How to Self-Publish:

For some writers, trying to find a literary agent and/or a publisher is not worth their efforts. Perhaps, maybe, they just rather have the reins on their projects. Whatever the case may be, their next option is to self-publish.

In the following, I will be talking about the self-publishing companies I have used, sharing my opinions, as well as listing a few other credible companies. My first two chapbooks were done with Lulu Press. My full collection and third chapbook were done with CreateSpace (now KDP, still with Amazon).

Lulu Press:

When beginning my path as an author, I was very unsure of where to start. I feel like LuLu was a perfect place to test things. Their website was easy to navigate, they had immediate customer service, and the tools provided were simple to understand. There were even discount codes available every so often for you and your readers. The payments were by check or PayPal with the threshold being $20 for check and $5 for PayPal at the end of thirty days. And the net profit from the sale of a print book project sold on Lulu.com was split 80/20 between the Creator and Lulu. For eBooks sold on Lulu.com the net profit was split 90/10 between the Creator and Lulu. So the royalties were great, too.

The only downside was how to go about purchasing your book. You had the option for global distribution out through Amazon, Ingram, Barnes and Noble ect. But the revenue earned was lower. So the only real place to purchase was on the actual website, which may be an inconvenience to some searching for your title. Overall, I found it a great company to work with.

CreateSpace (KDP):

CreateSpace is the next greatest option for those looking to self-publish. For starters, it is owned by Amazon, the biggest online shopping network, and there's a greater chance at your book getting recognized. CreateSpace is how I published my newest collection and is bound to be the company I use for the rest of my adventures in writing. I found the tools to be more of a variety and give a bit more freedom. It was all simple to understand as well, from how to get a title started, to how to use their ad campaigns. The covers available to you are much more creative and have a wider range of fonts and layouts. As for the royalties, you are paid every 60 days after the end of the month they were earned. The threshold is $100 for check, whereas there is no threshold for a direct deposit. For print books, royalties are 60% for standard distribution, and 40% for expanded distribution. As for ebooks, the royalties are 35% and 70% based on the listed price.

Of course, in line with these two companies are a list of others. Whatever company you choose to create, sell, and stay with is all up to you. Above are only my opinions as an author within them. Below is a list of other credible self-publishing companies:

AuthorHouse

Blurb

Outskirts

Virtual Bookworm

Book Baby