Wine Press (Self Publishing)--any good? [Archive]

tlm

08-20-2006, 09:22 PM

When I was looking for a publisher for Chance Encounters, they sent me a reply. I remember checking them out and choosing to pass on their offer. I can't remember why, though. There was something that, at the time, I didn't like.

Perhaps they were a self-publisher. I wasn't going with anyone who wanted up front money.

Merry

08-20-2006, 10:16 PM

I may be a bit predjudiced but I always encourage people to go the traditional route to being published. A publisher is someone who is supposed to pay YOU for your work. It tends to make you produce better work and it keeps you from getting sucked into some of the less than repubtable self-publishing guys. But self-publishing is very handy if your church is putting out a book, a cook book, etc...

Bottom line, I'm just not a self-publishing fan.

But are you considering self-publishing? If so, I'm curious as to why?

JMK

08-20-2006, 11:14 PM

wgjones3

08-20-2006, 11:30 PM

Have you considered Lulu.com? They don't force you to buy any copies of your book, if you choose a basic package it's free, and just about everyone who has used them has been happy.

I agree with Merry, push for traditional royalty-paying publishing as hard as you can, but if you just want a book in print and you're not worried about distribution, then you can't really beat Lulu.

Merry

08-20-2006, 11:43 PM

Yeah, if that's your situation, then WG is right, Lulu would probably be your best bet. But first try the traditional route, you never know.

JMK

08-21-2006, 12:04 AM

Hmmm. I have to re-evaluate my attitude. Have become pessimistic, etc.!

You've encouraged me. Thanks! God bless you all!

Ann.English

08-21-2006, 12:45 AM

If you can spell, and if you can use something like OpenOffice to produce a PDF file (that is, a perfect unchangeable final copy of your book), I suggest Lulu. There's a thread here on CW already somewhere about Lulu.

It's free. They take a small percentage of sales, if any. You get your website free, too. Mine is www.lulu.com/AnnEnglish

Regards
Ann

tlm

08-21-2006, 08:26 PM

Is OpenOffice free on the net? I know there are free places on the Internet to make PDF files. Does anyone know a good one? I think that is the next step for my e-book.

Do you have to use Pay Pal with Lulu? How often do you get a royalty check?

I hope I haven't gotten too off topic.

Ann.English

08-21-2006, 11:34 PM

Is OpenOffice free on the net?

** Yes. http://www.openoffice.org/

I know there are free places on the Internet to make PDF files. Does anyone know a good one? I think that is the next step for my e-book.

** Open Office is a free word processor which is better at reading Microsoft's proprietary files than Microsoft is. "Save as PDF" is just one of the options that OpenOffice gives you.

Do you have to use Pay Pal with Lulu?

** You can buy things from Lulu by credit card or by PayPal. Lulu will pay royalties to you by cheque or by Pay Pal (Pay Pal fees may apply).

How often do you get a royalty check?

** Every three months, in arrears (of course). Royalties less than $25 are held over to the next period..

I hope I haven't gotten too off topic.

** We'll probably get shifted over to the existing Lulu thread by an eagle-eyed moderator.

Ann

Keith Wallis

08-22-2006, 05:01 AM

Trouble with most "free" PDF writers is that you get their logo's / creditation emblazoned on each page !!!!
Heard alot of positive things about OpenOffice.

whitehawke

08-22-2006, 06:49 PM

** We'll probably get shifted over to the existing Lulu thread by an eagle-eyed moderator.Ann
lol. Muahahahaha :D

tlm

08-22-2006, 08:34 PM

Thanks for the great info!

siddigrl

08-24-2006, 06:33 AM

A quote from their website:

"Therefore, we do not accept books that promote ... women pastors in leadership over men."

Poor old Saint Paul has a lot to answer for!

Yeah really....the whole "no respector of persons" and "neither male nor female, jew nor greek" thing just got tossed right out their window! lol

I think I am going to contact them and tell them about my book just to see what they say. lol

ProfessorAlan

08-24-2006, 12:19 PM

Yeah really....the whole "no respector of persons" and "neither male nor female, jew nor greek" thing just got tossed right out their window! lol

I think I am going to contact them and tell them about my book just to see what they say. lol

There are so many different strains of Christianity, you do need to make sure that the subject of your work meshes with their particular doctrinal take. Or you can send it to 'em and see what they say!

stevehut

09-04-2006, 04:48 PM

Winepress is a very reputable company. Lulu is cheaper, but they don't do any marketing for you. And their books don't have that polished professional look.

I considered Winepress for my book, but at the end of the day it was too expensive. But that was a judgment call on my part. Met the editors at a conference, very friendly and helpful.

stevehut

09-04-2006, 04:52 PM

"Therefore, we do not accept books that promote ... women pastors in leadership over men."

Hey, if you had a publishing ministry, would you promote books that go against your own beliefs and values? I certainly wouldn't.

Last year, I almost got signed with a high-powered Christian literary agent. Every major Christian editor takes his calls. But when he read my manuscript, he declined because he disagreed with my doctrine. Of course, I disagree with that decision. But I can respect his principles.

In any event, many of the major pubs are affiliated with a particular denomination. Or in other cases (Beacon Hill, Abingdon, others) are actually departments of the denominations themselves.

This is just something we all have to deal with, if we want to be in this business.

pastorpotter

09-08-2006, 10:31 AM

I was in a similar situation with a non-fiction book. I put my manuscript on EPC manuscript service put didn't get any replies from a traditional publisher. I ended up going with publishamerica which is a print on demand outfit (secular).
the pro's are that you don't pay a dime of your own money and you are not required to buy any books. The cons are that the royalties they give are poor and the amount they charge for a book is rather expensive so many bookstores are reluctant to stock them. It also makes me reluctant to give them away to friends since even with my discount the 176 page paperback was $10 and one of the reasons I wrote it was to share it with as many people as possible.
With my next book I am going to try the traditional route first then perhaps fall back on PublishAmerica.

Keith Wallis

09-08-2006, 01:25 PM

Hey, if you had a publishing ministry, would you promote books that go against your own beliefs and values? I certainly wouldn'tValid point Steve.

rljfl

09-08-2006, 03:16 PM

I don't know much about Winepress...and I have to usually agree with Merry when it comes to self-publishers...but I do know that on Tyndale's site, they recommend them...so they can't be that bad. :)

stevehut

09-10-2006, 12:10 PM

Poor old Saint Paul has a lot to answer for!

Hey Ann, I just noticed this part of your post. I don't understand...??

Ann.English

09-10-2006, 05:50 PM

Hey Ann, I just noticed this part of your post. I don't understand...??

We discussed a publisher who would reject material showing women in positions of leadership. My comment "Poor old St Paul has a lot to answer for" was out of place in this thread on writing. I'm ready to listen to other people's opinions of Paul in another forum, wherever that may be.

tlm

09-10-2006, 09:17 PM

To pastorpotter and others in his position,

I was also with PA and do understand the pros and cons with both this and self-publishing. If you don't do well with a publisher and are considering PA, Lulu can do the same thing for you. You set the price and Lulu takes a percentage. You don't have to come up with money up front and can afford to give copies away.

I believe there are other companies who are doing the same thing. It is just a thought.:cool:

pastorpotter

09-11-2006, 10:16 AM

To TLM,
Good input. After my last posting on this thread I read a discussion on Publish America from a couple months back. YIKES! Although PA has been O.K. to me, I would probably look at Lulu now - this of course after trying once more with the traditional route. Whatever route, winepress, traditional, Lulu - it certainly is a learning experience! And while experience is the best teacher, it is great to have a site like this to learn from other's experiences. !thumbsup!

tlm

09-11-2006, 12:42 PM

Right now I have an e-mail to PA because I have not received my final royalty check or statement. I find this a very questionable way to run a business.:eek:

Thanks to the people here with their great advise, I was easily able to set up my e-book. I am very happy with it, too. Thank you all for giving me closure to something that could have really left me bitter about my book writing experience.:D :D :D

Delsie

09-13-2006, 02:22 AM

One thing I have noticed about my critique group is that really good writers give up ploughing through "traditional" publishing avenues because the constant rejection gets overwhelming. They grow impatient and discouraged.

I have a writing project I've worked on for seven years and periodically still send it out. With every "traditional" rejection has come a new way to improve the message, writing, or style of the manuscript. Jumping to self-publishing too soon, while soothing to my writer's soul, can actually deprive me of the value of "rejection." Look for ways to improve your writing...force yourself to think like an agent, a publisher, a bookseller.

I would en encourage you to not jump to self-publishing too soon...if your message is important enough for you to spend your time and energy (not to mention money for print cartridges!) on, someone else who benefits from your work will want to publish it...you just need to find them...don't give up...keep searching!

jenlitke

09-13-2006, 02:41 AM

Hmmm. I have to re-evaluate my attitude. Have become pessimistic, etc.!

You've encouraged me. Thanks! God bless you all!

Hey......I hear ya....even though I am not writing about the prophetic, I am writing a non-fiction, autobiographical piece and I am an unknown, but I believe that if God has burdened you with a need to have this book published, then you need to have faith that God will make a way. When it comes to God's work and His will in your minsitry, then you need to go BIG, because we have no idea how or when God will choose to make it happen.

I know that I have had 'doubts' about my ability and my God given talents and desires, but I haven't allowed that to stop me. My best advice....if your manuscript is finished.....just pray!

Jennifer

ProfessorAlan

09-13-2006, 10:01 AM

. . . but I believe that if God has burdened you with a need to have this book published . . . I can't say that God has burdened me to have any of my work published, as that is out of my control . . . it is my place simply to write, and if He wants someone to look kindly upon my work and accept/publish it, that's fine with me, that would be a great accomplsihment, but that is between them (publisher/editor) and God.

Joe

09-20-2006, 12:41 PM

Anyone knows how reputeable Writers Edge and First Edition are? they are highly recommended in Sally Staurt's book for writers. Only I'd like to know somwthing about them before I throw in money...thanks.

rljfl

09-20-2006, 01:49 PM

I'm thinking of using one of those myself, but don't know that much on them. They have been discussed in other threads on here, but I know this. Writer's Edge is also recommended on Tyndale's site. Also, first edition is part of the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association), so that means that it was formed from the publishers themselves. Just food for thought.

tanniyny

09-20-2006, 05:33 PM

I had one of my latest manuscripts on First Edition, and the only responses I received were from self-publishers.

I agree with ProfessorAlan. The gift and talent and joy of writing comes from God. How HE chooses to use it is up to Him. I'm not fully convinced that I have anything to say that others MUST hear; only that I want to share. If God chooses to prosper my writing, that's His decision.

Writing can be a ministry, true. But let's not forget that living is our FIRST area of ministry. What we do will always speak volumes more than the books we write!

so write on, brothers and sisters!

tanniyny

Joe

09-21-2006, 02:57 PM

I have actually used writers edge once and I got a mail from Kregel asking me to send my manuscript to them and I did, and got a whallopping, as I they didnt get back to me. I guess it was down to the quality of my book, to be truthful.

I just wanted to know if 1st Edition was more promising and if anyone knew anyone, who knew anyone that managed to get through the tradie publishers via these services...

rljfl

09-21-2006, 04:22 PM

I think Sea Star (did I get her username right?) used one of the services and got contacted by Harvest House. Think things were going pretty well there. (she had a whole thread on it).

Joe

09-22-2006, 02:04 PM

Thanks a lot, rljfl...I think thats some encouragement to last me a while. I'll hold on to that and just throw all of myself into it.
How are you doing today?

Debtfree

09-27-2006, 10:08 PM

Thanks for your replies. I am considering self-publishing because my manuscript is non-fiction, I am an unknown, and the subject matter includes the use of Christian prophecy--which not all Christians accept. But the latter doesn't matter as much as the fact that I am an unknown. I believe I need to publish this, regardless of its "success".

JMK,

I, too, searched for many publishing routes to included self-publishing.

I found a company called PawPrintsPOD.com. It is owned by a Christian woman and her husband in Newton, KS. Linda is her name. She is currently my publisher. It only costs $199 (to include a beautiful full color cover custom creation). You don't have to purchase any amount of copies from your book either.

If you are interested you can visit my site and see what my book looks like. Here is the URL: www.b2bablessing.org (http://www.b2bablessing.org)

Yes, you will have a lot of work to do to make sure your book is promoted, but she also assists with this and the distribution of the books as well. Once, I have sold a book I email her with the customers address and she bills me for the printing cost and the postage. The printing cost is dependent upon the number of pages, and the shipping is $3.00 for the first book and .50 for each additional copy (going to the same address in the same order).

It is worth a try. It has proven successful for me. All I need to do now is get the word out to as many people as possible.

Oh, she specialize in fiction novels.

Hope this helps.

Debtfree!thumbsup!