The document compares different self-publishing packages from various POD service providers. It lists the price of each package and the services included, such as editing, cover design, printing, ebook conversion, marketing support, and sales and distribution channels. For a sample 350-page book priced at $16, the document also shows the estimated amount each provider would earn per book sold and the estimated royalties the author would receive.

1. POD Service Comparison
Iuniverse - Author
Create Space Lulu Bookstore Xlibris - Dog Ear - House - Outskirts Trafford
Essentials Package Masterpiece Premiere Pro Custom Professional Discovery Millcity Basic Diamond Watermark
Package Price $1,798 $1,369 $1,549 $1,599 $1,699 $1,399 $1,497 $999 $1,299
Printing Services
Copyediting X X
Content Editing Editor's analysis Editor's analysis
Custom Cover X X X X X X X X X
Interior Layout X X X X X X X X X
Back Cover X X X X X
Ebook X X X X X X
Kindle, eReader Ready
Author Services
E-mail Support X X X X X X
Phone Support X X X X X X
Author Website creation X X X
E-mail marketing
Marketing Consultation X X X X
Press Releases
Access to design teams X X X X
Complementary Copies 1 1 20 25 5 15 10 10 15
Sales Services
ISBN designation X X X X X X X X X
Library of Congress Filing X X X X X X X
Third party reviews
Amazon listings X X X X X X X X X
Online Book Search X X X X X X
See inside X X X X
Retail distribution X X X X X
Worldwide distribution X X X X X X X X X
What they make
350 page book example
priced at $16.00 (assumes $9.60-$10.8/book
25% discount) $7.85 $9.80 $6.00/ebook $11.00 $8.28 $8.40 $6.83 $8.57 $9.60
What you make
350 page book example
priced at $16.00 (assumes $1.20-$2.40/book
25% discount) $4.15/book $2.20 $6.00/ebook $1.00 $3.72 $3.60 $5.18 $3.43 $2.40