Vanity Presses

and Pitfalls to Avoid

Introduction

Are you an aspiring author who is considering taking the leap into publishing with a vanity press? While vanity presses can offer the quick and easy avenue to publishing that you desire, it’s important to understand the potential pitfalls. In this article, I’ll explore what a vanity press is, the pitfalls to avoid, tips for avoiding them, and more. 

No matter what kind of book you are writing, make sure you fully understand the company’s approach in order to make informed decisions about your best path. 

If you take nothing else from this article, engage in a little abductive reasoning and then remember the Duck Test; If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it just may be a duck.

01 | What is a Vanity Press?

A vanity press is a publishing house that will publish an author’s work regardless of the quality of the content or the chances of the book actually selling. Vanity presses often require the author to pay for all the costs associated with publishing and may also require the author to purchase a certain number of copies of the book. These services are in contrast to mainstream publishing houses, which make their decisions based heavily on whether there is commercial potential in the manuscript.

Vanity publishers have a reputation for being scams. Critics often accuse vanity presses of charging high fees and not optimizing production costs. Books published by vanity presses are often unlikely to be picked up by major bookstores or chains, making it difficult for authors to recoup their costs or earn money from their works.

Despite this reputation, vanity presses are still a viable option for authors who want to take a more active role in the production and marketing of their books. Vanity presses provide authors with the opportunity to publish their work without having to go through the long and costly process of finding an agent or publisher. Vanity presses usually provide authors with services such as editing, typesetting, and book promotion, making the entire production process easier and faster. Read the fine print, however, as these services often come with additional costs.

Vanity presses also provide authors with complete creative control over their work and provide a way for them to keep ownership of their work and intellectual property. This is a key advantage of vanity presses over mainstream publishers, who typically hold all the rights to the book. Remember that complete creative control means the outcome is the sole responsibility of the author. 

While vanity presses have their drawbacks, they can still be a valid option for authors who want to self-publish their work. Before deciding, however, weigh the pros and cons.

02 | Understanding the Pitfalls

When comparing traditional and vanity publishing, it is important to understand the pitfalls that can arise. While traditional publishers will typically require a publishing house to accept a manuscript and go through a rigorous editorial and design process, vanity presses commonly accept materials as they are and publish it with no editing or design process. This can lead to problems, especially in terms of quality control. 

Another potential problem is cost. Vanity presses typically charge very high fees for their services, and these fees can quickly add up if an author is working with an entire book. The author may be responsible for additional costs, such as book promotion and marketing, which can add even more expenses to the total. 

Consider the potential of lack of distribution. Vanity presses rarely have the same level of distribution that traditional publishing houses do, meaning that your book may not be available in bookstores or libraries. This can make it difficult to market and promote the book, as well as make it hard for potential customers to access it. 

Finally, a vanity press does not offer the same level of support and guidance that traditional publishers do. They may not provide editorial or design services, meaning that it is up to the author to ensure the quality of their manuscript. Vanity presses rarely have the same professional contacts or resources that traditional publishing houses have, and this can limit their ability to promote or market the book. 

Overall, authors should weigh the risks and benefits carefully. Understand the potential pitfalls, including lack of quality control, costly fees, limited distribution and lack of support. Here’s a brief explanation of four areas of concern.

ONE - High Costs

One of the most common pitfalls of vanity presses is the high costs associated with publishing. Many vanity presses charge exorbitant fees for services such as design and editing, and may even require a hefty advance payment for the publication. Many vanity presses offer very low royalties, meaning authors will see little to no economic return from their book. For authors looking to self-publish, it is important to determine exactly what costs are involved.

TWO - Lack of Distribution

One of the most significant drawbacks to a vanity press is the lack of distribution. They often print the books on-demand and the publisher may not have an extensive distribution network. Vanity presses rarely include an ebook version, which narrow their potential to reach customers further.

THREE - No Professional Advice

Vanity presses do not offer professional advice. When a publishing company is not composed of experienced publishing professionals, the advice they provide may be inadequate or incorrect. Be wary of vanity presses that promise to offer professional advice and services, as they may not fulfill these promises. Many vanity presses will only provide support services such as editing and formatting, but not offer any valuable guidance regarding marketing, promotion, or developing a strategy for selling books. The staff of vanity presses may not have the same level of expertise or resources as traditional publishing houses, and the editing and formatting services that are offered may not be of the same quality.

FOUR - Quality Issues

Another common pitfall to avoid is lack of quality. Quality issues are often the result of a lack of oversight and an unwillingness to invest in quality materials. Many vanity presses produce books with low-quality, pixelated images, low-resolution text, and cheaply made covers. This often leads to a book that looks and feels cheap, giving readers the impression that the author did not write and publish a quality book.

Vanity presses often charge authors for services that should be included in the book production process, such as copyediting or proofreading. Not verifying these services can lead to a subpar book that is rife with errors and typos. It is important to choose a publisher that provides all the services in order to produce a quality book that customers will find attractive.

03 | Tips for Avoiding the Pitfalls

There are a few pitfalls that you should try to avoid in order to make the most of your publishing experience. Here are some key tips to keep in mind to ensure that you get the best service and outcome when publishing through a vanity press: 

ONE - Do Your Research: Before signing any contracts or making any payments, thoroughly review the services, policies, and prices. Ask questions you might have and read reviews from other authors who have used the service. Make sure that it is the right press for you and that you understand all the details of the agreement. 

TWO - Understand the Costs: Be aware that vanity presses often charge higher prices. Review the costs and make a comparison across other presses to ensure you are getting the best value for your money. 

THREE - Check for Quality: Reputable vanity presses should have quality control standards to help ensure that the books they produce are of a high standard. Check that the press uses editors and designers to review and create your book, and also make sure that you can make changes or corrections if needed.

FOUR - Know What You’re Getting: Vanity presses often offer a range of services, from printing to distribution. Understand exactly what services the press is providing and that you are comfortable with the level of service. Ask about any additional services, such as marketing and promotional support.

FIVE - Be Wary of Upsells: clarify exactly what they include in the services and what is an additional cost. Some vanity presses can be quite pushy with upselling services, so read the fine print to avoid additional costs.

04 | The Importance of Research

Research is one of the most important steps when considering a vanity press. It’s crucial to review the press’s reputation, track record, and customer reviews. Ensure the company is established and respected in the literary world by researching its reputation, track record, and customer reviews. Check with authors who have already published by the company to learn more about their experience and the outcome of their project. Review their website and other resources to get an idea of their core values, ethics, and business practices. Doing the research before signing a contract could make all the difference in the success of your publication.

05 | Read the Contract Carefully

Vanity presses are renowned for having lengthy and complex contracts, which can often confuse an author eager to get published. It is important that you read the contract carefully and understand what you're signing. Make sure any promises made are in the contract, such as your rights to the work, payment details, and credit requirements. Note that contracts often bind authors to a single publisher, so be certain it's the right choice for your work. Ensure that the publisher has explicit terms regarding royalties and the length of the contract. Ask questions or request clarification if they do not specify something in the contract. It is wise to have a third-party, such as a lawyer, review any contracts before signing them. However you decide, read the contract carefully yourself to avoid any unnecessary pitfalls.

06 | Hire a Professional Editor

One of the most important steps to creating an impactful book is to hire a professional editor. It is crucial that you invest in a quality edit, as this will ensure that the book is free of typos, grammar errors, and any other problems that could distract the reader. A professional editor can help you refine your narrative and make sure that your writing is clear, concise and organized. By investing in a quality edit, you ensure your book is polished and will make a great impression on readers.

Before I close, allow me to speak to those who are looking to publish their first novel, and specifically a work of fiction. You’ve spent months, years getting your manuscript ready for public debut and you’re excited to get it to a publisher. You try traditional publishing and realize you know nothing about the process. You research how to write query letters and how to approach literary agents. And once you’ve figured all of that out, you’re gobsmacked with the amount of rejection letters you receive. Frustrated, you throw your hands up, shout a few WTFs, scream, cry, kick things, and then read about the simplicity of vanity presses.

I implore you to take a step back, breathe a bit, and acknowledge that you are now in Beetlejuice territory and ripe to be taken advantage of. This is where you need to spend time researching your next steps. Read as much as you can about the advantages and pitfalls of vanity presses.

I found this video by Alexa Donne, a traditionally published YA author, to be spot on reporting. She does an excellent job of explaining the scams that are out there and how to spot them. It is 30 minutes of extremely meaningful information.  

Conclusion

Vanity presses can have a huge financial cost, and there can be considerable drawbacks to using one. Understanding the various pitfalls can help authors choose wisely to avoid costly mistakes. Doing thorough research, reading the contract carefully, and hiring a professional editor are all essential steps in making sure the author's work is not lost in the shuffle. While vanity presses can be an attractive option for authors, an author should know the risks involved when making their decision. Taking the time to understand the potential for vanity presses to lead to disappointment and an uncalculated financial burden is the key to taking successful control of the publication process.