The irony here is that so pervasive has subsidy publishing come to be associated with the printing method that those of us who simply opt to use print-as-needed as our business model often have to deal with authors who seem to believe we’re a cost-free alternative to iUniverse et al.

If I had a buck for every author, upon being approached with a contract offer, immediately began specifying how, when, where and in what form his/her book was to be published and marketed, I’d have a nice fat marketing budget for the authors I have who know the difference between publishing and subsidy publishing.

My favorite is the form letter I receive from B&N Small Press every time I send them a book. My cover letter specifically states that this is NOT a self-published book, and that we have no desire to have it stocked in their stores but merely listed in their database so people can order it. I also explain this is necessary because not all their store employees seem to be aware that there’s an entire Ingram database from which books can be ordered and frequently tell customers seeking one of ours that it’s “not available.”

Nevertheless, I invariably receive a polite letter advising me they don’t stock self-published books. They cite the fact that most SELF-PUBLISHED books sell fewer than 100 copies. (I’ve been tempted to respond with the information that most books, period, sell fewer than 100 copies…but I digress).

So, to your excellent article, I would add for the benefit of writers that not all publishers who utilize the inventory-free, on-demand printing model are subsidy presses. If you approach one, do so with the understanding that you are not in charge of your book, other than the normal right to argue requested editorial changes, once you sign the contract. Final decisions on content, layout, cover design and other such matters belong to the publisher, who is much better qualified than most writers to deal with them.

The only complaint I might voice about Lulu is that they have no one who looks over the books and decides which ones have market value, like mine of course! In fact, I was having a live-chat with a Lulu tech and he actually told me “Lulu is a self-publishing company, what the customer does with the book after he creates it is none of our business!” Hello. Anybody home? Lulu does not earn one red cent until the product is sold (or bought by the creator). Still- there’s a guy who needs to sit down with the sales department, trouble is- there ain’t one!

As a result of my involvement with Lulu I have been able to publish at CreateSpace and Amazon and Mobipocket and I am working on others. As a result of my work at Lulu I am on my way as a self-published author, and there were no disappointments. Check me out: http://www.Lulu.com/WildBlueYonder