Caveat Emptor is, of course, Latin for "buyer beware." While that is always a good idea, in publishing it is a rule to live by. At Elderberry, we make it a practice to level with our authors. Many have been discouraged by our realistic view of the publishing world. But that's okay. Better to lose authors than to have them enter into publishing with unrealistic goals only to be disappointed by the cold reality of a very tough, very competitive business. 

There be crocs in these waters. I just try not to be one of them. As I tell prospective authors, I am a writer myself, and I have published three novels and a nonfiction book of my own. They were reviewed, and they sold, but not as well as I would have liked—but then I've never known an author who thought his book sold as many copies as it should have, and that includes those published by the big NY corporations.

I have no magic wand. If I can't make my own books into bestsellers, how can I make yours into one? I can't. All I can do is to work with you to create a book that will give you a shot at sales, a shot at competing with the other 1,000 books published every day. Sound like tough odds? They get tougher.

Among books published by the NY giant publishing firms, the news media conglomerates, 9 books out of 10 published lose money. That should tell you something about the odds for a book published by an unknown author by a small press. Like I said, it's a tough business. It's far from easy to sell books. And getting published Isn't the end of the battle. It's the beginning. I Can honestly say that little of what i have to say Will thrill you. Much may even disillusion you. All of it will be the truth.

I'm a subsidy publisher. My authors hire my expertise and help. Some call me a vanity press, and I respond by asking: What Publishing isn't? Were we truly devoid of vanity and humble enough, we would bury our MSS in the garden under the foxgloves, not try to find them readers, right? Only yesterday I had an internationally acclaimed Author of 10 books call me, aghast that I should Ask him to pay the cost of publishing his book. I Politely told him to get over it. I've turned down Congressmen, bestselling authors, actors you would recognize,  radio personalities, columnists, even the "Beav" from Leave It To Beaver. Why? Because I must do what I need to to stay in business, and paying an author for the right to spend thousands of dollars to publish his book is a well-worn path to bankruptcy.The number of large publishers shrinks every day as booksales decline.

By comparison, playing the horses is a sure thing. Many consider me a bad guy because I choose both to publish unknown authors and make a living at the same time. To them I say this: In today's publishing world, big publishers lose money nine titles out of ten. Were I to do that I would close my doors in a year. And that is not an option. I owe it to my authors to keep their 100+ titles in print. The Science Fiction Writers Association has a very good page on subsidy and vanity presses on their site. It's honest and fair and definitely worth reading.

Do not even consider entering into a publishing agreement with a subsidy press without first speaking with a dozen of their authors, reading their books and doing comparison shopping. I am always available to speak with an author considering retaining the services of another publisher. You don't have to work with us to ask me a question. I remember all too well, being in your shoes, and having no one to speak with who didn't have an axe to grind—something to gain. I may be a publisher, but I am one who has chosen to work only with authors who know the score. If there is one thing rare in this business, it is honesty—and I enjoy being honest with authors (whether or not they choose to work with us).

I've published over 200 books in the last dozen years and my advice is this:

1. Find a publisher you have a rapport with.
2. Look at their books to see what they publish and the quality of their printing and binding.
3. Buy one of their books to see how their distribution works.
4. Google them to see what others are saying about them.
5. Talk to their authors about their experience.
6. Check them out on the Better Business Bureau site.
7. Read the contract CAREFULLY before you sign. If you don't understand an item, read it again and ask about it.
8. Make sure you can afford to publish even if you don't sell a single copy of your book. If the expense will stress you financially, don't do it. If you must sell big to make ends meet, don't proceed.

I can recommend some free publishers if they will be a better fit for your budget.

Caveat Emptor... Follow your dreams, but with your eyes open.