Create Space offers good quality paperback book publishing at a cost far less than a traditional printer. However, what if you want hardback as well?
For many children’s book authors who write/illustrate full color books for kids use Create Space for paperback publishing and Lightning Source for hardback book publishing.
PROS and CONS
Create Space (CS)
Hardback Books are offered from CS as a single unit to the author only. There is a $99 set up plus printing costs (Aug 2013.) The CS costs per hardcover is slightly higher than Lightning Source (LS), but again, only the author may purchase as a single unit and it is never listed on Amazon.
Summary
- Only the author may purchase hardback books as a single unit
- Hardback book costs slightly higher than LS
- CS hardback books are not listed on Amazon.com
- CS provides free ISBN
Lightning Source
Lightning Source set up costs for a hardcover runs about $100, and the author / book publisher must supply their own ISBN numbers (purchasing in groups of 10 or more from Bowker Identifier Services (US) will save money per number.)
Lighting Source charges $40 for every change to the cover or interior you make. So it is wise to publish the paperback first.
On the other hand, Amazon, will, however, link your LS hardback book to your paperback and they will appear on the same Amazon product page.
LS hardback books are available in case laminate, cloth or jacketed. However, LS does not provide design, file work, editorial, promotional or marketing services. These are solely the responsibility of the publisher.
Summary
- Author must supply own ISBN numbers
- LS charges for every change (cover or interior)
- Amazon will link hardback to CS paperback
- LS does not offer design, formatting, editing, promotion or marketing services
Example Cost
40-page full color, 8×10 book
- Lightning Source (hardcover) $10.20*
- Create Space (paperback) $3.65
- *ISBN Number
