BookLocker.com a good option

I like independent publishing. I enjoy the process of creating a book and bringing it to market. However, I do get that this process is not for everyone. If you do not want to do it all yourself, what's a writer to do?

You have several options:

1. You could go with one of the subsidy houses like AuthorHouse Or Publish America. I hope you won't. Why is that? Because you won't sell any books. The average customer (and, yes, you are a customer) sells less than a hundred books. Also, if part of your marketing strategy is to sell into bookstores, it's unlikely that will get you there because the cost for each book is too high.

2. Hire someone to do the work for you. There are book shepherds out there that will take on as little or as much of the process as you desire. It's not cheap, but you will end up with a high-quality product.

3. Use Booklocker.com. Some time back I interviewed Richard Hoy of Booklocker.com and I was impressed with their service. Yes, you do get charged a fee just like one of the subsidy houses, but the fee is a much more reasonable $492 (or if you supply your own cover, you can knock $175 off that price).

And importantly, I respect any company that tells you right up-front why you should not use them. See:

Reasons Not to Use Us

This is the direction I would go if I were in the market for this service. I should warn you that BookLocker.com makes its money from selling books more than from selling you services (which is the exact opposite of those other companies), so they will want to know how you plan on marketing the book. Remember, marketing the book, no matter how large the company, falls first to you.

Here's a quote from that 2005 interview:

The dirty little industry secret is that the biggest POD firms use the same backend service to do the actual printing and distribution of the books. So the quality of the books and the distribution channels are identical. The only real differences are the prices we charge, the quality of our customer service, and our business models.

In summary, BookLocker.com is an ethical company providing an honest service. Yes, for me, I would still choose to do it myself, but if you can't (or won't), then BookLocker.com is the choice for you!

Comments

[Susan Morgan]

Tom,
As a self-interesed, self-published author with booklocker, I have to say I agree with all you've said here. My experience with this company has been nothing but positive.

I liked the control I had over each part of the process, I like the honesty of Richard and Angela, and I wanted to get my book out there and I wasn't willing to wait around for somebody to notice me.

My trouble is, I'm a lousy salesman, and calling attention to my work doesn't come easy. Still, I'm learning, and the more I hear about independent publishing, the happier I am that I choose booklocker.

In fact, I hope to do it again soon,
Sue