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Also, can anyone actually find a good word to say about vanity publishers, what exactly do they do other than scam hopeful writers out of thousands of pounds for very little in return? When I sent my first three chapters to AM, plus synopsis, along with a covering letter, their response was very quick, saying they wanted to see the rest of my manuscript, needless to say, I was ecstatic and emailed it to them, but when I calmed down and found out what they were like I was disappointed, fortunately, I didn't part with any cash, I couldn't afford even the basic package of £1900 they offered me. Even if I could, I still rather hang onto my money.
They're less useful now with the number of places offering self-publishing without a fee to the author (i.e. Lulu, Create Space, Blurb, etc.).
Back in the day, say twenty years ago or so, vanity presses were a way for a limited press run by someone who just wanted copies of a book to give to their friends and family, say, a family history.
Their fees have gotten increasingly outrageous though, and there's less and less point as they get increasingly obscene in what they charge, and how very little they actually offer in a digital world where you don't have to handset cold type.