Why Lulu might not be right for you??

[#1]

In the Lulu Basics, under the heading "Why Lulu might not be right for you," it states the following:

Reason 1: You don't want to be the one selling your book.
Traditionally, publishers do all the marketing for their authors' books.

I don't believe this is true anymore. Last year I had an offer from a traditional publisher to publish one of my books and I turned it down, largely because the contract required me to do a lot of my own marketing, while the main appeal to me of having the book traditionally published was the fantasy that somebody else would be doing all the marketing for me.

A traditional publisher can get a book reviewed in major review media, and can set up marketing opportunities (interviews, appearances, etc.) for the author. Also, traditional publishers can get books in bookstores, and generally will be able to sell a book at a substantially lower cover price than Lulu (the royalty will also likely be very low). These are all important areas of marketing support, but I wouldn't call it "doing all the marketing." Unless they think a book is a surefire bestseller, they're not likely to expend a lot of resources on marketing it.

I think it's more accurate to say that Lulu is not right for people who can't or don't want to do the editing, proofreading, formatting, cover design and book design themselves (or hire someone else to do it). These aspects of the publishing process are time consuming and require significant skills to do properly.

(Obviously, I'm only talking about book publishing here.)

See related article:
Why Lulu might not be right for you 

[#2]

A publisher is prepared to risk several thousand pounds on a book.

That speaks volumes, and is used by other people as a filter, for determining whether the book is worth taking seriously or not.

Unless the book is expected to become a bestseller, the actual marketing spend is trivial. For reviewers and bookshop owners, it's the fact that a publisher has expressed confidence that is important, and means that they will consider reviewing or stocking the book. If this doesn't happen then, as a matter of policy, they'll usually reject the book without even reading it.

However the situation will probably change. The old vanity publishers used to sell zero copies. I get a steady trickle of sales through Lulu to total strangers. Gradually, more and more good books will end up on Lulu, simply because in the long run it makes far more sense. The traditional publishing model is riddled with inefficiencies, with the Lulu model, ifthe customer pays for a download, the author gets most of the money, Lulu gets a cut, and a few cents go on electricity and computer time.

[#3]

But Joan, you actually made the point.  The publisher would set up the interviews and appearances!  You just had to show up.  A publisher can get you on Oprah or The View.  How many self-publishers can get themselves on a major talk show?  A publisher can get you a guest spot at a major convention.  Its next to impossible to do that on your own.  At the end of the day, the publisher is still eating the costs of marketing and selling your book, even if they expect you to do a little face time at scheduled events.

[#4]

Sure, Julie, that's important (though I doubt any publisher could get me on Oprah!), but it isn't 'doing all the marketing' as Lulu rather simplistically puts it. For me, in fact, 'just showing up' would be virtually impossible, for a variety of reasons.

But I also really wanted to highlight the need for people considering self-publishing to be aware of all the OTHER stuff they need to do themselves, aside from marketing. I know you've often griped here about how many self-published authors don't bother to do a professional job of editing, proofing, layout, design, etc. (or hire a professional to do it for them), and how this brings down the reputation of all self-published books. Wouldn't you agree that Lulu should include something about this in their explanation of why Lulu might not be right for someone?

[#5]

I don't disagree at all, but if Lulu honestly listed the real reasons, I doubt 70% of their authors would be here (in my mind, not a bad thing...but a poor possibility for Lulu based on its business structure).  I was merely clarifying the marketing point.

[#6]

Julie wrote: ...if Lulu honestly listed the real reasons, I doubt 70% of their authors would be here (in my mind, not a bad thing...but a poor possibility for Lulu based on its business structure). 

Hey, you mean Lulu's actually GOT a business structure? ;-)

[#7]

Thank you both of you. I think I jump to quickly to pubilsh my book on Lulu and now I find myself with a book and know idea what to do next. Maybe I should have waited to hear from a agent and let them do all the running around because that what I feel I am doing running but not getting anywhere.

[#8]

It seems to me that Lulu is part of a new development in DIY bookmaking. I was offered to pay for design services but I chose to do the work.  The difference from old home made books is computer work, and all we have to do is press a button for another print. It's an alternative to those who have difficulty acquiring a publisher or those with a computer and no means to print quantity.  Personally, it's nice to have full rights to my work.

No matter what, if a publisher offers big marketing with "write it out, hand it in" situations, or you build it on Lulu, at home, or another print shop with enough grassroots backup, it's still a lot of money or work for somebody.   

Maybe they should be a little more upfront and ask, "Why creating a book might not  be for you"  (on the home page even.)

[#9]

Still, if you're not able to get your work into the hands of a conventional publisher, you turn to resources like Lulu, which help you get the word out in a more grassroots sort of way. If you are the type of person to self promote, this is a great service for you. If, however, you do not want to do the editing and proofreading for yourself, as most savvy editors do not, send us your manuscript and we'll give you a free quote so that you can focus on more important things, like marketing your book.

[#10]

I don't think I would like to go traditional. I would miss out on all the fun of designing the book myself.

That was half the fun and I will do it over and over again. But, I was a printer for fifteen years and I do understand all that jargon about formats and such.

Fun is just Fun!

[#11]

hello? im new here. Can anyone tell me if foreign writers books are entitled to distribution rights on Lulu?

Is one of the mandatory requirements of distribution...residence in U.S of America?