is www.lulu.com trustworthy, does it work? is it really free?

Question

just wondering...is it good enough to publish books?

Answer 1

You could always go to Lulu.com yourself and read about it.
First of all, it does not cost $600 unless you wish to purchase the ISBN # (which most of the people don't).
Second, you do have to market the book yourself, no it won't go into a bookstore but you do get some profit, albeit very minimal.
Lulu tells you right up front how much it will cost for them to print your book depending on the type. You add to it (for the total cost of the book) and that is basically what you would "earn".
It is not an ideal way to publish unless of course you don't care that much about the story you've written. If you think it is worth more than just a couple of bucks here and there then submit it the traditional way.
I use Lulu for compilation books and anthologies mostly. The people in them also are published authors and already have books out. The shorts they give to me are still copyrighted to them technically.
If you read up on the Lulu page, you'll get your answers.

Answer 2

No it really isn't free. There are all kinds of fees like set up fees, cover charges, ISBN etc. Those fees come to almost 600 dollars on average.

Plus, all you get is your book printed. You get no promotion, no books on shelves in bookstores. Nothing but books printed. You spend the money to promote the book or the book doesn't sell. It is that simple.

Let's call it what it is. Vanity publishing. This is for people who cannot otherwise sell books traditionally and want to see their names on books. Lulu doesn't do anything in the way of accepting your manuscript. You could print the San Francisco phone book as long as you can pay for it. It doesn't make you a "published author", it makes you self published and there is a huge difference in the publishing business.

It all depends on what your manuscript is. If you think that you have a manuscript that is good and worthy of publication, you owe it to yourself and your work to spend at least one year trying to sell it traditionally before you pay to do it yourself. Be ready for rejection letters - everybody gets them - but keep sending queries. If the feedback you get isn't positive, then consider self publishing. But don't give in until you have at least tried.

You can read some articles about self publishing here

http://www.writersweekly.com/the_latest_from_angelahoycom/summary.html

There is also a lot of info at Preditors and Editors and Absolute Write Water Cooler.

Some of these self publishers hit really hard. They hound you like mad once they have your e mail or phone number. They also send ringers to forums called "sock puppets" who sing the praises of their services. Don't believe it for a minute. Pax - C

Answer 3

it depends on what you mean when you say 'publish'. If you mean to be able to buy your book in a book form, as in YOU buy it, it's great. But if you mean for other people in the world to buy it (who don't know you), no.