Started to answer this one in the AuthorHouse libel thread, but realized it should be its own topic.
Michael, I've come to believe that we really could use better terminology in this whole area. You're right-- "vanity" is an inherently insulting term, even when people aren't using it to be insulting. I use the term "vanity press" to describe the pay-to-publish presses (whether they're POD or not), but I'd love to come up with a better term that describes what I mean without insulting authors.
"POD" by itself doesn't work, because there are also small presses that use POD, without being on par with the pay-to-publish presses.
Even "pay-to-publish" doesn't quite work as a descriptor because PublishAmerica and CafePress don't charge up-front, and for the bare minimum package, neither does Lulu-- but they do belong in the same category as AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Xlibris, etc.
So what are the right terms?
I'm not fond of "subsidy," because that implies that the publisher is paying part of the cost-- which is often/usually not true-- and the term was mostly used to scam writers into believing that a vanity press was not a vanity press.
Here are the categories of publishing as I see them. The ones in brackets need better titles:
1. Conventional self-publishing. The author is the publisher. The author contracts for cover art, editing, etc. The author buys an ISBN and bar code, and deals directly with printers. There is no "middleman" making these arrangements.
2. [Vanity offset.] Older vanity press models, like Vantage, that charge several thousand dollars and do offset print runs. No real selection process (maybe they turn down manuscripts that contain too many obscenities or objectional content, but they don't screen for quality).
3. [Vanity POD.] The newer breed of vanity presses. Same lack of selection process, but cheaper because they use print-on-demand technology instead of offset print runs.
4. E-publishing. May be vanity or non-vanity. Some e-publishers are selective, others aren't. Quality varies considerably, even among the selective ones.
5. [Small press POD.] Has a selection process, doesn't charge authors to be published, aims to sell to the book-buying public. Quality varies quite a bit. Some of these companies are reputable and are run by people who know what they're doing; others are run by people who don't have a clue how publishing works and can't tell the difference between good writing and bad writing. Sometimes offers a small advance to authors. Rarely has national bookstore distribution. The only one I'm aware of that has seriously broken this mold is Ellora's Cave.
6. Small press offset, no distribution. Independent press that uses offset printing, has a selection process, but has no deal with a distributor and their books do not regularly appear in bookstores, perhaps aside from their own region. Often expect to sell about 500-1000 copies. Sometimes offers a small advance to authors.
7. Small press offset with distribution. Independent press that uses offset printing, has a selection process, has a deal with a distributor, and their books do appear in bookstores (and libraries, and other retail outlets) regularly. Usually offers at least a small advance to authors.
8. Mid-size press. Offset printing and distribution is implied. Usually offers at least a small advance to authors, can offer advances in the tens of thousands.
9. Major houses. No description needed.
Am I leaving anything out?
Any ideas for better terms?
citymouse said:
Michael, I've come to believe that we really could use better terminology in this whole area. You're right-- "vanity" is an inherently insulting term, even when people aren't using it to be insulting. I use the term "vanity press" to describe the pay-to-publish presses (whether they're POD or not), but I'd love to come up with a better term that describes what I mean without insulting authors.
"POD" by itself doesn't work, because there are also small presses that use POD, without being on par with the pay-to-publish presses.
Even "pay-to-publish" doesn't quite work as a descriptor because PublishAmerica and CafePress don't charge up-front, and for the bare minimum package, neither does Lulu-- but they do belong in the same category as AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Xlibris, etc.
So what are the right terms?
I'm not fond of "subsidy," because that implies that the publisher is paying part of the cost-- which is often/usually not true-- and the term was mostly used to scam writers into believing that a vanity press was not a vanity press.
Here are the categories of publishing as I see them. The ones in brackets need better titles:
1. Conventional self-publishing. The author is the publisher. The author contracts for cover art, editing, etc. The author buys an ISBN and bar code, and deals directly with printers. There is no "middleman" making these arrangements.
2. [Vanity offset.] Older vanity press models, like Vantage, that charge several thousand dollars and do offset print runs. No real selection process (maybe they turn down manuscripts that contain too many obscenities or objectional content, but they don't screen for quality).
3. [Vanity POD.] The newer breed of vanity presses. Same lack of selection process, but cheaper because they use print-on-demand technology instead of offset print runs.
4. E-publishing. May be vanity or non-vanity. Some e-publishers are selective, others aren't. Quality varies considerably, even among the selective ones.
5. [Small press POD.] Has a selection process, doesn't charge authors to be published, aims to sell to the book-buying public. Quality varies quite a bit. Some of these companies are reputable and are run by people who know what they're doing; others are run by people who don't have a clue how publishing works and can't tell the difference between good writing and bad writing. Sometimes offers a small advance to authors. Rarely has national bookstore distribution. The only one I'm aware of that has seriously broken this mold is Ellora's Cave.
6. Small press offset, no distribution. Independent press that uses offset printing, has a selection process, but has no deal with a distributor and their books do not regularly appear in bookstores, perhaps aside from their own region. Often expect to sell about 500-1000 copies. Sometimes offers a small advance to authors.
7. Small press offset with distribution. Independent press that uses offset printing, has a selection process, has a deal with a distributor, and their books do appear in bookstores (and libraries, and other retail outlets) regularly. Usually offers at least a small advance to authors.
8. Mid-size press. Offset printing and distribution is implied. Usually offers at least a small advance to authors, can offer advances in the tens of thousands.
9. Major houses. No description needed.
Am I leaving anything out?
Any ideas for better terms?
