From Edie: Vanity presses can be confusing and costly. Learn what vanity presses are, how they work, and what authors should know before signing a publishing contract.
Publishing Paths for Writers: Understanding Vanity Presses Before You Sign
by PeggySue Wells @PeggySueWells
Today, authors have a variety of options when it comes to getting their book published, including traditional publishing, hybrid presses, independent publishing, vanity presses, self-publishing support services, and boutique publishing.
Hybrid publishing and vanity presses are frequently confused, yet there are significant differences between the two. All vanity presses are author-funded, but not all author-funded models are vanity presses.
A vanity press, or subsidy publisher, is a company that charges authors upfront to publish their book. Unlike traditional publishers, who invest their own money and provide editorial oversight, distribution, and varying levels of marketing support, vanity presses make money from author fees, not from book sales. Some vanity presses do provide light editing, formatting, and print setup, but they typically add limited value relative to cost. Some may restrict authors’ rights or offer minimal distribution.
A vanity press may brand itself as a hybrid or partner publisher, making it very important that an author understands what they are signing up for.
Authors who choose vanity presses often do so because they want a full-service publisher experience without going through the traditional system, or because they want their book published without concern for the publisher and author relationship, editing depth, or sales services.
The difference between vanity presses and self-publishing support services is that self-publishing services are à la carte, allowing authors to opt in only to what they want.
Important protections for the author include:
- the author remains the publisher of record
- copyright remains with the author
- ISBN control, or at least the choice to use one’s own royalty rights
- the ability to update, revise, or republish the book
- the right to terminate services without losing the book
Red flags include:
- the publisher owns the ISBN and controls distribution
- the author must ask permission to use their own book elsewhere
- rights are taken for the life of copyright
- rights revert to the author only under vague or unrealistic conditions
Authors should ask: “Which rights are you taking, for how long, and how do I get them back?”
Examples commonly identified as vanity presses by author advocacy organizations and industry reports include iUniverse, Xlibris, Author Solutions, Christian Faith Publishing, Page Publishing, Austin Macauley Publishers, and Pegasus Elliot Mackenzie.
Characteristics of vanity presses include:
- fees required upfront to publish
- editorial and sales support that is often minimal or optional
- contracts that often take rights from the author
- unverifiable claims of distribution or marketing
When working with self-publishing platforms such as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, authors typically pay only printing costs or optional service fees and retain full control and rights to their intellectual property.
Industry veterans advise caution when shopping for a publishing option. The common experience with vanity presses includes a history of poor quality and high costs. Always research a publisher carefully before signing a contract. Look for authors who have used the publisher’s services and ask about their experience. Organizations that can provide helpful information include ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors), Writer Beware, and SFWA advisory resources.
Because hybrid and vanity publishing are often confused, the following comparison may be helpful.
Hybrid publishers
- have clear standards for acceptance
- are selective about the submissions they accept
- include professional editing
- invest in the product, provide distribution, and use a sales-driven model
- care about maintaining a quality reputation and creating a quality product
- keep primary rights with the author
- make money primarily from book sales, not service fees
- have a transparent royalty structure
The common denominator between hybrid and vanity presses is that the author pays to have their book published.
When choosing a publishing path, consider what is most important for your goals and your project. There is no right or wrong choice, but authors who still choose vanity presses often prioritize convenience or speed over long-term control. One publishing avenue may be a better fit depending on an author’s goals and project.
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Don't miss the rest of the posts in this series!
PART 1: UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPTIONS WITH TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING
PART 2: UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPTIONS WITH HYBRID PUBLISHING
PART 1: UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPTIONS WITH TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING
PART 2: UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPTIONS WITH HYBRID PUBLISHING
Action and adventure, romantic suspense, military romance, and cozy mystery are the page-turning novels by P.S. Wells including Chasing Sunrise, Homeless for the Holidays, and The Patent. How to live better, easier, and simpler is the focus of her nonfiction including The Ten Best Decisions A Single Mom Can Make.
PeggySue is a frequent guest with media including Focus On The Family, Family Life Today, and Christian Product Expo. She regularly teaches at conferences including Write To Publish, Taylor University Writers Conference, Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Collaborator on multiple titles including books with Dr. Benjamin Hardy, Shemane Nugent, Pat Palau, and Pam Farrel, PeggySue is a writing coach. When not writing, she parasails, skydives, snorkels, scuba dives, rides horses, and has taken (but not passed) pilot training. Founder of SingleMomCircle.com, connect with PS Wells at WWW.PEGGYSUEWELLS.COM, on Facebook at PeggySue Wells, and LinkedIn at LINKEDIN.COM/IN/PEGGYSUEWELLS
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