THE OPTION OF CHOICE

Due to Amazon’s much publicized notice to their POD customers, much concern is being voiced regarding the validity of POD publishing.

Rather than brow-beat various entities I felt it better to present facts as to what POD is. Please note that this is general information. Any person opting to pursue this avenue for publishing should thoroughly research for themselves.

Due to the rising number of authors submitting books, limitations of what publishing houses can take in and a garden variety of other reasons, chief among them being finances; authors are looking for economical ways to publish. Print On Demand companies are advertising themselves as a viable answer to a need. For a certain fee they will assist you with publishing your book.

We are all looking for the better/best option for our situation. In this case I can only say – Buyer Beware. As with any business you must research the market, know its trends and most of all what predatory practices are legally in place to relieve you of your investment.

From a variety of conversations I have had with POD authors and through my own experience of being courted by such entities, few experiences have been positive. As a firm believer is sharing knowledge I have briefly outlined a bit of information for you.

About Print on Demand/Vanity Presses (POD)

It is not true independent publishing in that you are paying an entity a fee for services to have your book published. What is included in that fee varies from company to company

Via the POD route you may or may not be required to purchase ala carte services such as the purchase of your copyright and/or ISBN number. Check your sources. You may be better off purchasing independently.

What has been the most alarming complaint of POD authors has been:

Additional charges – Exorbitant fees being assessed to editing, typesetting, proof reading and other miscellaneous needs associated with the publishing of your book.

The Royalty Program – One of the top pitches given to me by a variety of POD representatives seeking my business is the – Royalty program. In a variety of ways they try to sway you into believing that you are in control of your profit margin. To a degree you are, but more often than not, in a self-defeating way.

Example: The average 300 page novel retails between $15 and $17. Your POD company charges you $10.00 to purchase from them (yes you must purchase your inventory from them – at the price they set). Taking the middle road you charge $16 retail, you are left with $6. This is what is in hand prior to deducting shipping and handling and the ever present tax liability. You are working at a constant deficit should you follow this plan.

With the Royalty Program you are at liberty to set your retail price highter. However, be aware that few people are willing to purchase a paperback book for $20 or more.

Non Returnable Items – Another concern you must consider is the returnability (I just made this word up) of your product. Most POD books are not returnable, this is a red flag booksellers. Most will not purchase inventory that cannot be returned.

I reiterate that the option of choice is yours. The information above is for those entertaining the option of Print on Demand. I recommend speaking to others who have used this service, researching a variety of companies offering this service and checking literary ‘watchdog’ services.

When I teach at writing events one thing I constant stress to aspiring and novice writers is this – Once you put the last punctuation on the page you must put on your business hat. If you have been called to write, there is a purpose behind it. You will know it all right out of the gate and you will make a few mistakes along the way. Determine to minimize those stumbles by purposing to know all you can about YOUR business.

Until next time, remember – There is no such thing as an acceptable loss in God’s Kingdom!


Linda!

Striving For The Mountaintop

“Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – April 3, 1968

Few of us will be in the position of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in terms of public dedication and service. We do however share with Dr. King a heavenly responsibility.

What we have been set on this earth to do is challenged on a daily basis. Choices consistently presented to us must not be rashly made for sake of convenience.

We say our life is our own. What I do is my business. Despite the convenient mantra used as a shield to cover our selfish acts, there is nothing we do that does not touch another in some way. When God looks at us He never sees an individual, He sees generations – your generations and mine.

On this day that we observe the fortieth anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. we would be remiss if we did not take the time to reflect upon our own lives. What are we are doing to better ourselves, our families, our community and our country? Are we throwing away the gains of the past? Are we striving for that mountaintop experience?

Are You Willing To Pay?

“Hate on me, hater, Now or later, 'Cuz I'm gonna do me, You'll be mad, baby(Go 'head and hate) Go 'head and hate on me, hate on 'Cuz I'm not afraid of it What I got I paid for You can hate on me.”

These words are from the chorus of Jill Scott’s song, ‘Hate On Me’. From the first time I heard them they left an impression and ignited a new fire under a somewhat controlled flame in my spirit.

The journey that has brought me to today has not been one littered with sunshine and rose petals. Stony was the path I followed. Along the way I endured much heartache in terms of the loss of friends, being misunderstood by family and just outright haters.

Those so-called friends, family members and others almost did me in with their nice/nasty ways. Initially the pain was much more than I wanted to endure. Note that I said “more than I wanted to endure.” Choosing to forge ahead with or without those once inside my inner circle caused me to depend on God more than I ever had. I wanted to take the easy road, but that was not to be. The closer I drew to Him the more I realized this journey would not be sustained by my might or power, but by His Spirit. Entering into that special place of His presence allowed me to glimpse a small portion of what was ahead. Relying upon His Word, I had choices to make. Not all were to my liking.

Choices are not without attachments. They come with responsibility of our selection and with consequence. Either can be positive or negative.

Can the option of choice be hard? Yes. Can it be easy? Yes. Can it be ignored? Absolutely. Regardless the option, choosing is a part of the growth process. You can choose to embrace change (your growth) in order to seek, apprehend and walk in purpose. Or, you can choose to remain complacent, comfortable where you are, embracing what is familiar. Doing so may seem the best choice, but know this, that which does not grow does not reach its full potential.

Choices, growth, fulfilling purpose come with a price. My question(s) today is:
Do you know what your purpose is?
Do you know but are holding back?
Are you willing to do what it takes discover Purpose?
Will you walk the path despite obstacles known?

I leave you with words that to some may seem an odd choice. Just listen: Jill Scott

Looking forward to hearing from you – Linda!

‘There is no such thing as an acceptable loss in God’s Kingdom!