iUniverse experience
I’d like to introduce myself and discuss my iUniverse experience for those contemplating consigning their book-to-be to a “U Write It, We Print It” service of some sort. I have had articles printed in national magazines and newspapers but do not consider myself an Author as my only book to date was printed by iUniverse. I am following the board’s advice, working on a second book, and strenuously shaking down a prototype query letter to send out into the “Real World” of agent queries and refusals.
First off, thank you all for offering your expertise to fledgling authors, and confused neophytes. This board has been a wealth of honest, upfront information from authors who display the same generosity of spirit virtually as they do in their own works. Some who post on this board are names that I routinely look for on the bookstore shelves and purchase their works as soon as they are out. Part of me feels like I’m posting among giants and shudders at my own temerity.
I found iUniverse to be primarily honest about what they offer (and perform) for the money charged. There was no pretence about what the contract paid for or guaranteed. This is unlike some of the other printing houses that are out there. I went into the venture knowing I was utilizing a service, not becoming a true published author over-night. That knowledge helped keep me centered as I wandered through the maze of book production.
My book is a series of non-fiction essays targeting a specific audience. It’s been out six months and sold a little over three thousand copies, of which I purchased fifty myself for marketing and promotional purposes. The numbers of books sold is meager compared to sales figures from a new author at a traditional publisher, but it is vast compared to what my original expectations were. The sales numbers appear to be climbing, but I ascribe that to word of mouth and current nature of the topic rather then to my amateurish attempts at publicity. I discovered through trial and error the sad realities of what is not there for self-published authors:
1.        Professional reviews (impossible if one does POD)
2.        Brick and mortar bookstores. Very few have picked up my book for sale and then only because of repeated requests for special orders.
3.        The importance of starting a marketing plan at least six months before a book is released. A traditional publisher would have initiated it with my assistance where solicited.
4.        Editing. Fortunately, I had no pretence that my skills carried over to content or copy-editing and utilized the skilled services of a professional editor for my book upfront. The editing services of a publishing service do not extend past checking font and typeface for formula and template fit.
5.        Cover design helps sell books. iUniverse uses either stock designs with Yawn appeal, or the fevered nightmares of the cover designer’s last anchovy pizza late night repast. The first cover offered by iUniverse was patently hideous, and featured a pea soup green background with pink caricatures cavorting across it. I blandly responded that “It” was not evocative of my book and went elsewhere for a cover design to submit to them. My book’s cover is palatable, but credit goes to a graphic artist, not the publisher. This was one of the biggest shortcomings I, and others, and found with iUniverse. If the book is not in one of several genres (Romance, Religion, and Mystery), they have little ability to design a cover for it.
6.        LOCCN. I had to inform the associate at iUniverse repeatedly that they had access to getting and assigning a control number to my book. Without this critical number, libraries could not order my book.
7.        Copyright is up to the author. Apply early; it takes longer then the publishing of the book in the POD world.
8.        Expected discounts at online stores. After six months, Barnes and Noble is finally offering my book at 10% off, Amazon at 20%. I ascribe this to an anomaly and am quietly grateful rather then inferring anything from it. Most POD books suffer from a surcharge on these sites that inflates an already ballooned price past reason or pocketbook.
9.        Read the small print, and then read it again. iUniverse puts the full text of books up on their site and requires the author to opt out of this “feature.” I had a good publishing associate who informed me of this practice up front and was able to circumvent this before the book went to their online bookstore for display.
10.        Royalties. iUniverse pays quarterly and does post a monthly sales report to give guidance on what is selling where. The royalties are based on Net rather than Gross book price and bear no resemblance to traditional publishing contracted rates. There is an unspoken bias towards directing people to the iUniverse bookstore (royalties from these sales are based on the retail price of the book rather then wholesale). Sales from other venues are computed when the book is printed and net pricing is based on which wholesaler or retailer has ordered it.
Overall, my experience has been positive and I have recouped my investment allowing future royalties to go to my chosen charity. This part of my original goal was considered least likely and I am pleased that it proved attainable. Of primary importance, getting my message out there, appears to be started. The book has led to speaking engagements, two paid for articles in a national magazine and interest in what I am advocating. I’ve done a few book-signings and one museum is now stocking the book in their gift store. Not success but not failure either.
Would I do it again? No! My next book will venture out into the cold, indifferent world of agent and small publishing house queries in the traditional, pay my dues, manner. I’ve learned that there may be a market for my writing and the only way to find out is through accepted channels.