THE Group for Authors! discussion

As I'm getting ready to self-publish, my head is spinning with the debates about whether to use Create Space, Ingram Spark, or both. As I understand it, there are advantages to using both (such as higher royalties), and disadvantages to using only one (such as paying Amazon $99 if I want to use my own ISBN; and only offering glossy covers -- whereas Ingram has higher shipping costs).

I really need advice as I make this decision. I tried to use Lightning Source proper and they shunted me over to Ingram Spark, though I haven't signed up yet. I have my own, new publishing company (as a sole proprietor), and have a ready-to-go, totally edited memoir. I understand I will have to launch a full-scale marketing plan, I'm just unsure whether to use both POD/book distribution companies or just one.

Help please!

I'm about to venture into the world of publishing my first novel too, and I have wrangled with this decision. I think the shipping with Ingram puts people off more than the cover problem, and if you use both you end up with multiple ISBN numbers.

Have you looked at Lulu? I think the commission is less than going directly with Createspace, but they distribute to multiple outlets, including Amazon. If it's reach you are looking for it may be an option.

From everything I've read, either Ingram Spark, Create Space, or both are the way to go over Lulu or any other self-publishing outlet. Ingram has the widest distribution of all of them.

Cindy wrote: "As I'm getting ready to self-publish, my head is spinning with the debates about whether to use Create Space, Ingram Spark, or both. As I understand it, there are advantages to using both (such as ..."

Where did you read that you have to pay Amazon $99 to use your own ISBN? I've used my own ISBN on CreateSpace (it is a South African ISBN that we can get free in SA)

I read it in one of several articles I read yesterday. However, after subsequent searching, it seems that self-publishers can purchase a universal ISBN for $99 when using Create Space. As mentioned, I am a bit overwhelmed with info and need advice from self-published authors who are using U.S. branches of these companies.

I used CreateSpace and I am extremely happy. They have channels for you to use many different outlets, they have alot of resources for marketing and editing (you have to pay of course) and the process was very simple and straight forward. And the fact that you are automatically plugged in to Amazon is pretty amazing. Plus, they will format you for kindle for only $79 and then they'll send you over to audible to try and get someone to pick you up for an audio book as well. I was very pleased and would reccommend CreateSpace.

A Chance Beginning
Christopher Patterson

I use CreateSpace and Lightning Source, which is the genetic father of Ingram Spark. I tried Spark but have returned to LS as the former wanted me to use epub for the ebook and that was not only outsourced but a hassle and expensive.

The $99 is to have an ISBN in your own imprint name that you can use elsewhere (e.g., Lulu). Or you can go direct to Bowker and get 100 ISBNs for less than $600. The other option is $10 for an ISBN registered as you imprint that you cannot take elsewhere (I assume it is actually the publisher CreateSpace creating a sub imprint in the name of your choosing). I was unaware of these until reading about it on another forum. That are only available in the US (hence my reference to Bowker).

Please note: Createspace now offers matte covers. I switched my books from glossy to matte earlier this year.

Good info, thanks to all of you. I did try to use LS but they just moved me over to IS, even though I requested otherwise. I'm thinking to use both CS and IS. I already paid for all the editing. I'm going through various channels for marketing.

Some people say that using both CS and LS/IS is the best way to go. David, how does both suit you?

I use Create Space for paperbacks, Draft2Digital for Nook, Kobe etc and go direct to Amazon for Kindle. For me formatting and getting published on CreateSpace and Kindle was easy, and I`m easy to find in bookstores.

I went to Draft2Digital after being unhappy wtih a number of things about Smashwords. I`m not easy to find in their stores.

Cindy wrote: "Good info, thanks to all of you. I did try to use LS but they just moved me over to IS, even though I requested otherwise. I'm thinking to use both CS and IS. I already for all the editing. I'..."

So far, Cindy, CS and LS work well for me, LSUK being cheaper to distribute here in UK and as the publisher I get to keep more of the profit on sales - if there is any that is.

Thanks again. What might work for me would be CS for Amazon and ebook, LS/IS for sales to bookstores and libraries as well as through long-established distribution channels.

I've used CS for 5 books. Went direct to KDP for the Kindle editions and used smashwords for all the other epub formats. Recently did a hard cover on Lulu. The first time is always a learning experience but I was pleased enough with the results to go back for my next book.