Xlibris Get it In The Neck From Publishing Perspectives

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Dear, oh dear. Xlibris really did get it in the neck today from daily online publishing magazine, Publishing Perspectives. They featured in the lead and accompanying articles by Edward Nawotka. You can read the two articles, A Cautionary Tale about POD, and also, Bonus Material: Is Xlibris Profiting More from Selling Publicity than Printing?. A little detail first before I digress.

Joanne Gail Johnson lives in the Caribbean and she set up Meaningful Books in 2008, initially, to self-publish Pink Carnival, a children’s colour picture book. It is the story of father and son who attend a colourful parade in Trinidad, and the son is taken by the wonderful colour pink of the surrounding rain trees. Dad balks at the idea of his son been taken by the colour pink and so ensues the story until Dad appreciates the innocence of childhood and agrees – hell, pink is ok! This was the first title by Johnson’s, Meaningful Books.

“Meaningful Books leverages the opportunity that print-on-demand offers to take risks in our still grossly under published market. Using picture books as care-giving tools intended to open doors to more meaningful conversations between children and their guardians, the imprint is partnered in Trinidad with a Non-Governmental Organization, Creative Parenting for the New Era.”

Johnson outlines how she looked at publishing options for many months and came across Xlibris, buoyed by the tenuous association with Random House. In short, she paid for a publishing package – problems occurred with quality and format errors, her single requested change, and the errors Xlibris introduced themselves in the proof process. Ultimately it delayed the book publication to the point she struggled to see it as a viable commercial publishing project for Meaningful Books.

“However, to date of this writing, November 2, I cannot capitalize on this demand for my book”

In the article by Publishing Perspectives, it is stated, Johnson first submitted her project in September 2008. She refers to several key promotional dates in February and April 2009, but it is never stated if the above ‘November 2’ refers to 2008 or 2009. Clearly, if it is 2009, then Johnson has endured a period of unacceptable delays by Xlibris – in effect, more than a year of six rounds of proofs, which, for any author solutions service, would leave any book dead in the water and impossible to promote for its author. If it refers to November 2008, and this is effectively supposed to be an unsatisfactory story of self-publishing author meeting with less than best service – then it’s entirely erroneous of Publishing Perspectives to dredge up a year old story. Frankly, I’m a little confused. At best, it is poor editing and article continuity by PP. Have a read of the two above articles. Am I the only one to spot this, or am I being dumb and missing something?

“Other legitimate questions have arisen as well: Why is it that when I require any changes I must pay a US$50 base fee each time just to get started, but when Xlibris creates errors there is no real compensation? And why do I now feel like I am working unpaid for Xlibris, helping them with quality control?


I had asked for and received a full-color children’s picture book sample which was, indeed, beautiful. But I was never told to expect some “acceptable variation”—an excuse that cropped up somewhere between round four and six of my author’s review copies.”

Joanne Gail Johnson.
While Johnson goes on to say that her experience with Xlibris and her book was frustrating and unacceptable, she says the staff were always courteous and apologetic. In the second Publishing Perspective article, Johnson was offered compensation in the form of a marketing package.

“As part of the compensation for her troubles with Xlibris (outlined in our feature article), Joanne Gail Johnson was offered what appeared to be a generous marketing plan, including an offer to send press releases to 100 media outlets (valued at $349) and promoting the book to 100 Web sites (valued at $299). But Johnson felt this was little more than an ‘inflated promise.’”

The compensation marketing package, in essence, consisted of much of the synopsis and book copy Johnson had already supplied to Xlibris – leading her to believe that the marketing plan was nothing more than a copy and paste job by someone who had never set eyes on her book. This is sadly consistent with many basic and even expensive marketing packages provided by author solution services.
I’m still trying to appraise this whole curious episode. Much depends on how long Johnson has been dealing with Xlibris and the final publication of her book. Her book does not exist on Amazon and her own site was last updated in April 2008!
I will leave you all read the articles, and make your own minds up. My instinct lies with the fact the book does not exist anywhere, and Publishing Perspective have underlined the misfortune and pitfalls of using an author solutions service. Somehow, there is a missing link here, and things just don’t add up to the full story. My two cents.

http://www.joannejohnson.info/

Authors

9 Comments

  1. Chic Files said:

    I understand how frustrating this must have been but the offer to market her book is entirely generous of Xlibris. If it were a copy and paste job, I’m pretty sure the exposure will be overwhelming. I grew wary when you narrated this story but after you said that the company compensated her inconvenience, I am just hoping that the author was more than happy with what she was given extra.

  2. Mick Rooney said:

    Some may consider Xlibris compensation as ‘generous’, but wouldn’t it have been better if it hadn’t happened in the firstplace. She wasn’t looking for something extra, just what she actually paid for.

    Chic Files,

    I think it would be far better if you disclosed your proper identity and your direct affiliations with Xlibris. You have consistently done this across the internet on writer forums, and are behind a number of blogs which profess to be ‘help resources for authors’, when in fact they are nothing more than vehicles for Xlibris’ publicity machine. Examples below. You seem to operate in a vaccum and the your comments almost suggest that any publicity for Xlibris equates to good publicity – regardless.

    http://indiepublisher.blogspot.com/
    http://marketabook.blogspot.com/
    http://cookbookpublisher.blogspot.com/

  3. Jill Edmondson said:

    Thumb’s up to Mick Rooney!

    More examples of writer beware! I won’t go all out and slag the entire POD & VAnity Press industry – I think they are great and provide a valuable service and a very attractive alternative.

    However, as with anything else, one bad apple spoils the lot.

    The writer should check very carefully every single line in the publishing agreement. And teh writer should get whatever he has paid for.

    But be very wary of “extras” and so on.

    Thanks, Jill
    “Blood and Groom” will be available next week!
    http://www.jilledmondson.com

  4. Edward Nawotka said:

    Thanks for taking this seriously Mick. Self-publishing is an increasingly attractive option for many authors, though there are pitfalls. We hope to offer more coverage in the future at Publishing Perspectives, including some genuine success stories.

    Best, Ed Nawotka
    Editor-in-chief, PublishingPerspectives.com

  5. Chazda said:

    Hi Mick,
    Just discovered your blog today and must say I’m impressed. It’s very helpful, and necessary too I think. I think the POD industry has a long way to go yet. I’m not sure if some of these companies realize they have a genuine opportunity to revolutionize the publishing industry, and not just take advantage of novice writers.

  6. Chic Files said:

    Hi Mick. That is very resourceful of you to name the blogs that I write. Although I do not deny nor affirm my affiliation, I am not hiding under an identity. In fact, you can add me in Facebook.com/editorinchic. Would it help if I tell you I just love to write? :)

  7. Mick Rooney said:

    Chic Files,

    Welcome along. Yes, of course, I want to hear what you have to write, particularly if that voice is passionate and dedicated.

    Though, I also myself try to be as objective and fair as I can. I think your ascribed ‘mystique’ about your affiliations with Xlibris is…misplaced, and actually, on this site, doesn’t strengthen your viewpoint, opinions and comments. I suspect, nailing your colours to the mast would make your voice and argument more resonate, whatever the case – might even add to your chic and sexiness!

    Whatever you decide, you remain welcome.

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