Comments on: Is Lightning Source the Self-Publishing Answer?

By: Walt Shiel

Walt Shiel — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:10:11 +0000

You really don't have a choice of stock for LSI covers. However, you can choose either gloss or matte lamination. The choice depends on the cover, target audience, and aesthetics. We generally use gloss since most of our books have either large color photos or full-color artwork, both of which usually look better with gloss. However, our last print book -- my Rough War -- uses matte since that seemed to be best with the vintage B&W photo and muted background color.

By: C Shaw

C Shaw — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:52:03 +0000

Does Lightning Source offer a menu of card stock choices for paperback covers? The ones I’ve seen strike me as shiny and cheap-looking. I’d prefer to bind my books in something more matte.

By: Walt Shiel

Walt Shiel — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 17:56:13 +0000

http://waltshiel.com/2008/08/27/pricing-your-book-on-lightning-source/

By: John L. Betcher

John L. Betcher — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 17:45:43 +0000

As far as returnability, I could easily be the go-between with Ingram to facilitate this service. But for reasons you mention in your post, I am reluctant to do so.

BTW, I don’t know what the “Author Cost” is for a basic, color cover, trade paperback novel from LS. I pay $4.78 for 328 pages and $3.68 for 236 pages. Those prices seem reasonable to me. Do you know how LS would compare?

Thanks again,

John

By: John L. Betcher

John L. Betcher — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 17:39:33 +0000

Don’t misunderstand, I can offer different discounts to whomever I wish — including Ingram. I just didn’t know that their standard percentage was 15%. That’s good info. So If I want to give the bookstores 40% thru Ingram, I’ll just make sure they get a 55% discount from CS.

I believe the 40% discount CS gives to Ingram by default is just their standard practice at CS.

Thanks again for the good info.

John