However, if you want to get your book distributed to Amazon and Barnes & Noble (as opposed to just the Lulu marketplace), you’ll need an ISBN (which they offer for $99, which isn’t unreasonable, or you can buy direct from Bowker, where a single ISBN is $125). There are also marketing packages, etc. that you can check out to see if that’s the sort of thing you need.

If I just wanted to sell on the Lulu marketplace, the cost isn’t too bad for large tomes like In Her Name: the Lulu basic cost calculator says that the manufacturing cost is $18.09, and if I add a royalty for myself of $3.00 (plus a $0.77 fee to Lulu), the total is $21.95. That’s still pretty steep, and I doubt many people really shop on Lulu’s marketplace, but there’s a chance someone will buy it (and you could get your book to their marketplace for free – you wouldn’t even need an ISBN).

Unfortunately, for retail distribution, we run into the usual pricing problem (at least with a lengthy book like In Her name): according to Lulu’s retail price calculator, the manufacturing cost is $15.06. If I add on a $3.00 royalty, Lulu adds another $0.75 sales fee, plus a 50% retailer discount ($18.81), for a total price of $37.62! That ain’t gonna work for me, folks. Again, you could probably get a reasonable price for shorter books, but not epic novels.

So, in my case, I’m going to put a copy of my book in the Lulu marketplace just to get additional exposure – hey, it’s free! – but won’t be using them for distribution to any retailers (including Amazon). For a long book it’s just too expensive. Again, though, everybody’s needs are different, and Lulu could very well work for you!

Bookmark It