Author: leslee
Date:   10-15-09 15:41

I'd like to know your experience with it. Would you recommend it to other people who don't want to go the traditional route? Was it easy to use? Did it cost a lot? I'm curious.

Author: leslee
Date:   10-15-09 15:46

Another question re CreateSpace: can you publish ANYTHING you want? Do they censor or edit content?

Author: Gopher Gold
Date:   10-15-09 22:54

I used Createspace for my novel, "Enter" and found it much more productive than other services, even those that cost money. It does require some work in getting it "camera -ready" for production, but I'd rather work hard at it and get it exactly as I want it than pay hundreds (and thousands) of dollars to other POD services to mess it up. With Createspace, the list price also doesn't have to be prohibitive in order for you to make any money on it. Also, there's no better way to have an "in" with Amazon than using an Amazon affiliate. Altogether a superior deal compared to iuniverse and Lulu, IMHO

Author: Mark Ellis
Date:   10-18-09 10:13

I've used Createspace strictly as a printer for my graphic novel projects and with only a couple of caveats, I recommend them.

As GG indicates, the automatic "in" with Amazon.com is a plus...in fact, my latest graphic novel printed through Createspace was placed on Amazon within a week of approving the proof.

Although the books have other means of direct distribution, I estimate the five earlier graphic novels have made about two thousand dollars through Amazon/Createspace in a little under a year.

http://www.amazon.com/Nosferatu-Plague-Terror-Mark-Ellis/dp/1449531423/ref=dp_return_1?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books

Author: leslee
Date:   10-19-09 11:36

Gopher and Mark, I thank you so much for your informative answers. Much appreciated.

Author: stevenlabree ©¿©¬
Date:   10-21-09 15:51

leslee;

Same as the above, but here is my 2 cents. It's easy if you have the slightest of computer processing skills. I found it an inexpensive option and the quality is very good. I also used Lulu which was comparable in price and quality. Nonetheless, I chose CS and it seems a viable solution to the SP crowd. The response from my website to the Amazon site is a good marketing tool, and I am working with some small time retailers. Of course, the self marketing side is tough. Here is the website on Amazon:

A HEART LIES WITHIN US

Author: leslee
Date:   10-21-09 16:51

Thanks so much, Steven. I'll check out your book.

Author: leslee
Date:   10-21-09 16:59

Steven - It looks very good. Who designed your cover?

Author: Brandon Cleveland
Date:   10-21-09 21:09

Steven -

Very cool.

Author: Jeff Benner
Date:   10-23-09 05:17

I have used CS for my videos and have been very satisfied with their service and product. I have not used them for my books though so I cannot comment on this aspect of their service.

Jeff

Author: stevenlabree ©¿©¬
Date:   10-23-09 10:21

Thanks leslee and Brandon. The photo is stock, however I had to crop and enhance, do a couple of tricks, etc. Everything else is my doing.

Author: leslee
Date:   10-23-09 11:33

You sure did a good job, Steven.

Author: stevenlabree ©¿©¬
Date:   10-23-09 14:09

Thanks again, leslee. I received a lot of compliments regarding the cover, and fortunately, they like the story as well.

Marketing is the hardest part of this, but with a little luck and pushing the nose against the grindstone, it might work.

Author: leslee
Date:   10-27-09 11:21

Considering your nose already resembles an upside down question mark, you may want to protect it from the grindstone!

I hope you sell millions of copies and change the publishing industry.

Author: Robert Wilson
Date:   10-28-09 08:34

Nice looking cover Steven.

Has having your book available on Amazon helped your sales more than any other method?

Is it true Amazon gets 65% of the books list price?

RW

Author: stevenlabree ©¿©¬
Date:   10-28-09 13:35

Amazon is just a parking space and unless you market some other place, there's only a slim chance of anyone seeing your novel. Of course, having the novel on Amazon makes selling it easier if I say, "You can find it on Amazon."

Concerning what Amazon makes on the sale, I don't know. In my case, they keep 75% of the retail price, and I make about 25% on every sale.

Author: Mark Ellis
Date:   10-28-09 22:09

Huh.

The deal we have with them is 60 percent.

Author: stevenlabree ©¿©¬
Date:   10-29-09 13:28

How do you figure that? And how would one "deal" with Amazon? You use Createspace for the book and they put it on Amazon . . . there is no negotiation.

Author: Gopher Gold
Date:   10-29-09 15:33

If you're not using Createspace, they take 55% of the retail: You already had to spend money on the production before you brought it to Amazon.
If you are using Createspace, their take really INCLUDES any production costs because it's affiliated with Amazon, hence you get less of a percentage, but really save money overall.

Author: Mark Ellis
Date:   10-30-09 16:37

It's an agreement, then.

We agreed to have our books placed on Amazon.com for 60 percent of the cover price.

We do all the production ourselves.

Therefore, that's a deal.