According to their website, “Xlibris is a book publishing company created by authors, for authors.” One of their founding, and still guiding, principles is that “authors should have control over their work.” As such, Xlibris operates on a non-exclusive basis, allowing you to publish through them yet still look for an agent and/or publisher. If you find a publisher, you’re not bound to Xlibris and may make an agreement with the publisher to publish your book.
The Xlibris contract makes it clear that you retain ownership of your book: “The Author acknowledges and agrees that Xlibris acquires no right of ownership to the Work under this Agreement; that Xlibris is a provider of limited services only (e.g., printing, book sales and online availability) and that Xlibris assumes no responsibility for reviewing or correcting the content of the Work.”
Xlibris, which has “over 20,000 titles now in print from over 18,000 authors,” offers both packages and individual services. (The descriptions and prices of services are as of February 16, 2011.) Their packages include:
- Advantage Package – Described as “A streamlined service that enables you to publish a quality paperback book at an affordable price,” this package includes a choice of three cover and two interior templates, an ISBN, book and author webpages in Xlibris’ online bookstore. The cost for the Advantage Package is $499.
- Custom Package – For $1,699 you get a customized book cover and interior design, an allowance of up to 40 interior tables and graphics, U.S. copyright and Library of Congress registration, availability of your book in hardback, paperback and e-book format, inclusion in the Barnes and Noble “See Inside” program, the design for a personalized website, 50 postcards promoting your book, and more.
- Full Color Platinum Package – The most expensive package at $14,999, this offers customized cover and interior design, unlimited cover art and interior graphic and tables, Indexing Service, 50 hardback and 150 paperback author copies, a Press Release Campaign that targets 1,000 outlets, an E-mail Marketing Campaign aimed at 1,000,000 recipients, a Book Trailer with voice over, Social Media Marketing, 300 postcards and 30 posters promoting your book, and more.
There are also packages designed specifically for poetry, children’s, science fiction and Christian books.
Among the many individual services offered are:
- Copyediting Service –Xlibris copyeditors “review your manuscript carefully, correcting errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax. In addition, they will verify cross-references and impose industry-standard style considerations.” The fee depends on the number of words in the manuscript, with 60,001 to 120,000 words costing $0.11 each.
- Indexing Service – Their indexers will read your manuscript and tag the words to be included in the index, then create a dynamic index that will change automatically if there are any changes in pagination. The fee depends on the number of words involved, with 60,001 to 120,000 costing $0.11 each.
- iPad Revolution App Publishing – Converting your book in to an Apple-compatible app that allows people to search for and then purchase and download your book through Apple’s App Store. The cost for this service, which includes a professional voiceover narration of your book, is $799. The enhanced version of the app, called iPad Showstopper App, includes professionally designed illustrations and custom animation and has a price that starts at $15,000.
- Audio Book Publishing – Converting your book into an audio book, complete with “professional recording studio and multiple voice talents, background music, CD availability and a myriad of other customization options.” The price for this service ranges from $100 to $10,000, depending on length and other features.
We at Taylor-Fox can help you create your business book, health book, memoir, biography, inspirational book or other book and get it ready for publication. We’ve helped scores of people achieve their goals, and some of their books have landed on bestseller lists. Let us help you! Call us at 818-594-0379.
Note: All the information in this blog entry came from the company website. Before signing on with Xlibris or any other firm, read the contract carefully and check review sites to see if there are any problems or special issues regarding this firm. I’ll deal with these issues in future blogs.
Nadine Taylor and Barry Fox write, ghostwrite, rewrite and edit books in many genres, including health, business, inspiration/ spirituality and memoirs. Their resume is long and varied but there’s one thing that never changes: They love to work with words, creating books that are clear, compelling and pleasurable to read. If you’re interested in writing a book, editing a book and/or publishing a book, you’ve come to the right place!
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