I received an email from an author representative of Xlibris Corporation who said that he found my impressive profile on Yahoo and that if I’d like to venture into self-publishing, he’d appreciate it I kept Xlibris in mind.
When I replied stating that I did not appreciate his unsolicited spam email, he stated that he was not sending spam that he was an author representative who was just doing his job in the most decent way possible.
There is nothing decent about sending unsolicited spam email and a quick Google search shows that I’m not alone. Other writers have received Xlibris unsolicited sales pitch.
Why would a publishing company need to resort to such tactics to gain new business anyhow?
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9 responses so far ↓
Wrote: Mar 18, 2007 at 11:40 pm
I was told a small self publishing run with no additional services runs about $4800.
I bet they sell a lot that way.
Wrote: Mar 19, 2007 at 11:10 am
There seems to be a universal disconnect – spammers all self righteous and those of us that think they suck!
Wrote: Mar 19, 2007 at 11:10 am
…oh! HI!
Wrote: Mar 19, 2007 at 8:46 pm
I’ve never heard anything good about XLibris.
I’m publishing The Milkman through iUniverse and have found it to be very reasonably priced for a book that isn’t really suitable for traditional publishing. So far the experience has been extremely positive for me.
Ian
Wrote: Mar 19, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Hello Ian, there tends to be a lot of negative criticism about XLibris the biggest one being the spam.
Seamus, nice to see you again. Don’t you love self righteous spammers?
Hammer I think Xlibris charges $500 to $1600 to publish your book. That is what I read.
Wrote: Mar 19, 2007 at 9:42 pm
I’d be leery.
Wrote: Mar 26, 2007 at 7:55 pm
Hello all,
My name is Noel Flowers and I work in the Xlibris Marketing Department. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize if you feel that our internet researchers are sending you spam messages. They are actually individuals who will review your profile and e-mail you to see if you are interested in the self-publishing option.
We understand that self-publishing is not for everyone and if there is no reply, or we receive a specific request not to send further e-mails we are happy to oblige. We are just trying to reach out to people who are under the impression that publishing services cost $5000 or so (see Hammer’s comment), and let them know that there is an affordable and accessible option.
Please accept my apologies if our actions have inconvenienced you in any way. If you would like to get in touch with me directly to air your views on the matter, please feel free to e-mail me.
Thank you all for your time.
Sincerely,
Noel Flowers
Senior Marketing Copywriter
Xlibris Corporation.
Wrote: Mar 26, 2007 at 10:38 pm
My views are pretty clear from my above postings, so I’ll just say again. Your author representative of Xlibris Corporation sent me spam. Seeing how that I haven’t seen your comment on other blogs that have commented about the spam that Xlibris Coporation author representatives sends, then it it most likely good to guess that someone was kind enough to email you about this post. Nonetheless, I’m still asking myself why a publishing company would need to resort to such tactics to gain new business. There are other marketing options. In my own opinion, I feel that it is very unprofessional and has turned me away from a company that I might have went with had I not received spam.
Wrote: Mar 30, 2007 at 6:12 am
Yes, i have undersood your point of view, and it is something that we will definitely take into consideration when we consider whether or not we continue this marketing program.
I actually found your blog via a blog search for the keyword “Xlibris”. I am also aware that this is not the only blog that has complained about this marketing option we use. We do use other marketing tools as well, but I think that, hands down, this is the most controversial. We either have very positive responses or very negative ones. Again, it is something that we will look into and revisit.
Thank you very much for you input, I truly do value it.
Best Wishes,
Noel Flowers
Senior Marketing Copywriter
Xlibris Corporation.