Writing, Self-Publishing, Book Marketing

Greetings, Earthlings,

As a writer looking to self-publish your book, you probably want to know how Wordclay compares to the other major self-publishing companies. Good question. To find the answer to this question, typically you would have to scour the Internet for hours, trying to compare prices and services (if you can find them at all).

But we’ve done the legwork for you. After hours of meticulous research and number crunching, The Wordclay Blog Team welcomes you to our comprehensive guide to the major self-publishing companies currently printing successful titles.

Unfortunately, many potential authors find themselves drowning in cryptic self-publishing Web sites, struggling against vague currents of information and reaching for just a single, solid price estimation that you might not receive until after you sign a contract.

Wordclay, on the other hand, believes our company information should be as straightforward and available as possible. Publishing your book can play a major part in your future as a writer, and it’s only natural you want to be certain you’re choosing the right company.

In this guide, we’ve gathered the pricing, printing and promotional details of the major self-publishing companies today – think of this blog as your own personal fountain of publishing knowledge!

Wordclay
Wordclay provides free book self-publishing services for writers who want to take advantage of the DIY authorship approach. The printing cost for copies of your book is built into the selling price of your book, so the amount of royalties you earn is based on the price you select within the wizard.

For example, should you select a price of $16.00 for your standard 6”x9” paperback of 250 pages (costing $9.47 for printing materials per copy) each book sold would earn you $6.53 in royalties. Check out our pricing calculator located on the Wordclay Hompage to test other page counts and prices.

Wordclay is a DIY self-publisher who is focused on providing a simple and independent Internet publishing experience for authors. The Wordclay DIY self-publishing wizard formats manuscripts with astute precision. Almost instantly, a galley is rendered for approval. Full-color cover creation is included in this free DIY self-publishing tool.

Services like book distribution and marketing support are also available for purchase. Visit the Wordclay Self-Publishing Services Store for more details.

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LuLu.com
Like Wordclay, LuLu Publishing is a free Web-based self-publisher that allows you to upload your manuscript or albums for free and then generate a book (which you can purchase at your own convenience). While LuLu and Wordclay price their books fairly, allocating royalties that can range up to 80 percent of the retail price of your book, the major difference between the two are the range of professional services available.

LuLu has only recently started to offer professional publishing services; but most of their services are provided by their marketplace for community members. Although it is true that in their marketplace you can find editors and designers, Lulu cannot provide any guarantee of the level of expertise, abilities or qualifications of the service providers.

Wordclay, on the other hand, guarantees their products and services. We can do this because we retain in-house experienced professionals in the editorial, design and marketing fields who are ready to work on your specific materials, all at a regular and fair price.

And speaking of price, while the prices fluctuate in Lulu’s marketplace, public relations assistance, one of the only promotional services Lulu offers through a partner, can be provided starting at a whopping $3,500. Wordclay is always available to help promote your book whenever you’re ready through various marketing services and products are priced more affordably, starting at $149.

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Blurb
If you’ve visited Blurb, you’ve seen their free publishing software as well as their high-quality and unique style of books. And it’s true – if you’re looking for a landscape format instead of a portrait (as in a 13”x11” book, more appropriate for extensive art books), then we encourage you to research Blurb more in depth.

But if you’re looking for a traditional layout, with all the professionalism and design of a store bought book, then Wordclay might be a better choice. Because of their formats and extensive picture printing, Blurb is forced to price a 250 page book at almost $40.00, leaving you will copies hard to sell on the book market. And, without editing, professional design or marketing services, you might find yourself in the middle of the publishing stream without a paddle.

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Create Space
A subsidiary of Amazon.com Inc., Create Space keeps a digital inventory of self-published books, CDs and DVDs, all of which are printed (or manufactured) on-demand. Like Wordclay, Create Space’s publishing program is online and free, but again, like LuLu, their services might be inadequate for your publishing needs.

Create Space has yet to offer any editorial or promotional packages to assist the self-published author, and their custom cover design package is a pricey $75.00 an hour, compared to Wordclay’s Stock Art Cover design which is only $149.00 and grants you up to five hours of design work devoted to your cover. You do the math! 

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Vantage Press
Vantage Press is a self-publishing company that gives custom quotes based on individual manuscripts. For this reason, the information on their services and prices is scarce, and therefore, unknown by many authors seeking tangible timelines and figures. Perhaps you send your manuscript to Vantage Press, and they’re willing to provide editing, cover design and distribution for your book, but who knows the price?

Much like a restaurant without prices listed on their menu, you can assume the price is high, and if you have to ask, you probably can’t afford it. Whatever Vantage Press publishing package price you’re quoted (sometimes ranging from $3,000 to as high as $5,000 per book), your timeline will be significantly delayed by processes you may not even believe are necessary. But Wordclay offers you free publishing, and you can manage your own budget and services on your own terms, whatever your timeline.

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Book Surge
Unlike Wordclay, Book Surge is a contractual self-publishing company that designs a galley and cover for your book only after you’ve signed with them and paid their initial publishing fee. While publishing a 6”x9” standard paperback with Wordclay is always free, publishing with Book Surge will cost you at least $499.00 for the same book.

Book Surge standard editing costs $0.015 per word (beginning only after a minimum of $300.00), while Wordclay’s offers a variety of editing services, like copyediting and content editing, with no minimum at all. Your standard publicity kit will cost $499.00 with Book Surge, but only $199.00 with Wordclay. So, if you’re looking for a cost-effective publishing method, Wordclay may be your best solution yet.

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Dorrance Publishing
Like Vantage Press, Dorrance Publishing provides interested authors with custom quotes only after they’ve examined your manuscript. There are no upfront ballpark figures, so you may end up paying an arm and a leg, and your marketing campaign will be totally under their control.

As far as information about Dorrance’s policies goes, little is known publicly; however, we were able to unearth information about their author’s royalty arrangements. While Wordclay provides a consistent royalty plan for authors, Dorrance Publishing’s royalty scheme does not, offering 40 percent to authors for copies sold up to 3,500 copies and then decreasing to 25 percent for copies sold over 3,500. For more information concerning Dorrances royalty specifics, see their comment below or visit their Web site.

Your custom cover and basic promotion are included within their initial publishing quote, but like Vantage Press, this quote can range in price. Authors are free to pitch their own ideas concerning their packages, so you may have some wiggle room when it comes to customization.

Books published under the Dorrance imprint are assigned an ISBN and are fully returnable by any bookstore. Dorrance sells thousands of titles each year through bricks and mortar bookstores along with online bookstores. A search for Dorrance Publishing titles on Amazon alone will return close to 2,000 different entries. Additonally, orders are fulfilled via their toll-free number and also via their own online bookstore.

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Outskirts Press
Outskirt Press is a contractual self-publishing company that offers at least five different publishing packages, with prices ranging from $199.00 (Emerald - Economic Printing package) to $999.00 (Diamond - Ultimate Publishing). Each package includes a number of different editorial, design, custom cover and promotional services, with distribution options as wide as the global network of online booksellers.

Each package Outskirts Press offers is specifically design for a select group of potential authors, authors who may need more direction than you. Hence, where Wordclay surpasses Outskirts is in our flexibility. With Wordclay, publishing is free, and you can add on the services you believe you need. If you don’t require a single service, then publish your book at zero cost. If you want editing or a custom cover, then hire one of our specialists.

Outskirts may have impressive packages, but make sure you really evaluate what you’re looking for in a publisher and what you have envisioned for your book before you sign any contracts.

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Now that you have a brief synopsis of the major companies, you should have a better understanding of the differences (and similarities) between these other self-publishers and Wordclay. Remember, though – publishing is about you. Wordclay is not perfect for everyone, but our professionals are always working to bring authors of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds the best the industry has to offer. Whether you succeed is your decision.

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