Lulu this year?

Just a quick question for you, what exactly is Lulu? I've heard about it for a bit now, but I'm not exactly sure what it is. Could you help me out?

Lulu is www.lulu.com, it's a self-publisher with print-on-demand services. Very good quality, and they're reputable. There are a lot of scams out there, but this one is good. For the past few years they've been offering all Nano winners a free copy of their book (you can do this without making it available for public viewing). It's really cool.

Wow, that's really cool. Thanks for the information! :)

I sure hope they do -- I've already started writing my Author's Note and Acknowledgement pages for the front of the book! :-D

Even if they don't though, I know I won't be attempting to polish, peddle and publish this NaNo, so I'll probably have a copy made anyway. Having the book sitting on your shelf makes the whole accomplishment seem so much more... real...

I also hope they'll make the offer again this year, it would be a perfect way to get a hardcopy for editing purposes.

Yes, same here, though, I was never able to get one two years ago when I did 50k. I was trying to edit, but didn't have time. :\

So, I'm hoping there's an offer this year, so that I can share the accomplishment with others as well as for editing purposes.

I'm hoping they do it this year as well...

I'd really like to hold my Novel in book form :D

Have you tried out Blurb's Booksmart? It works similar to LuLu.

If they don't I'll be tempted to buy a copy anyway. I had one last year and it was so nice being able to hold it in my hand in one neat little package. I was trying to edit it so I could get a copy of the final product done too, but I never got that far.

I don't think 50k will also be the end of my story. There's no end in sight and I'm thinking that's a little terrifying. But when I actually finish, I think I'm going to buy a copy anyway. That way I have a reward to make myself write and actually finish this year.

Btw, love the name, fairyhedgehog! Whether it's a flower or not ;)

Tavia (on the ywp nano site) said Amazon is offering the free book this year instead of Lulu. I don't know details, but hey, it's a free book! :)

Now if I can only get to the point of being eligible.....

I have a question.
Does it have to be the novel I won this year?
Or could it be my '06 NaNo, that I just finished editing? o_O

I don't care who does it, as long as someone is offering me a free book. =D

Thank you! Another Pratchett fan I see :)

There's no way for them to tell, since NaNo doesn't track your novel in any way. :)

So Amazon.com is going to be doing it this year? For where would I go to get more information, mayhaps I ask?

That free hard copy keeps me going toward that light at the end of the 50k tunnel!! (I am told it's probably NOT an oncoming train!)

If "mayhaps" is a word, why isn't "perbe"?

Amazon.com was having a writing contest. The entries closed on the 5th November. They were using a company called createspace.com these people only publish books they do not sell books without an ISBN so getting a preview type copy isnt an option.
Might be best to just get a few copies through Lulu.com and not loose those first publishing rights if you wish to be traditionally published.
Other thing is I have only heard many good things about Lulu and I have heard nothing about this amazon created createspace.com company.

maybe if Lulu gets alot of us using them this year they might then offer the free book for next years NaNO!

*****
I was meaning this post for IF amazon.com does NOT give the free copy. Since nothing has been mentioned that I have seen apart from the brief thing by Tavia.
The amazon company only seems to print books with ISBNs, unlike Lulu that will let you print out copies just to see it in hard print.

Hmm, I don't know why mayhaps is a word an perbe isn't. But if it were, it would probably be one I use, too :P

If Amazon is doing the 'one free copy', though, no one would lose their first publishing rights. It's not an official publishing, it's just a printing of one book; everyone would still own their book, they'd just have an official-looking copy of it to tote around, and maybe show off to people.

Hmm, I don't know why mayhaps is a word and perbe isn't. If it were, though, I'd probably use it :P

If Amazon did do the 'one free book' thing, I'm pretty sure no one would lose their first publishing rights. They'd only do one book each, and so it's more of a large-scale print run than it is a publishing. We'd still maintain our rights to go to a publisher and pitch our books, we'd just have a pretty-looking hard copy to drool over.

Lulu is not offering the free book this year. I emailed them and got a response today saying the staffer that has done it in the past years is no longer with them and they couldn't get it together on short notice. But they said maybe next year.
Cara

Thanks for the info. Too bad about the Lulu offer not being there.

I found that Booksurge is an amazon.com associated company, but I didn't see anywhere that they were interested in being involved with NaNoWriMo.

I also looked at Blurb's Booksmart. Very nice, but NOT cheap even for one copy.

P.O.R., everyone! (That's "Press On, Regardless!")

Do you know where on the ywp site that's discussed or announced?

Lisa:-))

Man, that bites. And this year I was actually planning on doing it, too. :(

This is the quote from the ywp NaNo site, where I'm registered as a teacher. It's in the teacher's forum, posted by the ywp site administrator, Tavia Stewart:

Hi!

This year Amazon.com will be offering free copies for all NaNo winners. I will be posting a breaking news about this with all the details you will need!

Tavia

No more details have been forthcoming. I've emailed Tavia and I'll let you know her response if I get one.

Hmm. I guess you need to be registered there to see any of the forums, because I couldn't see a thing.

I e-mailed Tavia myself a couple weeks back but haven't gotten a reply.

If there is a reply, or deal of any sort, could you let me know? I want to take advantage of it this year.

Will Lulu make you a copy of your book anytime for a fee or was it just a one-time thing for winners? Even if I reach 50k, my book needs LOTS of editing. I've been working on it for over a year and it's over 300 pages.

I am wondering this as well. My book's not ready to be published, but I'd love to have a copy of it just for me.

Letters of Silver,

Lulu will make you a copy of your book any time for a relatively nominal cost. Check out the website, they provide a really great service and product. I printed my last two NaNoWriMo winners with their free book offer, and they turned out beautifully. I also created a book for my best friend's poetry, with my own full color cover, and it was really reasonable. I have purchased copies of the books as well, and I believe my 300 pg 6 x 9 trade paperback was around $11.00 plus shipping. All my books have arrived in pristine shape (free or purchased).

You do all the editing you want, and you also have to format it to fit their guidelines. All three of the books I have printed through Lulu have turned out lovely. It is truly a treasure to have a copy of your writing in physical book form. I still get goosebumps when I hold my books.

I'm sad that they're not offering it this year. I might take the plunge and print this years' book on my own at Lulu. I'll keep checking back for more information regarding the Amazon.com book details.

Happy Noveling!

Bad news. No free book offer this year.

Here's the email from Tavia:
Melanie,

It looks like Amazon flaked on their offer. They literally dropped off
the planet. And Lulu did too. I would hit up your local print shops
though! Sorry.

Warm regards,
Tavia Stewart
Managing Editor and
Young Writers Program Director
The Office of Letters and Light