Dingaling Mike the Writer

Mike, my friend, you might like to take a look at this page:-

This is a site for POD (Print On Demand).

In simple, this is what it is all about. This is from memory, as it is some
time since I visited the US site, and at that time, they said they were
working on setting up partners in the UK.

As you know, the printers and publishers nowadays are able to print as many
or as few of any particular book they require, without the massive setting
up costs previously related to the work.

They now have machines that start up with a pile of paper at one end and
end up at the other as printed books (or book). Lulu is one company that
has tapped into, and has organised this. It started in America

What happens is this. You go to Lulu (named because it is a lulu of an
idea!) and place your MSS on their database. You prove and edit it to your
satisfaction, so that it may be printed into a book at the press of a
button.

You also sort out your cover, with all its record numbers (ISBN, Library of
Congress etc).

You decide how much you want to make per copy (say Ł5.00). The printer
wants Ł2.75 to cover paper and printing. Lulu wants Ł1.00 for handling.
I want you to post it, and that costs Ł2.00 and then tax on top, of course.

So, I want 1 copy, just one copy, so I pay Lulu, say Ł12.00 all up. They
tell the printer, who presses the button. The machine picks up your mss
from the hard drive, and hey presto, 5 minutes later - 1 book.

It's posted to me and everyone is happy.

It is NOT vanity publishing. The printer hopes to make his living over time
as a jobber, as do Lulu, and so do you. You do not pay a penny upfront!!!!!

Take a peep, and see what you think