You’ve heard the old adage: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. If you’ve found a POD that seems to have low or no set-up fees and that promises you your books will be stocked by the big chains, proceed with caution. Indeed, even if a POD doesn’t promise you the sky, be sure to research its reputation. A good place to start is in writers’ forums on the Internet. You can also check the Better Business Bureau in the publisher’s home state, but this is likely to be less helpful as Internet-based businesses often go uncovered by local BBBs.
Get Started
Now that you know what seven factors to consider when comparing PODs, where do you find information for comparison? You can read general reviews and comparisons on websites like Publish on Demand and Books and Tales. Then visit and read carefully the website of each publisher you are considering, being certain to take a look at the contract. If it is not supplied on the publishers website, ask that a copy be e-mailed to you. Finally, consider joining the POD discussion list on Yahoo Groups. So, power up your computer and start hunting!