Lighting source, Smashwords and the rest...where to publish?

[Elizabeth]

This started on the twitter thread, and so I thought I'd start a new thread!

Here's Lorna's answer to a question regarding which publishing company to choose. If you have a positive comment about the company you're with, please post it here. I'd prefer to keep the discussion as positive as possible. I personally could tell you stories that would curl your hair, but let's try and keep the good mojo going! :-D

Hi Sammie, definitely! In fact, I've been pulling all my books from my former POD publisher Trafford. Lightning Source wasn't available to individual authors back then, but now that I've discovered Trafford charges big $$$ to distribute thru Ingram, I've yanked my books.
For example, it's hundreds of $$ to publish a book using Trafford & that is with no distribution (You sell yourself). Or for $70 set up & the optional $60, you can be included in Ingram's advanced calendar.
This is something Trafford charges big bucks for, but LS is already affiliated with Ingrams. It seems that Trafford & other POD services don't make their money from book sales, they make their money from the authors. Charging exorbitant amounts for print books, setting up ebooks, & then "promoting" the work!
LS does all this & more for a fraction of the price. They're print books are excellent quality (many trad. pubs us their printing services) & for way less than Trafford charges per book.
They are very fast (I received my proof copies within a week of submitting), professional, and understand they more books they sell, the more we both make!
Since Trafford has changed hands, I've noticed service has suffered. I've published 8 novels with them & where they would give me discounts for being a return publisher, not anymore! They rather lose me as a customer than to give me any kind of publishing discount.
This year, a new marketing rep called me twice, asking if I like to put myself down for a special opportunity to "pitch" my books to the film industry. Apparently, she claimed my series was chosen from the hundreds of titles as it has merit in terms of a potential film project. She said she read my books (how? I pulled the 1st 5 titles) and said for a fee, it can be pitched.
When I told her my first three novels are already optioned, she said, "What does that mean?"
My jaw almost hit the floor! She's talking about pitching books to the film industry & doesn't know what it means? I explained what it meant, & again, she said she can pitch it. I had to tell her I received money for the optioning fee & it's in pre-production right now.
The real kicker, she called last week, saying my books were selected from many titles to participate in a program that will 'teach me how to pitch to the film industry'!
Since the original company sold, it's like the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing.
Anyway, I digress! I like LS because they allow authors to keep their book rights, they distribute thru Ingram (CreateSpace is own by Amazon so I understand they restrict sales to Amazon) so LS distributes to B&N, Amazon, Chapters/Indigo & more.
They track monthly sales & promptly report each month (do a google search of CreateSpace or other POD services or check the BBB. It seems the biggest problem with CreateSpace has been in royalty issues & limited distribution).
Anyway, with LS available now, I can see other POD companies having a real struggle trying to survive.
I've also heard from so many authors to stay away from a company called Publish America.
I hope this helps!

[Cheryl Anne]

Createspace also distributes to Ingram. You have to sign up for the pro-plan at $39.00 and then it's $5.00 per year per book to keep them in the Ingram catalog. So they distribute to B&N and everywhere else too. The only difference is that Createspace distribution through Ingram does not include Europe. It's US only. However, if you don't care about that, it's cheaper than Lightning Source, which is $70.00 plus the proof copy, which is around $40.00, and the yearly catalog fee at $12.00 per year. Both places offer the same trim sizes and the quality is the same. I have reviewed scads of books from both printers. I actually use Createspace and love them to death.