Proof Approved

I just approved the proof for my reprint of Gosse's A Year at the Shore. Overall, I'm very pleased with the way it turned out. Colors look good, and the paper is a sturdy white, a bit thicker than the standard creme used for b/w. My only minor reservation was that the inside margin is perhaps a bit too narrow. I've seen discussions on this subject that argue for "less is more," but I think in the future I'll increase the inside margin just a tad. I also went with a smaller leading for the font (I think it was size 9, leading 11). Usually I use a 3 point difference, but to save some space, went with 2 points here. It actually looks better than I expected; might need to keep that in mind for future books even when page count isn't an issue.

A Year at the Shore will be available from online bookstores soon.

Color in the UK

LSI now has their color printing available in the UK, so that will help my titles from being so "one-sided" distribution-wise. This means that as of June (I've just submitted the changes, so it takes a little while before it comes into effect), the color plates volume of American Spiders and Their Spinningwork and Forged Egyptian Antiquities will both be available in the UK. Several more color books are on the way.

A Suggestion for Lightning Source

Given the recent Amazon attack on POD publishing, specifically LSI clients, I'm wondering if there isn't a (relatively) simple solution. After all, Lightning Source stands to lose some significant earnings (from both present and future clients) if Amazon forces a shift in the primary POD publishing arena. LSI has spent significant money already in expansions and upgrades, and they're looking outside the North American and European markets, so this can't really be seen as anything but a direct challenge.

So, why doesn't LSI set up a direct ordering site (opt-in for client-publishers) that integrates the drop-shipping capabilities they already have in place for Amazon and other retailers. Cut out the middle man. Sure, Amazon's got market share, but if a book-selling site is set up right, and seriously promoted by the many LSI client-publishers, it stands a chance of taking back some of the lost profits to both LSI and the individual publishers.

As it stands, if the Amazon rampage continues, POD publishers that don't migrate to Booksurge will only be offered by third-party sellers, with no discounts, no free shipping option, and probably an increase to the price by the third-party seller. POD publishers that do migrate face lower profits via a higher forced wholesale discount, or through increased retail pricing that decreases the number of books sold.

If LSI set up a direct-buy website for its client-publishers, they wouldn't have to give the wholesale discount to a retailer -- they could keep that as retail-side profit. There'd be no need to discount titles (which is only done by Amazon as a gimmick, anyway), but there'd also not be a tacked-on increase to retail pricing, so it would be a good site for authors to direct potential buyers. I'm sure a viable and economical shipping solution could be arranged.

With as many titles as are in the LSI system, if it were set up correctly it could help even out the POD retail playing field. Amazon's only getting away with this because of the lack of direct competition. Someone else needs to show up to play.

LSI News

Well, I didn't get anything on my Lightning Source wishlist this year, but LSI has just made a couple of new changes. First, they've added some new color book trim sizes. Frankly, I'd call that irrelevant until they decrease the price of color pages. I think they're trying to get publishers to put out more color books by offering a wider range of sizes, but until the books are economically feasible, it's not going to happen on the scale they're looking for. Second, they've flattened the publication fee. Now, regardless of b/w or color, and no matter how many pages, it is $75 to set up a new title (US pricing). This makes it a little cheaper to set up books with high page counts, but makes it more expensive for shorter books. This will offer some minor savings, but I wouldn't say it's a big deal.

On a different subject, the NY Times has an article discussing why it takes so long for a traditionally published book to come to market. The answer? Mostly, marketing. I'll stick to POD.

Two New Titles

LSI is running efficiently at present, so my recently submitted titles are now available for purchase from Amazon, and soon from other outlets. (Takes a little while for the Ingram data to propagate online.)

The titles are Lincoln's Own Stories, and The Rational Creation. Sample chapters are available with the cover images and pricing details.

Lightning Source: 10 Years

LSI is celebrating ten years in the print-on-demand business. Overall, I've had a great experience with this company. They've done a good job of keeping up with trends, and pushing forward in new areas. But, as Christmas is coming up, here's my wish list for Lightning Source, things (from a small publisher's perspective) I think would really help this business grow and compete with "mainstream" publishers.

1. Print books with horizontal (landscape) layouts, also, rather than just vertical (portrait) layouts.

2. Cheaper color printing. Even coming down to 6 cents a page would drastically improve pricing and distribution capabilities.

3. Drop the annual title "catalog" fees. With 500,000 titles, do you really need $12 a title a year? (Did I just answer my own question?)

4. Allow digital certification after 25 titles, rather than 50.

5. Bring the publisher-ordered print costs down to the same price as vendor-ordered books.

6. Develop the capability for color inserts, rather than just full-color versus black-and-white books.

7. Work with Ingram to create a marketing catalog for libraries and bookstores that doesn't discriminate against POD books

8. Convince Amazon to accept LSI ebooks again. It's not like their own ebook program has taken off.

9. Make the discount program for higher-quantity orders standard, not just the occasional promotion.

10. Decrease the cover replacement "correction fee." $50 a shot is a bit high.