Greetings, all! I would like to get advice on moving forward with POD publishing. First, let me explain what it is I am trying to accomplish. A colleague and I are working to create a "franchise" based around our story. Don't misunderstand me when I say "franchise". We do not have delusions of grandeur, and I do not expect to become wealthy. Not in the least. For my part, as long as this project does not become a financial liability then it will be successful, and my colleague feels the same way. But again, the goal is a "franchise", not a single book, or even a series of novels, but a story told through different media, mostly print and web-based. However, the novels will be the primary vehicle.
Our website will critical to the project. It will contain art and information about the characters, as well as free downloads; sample chapters, short-stories and (hopefully) web comics. Currently I work with people who are able to advise me on web-design and how to increase site visibility. In addition, I'm already working with an experienced artist and a graphic designer. Both will provide work for the site.
The key, now, is getting the first book to be as professional as possible. My budget is limited, but I am putting as much as I (reasonably) can into it. I am paying to have the cover designed (said artist and graphic designer are working on this as we speak), and I did pay an editor to proof the book. That brings me to the last piece; publishing.
The key here is to get a POD who produces a quality book. Since I've already taken care of cover design and proofing I am not looking for someone who does this for me. What I am looking for is someone who -- if given quality -- can produce quality. I want my customers to have a book that looks as good as one purchased in a major retail chain, or as close as I can get with the resources I have available. If there are quality issues, I want them to be my fault. (Granted, I don't want any quality issues, but if the fault is in my hands then so is the solution.)
Likewise, added promotional services are not a necessity, though could be a bonus. We have a plan for promoting our work, one which is unconventional anyway. But if we worked with someone with promotional packages, I’d consider one.
So, what place would be the best one to deal with under these circumstances? Which places produce the better product? At this point my budget is limited, so I couldn't go into the four digit figures.
I've looked at Booklocker.com, which was recommended to me. I've read good and bad about them, but mostly goo. Nothing in the bad struck me as deal breakers.
Lulu is easy, and cheap -- both nice things to have when on a tight budget. However, I've heard numerous complaints about print quality. In addition, I read an older blog where someone complained that they were issuing invalid ISBN. Not good. But what's the real deal with these people? Are they better than I've heard, or is it a case of you-get-what-you-paid-for?
Recently I read reviews on Wingspan. They sound promising, but I am still not sure what stands out about them, or if it would be any better than anyone else.
Feedback one anything posted above would be appreciated.
Our website will critical to the project. It will contain art and information about the characters, as well as free downloads; sample chapters, short-stories and (hopefully) web comics. Currently I work with people who are able to advise me on web-design and how to increase site visibility. In addition, I'm already working with an experienced artist and a graphic designer. Both will provide work for the site.
The key, now, is getting the first book to be as professional as possible. My budget is limited, but I am putting as much as I (reasonably) can into it. I am paying to have the cover designed (said artist and graphic designer are working on this as we speak), and I did pay an editor to proof the book. That brings me to the last piece; publishing.
The key here is to get a POD who produces a quality book. Since I've already taken care of cover design and proofing I am not looking for someone who does this for me. What I am looking for is someone who -- if given quality -- can produce quality. I want my customers to have a book that looks as good as one purchased in a major retail chain, or as close as I can get with the resources I have available. If there are quality issues, I want them to be my fault. (Granted, I don't want any quality issues, but if the fault is in my hands then so is the solution.)
Likewise, added promotional services are not a necessity, though could be a bonus. We have a plan for promoting our work, one which is unconventional anyway. But if we worked with someone with promotional packages, I’d consider one.
So, what place would be the best one to deal with under these circumstances? Which places produce the better product? At this point my budget is limited, so I couldn't go into the four digit figures.
I've looked at Booklocker.com, which was recommended to me. I've read good and bad about them, but mostly goo. Nothing in the bad struck me as deal breakers.
Lulu is easy, and cheap -- both nice things to have when on a tight budget. However, I've heard numerous complaints about print quality. In addition, I read an older blog where someone complained that they were issuing invalid ISBN. Not good. But what's the real deal with these people? Are they better than I've heard, or is it a case of you-get-what-you-paid-for?
Recently I read reviews on Wingspan. They sound promising, but I am still not sure what stands out about them, or if it would be any better than anyone else.
Feedback one anything posted above would be appreciated.
