Publishing my book of poems & short stories

[landryv]

I need to find a publisher to publish my Christian Poems & Short Stories. Publish America wanted to publish them but the contract did not benefit me. I would have made them money and I am the writer and they did not want to re-negotiate the contract. Please advise to who and where to look now. I have been searching in my book "Christian Writers'/2004 and I found christian writers in it. What to do? Want to get God's words out into the world! :confused:

[rodojeki]

Wish I could help you on this one....I am, at this time, pursuing self-publishing; actually speaking with a few authors who have gone through the process...I am quite naiive in this arena but do know that I dont wish to have my work mutilated...when I first started writing, I never intended to publish and although there are strong encouragers out there for me, God will be the sole decider on this one....wish I could be of more help.

Donna

[dbrianshafer]

I'd stay away from places like PublishAmerica and their ilk. They will get you "publisehd" but will tie up your rights in frustrating ways. They also limit your options down the road if the work begins to develop. Check out www.writers.net discussion boards and type in Publish America or just glance at the discussions going on. Take care and protect your work until the right thing comes along.

brian

[ChristChild]

Check out Xulon Press. www.xulonpress.com/ I have published my first couple of novels with them. They are a Print On Demand publisher who has several different programs that vary in cost up to around $2000. I think the basic plan is around $1000. That's a lot cheaper than many self-publishers that do not use modern computer printing technology. All the plans pay you 30% royalties and the top plan gets your book listed with Amazon and in the system where it can be ordered through any bookstore. You have the copyright on your work and are responsible for sending them your final, edited manuscript, which means they don't fool around with your work. You are also free to publish with a big publisher if one decides to pick up your work. I think Turtle has also published with Xulon and can vouch for what I'm saying. Just go to the website and check them out and see if they are for you.

Shane

[landryv]

Thanks Shane for your input regarding Xuloonpress.com. Yes, I sure did go to the site and check them out and received the free online manual. I also read the positive feedback on those that have gone through them and how pleased they all are. Just curious though, if I chose the premium vs. the best seller package, would that one really benefit and the conference? What do you think and which one worked for you?

[ChristChild]

I would definitely do the Best-Seller program, as it is on discount now until the end of April. It is only $300 more than the second level and you get 15 more copies of your book, which is almost worth the extra $300. Plus you get the availability of your book in the UK and Europe, the author discount on buying copies 50% instead of 40% and the cover design will be better, more marketing, etc.. Here is the direct page to compare the differences:

http://www.xulonpress.com/book-publishing.htm

Just for your information, any self-published book, no matter the publisher, will only sell by the amount of exposure you bring to it on your own, and it is very rare that it will be picked up by brick and mortar bookstores. They reserve that space for books from the "big" publishers. Trying to get published by them is a long, arduous, almost impossible process, and they will pay you far less royalties and may wish to tamper with and own the rights to your work. So, the decision on POD publishing is up to you, but don't plan on getting rich, or even making back your publishing costs anytime soon -- unless you have thousands of friends. ;) POD (Print On Demand) will make your book available, though, and you will own the rights and make a good royalty per book with Xulon. The Xulon books are also discounted off their cover price at Amazon by 30-32%, so they are more affordable to perspective buyers. Take a look at my two novels on Amazon to see for yourself:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1591604664/qid%3D1047624194/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/002-2430689-9480040

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1594675767/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_5/002-2430689-9480040?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance

My books are 376 and 440 pages, so your price point will probably much lower. I think they have a price deal on the site somewhere. The final price goes by page ranges, like 200-249, 250-299, etc... They also will publish in 10 font instead of 12 if you ask them. I think twelve is too big, but it is the standard in large format paperbacks nowadays.

If you have your final text in WordPerfect or, I think, Word, the submittal process and everything can be done completely online. I did so with my second book. The company is getting better and better. If you spend another $149 dollars, you can also have your book available in a hardcover version. I always do so with mine, because some people prefer hardcovers. That is just more perspective buyers.

I feel the Lord led me and my brother to Xulon after a lot of prayer. Pray and see where he leads you. I hope you are happy with the results, whatever you decide.

D. Shane Burton