Before signing a contract with Xulon Press, read articles by Paul F Davis who authored 4 books with the “Christian” publisher and was not satisfied.
Tag Archives: publisher
Tom Freiling and Xulon Press – Bad Reports to Better Business Bureau
I received an email this week with another complaint against Xulon Press – who published 4 of my books and proved to be a bit sneaky and phony as to publicity they advertised, promised, and sold me that they later provided far less than that which they pitched and profited from.
Here’s the latest scandal on Xulon Press below I just was emailed below:
“My husband and I saw your web log about Xulon press and I am so happy that you are speaking out against them. They did the same thing to us. In 2002 my husband’s uncle Billy ( Billy Barty) was being featured on an A/E biography.
Because my husband and I were both Christians we sought out a Christian publisher so that we could have our tribute book done in a reasonable time frame. Many well known celebrities had participated. Tom Freiling had no problem taking our money for the best sellers program along with all of the extra fee’s that came along with it. After reading all their hype we thought they were a company with integrity. We have had nothing but heartache from them from the get go.
I pray that others will see your weblog. Recently we filed a complaint with the FTC and the BBB. We have had very little money from them and the last time they said they owed us 39.00 which we never received. This company definitely does not promote Christian ethics nor does it answer phone calls or e-mails when there is a problem that arises. If you need our support, count us in.
I went on BBB of Central Florida. Xulon has evidently had 9 complaints and three this past year. I hope others will come forward.”
God Bless, Debra and Mike Copeland
Xulon Press Publicity – Beware and Do Your Homework with Xulon and Townhall Press
Writing a book is one thing, getting it published and enduring the many money-making schemes of publishers is another. I found publishing to be a very expensive and daunting task.
Xulon Press is a Christian publisher that published 4 books of my books. I had some major discrepancies in regard to promises unfulfilled in regard to their press releases. I published four books with Xulon Press within a year and encountered some problems.
Upon making some inquiries, I learned that Xulon Press uses PRWeb to do its press releases. PR Web offers four press release packages:
– Standard – $80
– Social Media – $120
– SEO – $200
– Media Visibility (includes all of the above) – $360
Xulon Press only did a press release for one of my three books they completed, while engaged in publishing my fourth. Upon thoroughly researching why Xulon’s press releases and publicity I paid for weren’t producing any press for me, I made a shocking discovery.
It seems two of my three books done with Xulon never received a press release done for them at all. Upon doing my homework, I learned that the one press release Xulon did for my book on Adultery 101 was under the “standard” package.
My fourth upcoming book with Xulon, Poems that Propel the Planet, I asked them not to do the press release as I feel Xulon publicity and press releases are weak and leave much to be desired. Any PR obtained by their authors as they advertise “Christian Book News Alert” does not necessarily mean it came as a result of Xulon’s efforts. Popular, famous, and noteworthy authors who diligently market their books can generate press without Xulon’s help.
The purpose for this article is to warn authors of what they are buying, or thinking they are buying when they pay for press and publicity at Xulon Press or any other publisher for that matter. Do your homework and ask several questions before assuming what you are getting. Many selling publicity packages and press releases are essentially merely selling an illusion.
Upon asking the publisher’s representatives, I learned Xulon always uses the PRweb’s standard package, though they don’t tell their authors that on the front end. On the Xulon Press website for the “best-seller’s package” costing around $2,000 – authors are told that Xulon’s “media publicity” press release could get them on Oprah or Larry King.
This is very unlikely considering the press releases at the “standard package” are not released nationally, preventing national exposure to be seen by such high level talk show hosts and producers as Larry King and Oprah. I know because i’ve been on Oprah & Friends Radio three times, plus Fox News Radio, Playboy Radio and several other top media outlets.
When a publisher like Xulon promises the possibility of national media attention as a result of buying their publicity package, but fail to mention no national press release will be given; it’s a bit misleading and unethical.
Xulon Press however only saw fit to refund me $287 as they claim it takes time to write a press release and allege their press release will put authors in front of national media. It’s interesting I never got a single inquiry from the Xulon Press release.
The way I see it, my refund for the press releases needs to be in the amount of $1,440. Each full publicity press release costs $360 with PRWeb. (4 x 360 = 1,440)
Considering I chose Xulon primarily based on the publicity pacakage they offered, the opportunity cost lost of publishing with them is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars considering my expectation was getting on Oprah & Larry King where an author can sells millions of copies of books. Yet at $2,000 per book, I should at least be able to recooperate $8,000 for the four books published.
My argument against the “Christian Publisher” is very solid both morally and legally.
1. Xulon Press states their press releases provide media exposure to TV and radio. This however is not accessible with the “standard” $80 package you use at PRWeb. Such media publicity comes with the $360 package at PRWeb labeled “media publicity.”
2. PRWeb archives all press releases. Neither the Supernatural Fire book, nor the Are You Ready for True Love? press releases were archived. Hence the power of the ongoing press release accessible by the worldwide web is non-existent.
3. The Supernatural Fire attachment Xulon Press initially sent me claiming a press release (which can’t be found at PRWeb) was poorly written. “Catch the only seasonal bug worth keeping” adorns the headline which has nothing to do with the book, neither is desirable to read.
4. Opportunity costs lost for me as an author by reason of press releases not sent (though promised) far exceed the cost of the releases themselves. My life consists of time which Xulon Press has greatly robbed me of personally and professionally.
5. Selling an illusion of being on Oprah or Larry King when you are merely doing “standard” press releases that cannot reach such people is unethical, immoral, and by no means Christlike for a Christian publisher.
Xulon Press advertises their “Press Release Service” saying:
“Let our professionals craft an effective press release for your book. It’s not easy to grab the attention of the media, but we’ll separate your book from its competitors with copy that sizzles. Our one-page press release gives the media all the information they need to contact you for news stories, columns, articles – even for TV and radio interviews. You never know, you might end up on Oprah or Larry King Live!”
Xulon Press says, “You never know…” Well, as an author of 4 books with Xulon Press, I do know! Don’t buy the lie.
Incidentally, I have only received a check for $64 for royalties – again indicative of their poor publicity. When I inquired about my royalties, I was told the checks would be sent out two months late this year. I suppose they don’t cncern themselves with authors living off of those royalty checks. I guess their press release doesn’t generate much PR, nor sales anyhow.
My last book done with Xulon was another nightmare as they nickled and dimed me trying to charge me $75 to change the back cover which I as the author never got to see before it went to print. How does that work when a paying author can’t even see his own back cover before it goes to print. Thankfully they waived the $75 fee for changing the back picture, but not before some unpleasant exchanges by email.
That being said it is awfully difficult to figure out what picture to use on the back cover when the publisher won’t even show or tell you the color combination their are going to use. If you later see your first 10 books in a box at your house and don’t like the back cover, Xulon charges its author’s $75 to correct it. If you want to change your picture on the back cover and text summarizing your book thereon the cost is $150.
Such practices don’t make for a great publisher, nor a pleasant experience for an author. Therefore before dealing with any publisher, be sure to ask crucial questions about the above mentioned.
Writing a book is one thing, publishing it can be a daunting task.
Though Xulon Press is not great, they certainly are good and very cost effective considering what else is out there in regard to publishers. The staff will not talk to or deal with you over the phone, mostly through email only. If you can endure that during the creative process, than perhaps Xulon would work well for a first-time author on a low budget.
I’m still hunting for more publishers myself. I’ve used a total of four publishers thus far to publish the ten books I’ve written. All have their pros and cons. If you know of a great publisher, write me and tell me more!
The business of publishing is a painful process and certainly not for the faint in heart.
Paul Davis is a highly sought after worldwide professional speaker, purpose coach, and change master transforming organizations and empowering individuals to live their dreams.
Paul is the author of several books including United States of Arrogance; Poems that Propel the Planet; Breakthrough for a Broken Heart; Adultery: 101 Reasons Not to Cheat; Are You Ready for True Love; Stop Lusting & Start Living; Waves of God; Supernatural Fire; God vs. Religion; and many more!
Paul’s compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul’s organization Dream-Maker Inc. builds dreams, transcends limitations, & reconciles nations.
Contact Paul to speak at your event or for consulting:
RevivingNations@yahoo.com
407-284-1705
Filed under book publishing, legal matters, religion, spirituality
Zoolon, Zulon, or Xulon Press – Spell it However You Want, Pay More, and Get Less
Publishing Confessions from a Xulon Press Author Who Encountered Conservative Hypocrisy
The ancient Greek word Xulon (zoo’ lon) is talking about revelation and I’ve got some profound revelations about Salem Communications publisher Xulon Press for you. Hear ye, hear ye all you authors because this is for you!
Writing a book is one thing, getting it published and enduring the many money-making schemes of publishers is another. I found publishing to be a very expensive and daunting task.
Xulon Press is a “Christian” publisher that published 4 books of my books. I had some major discrepancies in regard to promises unfulfilled in regard to their press releases. I published four books with Xulon Press within a year and encountered some problems, many related to their purported publicity packages – which essentially make or break a book’s success.
I recently received an email blast advert from Xulon Press and Townhall Press (“where your opinion counts”) promoting political candidate Fred Thompson’s new book Government at the Brink.
Xulon Press e-blasts are rare and apparently only given to very influential and powerful people who can sell more books and increase profit margins. I don’t recall getting any other promos for books besides Thompson’s, which of course reveals what a conservative owned publisher is capable of when it really wants to properly promote its authors books.
When I spoke to Xulon’s director of acquisitions and operations about receiving the same kind of E-blast for the 4 books I published and purchased publicity for with Xulon, I was told Fred Thompson’s book was a “special case”. In other words, though I published 4 books with Xulon, I wasn’t important and politics and profits are prioritized over fair treatment of all authors. Thompson, a political candidate with more visibility, is more financially promising and conservatively leaning. Hence Fred, unlike other Xulon authors, got the extra publicity push.
Founded by Christian author and publisher Tom Freiling, Xulon is now a part of Salem Communications Corporation. Salem claims to be the country’s leading Christian communications company with interests in radio, Internet, and magazine publishing. This does not mean you as an author with Xulon or Town Hall can rest, because my experience is Xulon’s connections and publicity never gives you as an author its best. If you’re not a big name or a conservative cash cow like Thompson, expect far less.
Tom Freiling founded Xulon Press and Town Hall Press with a group of Conservative entrepreneurs (perhaps that explains why the little author doesn’t get a fair chance).
Freiling’s political ideology is rather obvious in the books he has written: George W. Bush on God and Country, and Reagan’s God and Country. Incidentally last time I checked God never said he was a Republican or an American. Perhaps that explains the hypocrisy of American democracy and our present failed foreign policy.
Mr. Freiling claims to have published dozens of best-selling Conservative books, selling more than 2 million copies worldwide, and proudly mentions his appearances on CNN, C-Span, and many other television and radio programs. Being connected to Salem Communications has its benefits.
Why than can’t Mr. Freiling and Xulon Press produce the same publicity for me its author of 4 books? Possible reasons could be:
– I’m not conservative enough. Certainly my new book United States of Arrogance attests to that, though I am a registered Republican.
– It’s more fun to adequately publicize your own books when you run a publishing company than the authors paying for publicity.
– Getting paid for books published and publicity promised is more fun than actually producing the finished product.
– Maybe Xulon Press prefers selling the illusion to its authors of getting on Oprah and Larry King even though they have no intention of providing national publicity with PR Web the company it uses to do press releases.
Xulon purchased for my books the cheapest of the four tiers offered for press releases from PR Web (which does not offer nationwide exposure), but made me to believe I was getting a shot at national publicity to be discovered. It takes years to write a book. The 4 books I wrote and published with Xulon (those they lied about adequately publicizing) certainly left me feeling quite betrayed by the Christian and conservative publisher. I do believe punitive damages for the years of my life lost are in order. Before proceeding with that I think it is proper however to give Xulon a taste of what good publicity can accomplish so they never lie to future aspiring authors again. Unfortunately I continue to get emails from disgruntled Xulon authors who agree with me and have issue with various items pertinent to the publishing of their books.
Mr. Freiling claims Writer’s Digest magazine featured him as one of the world’s leading experts on self-publishing. What’s the problem than in generating adequate publicity for his authors?
Interestingly though Xulon Press has an Author Audio Blog page, I have never been asked to be interviewed by Mr. Freiling for any of my 4 books. Xulon Press and Town Hall Press like to sell the illusion of “strength in numbers” belonging to conservative and Christian groups. I have found however none of this really matters once you publish with Xulon because after they collect the cash from you, my experience has been the author is basically forgetten about and provided very poor publicity.
Perhaps the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) should evaluate the publicity packages Xulon Press sells and reconsider how reputable the company really is or is not.
Paul F. Davis – worldwide minister who has touched 50 countries and author of 14 books
Xulon Press published 4 books Davis wrote: “Supernatural Fire”; “Poems That Propel The Planet”; “Are You Ready For True Love?”; and “Adultery 101”
The fiery minister says of Xulon, “I guess some people don’t see the light until they first feel the heat. Indeed they will feel the fire of the Holy Spirit in me as I have many bones to pick with Tom Freiling and Xulon Press. I shall be heard and will not be silent!”
http://www.PaulFDavis.com
RevivingNations@yahoo.com
Interestingly, I found two complaints about Xulon Press here below:
Apr 18, 2008
I have recently used Xulon and I’m overall disappointed. I found the language of services offered for the bestseller’s package was very misleading (bordering on dishonest). For instance, they presented the following when I purchased the more expensive package (a little over $1900 several months back), “We will promote your book at a host of other conferences and conventions, including the annual Book Expo America with Catalogs! You will have the opportunity to spotlight your book at each conference.” (exact quote). In the column where additional fees are stated, NONE are listed — there was only a checkmark indicating that this service is included. A reasonable person would buy this package believing their book would be represented at the convention… however, UNLESS you are willing to pay an ADDITIONAL $149, this is not true. Your book will only be represented in a catalog (and who knows where that will be, under the table??). In the end, it didn’t matter, because my concerns were not addressed in a timely enough manner to take advantage of the program — the rep curtly emailed me stating that all the spots “were taken.”
Other issues I encountered included: 1) not having my book posted on their online store until I called to complain about it not being there (over 1 mth after it was completed) 2) press release accompanied by an excel dump (with over 1,000 listings — many out of date, most just simply websites, but no email addresses) requiring that you notify organizations yourself. 3) Spacing format throughout my book was not consistant. 4) High author prices for book purchases…#100 copies of a 200 page book cost me approx 75% more than another very reputable POD.
They did however deliver a good cover and had the book put on several online bookstores — but stated to me that they only guarantee 4 websites: Amazon.com , Borders.com , Amazon.co.uk ( United Kingdom ), and Btol.com . I’m not certain how they will handle it if Amazon does disable the “BUY” button for POD’s in the future.
Tina – Houston, TX
Thursday Apr 24
My experience was nearly identical to Tina’s in many respects, additionally, it’s been nine months and the book still hasn’t been listed at either Spring Harbor or Ingram’s for retailers to have access. Has anyone considered a class action against Xulon? Their’s is not a Christian way to do business.
Diane – Sitka, AK
Paul F. Davis is a world-changing leadership & diversity speaker who has touched over 50 countries & 6 continents building bridges cross-culturally and empowering people throughout the earth to live their dreams!
Paul is the author of 14 books. Paul has appeared on numerous internationally broadcast radio shows from Oprah & Friends to Fox News Radio to talk about conflict resolution, peacemaking, foreign policy, and diplomacy. Playboy Radio host Tiffany Granath calls Paul an “awesome” relational coach and recommends his books on love, dating, and sexuality.
Academically outstanding Davis was trained in transformative mediation & conflict resolution (Hofstra Law School); strategic negotiations (Harvard Business School & U. of Washington); advanced interrogation (Reid & Associates founders of the polygraph); and NLP & Life Coaching (NLP & Coaching Institute of California).
Paul humorously and elegantly transforms individuals and organizations.
Paul’s organization Dream-Maker Inc. builds dreams, transcends limitations, & reconciles nations.
Paul worked at Ground Zero in NYC during 9/11; helped rebuild a home at the tsunami epicenter; comforted victims of genocide in Rwanda; spoke to leaders in East Timor during the war; inspired students & monks in Myanmar; promoted peace & reconciliation in Pakistan; and has been so deep into the bush of rural Africa where villagers had never before seen a white man.
Paul empowers people to love passionately and live fearlessly.
RevivingNations@yahoo.com
Xulon Press & Townhall Press – Beware & Do Your Homework with Publicity & Press Releases
Writing a book is one thing, getting it published and enduring the many money-making schemes of publishers is another. I found publishing to be a very expensive and daunting task.
Xulon Press is a Christian publisher that published 4 books of my books. I had some major discrepancies in regard to promises unfulfilled in regard to their press releases. I published four books with Xulon Press within a year and encountered some problems.
Upon making some inquiries, I learned that Xulon Press uses PRWeb to do its press releases. PR Web offers four press release packages:
– Standard – $80
– Social Media – $120
– SEO – $200
– Media Visibility (includes all of the above) – $360
Xulon Press only did a press release for one of my three books they completed, while engaged in publishing my fourth. Upon thoroughly researching why Xulon’s press releases and publicity I paid for weren’t producing any press for me, I made a shocking discovery.
It seems two of my three books done with Xulon never received a press release done for them at all. Upon doing my homework, I learned that the one press release Xulon did for my book on Adultery 101 was under the “standard” package.
My fourth upcoming book with Xulon, Poems that Propel the Planet, I asked them not to do the press release as I feel Xulon publicity and press releases are weak and leave much to be desired. Any PR obtained by their authors as they advertise “Christian Book News Alert” does not necessarily mean it came as a result of Xulon’s efforts. Popular, famous, and noteworthy authors who diligently market their books can generate press without Xulon’s help.
The purpose for this article is to warn authors of what they are buying, or thinking they are buying when they pay for press and publicity at Xulon Press or any other publisher for that matter. Do your homework and ask several questions before assuming what you are getting. Many selling publicity packages and press releases are essentially merely selling an illusion.
Upon asking the publisher’s representatives, I learned Xulon always uses the PRweb’s standard package, though they don’t tell their authors that on the front end. On the Xulon Press website for the “best-seller’s package” costing around $2,000 – authors are told that Xulon’s “media publicity” press release could get them on Oprah or Larry King.
This is very unlikely considering the press releases at the “standard package” are not released nationally, preventing national exposure to be seen by such high level talk show hosts and producers as Larry King and Oprah. I know because i’ve been on Oprah & Friends Radio three times, plus Fox News Radio, Playboy Radio and several other top media outlets.
When a publisher like Xulon promises the possibility of national media attention as a result of buying their publicity package, but fail to mention no national press release will be given; it’s a bit misleading and unethical.
Xulon Press however only saw fit to refund me $287 as they claim it takes time to write a press release and allege their press release will put authors in front of national media. It’s interesting I never got a single inquiry from the Xulon Press release.
The way I see it, my refund for the press releases needs to be in the amount of $1,440. Each full publicity press release costs $360 with PRWeb. (4 x 360 = 1,440)
Considering I chose Xulon primarily based on the publicity pacakage they offered, the opportunity cost lost of publishing with them is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars considering my expectation was getting on Oprah & Larry King where an author can sells millions of copies of books. Yet at $2,000 per book, I should at least be able to recooperate $8,000 for the four books published.
My argument against the “Christian Publisher” is very solid both morally and legally.
1. Xulon Press states their press releases provide media exposure to TV and radio. This however is not accessible with the “standard” $80 package you use at PRWeb. Such media publicity comes with the $360 package at PRWeb labeled “media publicity.”
2. PRWeb archives all press releases. Neither the Supernatural Fire book, nor the Are You Ready for True Love? press releases were archived. Hence the power of the ongoing press release accessible by the worldwide web is non-existent.
3. The Supernatural Fire attachment Xulon Press initially sent me claiming a press release (which can’t be found at PRWeb) was poorly written. “Catch the only seasonal bug worth keeping” adorns the headline which has nothing to do with the book, neither is desirable to read.
4. Opportunity costs lost for me as an author by reason of press releases not sent (though promised) far exceed the cost of the releases themselves. My life consists of time which Xulon Press has greatly robbed me of personally and professionally.
5. Selling an illusion of being on Oprah or Larry King when you are merely doing “standard” press releases that cannot reach such people is unethical, immoral, and by no means Christlike for a Christian publisher.
Xulon Press advertises their “Press Release Service” saying:
“Let our professionals craft an effective press release for your book. It’s not easy to grab the attention of the media, but we’ll separate your book from its competitors with copy that sizzles. Our one-page press release gives the media all the information they need to contact you for news stories, columns, articles – even for TV and radio interviews. You never know, you might end up on Oprah or Larry King Live!”
Xulon Press says, “You never know…” Well, as an author of 4 books with Xulon Press, I do know! Don’t buy the lie.
Incidentally, I have only received a check for $64 for royalties – again indicative of their poor publicity. When I inquired about my royalties, I was told the checks would be sent out two months late this year. I suppose they don’t cncern themselves with authors living off of those royalty checks. I guess their press release doesn’t generate much PR, nor sales anyhow.
My last book done with Xulon was another nightmare as they nickled and dimed me trying to charge me $75 to change the back cover which I as the author never got to see before it went to print. How does that work when a paying author can’t even see his own back cover before it goes to print. Thankfully they waived the $75 fee for changing the back picture, but not before some unpleasant exchanges by email.
That being said it is awfully difficult to figure out what picture to use on the back cover when the publisher won’t even show or tell you the color combination their are going to use. If you later see your first 10 books in a box at your house and don’t like the back cover, Xulon charges its author’s $75 to correct it. If you want to change your picture on the back cover and text summarizing your book thereon the cost is $150.
Such practices don’t make for a great publisher, nor a pleasant experience for an author. Therefore before dealing with any publisher, be sure to ask crucial questions about the above mentioned.
Writing a book is one thing, publishing it can be a daunting task.
Though Xulon Press is not great, they certainly are good and a viable option if you’re willing to pay a bit more. The staff rarely spoke with or dealt with me over the phone, mostly through email only. If you can endure that during the creative process, than perhaps Xulon would work well for a first-time author.
My passion is writing and speaking internationally. Sometimes I consider a prospective author for serving his or her publicity needs, providing they pay well for my valuable time. Otherwise you’ll just have to kiss some frogs and figure things out the hard way over some years because I don’t give free advice, nor let people “pick my brain” without compensating me for my intellectual property.
I’m still hunting for more a special publisher myself for my 200 page Christian alternative to Oprah & Eckhart Tolle’s “New Earth”. I’ve used a total of four publishers thus far to publish the 14 books I’ve written. All have their pros and cons. Publishing is meaningless however without adequate publicity, that’s my passion without which a book will go undiscovered.
The business of publishing is a painful process and certainly not for the faint in heart.
Paul F. Davis is a highly sought after worldwide professional speaker, purpose coach, and change master transforming organizations and empowering individuals to live their dreams.
Paul is the author of several books including United States of Arrogance; Poems that Propel the Planet; Breakthrough for a Broken Heart; Adultery: 101 Reasons Not to Cheat; Are You Ready for True Love; Stop Lusting & Start Living; Waves of God; Supernatural Fire; God vs. Religion; and many more!
Paul’s compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul’s organization Dream-Maker Inc. builds dreams, transcends limitations, & endeavors to reconcile nations.
Contact Paul to speak at your event or for book consulting:
RevivingNations@yahoo.com
Xulon Press, Townhall Press, & Salem Communications – Not All Authors Are Not Created Equal
Xulon Press and Townhall Press reveal that for Salem Communications all authors are not created equal.
RevivingNations@yahoo.com
It’s not about family, but the money. Hence some authors get better publicity than others, though all pay the same. Government at the Brink, Fred Thompson’s new book is such an example.
I received an email blast advert from Xulon Press and Townhall Press (“where your opinion counts”) in October, 2007 promoting political candidate Fred Thompson’s new book Government at the Brink.
I know little about Thompson, but concerning Xulon Press (who has published 4 of my books) I know they don’t treat all of their authors equally. Xulon and Townhall Press are owned by parent company Salem Communications, which says it treats everyone like family.
Here’s why I disagree.
1.) Xulon Press authors must deal with people by email rather than over the phone throughout the editorial process when developing their books. The one exception is the guy who ships out book orders, when a sale is involved.
2.) When you pay for a press release with Xulon, which they tell you could get you on Oprah or Larry King, you are being lied to.
The press release is web based only and the cheapest of the 4 packages PRWeb offers meaning there is no national exposure whatsoever. Xulon doesn’t tell its authors that when they sell the illusion and grandeur of publicity.
3.) E-blasts are only given to very influential and powerful people who can sell more books and increase Salem’s profit margins.
When I spoke to Xulon’s director of acquisitions and operations about receiving the same kind of E-blast for the 4 books I published and purchased publicity for with Xulon, I was told Fred Thompson’s book was a “special case”. In other words, though I published 4 books with Xulon, I wasn’t important and profits are prioritized over fair treatment of all authors. Thompson, a political candidate with more visibility, is more financially promising. Hence Fred alone, unlike other Xulon authors, get the extra publicity push.
4.) Your time and lost opportunities (time is money you know) don’t matter to Xulon.
I only learned of Xulon’s shady “publicity” packages through the back door when months later I inquired as to what PR firm they were using and proceeded to buy a press release. While examining PR Webs services and my former press releases done by Xulon, I learned Xulon Press had only bought the lowest and cheapest of four publicity packages offered by PR Web when marketing my books.
Upon confronting Xulon and requesting a full refund for all books by reason of opportunities lost (like I never found myself on Oprah or Larry King, which would have made my book sales extremely profitable), they merely appeased me and gave me a $120 for each press release they didn’t properly fulfill.
In other words they threw chump change at me to make me go away. Xulon never acknowledged I as an experienced author chose them in the first place because of the promised publicity — which if done properly I deem invaluable and priceless. When Xulon falsely purported and misrepresented their publicity package to create a hopeful illusion, I considered the publicity sufficient to generate ample sales to recuperate my publishing investment.
That never happened. Instead years of my life have been wasted and countless opportunities squandered by publishing with Xulon.
I am therefore warning all authors lest you too be suckered and seduced by false advertising. Ask questions and do your homework. Publishing is a profitable business and the buyer must beware.
RevivingNations@yahoo.com
Paul F Davis – author of “Supernatural Fire”; “Adultery 101″; “Are You Ready For True Love?”; and “Poems That Propel The Planet” all published with Xulon Press
RevivingNations@yahoo.com
Paul F. Davis is a worldwide minister who has touched over 50 countries & 6 continents building bridges cross-culturally and empowering people throughout the earth to live their dreams!
Paul is the author of 14 books. Thanks to his own genius and publicity, Paul has appeared on Oprah & Friends, Fox News Radio, and Playboy Radio among many other shows to promote his books.
Paul builds dreams, transcends limitations, and reconciles nations.
RevivingNations@yahoo.com
Contact Paul for a book consultation if you are a serious author willing to invest in your future. Knowledge is power, time is money and your life’s work is precious. Design a publicity package that will produce for your book and maximize your message.
Paul’s primary passion is writing and international speaking, but will consider helping a few promisng authors with projects of interest who pay him well.
Paul is the author of 14 books emowering people to love passionately & live fearlessly.
http://www.PaulFDavis.com<br>
RevivingNations@yahoo.com <br>
Xulon Press vs. Publishing Options – Beware of Christian Claims & Xulon Press Promises & Publicity
Don’t be duped by Xulon Press & Salem Communications Christian claims & empty promises.
Xulon Press sells an illusion of publicity & media accessibility that it can’t back up. Xulon Press & Salem Communications failed Paul F Davis author of 4 books.<br>
http://www.PaulFDavis.com<br>
RevivingNations@yahoo.com<br>
Xulon Press, a Christian book publisher, provides 10 reasons to choose a publisher on their website – helpful information indeed when considering any publisher. The publisher owned by Salem Communications gives authors some guidelines, but fails to fulfill many of their own promises to its authors.<br>
Author Paul F Davis published 4 books with Xulon Press and gives his opinion in this true & false assessment below.<br>
10 Guidelines to Measure a Publisher By<br>
EXPERIENCE: Xulon Press claims to have published more than 3,900 Christian books since 1999. Title by title, they say they are larger than any other Christian book publisher. That is highly questionable when you consider enormous Christian publishers like Zondervan, Thomas Nelson, and Creation House. I’d like to know how many of Xulon’s books sold more than 100 copies?<br>
AFFORDABLE: For as little as $999 you can get published! If you do your homework when it comes to print on demand (POD) publishing, authors can actually get published for a third of the cost Xulon offers. Therefore $999 is not all that affordable. As to Xulon’s assertion about no “hidden fees” that might be so, but certainly there are flawed promises about publicity and press releases that go unfulfilled. What authors expect and what authors get greatly differs. Xulon’s “proven, time-tested ways to distribute and market your book” are very weak and feeble. I have published 4 books with Xulon and none of their marketing and distribution efforts produced for me.<br>
REPUTATION: It’s important that you find a book publisher you can trust. Well that’s quite obvious. Yet just because someone claims to be Christian or a big Christian company does not make them to be trustworthy. Hitler also claimed to be Christian. Owned by Salem Communications, which Xulon Press claims to be one of the country’s largest faith-based publishing and communications organizations, it is interesting that Xulon Press could not produce in their publicity package for any of my 4 books a single radio interview.<br>
http://www.PaulFDavis.com<br>
RevivingNations@yahoo.com<br>
Yet they sold the illusion on their website that you could get on Oprah or Larry King if authors used their publicity package. Hogwash! Salem Communications and Xulon Press together claim to be connected to more than 100 Christian radio stations, a cornucopia of Christian magazines, and more than 40 million monthly online page-views representing the largest faith-based audience on the Internet. Ironically and curiously, I as an author with Xulon Press never received a single radio interview or magazine article from Salem Communications promoting my books Xulon Press published .<br>
I can assure you the quality of my books content is noteworthy as by reason of my own publicity and hard work I was able to get radio interviews across the country (without any of Xulon’s help – for such help never came, though was falsely promised) and even radio interviews with several outstanding syndicated radio show hosts including Playboy Radio for 45 minutes about my book Adultery 101.<br>
As for Xulon Press and Salem however, their promises about radio stations and multiple magazines are empty promises that never delivered. Authors therefore should not be falsely seduced by such because Xulon Press is just selling assumptions as they are in the business of selling books. Their publicity services are the worst I’ve ever paid for.<br>
QUALITY: Xulon Press does print high-quality hardcover and paperback editions on a trade-quality cream-white paper and a cover stock that is UV coated for a sleek look that adds durability and longevity to your books.<br>
SPEED: Xulon promises you’ll be a published author in less than 90 days; then we can print your book in less than 60 seconds. A word of caution however is unless you submit everything according to Xulon’s specifications, Xulon won’t budge when it comes to your back cover layout (that is without a fee). Xulon wants it’s authors to submit no more than 300 words for the back cover. I once wanted to change the picture on the back cover and they tried to charge me $75 to do so! Thankfully upon refusing they waived the fee, but it was a mini-battle that was less than pleasant.<br>
YOU KEEP YOUR RIGHTS: Xulon lets you keep 100% of the rights to your book. If another publisher comes along and wants to publish your book, you are free to cancel your agreement with them anytime. This agreeably is a good thing for authors, but I have yet to try to do it. When that time comes if anything changes, I shall modify this article.<br>
DISTRIBUTION: Xulon claims to work with book distributors and retailers worldwide. They say your book will be available to 25,000 bookstores and for sale on the world’s biggest Internet sites including Amazon.com, Target.com, Borders.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and many others. True! Xulon does get your book listed with the above websites, for which I commend them. That’s a good thing for authors. I sure would like to know who the “many others” are by name.<br>
100% ROYALTIES: We are the only publisher who gives you a 100% royalty rate on copies sold to bookstores. Unlike other publishers, who keep up to 75% of your royalty, we give it all back to you.<br>
That is a plus for authors however the royalty check I received only amounted to $64 from Xulon Press for my 4 books – which is reason for concern. I recently received a letter from another Xulon author who also has yet to receive her royalty check. A third Xulon author wrote me telling me they felt they were overcharged and currently disputing some matters.<br>
Considering many of the executives running Xulon Press were trained and used to work for Creation House Publishers, lets compare apples to oranges. I published 2 books with Creation House and always get more timely and larger royalty payments from Creation House than I do from Xulon with whom I published 4 books. You would think my royalty payments from Xulon would be larger, but it’s the reverse as my royalty checks from Creation House have been three figures versus Xulon’s two.<br>
HUGE WHOLESALE DISCOUNTS: Each time you purchase copies of your book we give you a HUGE wholesale discount of up to 70% off the retail price of your book. Up to….is always a clever way to say something from a sales perspective. Up to does not always mean you get it. “Up to” means at any given point in time you might randomly be able to. Certainly a 70% discount is good, but usually you have to buy a substantial quantity of books to apply for such a sizeable discount.<br>
I like this department at Xulon because their shipping department actually answers the phone. I suppose when a sale is involved this warrants immediate attention. <br>
PERSONAL ATTENTION: Xulon claims they are “here for you by telephone or e-mail whenever you need help or have a question.” My experience however has been that Xulon communicates best by email and is very good via correspondence. Via telephone I found rarely did they ever answer the telephone. That says a lot considering I published 4 books with them. POD publishing is such that other publishers like Publish America don’t ever answer their phones either and this is problematic for authors with questions needing to be answered. So at least Xulon is good about answering emails, which I found to be way better than trying to get through by phone.<br>
As a Xulon author I just want every author to get a fair shake and know the full details of the publishing agreement and with whom they are dealing. I can suggest some better publishing options for sure for the price and poor publicity offered by Xulon. Don’t buy the lie and swallow assumptions when publishing your prized book.<br>
If however you want a quick Christian publisher and aren’t worried about spending a little, go with Xulon and come to me for your publicity needs. <br>
Paul F Davis – author of “Supernatural Fire”; “Adultery 101”; “Are You Ready For True Love?”; and “Poems That Propel The Planet” all published with Xulon Press<br>
http://www.PaulFDavis.com<br>
RevivingNations@yahoo.com<br>
Paul F. Davis is a worldwide minister who has touched over 50 countries & 6 continents building bridges cross-culturally and empowering people throughout the earth to live their dreams!<br>
Paul is the author of 14 books. Thanks to his own genius and publicity, Paul has appeared on Oprah & Friends, Fox News Radio, and Playboy Radio among many other shows to promote his books.<br>
Paul builds dreams, transcends limitations, and reconciles nations.<br>
http://www.PaulFDavis.com<br>
RevivingNations@yahoo.com<br>
Contact Paul for a book consultation if you are a serious author willing to invest in your future. Knowledge is power, time is money and your life’s work is precious. Design a publicity package that will produce for your book and maximize your message.<br>
Paul’s primary passion is writing and international speaking, but will consider helping a few promisng authors with projects of interest who pay him well.<br>
Paul is the author of 14 books emowering people to love passionately & live fearlessly.<br>
http://www.PaulFDavis.com<br>
RevivingNations@yahoo.com <br>
Paul F Davis - Weblog 