Is Dorrance Publishing a Legitimate Book Publisher?

Before committing to any book publishing company, it's crucial to conduct thorough research, particularly if you're planning to pay for publishing services. One company to be wary of is Dorrance Publishing. In this article, we will delve into why Dorrance Publishing should be avoided and explore alternative and legitimate publishing options.

The Dangers of Vanity Publishing

Vanity publishing refers to a publishing model where authors pay a publisher to produce and distribute their books. These services are often expensive and typically do not guarantee a successful outcome. Dorrance Publishing, in particular, has come under scrutiny for their practices and have been implicated in scams and poor quality outputs.

Why Dorrance Publishing Should Be Avoided

There are several reasons why Dorrance Publishing should be avoided:

Poor Quality Outputs

Multiple reviewers and industry experts have criticized Dorrance Publishing for producing subpar book covers and prints. Even the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has warned against this company, noting that the majority of positive reviews come from elderly individuals or those who were desperate to get published. The quality of the books and covers produced by Dorrance Publishing is reportedly abysmal.

Elderly and Desperate Pseudos

According to various sources, the positive reviews on Dorrance Publishing's BBB page are often from elderly individuals or people desperate to publish their work. This raises doubts about the authenticity and reliability of these reviews.

Potential Scams

Charging authors to publish their books rather than funding them through sales is a hallmark of vanity publishers. This business model is inherently flawed, as it does not guarantee successful book sales. Instead, the focus is on making a profit from the author's payment, rather than the quality and marketability of the book.

Abandoned Business Ventures

The CEO of Dorrance Publishing, David Zeolla, has also been involved in multiple business ventures that have dissolved, further raising concerns about the company's stability and reliability.

Industry Expert Opinions

With over 14 years of experience in the publishing industry, many experts advise to avoid Dorrance Publishing like "the plague". Vanity publishers like Dorrance focus on making a profit from authors rather than providing quality services. Legitimate publishers should not charge upfront fees for their services, but rather work on a sliding scale based on the success of the book.

Alternative Publishing Options

There are several alternatives to Dorrance Publishing that can provide more legitimate and effective services without the risk of scams and poor quality outputs:

Self-Publishing

Self-publishing allows authors to have full control over their work and their publishing process. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Smashwords, and WordslegalArgumentException offer high-quality formatting and marketing services at a fraction of the cost of vanity publishers.

Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing involves submitting your manuscript to an agent or editor. Although the process can be more competitive and time-consuming, it allows for the possibility ofgreater success and professional quality outputs. Agents and editors often provide valuable feedback and can help improve the quality of the work.

Conclusion

It's crucial to approach any publishing company with caution, especially if you're expected to pay for their services. Dorrance Publishing, while one of the oldest in the industry, has a history of producing low-quality outputs and being involved in scams. By researching the company thoroughly and considering alternative options, you can ensure a more successful and fulfilling publishing journey.

Note: When conducting any online research, it's important to go directly to reliable sources and avoid paid submissions.