That is odd about the "submissions package." However, the $60 is less than the books would cost if you bought them separately, so at least you get something for your cash.
Looking at this publisher, I'm a bit more encouraged than I usually am. I am not seeing a lot of the things that usually raise red flags indicating a predatory vanity publisher. I would need to know more before I discard these folks.
Good signs:
1. Been around since 2002 (not a fly-by run by folks who don't know what they are doing that is likely to fold in the next year)
2. Website aimed at readers rather than authors ("buy our books" rather than "publish your book")
3. Books look professionally done (to my untrained eyes, anyway--I fail at anything visual)
4. Books appropriately priced for the market (at least prices similar to other publishers)
5. Their authors have several books through other publishers (i.e., they aren't snagging up newbie writers with "making their publishing dreams come true")
6. Upfront about "no response in 4 months means no" (they aren't playing to frustrated writers' desperation by promising to "work like the dickens to give your book the chance it deserves")
7. A broad list of authors, rather than just a few publishing multiple books (which sometimes indicates a pet project of the company owners to publish their own books)
Odd bits:
1. I can't find any of their books on Amazon (although every author I searched for had other books by other publishers)
Unanswered questions (seeing a contract would help):
1. Who does the marketing? With no presence on Amazon (shoot, even PublishAmerica books were on Amazon), is this basically a printing press, and the author has to do all the marketing, publicity, and advertising?
2. What other charges is the author responsible for?
3. Royalties?
4. What rights does the publisher retain, versus the author? Things like translations, first refusal on series installments or using the same characters, publication in other countries, etc.
