Got my latest book from Lulu

I got my 'final' proof to my latest book, Lethal Knowledge, the last of my trilogy last week. I decided to go with Lulu this time becasue it was a lot easier and I can control the prices. They did a fansatic job, I couln't be happier. I spent a lot of time on it, this one is the 11th version. If you get a chance, go out to the site and let me know what you think. http://www.lulu.com/content/4026553 Thanks

Good job, PJ.

Bravo PJ, you've done it again! Great review!

Looks great PJ! Hope you sell oodles of them!

Yes, PJ, great job, well done.

Congratulations, P.J.
You say that you can control the prices?

Thanks everyone. Yes, Abe you do control the selling price of your work. You take the actual costs per book then add what you want to make on each. I attempted to keep mine as low as possible. One thing you have to realize, if you go with the published by Luly option as did I, then there is a retail and a wholesale price that must be met. It's really not complicated. 

I don't think Carol would agree with you. She wanted an ISBN without a distribution package but she had to pay for the package to obtain the ISBN. Then the pricing wizard set the price and Carol didn't know how to change it. With a little help, I think she has succeeded in changing the price and she has ordered her first copy of the book.

When she sells her first copy to a US buyer, she will see that 28% of the royalties has been withheld. She will have to fill in and send a W-9 form to claim back the royalties:

If you are a U.S. Domestic entity:

• Complete and submit a W-9 form that we keep on file. A properly completed W-9 form provides your Social Security Number (SSN), Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), or Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN).
  
• With a valid W-9 form on file, your withholding rate is 0%. If we have no W-9 form on file, your withholding rate is the default backup withholding rate for U.S. domestic entities as set by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States; currently this rate is 28%.
  

http://www.lulu.com/uk/help/index.php?fSymbol=royalty_faq

It isn't as straightforward as it may seem.

Sheila is right. I have found this a frustrating experience, even with the help of my artist sister-in-law. We wanted to put the book in a landscape size, but after uploading the book, found out we could not get an ISBN with this size, so we went with a square size. But then it seemed I could only get color inside and there is no color inside this book and that will be more expensive.

So the retail price for my 48 page book, was $22.10. But then when I ordered a copy, my statement said I only paid $15.10, and I found out I could re-negotiate a price for the book when I accepted the final copy.

I have not gotten a copy of the book yet, but it is on the way. I am really excited to get it. You can check it out on Lulu by searching on my name or "Now Is Once Upon a Time." The cover designed by my sister-in-law is gorgeous.

Congratulations on your book P.J. It looks good!

Carol

This is a link to Carol's book:

http://www.lulu.com/content/4715062

Hey Carol, sorry you had so many problems. That's what you get for being such a troublemaker wanting all those special things. As you can see, my book went through 11 versions before I was satisfied with it so I had plenty of time to figure things out. I checked your book, wow, great cover, congratulations. I designed my cover from a photo I took of the Alaska pipeline when I was working for a few weeks in Fairbanks. I thought it came out pretty good. Looks like you went with self-publishing, I went with published by Lulu, got a free ISBN and distribution. Anyway, hope you sell a ton!

P.J.,

It sounds like we both want our books just right and work to that goal.

When we get the copy, we're going to go through it carefully, and then look at the options open to us.

So we might have eleven or twelve versions before we are satisfied.

My sister-in-law also put illustrations inside the book and formatted it for me.
We have really enjoyed doing this besides the frustrations. I plan to give a copy to each family member for Christmas.

Carol

Carol, it looks magnificent! Your family is sure to treasure it for always.