Close to a year ago, I finished a ghostwriting project
for a client. In addition to writing the book to the author’s
satisfaction, I did a simple .pdf layout. We also had a professional
copy editor go through the manuscript with a fine tooth comb. All we
really needed was a cover design; an ISBN number and his book would have
been ready to market.
And yes, this client had a list to market to, and had
begun developing new markets including access to some radio shows. In
other words, he seemed to be in an ideal position to benefit from
self-publishing.
A Delaying Decision
Then, against my advice, he signed with iUniverse and
bought their $1,200 author evaluation package. I didn’t think he needed
the evaluation and I’d heard rumors that the evaluation often led to
other recommended services. My client, however, was star struck by the
possibilities presented by iUniverse.
He sent me their preliminary evaluation – apparently
it’s a two-step process. The evaluation was detailed and while there was
nothing wrong with it, if the suggestions were followed, the book would
have to have some major rewriting.
A Different Book
Would the suggested changes have made it a better
book? I don’t think so. My take was that it would become a different
book – quite different from the original goals of the author. It also
seemed to me that the author wasn’t excited about the changes, but had
gotten caught in the sales pitch. I may be wrong about that, for it was
at this point he stopped communicating with me. What I am certain of is
that the suggested changes would take time and would cost money.
The Original Plan
I’m also certain that had my now ex client stuck with
his original plan, he’d have had a book to sell months ago. And that was
his goal – to write a beginning book that expressed his ideas clearly
that he could market to an existing audience. He hoped from that
platform he could grow his market.
iUniverse’s CEO Susan Driscoll claims in a
podcast that her organization makes
its money from book sales. (Warning, the podcast is long and
philosophical.) As the blog
PODdy Mouth - Daily Dirt on POD and Self-Publishing points out,
iUniverse’s on sales figures indicate that their average author sells
fewer than 1,000 copies of their book. It seems unlikely to me that they
are making all their money from book sales – if I’m right, that leaves
their other fees as a source of income. But perhaps I’m wrong.
I’m not saying that iUniverse treated my ex client
poorly. They did, or are doing, what they said they would do. What I
question is the real value of their services and I question their fees
and the way they seem to layer them on.
Your best protection is to thoroughly explore all your
options and stay clear on your own vision and goals. Books won’t sell
themselves. As the author, no matter if you self-publish or land a trade
publisher, you’ll have to do a great deal of marketing yourself. That’s
just the way it is.
