Publisher for Self-published books?

[khrome]

I'm wondering what we are putting for the publisher for self-published books? Do we put "Self-published" or the name of the site where the books are made? If we put the site, for example Lulu, do we put "Lulu" or "lulu.com"? Thanks!

[rivka, Former Moderator]

Lulu or Lulu.com are both fine. If there is a vanity press involved (Lulu, Smashwords, etc.) then it should be listed.

[khrome]

Thanks, rivka! :-)

[Sandy]

But what if they aren't using a vanity press site but are selling the book through a place like Etsy.com where anyone can set up a store and sell anything?

Do I put Etsy who aren't actually printing the book just providing a means for people to buy it or do I leave it blank?

Thanks!

[Sandra]

I would generally put Etsy.com.

If the author has self published and you don't know where to obtain it, I just put - self published.

I never leave it blank unless I don't know the information.

[Sandy]

Oh ok thank-you very much :)

[Roberta]

Sandy wrote: "But what if they aren't using a vanity press site but are selling the book through a place like Etsy.com where anyone can set up a store and sell anything?

Do I put Etsy who aren't actually printi..."

Etsy isn't a printer and it isn't a publisher. Since Esty has absolutely no role whatsoever in producing the book, I would never put them in the publisher space. If an author is selling his book on eBay, I wouldn't put eBay in the publisher space either.

Before all of these services (lulu, etc.) existed, we used to use the author as the publisher of self-published books.