Publishing 6: The Vanity Press

Somewhere in the land between the self publisher and the professional publisher lies the vanity press. Clouded in murky fog, they lure unsuspecting authors into their trap.

Let me preface my forceful opinion on the vanity press by reminding you that I enjoy my work in publishing. Not everyone does. While I believe the vanity press to be a waste of money, many find it to be an appealing option.

The vanity press, also called a co-publisher and a duel-publisher, offers you a deal. They only accept certain novels, making them feel legitimate. Allowing you to use their name as a publisher, they provide printing and some distribution. In return, you do all the writing, all the editing (unless you pay for that option), all the cover design (unless you pay for that option too), all the marketing, 97% of the distribution, AND you invest 100% of the costs. Then, when it comes time for profit, they take a percentage of your sale price.

Now, it certainly is nice to work with people who are used to publishing. They may well know a few ins and outs of distribution and cover design. Yet the truth is that this blend of self-publishing and professional-publishing only serves to strip you of the money you deserve. When you are paying percentages to a vanity press it becomes ten times harder to make back your money. Remember, you already invested in the printing—along with a slew of other costs.

Furthermore, these vanity presses work with hundreds, maybe thousands, of clients. Professional publishers have invested money in you. They have a reason to promote you. Their livelihood depends on yours. Not so with vanity presses. They have nothing to lose by letting your novel rust in their warehouse. They have already taken the largest part of their cut.

Unfortunately, there are some real sharks in the water (to continue the metaphor of the previous posts in this series). Vanity presses may tote ‘Christian’ in their title as a way to appeal to a group who often chooses to self-publish. They may well be Christian, but that does not mean your novel will become the next Shack or that they will do anything beyond the contract you sign. So read carefully.

Contrary to our excitable common opinion, vanity publishing does not carry the same weight as professional publishing. You still get your name out in print, but do not be fooled into thinking it makes you as appealing to a publishing company as an author who has been published by a professional company.

While these are all drawbacks to the use of the vanity press, it may still be a good option for you. If professional publishers have turned you down, if self publishing is beyond your reach, then it is certainly better to have your words in print by the vanity press than not at all. Pursue your dreams! Just do it carefully.

-Jessie Mae Hodsdon