Vanity Publishing: Is it Worth It?

For those of you who do not know, "vanity publishing" is just a fancy word for self-publication. Instead of submitting your finished book manuscript to agents and publishers, an author decides to pay to have their work published and promoted by a vanity publisher. After they have paid for the publication, they retain a percentage of the royalties as the book sells in stores.

Costs for vanity publishing can ranch from a few hundred dollars to well into the thousands. There are usually several packages available that determine sevearl factors, including soft- and hardcover publication, the number of copies produced, the amount of marketing requested, and the places where your book will be available for sale. Obviously, the more you want done by the publishing company, the more you pay out-of-pocket.

If you are considering this method of publication, or if it sounds like something that you might want to look into, read the following frequently asked questions and consider the answers I give. Often, vanity publishers will not tell you everything up front, and it is important that you are informed about the process.

What are the reasons for choosing vanity publishing?

Reasons abound as to why authors decide to pay to have their own work published, but the most common answer is that the book will not sell to a normal publisher. Agents and publishing houses look for commercial appeal in a novel; that is, they want to ensure that the book will be popular among the target audience. If the book doesn't sell, then they stand to lose money on the deal, and that is something that they want to avoid.

Others decide to take this route because they don't want to comply with the revisions of their editor. Very few books are sold "ready to go," and the editor might take months sending the manuscript back and forth, making small changes to the plot and characters. They are experienced in what is popular in the industry, and they want to give the book the best chance possible at doing well on the shelves.

The only other reason I can think of is that the author has money to burn, and is confident that their investment will turn a profit.

What are the costs associated with vanity publishers?

As I said earler, the costs depend on what the author wants done with the book (i.e. illustrations, editing, marketing, production) and which vanity publisher you are interested in. On average, I would say that the author should expect to spend at least a thousand dollars, but this number could be more or less depending on the circumstances.

Are there risks involved?

No one can guarantee that people will buy your book. If it is poorly written, badly constructed, and lacking in commercial appeal, then you will probably lose money. Not only do you have to pay the up-front costs of having the novel published, but you will also have to share royalties (typically 50%) with the publishing company. You also wil not receive an advance, as with regular publishing houses, so your only income depends on whether the book sells.

Your income will also depend upon the marketing performed to inform the public of the release. Vanity publishers will usually charge more to have press releases and advertisements issued for your book, which means more out-of-pocket expense for you.

How long does it take?

How much money do you have?

I'm kidding, but seriously, it depends on the publisher and how much you pay to have it produced. There are usually Rush Deliveries available for an additional fee. For a normal vanity publisher, I would say that you are looking at 6-8 months.

Why do vanity publishers have such a negative reputation?

The honest answer is: they've earned it. Vanity publishers are in this business to make money. They charge you much more than it actually costs to produce your book, which means that they always turn a profit. Most aren't concerned about whether or not your book is saleable, and probably won't tell if you if they thing it's awful. An honest vanity publisher will give you an honest critique of your work, and will do his or her best to make sure that you make money from your novel. Most of them, however, are unscrupulous enough to take your money and publish a terrible book, even though it won't leave the shelves.

How can I protect myself?

As always, read the contract thoroughly before signing. Discuss with them the royalty percentage that you will receive, and any hidden costs that might crop up along the way. An honest vanity publisher will offer several books to you for free, and will offer multiple printings if the book sells a certain number of copies.

If you have sent your manuscript to other publishers in the past, and the book has always been rejected, have an editor look over the novel before you submit it to a vanity publisher. There are reasons that the novel was rejected, and you should find out what those reasons are before making a monetary investment.

Is it worth it?

I know that this is the title to my article, and therefore I should have an answer, but I don't. I would never pay a vanity publisher to produce my work, but everyone has his or her own motivations.

I strongly advise that you carefully examine all facets to the publishing industry, and that you make an informed decision based on fact and knowledge. Anytime you spend $1,000+ it should be for a good reason, so make sure that you are on the right track.