Excellent Information about Types of Publishing and The "Amazon Situation"

While continuing my research about Amazon's new POD policy, I found this blog post which includes an overview of that policy as well as an explanation of what POD actually is. Written by Charlotte Boyett-Compo, guest blogger on Anchored Author.

From the post:

It’s clear that because of the new publishing models available now, even we authors are tripping over definitions and labels. Some aren’t even aware of the range of possibilities to pick from. And if authors aren’t straight on it, they can’t help educate readers on the huge variety of books available to them these days.

It doesn’t help make discussions about strategies for authors any easier when “POD”, for instance, means something different to everyone in the room.

Go to the blog to read the rest.

The term "POD" is very confusing, even for people in the industry, because it is used by different people to mean different things. When I use it, POD means Print-on-Demand, which is digitally printing a book an order at a time, rather than printing hundred or thousands of copies at a time using an "off-set press," which is the traditional model. I prefer to use POD because it allows me to print only the number of books I need at a time, keeps my inventory manageable, and uses less paper. I pay more per book than I would if I printed a thousand at a time, but the cost isn't prohibitive and I don't have to store a thousand books in my garage.

POD can also mean "Publish-On-Demand" which is completely different from Printing on Demand. Publish on demand is used by such companies as IUniverse, XLibros, and Booklocker wherein they take your manuscript and turn it into a book for you. Then they use Print on Demand to print as many copies as needed.

When I say POD, I'm talking about Printing. I call Publish on Demand presses Subsidy Presses, which means you pay them for their help creating your book. I think the term Subsidy Publishing became a stigma over the years, so those publishers now use the term Publish On Demand. There is nothing wrong with Subsidy Publishing. I know many people who have used IUniverse and are very happy with the service and quality of their book. An author just needs to be careful and understand exactly what they're getting before paying anyone to help them with their book. Not all subsidy presses are ethical.

Now I need to get back to work on the business book. I have a deadline looming. Remember to send me your questions if you'd like me to consider them for the book, or answer them here.