About

The Independent Publishing Magazine (TIPM) launched in late 2007 by our former Editor-In-Chief, Mick Rooney (author and journalist), with the purpose of providing essential information, resources and reviews of publishing service providers. In the beginning, our exclusive focus was self-publishing, particularly as it pertained to POD (Print-on-Demand) technology. However, as the publishing industry has changed over many years, so too have we. The website covered many aspects of self-publishing, hybrid publishing, traditional publishing, book marketing, publishing technology and industry news in general. Our readership was both authors and industry professionals.

TIPM demonstrated an objective view on global publishing from the perspective of authors who wanted to publish their books outside mainstream channels. Slowly but surely the stigmas and limitations of self-publishing became less of a challenge to the savvy independent author. The path to self-publishing has grown far more viable as authors have become equipped with basic but sound knowledge of book formatting, cover design, author branding and marketing know how. TIPM helped to assist authors and navigate the new world of publishing.

TIPM reviewed many paid-publishing services offered by publishing service providers, printers and large publishing houses like Thomas Nelson, Penguin, Simon & Schuster and Harlequin.

 

FAQs

What was The Independent Publishing Magazine?
TIPM was an online magazine, resource and research portal for authors exploring self-publishing and those interested in the trends, companies and technology in self-publishing and traditional publishing. We researched and reviewed paid-publishing services, author solutions services, printers, ePublishers and independent publishers through analysis and objective opinion.


Will You Publish My Next Book?

We were never a publisher, but if you are looking for publishing service providers, we suggest you check out our Publishing Service Index to see which providers we rate highly.


Do You Accept Submissions for Guest Posts and Articles?

No. Sadly the website is closed to submissions and has been archived.


Do You Sell Advertising Space?

No.


Will You Tell Me Which Companies You Review Are “Scams?”

Our purpose was not to deliberately smear or damage a company’s name, but we pulled no punches in our reviews if we believed a service or publisher offered a poor deal or business model, and we backed up that assertion with research and analysis. Likewise, we applaud innovation, honesty and new approaches in the publishing industry.


How Do You Determine Which Companies to Review?

We selected services and publishers for review by our own research and from our readers’ suggestions. Generally, we did not review publishing service providers if:

  • The management team, directors or owners have previous connections with companies on our ‘red flag list’
  • The company has operated for less than six months
  • The majority of the books published by the company are those of the owners or management team

Our reviews of publishing service providers are graded on a scale from 1-10 (10 being the best). In turn, each service provider is linked to our Self-Publishing Index (a points value index rating of all the publishers and services we have reviewed). There is no other online source or print review anywhere providing the extent of analysis we provide. Because this website is archive, please do not solicit us for a publishing service provider review.


I Wish I Had Come Across This Site Before I Chose My Publishing Path. Why Don’t You Advertise More Widely?

All of the information on this site is free. We put a lot of effort and research into what we do. We are listed on a number of large blog directories and listed or referenced on a growing number of reputable author and publishing resources, including WriterBeware and SFWA.org. Again, we do not endorse nor seek endorsements, though we greatly appreciate any author, association, publisher or organization who respect and support what we do.


Can You Advise Me on the Publisher I Should Choose or How Best to Go about Publishing My Books?

No, TIPM cannot advise you beyond the published resources and forums we provide.


I Have a Company That Provides Services to Self-Published Authors and Need Some Advice for My Offerings. Do You Offer That Service?

No, TIPM does not offer these services directly.

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