Hello everyone. I have read a lot of negativity surrounding so called vanity publishers especially for new authors.
I have been offered a pretty fair contributory publication by Pegasus and Austin Macauley for a children's book I have written.
Having explored self-publishing, some of the quotes for this which include much the same service as the two publishers above are in excess of the contribution both publishing houses are asking for and don't include the same promotion and publicity Pegasus and Austin Macauley offer.
Talking it over with an independent book shop owner he spoke quite highly of them, particularly Pegasus.
My question is this: As a new author how else can you get work published? Most publishers don't accept unsolicited manuscripts and getting an agent seems well nigh impossible.
I am seriously tempted by the vanity publishing route. It appears they are cheaper than most self publishers and at least and there is a comfort in being with an established publishing house.
Thanks everyone.
You clearly don't have a clue what a vanity publisher is: there are three things that single one out, they are: requiring the author to buy x copies of his book, trad publisher royalties (far lower than hybrid), and no effort at marketing. My book "VLAD DRACULA: THE IMPALER" is available online at over 2000 book retailers on seven continents, published by Austin Macauley. The real reason authors are trashing this company, is that they (authors) can't write a book anyone wants to read, are too lazy to edit, and give their books titles that won't appear in a catalog's search engine unless you wade through fifty webpages.
I accepted the invitation by Austin Macauley to have my first novel published. After paying over 5k Australian, 3 years and complete inaction on their part, despite the fact my book was #1 on their Sci-Fi list over that time, there was no action by them. Sales were few and cheques too inadequate for Australian banks to honour.
Communication was via cut and paste, no questions were answered, and I was compelled to conclude that they are con-artists.
Stay away. Publish via KDP - at least that's free.
Thank you for your insightful comments. You'll be pleased to hear that I've turned then vanity publishers down. I may well self-publish... with a bit of help. S