Hi Jessica — Thanks for the article. It’s important to ensure authors know the differences between traditional publishers vs vanity publishers (whose business models often involve pretending to be a “real” publisher) and self-publishing. Much of the “bad name” self-publishing is continuing to try to cast off comes from the damage done by vanity publishers, more interested in tacking fees onto an author’s hopes and dreams of being published than being concerned with actual quality products.

One thing I disagree with, particularly in my own experience of working with thousands of authors over the years as well as the business model for many vanity publishing firms (making 80% of their revenue off of author services and only 20% of their revenue from sales) is this statement:

“ The marketing and promotions aspect is something many vanity publishers do well. They know how to use social media, ads, and blogs and podcasts to get their authors exposure the authors may not know how to get themselves.”

Most of the “marketing” services vanity outfits offer are often over-sold and far over-charged and provide plenty of hope and are often difficult to measure the impact on sales. The only guarantee is more money flowing out of the writer’s pocket.