In indie publishing, one of the biggest traps new authors fall into is the vanity press. These companies sell flashy “publishing packages” that often cost thousands of dollars but deliver very little in return. They promise everything from editing and cover design to marketing and distribution, but what they actually provide is usually overpriced, underwhelming, and sometimes outright predatory.
The worst part? Many vanity presses ask authors to give up their rights or a share of their royalties—the very things that make independent publishing empowering in the first place. If you ever see a contract that takes ownership of your book or slices into your royalties, run the other way. Those belong to you, not to a middleman trying to profit off your hard work.
At Laconic Press, I don’t sell bloated packages or lock you into shady contracts. Instead, I provide specific services—like formatting—and straightforward consultations to help you navigate publishing on your own terms. You keep your rights, you keep your royalties, and you walk away with the knowledge and tools to publish confidently.
Don’t let a vanity press cash in on your dream. Protect your rights, protect your royalties, and invest only in services that give you control and lasting value.