If you’re an aspiring author looking to bring your manuscript to life, you’ve likely come across various self-publishing options. One such option is InstantPublisher. While it offers some compelling services, it’s essential to understand its capabilities, limitations, and reputation before deciding if it’s the right fit for you. Let’s take a closer look at what Instant Publisher brings to the table—and where it falls short.
A Brief History and Reputation
InstantPublisher was founded in 2001 as part of Fundcraft Publishing (a cookbook publisher), a family-owned business with experience in the printing industry. Instant Publisher aims to make the book publishing process more accessible and affordable for authors. Over the years, Instant Publisher has built a reputation for providing reliable printing services at competitive prices. However, like any company, it has received its share of both praise and criticism.
What InstantPublisher Offers
Instant Publisher markets itself as a self-publishing company, but it operates more as a specialized book printer. Here’s a rundown of what they provide:
Book Printing Services: Instant Publisher excels in printing physical copies of books. Whether you need hardcover, softcover, or even custom bindings, they have you covered. They offer various paper types and print sizes to meet different needs. The printing process typically takes between 5 and 25 business days, depending on the specifics of your order and their production queue, plus additional shipping transit time. So, despite the name “Instant Publisher,” authors should be prepared to wait a while for their printed books.
Book Design and Formatting: To help your book look professional, Instant Publisher offers design and formatting services. This includes cover design and interior layout to ensure that your book is visually appealing and readable.
Major Drawbacks
While InstantPublisher can get your book printed and formatted, there are several notable drawbacks that potential users should be aware of:
Lack of Distribution Services: One of the significant limitations of Instant Publisher is the absence of book distribution services. After your books are printed, you’re essentially on your own when it comes to selling them. This means no placement on major online retailers like Amazon or Barnes & Noble unless you handle this yourself. Authors must independently manage inventory, sales, and shipping, which can be a daunting task, particularly for first-time authors.
Extremely Limited Marketing Assistance: Another critical area where Instant Publisher falls short is marketing. They offer no marketing services or promotional support outside of designing/printing bookmarks, business cards, etc. As a result, the burden of publicizing your book rests entirely on your shoulders. For many authors, especially those without a background in sales or marketing, this can be a significant hurdle. It’s nice to have bookmarks and business cards, but these aren’t helpful tools if you have no idea how to utilize them.
No Editing Services: While they provide design and formatting assistance, Instant Publisher does not offer any editorial services. This means that the content of your book—grammar, style, structure—remains unchecked unless you seek third-party editing services. For a polished final product, investing in a good editor is crucial, but unfortunately, Instant Publisher does not facilitate this.
Misleading Name: Given these limitations, the name “InstantPublisher” might be somewhat misleading. Firstly, nothing about the process is “instant”; printing alone can take anywhere from 5 to 25 business days, and that’s before factoring in shipping time. Secondly, given the lack of distribution and marketing support, the name “InstantPrinter” would be more accurate, albeit still overstated regarding speed.
Reputation Insights
In terms of reputation, Instant Publisher has received mixed reviews. On the positive side, authors appreciate the quality of the printed books and the variety of customization options available. Users have also noted the company’s competitive pricing and responsive customer service as strong points.
However, the absence of comprehensive publishing services such as distribution, marketing, and editing has led to some negative feedback. Authors who expect a full-service self-publishing experience may find Instant Publisher’s offerings insufficient. It’s crucial to set realistic expectations and be aware of these limitations before committing.
The Bottom Line
InstantPublisher can play a role in your self-publishing journey, primarily as a reliable printer for physical copies of your book. They excel in producing professional-looking books through their design and formatting services. However, if you’re looking for a comprehensive self-publishing partner that will assist with distribution, marketing, and editing, you’ll need to look elsewhere or supplement Instant Publisher’s services with additional resources.
InstantPublisher review
Summary
In summary, Instant Publisher is best suited for authors who are confident in their ability to handle distribution and marketing independently and are merely looking for a cost-effective way to print high-quality books. If that sounds like you, they could be a valuable partner. However, if you need more full-service support, you might find Instant Publisher’s offerings severely lacking. It’s crucial to weigh these factors based on your specific needs and expectations as an author.