Indie Publishing Companies Help Authors And Readers

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By Harriett Crosby


Publishers in the small arena are often denoted as autonomous or miniature as they deal with specific styles and topics of books and magazines. Some have titled this arena of the book publisher world as indie publishing companies, short for independent. Their specialties range from non-fiction and poetry, typically in anthology form, to fiction and non-fiction titles in a wide variety of niche genres. You may also find a few magazines in short supply from a small press.

In order to qualify for independent status, a press can in no way be a part of a multinational corporation that publishes books or magazines. A publisher of this nature, in which a small group or individual pours all their time, money and energy into a project they feel is worthy, is not a new concept. It began at the end of the nineteenth century with the Kelmscott Press and the Arts and Crafts Movement, with the help of writer, artist and textile designer William Morris.

The modification of publishers from large corporate to small independent did not happen in a few days' time. Similar to the film industry and the music industry, as equipment improved, so too did the author's needs. Writers wanted more control over their printable words, a small press can give them that control.

Benefits to a writer are extensive when using a small press. Not only do the presses post upfront cash for editing and printing, they also handle all publicity and marketing of the finished product. After that, a writer will be free to do what they do best, write.

A small press is unlike the larger ones because they take great strides to preserve the writer's distinct style. What's more, signing with an independent press doesn't prohibit a writer from signing with a large publisher or another type of media outlet once the first run is off the printing press. The writer's words are their own, now and forever, even after publication.

A small press is not the same as self-publishing. Vanity publishers will ask the author to either purchase a minimum number of books or make an upfront payment before printing will commence. Unmatched is the small publisher who will run a large amount of prints, giving a percentage of royalties to the writer straightaway. Since the press owns no copyrights, the author receives most of the royalties.

The distinction between small independent presses and the larger mega print houses is the smaller ones earn at or less than $50 million each year. This is on 10 or fewer book titles, although if a company prints more, it will still qualify as a small press. The total is given after discounts and returns are subtracted.

Since printing companies only print books, their distribution is limited. They run on a POD schedule. Print on demand is available to any author who can afford to pay the upfront money for printing cost. There is no perks such as editing, marketing or sales available. This is why indie publishing companies work best for most authors.




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