookstores are not anxious to stock these titles. One subsidy published author received copies of invoices for a grand total of 64 books sold over a two-year period. In most cases, after paying thousands of dollars to print them, you don’t own your books. You will be doled out a “royalty’” on each copy sold.
“Scam”? In most cases, yes. “Self-publishing”? Nope. If you intend to make a profit from your book, I highly recommend you go the publishing your own book route where you, the author, self-publish books that are well edited and well designed. Leave the subsidy publishing to those who want to give a book to friends and family for Christmas or who simply want to preserve a relative’s writing for posterity.
About The Author
Great article, Sue. Unfortunately, I went with one of the “subsidy” publishers and have been kicking myself ever since. However, I am in the process of ending my contract with them. I am moving into the self-publishing realm and already my prospects look brighter. My only problem is having to design a new book cover because the company retained the copyright to it. Not a big problem at that.
I only wish I had seen your article two years ago before I went with a subsidy publisher.
Sorry to hear you had the unfortunate experience of going with a subsidy…I am on a mission to education authors that there is a big difference between subsidized publishing and self-publishing. Sounds like you are on the right track now! I wonder if you would consider a guest post on my blog, talking about your experience? I can expound on this topic forever but nothing puts across the message like someone who has been there. Just send me an email if you are interested!
Thanks so much for reading, Nina! Hope to see you back!