How to reduce the Publication Cost

Publishing with vanity press has its perks and downsides. You must thoroughly research and compare the existing publishers before you start presenting or proposing the publication of your book.

Make sure that you are financially capable for the preliminary release of the book. It is advisable that the book is launched in peak seasons like Christmas. In this way, the book will be noticed and may become part of someone's gift list.

Consider the genre of the book - it may be timely for an event or a celebration. For instance, an autobiography of a local hero can be published on Independence Day. Or, a book about love can be released on Valentine's Day.

Take note that these publishers do not have a staff that will take care of your book's promotion, tours or its distribution to bookstores. If you have plans to be the next bestseller, you should take care of these concerns. Among other things, you are going to be the one accounting for royalties, licensing fees and other payments. There maybe a few companies that cover these areas, but just to be safe, you have to be on the look out.

A very important matter is the editing. There is no editor-writer relationship. You will be your own editor. You are going to be the one reconfirming relative facts or correcting grammatical errors. You also have to be careful about any statements in the book. Be sure statements do not offend anyone. A tell-all book has the potential for a lawsuit waiting to be filed.

Most of these publishers do not have a reasonable distribution scheme. Even if your book has reached the bookstore, there is a possibility that it will be placed in an obscure section of the bookstore.

Bear in mind that readers will always question your credibility as a writer, because you have participated in the publication. Beating this kind of perception is very difficult. If you are really determined to be published, establish an assurance for the quality of your book.

Vanity press requires the author to finance a part or all of the total publishing cost. This includes the marketing expenses for the promotion of the book. On the other hand, the conventional book publishing still follow the usual protocol. First, it accepts the manuscript then reviews it. If the material has commercial potential, the publisher will pay for the publication and endorsement of the book. In vanity press, the publisher has little risk because it has either a small or no investment in the publication of the book. That is why it accepts as many manuscripts as it wishes.

Amateur writers are attracted to this kind of publishing, because they are given all the opportunities that conventional publishers cannot provide. Vanity publishing usually acknowledges unsolicited manuscripts. Meaning, an author need not seek representation from literary agents.

Time is a plus. Since, authors do not wait for their manuscripts to be reviewed and approved. They have control on the date that their book is launched. Of course, it depends on the financial capacity of the writer. Also, there is no censorship. As long as the contents do not convey too much obscenity or ruin the image of the publishing house, the book will be published as it is written.

If a writer releases a book through a vanity publisher, there a significant chance to build his or her reputation in the book industry, and learn the business side of literature industry. Many function as their own agent. Thus, they can schedule their own tours, make contacts and directly receive feedback from readers.