AuthorHouse Reviewer's Comments

For total control over the publishing of your book, including the freedom to set your own royalty rates, look into our #2 pick and "TopTenREVIEWS Silver Award" winner, Authorhouse.com. With an impressive book selling reach, a strong number of additional paid services and a perfect help support score, Authorhouse's Standard Paperback Publishing package is truly one of the best in the industry.

Although this service finished as a very close second, its slower average publishing timeframe, and its higher price tag for fewer services, kept it from beating out iUniverse.com for our #1 spot.

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Publishing Package:  

The Standard Paperback Publishing package from Authorhouse typically takes, from start to finish, an average of 12 to 18 weeks for publishing. The royalties for this package are self-set, meaning Authorhouse.com sets a minimum cost for your book and you set the list price, based on the royalty percentage you want. In addition, the minimum price set for a book differs depending on whether it's sold through the Authorhouse book store or through a third-party retailer.

Also, through the Standard package, you get many basic publishing services, including manuscript layout and formatting, assignment of an ISBN number, barcode creation, original cover design, interior image placement and a CD ROM archive of your finished book and images of its cover art. Authorhouse will also make copies of your book available for critical review.

Authors also get many resources through this service, including a newsletter, articles on writing and marketing, postings of writer's contests, conferences and seminars. Although you also get author discounts through the Standard package, we were disappointed that you only get one free author copy with it, especially for the money you spend.

Other services this package lacks include ebook formatting (although it is available as a paid service), web domain registration, assigning of a Library of Congress Control number, a booksellers return program or an editorial evaluation.

Bookselling Reach:  

Established in 1997 and with over 27,000 titles in print, Authorhouse is easily a leader in the print-on-demand industry. And, using a combination of Baker & Taylor, Inc. and Ingram Book Group for distribution, this service makes your book available to over 25,000 retail outlets.

Authorhouse.com also sells its published books online through Amazon.com, BarnesandNobel.com and Booksamillion.com and through its own online bookstore. Through online and brick-and-mortar stores, Authorhouse has sold over 3,000,000 books to date.

Additional Paid Services:  

Authorhouse.com offers plenty of additional paid services, including copyediting, copyright registration, expedited publishing, custom illustration and the creation of art for your cover design. You can also publish your book in hardcover or publish a book in color for an additional charge.

Authorhouse paid services can also help you market and promote your book through their Personal Media Valet or you can simply take advantage of their marketing packages, which offer services ranging from press release writing to printed full-color posters, flyers, business cards, bookmarks and postcards. There is also co-op discounting available through The New York Times Book Review and The Bloomsbury Review.

Help/Support:  

Authorhouse.com offers its authors every method of support we looked for, including a toll-free phone support number, FAQs, an online form for submitting questions and a blog, where they offer advice and provide a place for users to submit comments.

Summary:  

If you're an author looking for a publisher that offers a broad bookselling reach, a large selection of services and the freedom to set your own royalties, then Authorhouse.com is the one for you.