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{{short description|Company offering self-publishing, printing, and distribution services}}
{{tooshort}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{About|the publishing company|other uses|Lulu (disambiguation){{!}}Lulu}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Lulu Press, Inc.
| logo = Lulu logo (new).svg
| type = Privately held company
| industry = ]
| genre = ]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|2002}}
| founder = ]
| location_city = ]
| location_country = United States
| locations =
| area_served =
| key_people = Kathy Hensgen (CEO)
| products = Books, ]s, ]s, ]s
| services = ] and e-book publishing
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| assets =
| equity =
| owner =
| num_employees =
| parent =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| footnotes =
| intl =
| homepage = {{Official website}}
}}
'''Lulu Press, Inc.''', doing business under ] '''Lulu''', is an online ], ], and distribution platform. By 2014, it had issued approximately two million titles.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/lulu-enters-exclusive-licensing-distribution-agreement-with-easy-student-publishing-1873634.htm |title=Lulu Enters Exclusive Licensing and Distribution Agreement With Easy Student Publishing for Kids' Creativity and Book-Making Products}}</ref>


The company's founder is ] co-founder ]; he also was CEO for many years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Red Hat's co-founder was unemployed and working in a closet when he started the company IBM just bought for $34 billion |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/01/before-sale-to-ibm-for-billions-red-hat-started-in-cofounders-closet.html |website=CNBC |access-date=30 November 2021 |language=en |date=1 November 2018}}</ref> {{As of|2022}}, the company’s 20th anniversary, Young had handed CEO duties to Kathy Hensgen.<ref>{{cite news |title=As Lulu.com celebrates 20 years, founder Bob Young reflects on its staying power |first=Chantal |last=Allam |date=2022-04-08 |work=] |url=https://wraltechwire.com/2022/04/08/as-lulu-com-celebrates-20-years-founder-bob-young-reflects-on-its-staying-power/ |access-date=2023-09-02}}</ref> The company's headquarters are in ].
'''Lulu''' is a printing company with its headquarters at ]. In addition to printing it also offers online order fulfillment. The brand name is derived from the concept of a ''lulu'' as an old-fashioned term for a remarkable person, object, or idea. The company's ] is ] co-founder ].
]


==Products==
The creator retains ]. Optional services include ] assignment and distribution of books to book retailers who make specific requests. Returns are not accepted, which severely limits distribution to physical bookstores. Electronic distribution is also available.
In 2009, Lulu began publishing and distributing ebooks. Lulu also prints and publishes calendars and photo books. In 2017, Lulu introduced an Open Access print-on-demand service.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carpenter |first1=Caroline |title=Lulu launches academic alternative |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/lulu-launches-academic-alternative-480076 |website=thebookseller.com |date=3 February 2017}}</ref>


==Process==
The author of a title receives an 80% royalty for print books and a 90% royalty for eBooks when sold.<ref>{{cite web |first=Kate |last=Tilton |date=January 25, 2013 |title=Royalty Rates Comparison |url=http://blog.bibliocrunch.com/royalty-rates-comparison/ |publisher=BiblioCrunch |access-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref>


==Overview== ==Replay Photos==
In January 2014, Lulu announced that it had acquired ] (NC)-based sports photography company Replay Photos.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article10289531.html|title=Lulu acquires Durham-based Replay Photos|work=newsobserver|access-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref> Replay Photos sells licensed images of collegiate and professional sports teams as photographic prints, custom framed photos, photos on canvas, and original wall art.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.replayphotos.com/help.cfm|title=Replay Photos: Help / FAQs|work=ReplayPhotos.com|access-date=June 20, 2015|archive-date=June 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621022635/http://www.replayphotos.com/help.cfm|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Digital Rights Management (DRM)==
Lulu gains material to publish when authors upload files through Lulu's web site. While the focus tends to be on novels, works of non-fiction, calendars and other print publications, this isn't necessarily the case, as Lulu also accepts digital media such as music CDs, videos and ringtones. The author then selects from a series of options corresponding to the media type - for example, an author uploading a novel would select binding, layout style and cover art<ref name="Fenton">{{cite journal | last = Fenton | first = Howard | year = 2007 | title = Self-Publish or Perish? The Implications of Digital Book Production. | journal = Seybold Report: Analyzing Publishing Technologies | issue = 5 | volume = 7 | pages = 7-10 }}</ref> - and sets the amount of profit they wish to earn on each copy. If the document is not already in ] format, Lulu converts it to a PDF file, which can be downloaded by the author and reviewed.<ref name="Fawcett">{{cite news | last = Fawcett | first = Anne | date = ], ] | title = Save face with a pet project | work = ] | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/how-tos/vanity-pet-publishing-wont-beak-the-bank/2008/01/06/1199554469105.html | accessdate = 2008-04-20 }}</ref> A price is determined based on factors such as the page count, type of binding, and the user's choice of margin. From the margin set on each copy, 80% goes to the author and 20% to Lulu,<ref name="Lovell">{{cite news | last = Lovell | first = Jeremy | date = ], ] | title = A Lulu of an idea | work = ] }}</ref> although Lulu doesn't claim a commission if the work is offered free of royalty.<ref name="Haugland">{{cite journal | last = Haugland | first = Ann | year = 2006 | title = Opening the Gates: Print On-Demand Publishing as Cultural Production | journal = Publishing Research Quarterly | volume = 22 | issue = 3 | pages = 3-16 }}</ref> ] typically remains with the creator, but this varies depending on the distribution model. Lulu provides technical support via online forums and live chat features.
Lulu's final phase for their Digital Rights Management (DRM) Retirement project was released July 2, 2013. Prior to January 15, 2013, a Lulu author could choose to apply Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection to their PDF or EPUB.{{cn|date=August 2023}}


==Lulu Jr.==
When an order is placed by a customer, a copy of the work is printed on demand by several third-party companies, including Colorcentric in the ],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.lulu.com/static/pr/09_20_04.php | title = Lulu Partners With Xerox For On Demand Publishing | work = Lulu | accessdate = 2008-04-20 | date = ], ]}}</ref> Publidisa in ],<ref>{{ cite web | url = http://www.enriquedans.com/2007/01/lulucom-en-universiaknowledge.html | title = Lulu.com en UniversiaKnowledge | accessdate = 2008-04-20 | work = El Blog de Enrique Dans | date = ], ] }}</ref> and Antony Rowe in the ].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.lulu.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=83496 | title = Vendors and Suppliers | work = Lulu forums | last = Ellen | first = Joan | date = ], ] | accessdate = 2008-04-20 }}</ref> In addition to offering a number of book sizes, Lulu also offers black and white and color printing, photo books, CDs and DVDs, calendars, and hardcover books with or without dust jackets.
In 2014, Lulu launched Lulu Jr., which enables children to become published authors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theindependentpublishingmagazine.com/2014/02/lulu-launch-lulu-junior-website-and-introduce-childrens-book-making-kits.html|title=Lulu Launch Lulu Junior Website and Introduce Children's Book-Making Kits|access-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref>
Lulu Jr. products include My Comic Book and IlluStory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lulujr.com/lulujr.php|title=Lulu Jr|access-date=June 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511100455/http://lulujr.com/lulujr.php|archive-date=May 11, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Lulu Blooker Prize==
While Lulu doesn't charge authors to upload their material, they do offer a number of services for a fee, including ] assignment, cover design, marketing, and making the publications available through ] and other online retailers. They also maintain their own online store, Lulu Marketplace, offering the publications for sale on their website (at no up-front charge to the author), collecting payments and tracking royalties.<ref name="Haugland" />
The '''Lulu Blooker Prize''' was a literary award for "]s" (books based on ]).<ref name="cnet">{{cite web |last1=Moyer |first1=Edward |title='Blooker Prize' rewards books based on blogs |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/blooker-prize-rewards-books-based-on-blogs/ |website=cnet.com |date=13 October 2005}}</ref> It was awarded in 2006 and 2007 and sponsored by Lulu. An overall prize was awarded, based on the winners of three subsidiary categories: non-fiction, fiction, and comics. The Lulu Blooker Prize was open to any "blook" that had been published "to date" (i.e., by the entry deadline) by any publisher.<ref name="cnet" />


===2006===
Lulu offers three different levels of distribution services, called "Lulu Marketplace", "Published By You", and "Published By Lulu" (formerly known as Global Distribution).<ref>{{ cite web | url = http://www.lulu.com/help/index.php?fSymbol=distro_service&fLangCode=EN | title = What Distribution Services does Lulu offer? | work = Lulu | accessdate = 2008-04-20 }}</ref> Books shipped to retailers under these Published By plans are printed by ]. Depending on the level of distribution, Lulu may or may not require exclusive rights.
The first competition saw 89 entries from over a dozen countries. A panel of three judges decided the winners: ], Chair of Judges; Paul Jones; and Robin "Roblimo" Miller.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2006/apr/03/news.newmedia1|title=From blog to book: first awards for online writers who became mainstream successes|last=Gibson|first=Owen|work=]|date=April 3, 2006|access-date=November 16, 2015}}</ref>


====Winners====
Lulu first first turned a profit in fall, 2005.<ref name="Ranii">{{cite news | last = Ranii | first = David | date = ], ] | title = Self-publisher triples revenue: Lulu, pioneer of print-on-demand books, became profitable in the fall | work = ] | url = http://www.newsobserver.com/104/story/446562.html | accessdate = 2008-04-20 }}</ref>
* '']'' by ] (main prize, non-fiction)
* ''Four and Twenty Blackbirds'' by ] (fiction)
* ''Totally Boned: A Joe and Monkey Collection'' by Zach Miller (comics, self-published through Lulu)


====Runners-up====
==Publishing model==
* ''Biodiesel Power'' by Lyle Estill (runner up, non-fiction, see ])
* ''Hackoff.com: An Historic Murder Mystery Set in the Internet Bubble and Rubble'' by ] (runner up, fiction)
* '']: Huge Eyes, Beaks, Intelligence, and Ambition'' by ] (runner up, comics)


===2007===
It is unclear whether or not Lulu should be regarded as a ] or if it represents a different publishing model. While some commentators have described Lulu as a variation on traditional vanity press publication, or perhaps simply as a more respectable version,<ref name="Clee">{{cite news | last = Clee | first = Nicholas | date = ], ] | title = The deals, steals and snubs from the world of books - Hot type | work = ] }}</ref> others have described it as sitting somewhere between a vanity press and a printing company. For example, David Rani notes that, unlike vanity press publishers, Lulu doesn't charge authors an upfront fee,<ref name="Ranii" /> but also notes that they don't offer editing or sales promotion - services that mass market publishers, such as ], offer their authors. Thus he determines that they come somewhere between the two. Similarly, Linda Stilborne denies that Lulu is a vanity press publisher, as Lulu relies on publications selling to customers,,<ref name="Stilborne">{{cite news | last = Stilborne | first = Linda | date = ], ] | title = Got a book in you? ... Let Lulu coax it out | work = ] | url = http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/weekend_extra/story.html?id=35104dbc-c33e-4cc8-be69-ff08edef49ad&p=1 | accessdate = 2008-04-20 }}</ref> while in ''Click lit - There are no more excuses for unpublished authors'', ] denies that Lulu is vanity press, stating that it is "a collision of the web, new printing technology and a universal yearning to vent and dazzle" instead.<ref name="Times">{{cite news | date = ], ] | title = Click lit - There are no more excuses for unpublished authors | work = ] }}</ref> On the other side of the debate, many (including Larry Finlay, managing director of ]) point to the lack of "editorial arbitration" and thus define Lulu as vanity press.<ref name="Nikkhah">{{cite news | last = Nikkhah | first = Roya | date = ], ] | title = 'They haven't sold because they're not very good. But at least the readers decide' | work = ] | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/08/07/nlulu07.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/08/07/ixhome.html | accessdate = 2008-04-20 }}</ref> Lulu themselves go so far as to deny that they are a publisher at all, describing themselves as a "technology company".<ref name="Haugland" />
The 2007 competition had 110 entries from 15 countries. The number of judges was increased to five: ] (chair), ], ] (2006 overall winner), Rohit Gupta, and ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6653781.stm|title=War book wins Blooker blog prize|author=<!-- Staff -->|work=]|date=May 14, 2007|access-date=November 16, 2015}}</ref>


==Licensing== ====Winners====
* '']'' by Colby Buzzell (Overall Winner and Non-Fiction Winner)
* ''The Doorbells of Florence'' by Andrew Losowsky (Fiction Winner)
* '']'' by Brian Fies (Comics Winner)


====Runners-up====
"Published by Lulu" distribution requires a contract,<ref name="License">{{cite web | title = Published By Lulu License Agreement | work = Lulu | date = ], ] | url = http://www.lulu.com/help/index.php?fSymbol=pbl_agreement | accessdate = 2008-04-20 }}</ref> which may be incompatible with ], such as ],<ref>{{cite web | title = GNU Free Documentation License | work = Free Software Foundation | url = http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html GNU Free Documentation License | accessdate = 2008-04-20 }}</ref> or ] licenses. For its other distribution services besides "Published by Lulu," however, Lulu offers to use open content licenses.<ref>{{cite web | title = What kinds of licenses can I put on my work? | work = Lulu | date = ], ] | url = http://www.lulu.com/help/index.php?fSymbol=license_what_kinds | accessdate = 2008-04-20 }}</ref> Contract term were changed in 2007, and it is not as easy to tell whether the new version is compatible with ]; the new version does not explicitly discuss exclusivity, but includes requirements with which the author might not be able to comply if the book was copylefted, since the author would not have control over other people's ability to publish the work independently.
* ''My Secret: A ] Book'' by Frank Warren (Non-Fiction)
* ''Island: A ] Novel'' by ] (Fiction)


==Criticism== == See also ==
* ]
{{criticism-section}}


==References==
===UK publications===
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
In September 2006, Lulu came under criticism for changing the terms of its global distribution package and incurring a price rise of around 70% on all books sold in the United Kingdom. <ref></ref> Some authors see this as effectively pricing them out of the UK marketplace.
* {{Official website}}


{{E-book digital distribution platforms}}
On September 19, 2006, Lulu authors based outside of the United States received documentation<ref></ref> informing them they would be subject to a 30% tax on their royalties gained through sales in the United States. Non-U.S. authors were told by Lulu to apply for exemption from these taxes.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}


{{authority control}}
Regarding this issue, the CEO of Lulu, Bob Young, has stated, "You are quite right, we messed up, badly."<ref></ref> Lulu states that it has attempted to mitigate the problem, that it has no choice but to follow US tax laws, and that part of the issue has been currency exchange rates.


{{DEFAULTSORT:Lulu (Company)}}
===Wholesale policies===
]

]
Lulu, unlike most publishers, does not accept returns of unsold books from bookstores. In addition, the wholesale discount is much smaller than most bookstores are accustomed to &mdash; as little as 5% at typical quantities of less than a hundred. <ref></ref>
]
<ref></ref> These facts may make it difficult for authors to have their books carried in bookstores, though they're not an issue for online book sites like ]. Lulu states that its goal is "to have a million authors selling 100 copies each, rather than 100 authors selling a million copies each."

== References ==

{{refs|2}}

== External links ==

*
*

]
]
] ]
] ]
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Latest revision as of 14:34, 31 October 2024

Company offering self-publishing, printing, and distribution services

This article is about the publishing company. For other uses, see Lulu.
Lulu Press, Inc.
[REDACTED]
Company typePrivately held company
IndustryPublishing
GenreSelf-publishing
Founded2002; 23 years ago (2002)
FounderBob Young
HeadquartersMorrisville, North Carolina, United States
Key peopleKathy Hensgen (CEO)
ProductsBooks, e-books, photo-books, calendars
ServicesPrint on demand and e-book publishing
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

Lulu Press, Inc., doing business under trade name Lulu, is an online print-on-demand, self-publishing, and distribution platform. By 2014, it had issued approximately two million titles.

The company's founder is Red Hat co-founder Bob Young; he also was CEO for many years. As of 2022, the company’s 20th anniversary, Young had handed CEO duties to Kathy Hensgen. The company's headquarters are in Morrisville, North Carolina.

[REDACTED]
Previous logo

Products

In 2009, Lulu began publishing and distributing ebooks. Lulu also prints and publishes calendars and photo books. In 2017, Lulu introduced an Open Access print-on-demand service.

Process

The author of a title receives an 80% royalty for print books and a 90% royalty for eBooks when sold.

Replay Photos

In January 2014, Lulu announced that it had acquired Durham (NC)-based sports photography company Replay Photos. Replay Photos sells licensed images of collegiate and professional sports teams as photographic prints, custom framed photos, photos on canvas, and original wall art.

Digital Rights Management (DRM)

Lulu's final phase for their Digital Rights Management (DRM) Retirement project was released July 2, 2013. Prior to January 15, 2013, a Lulu author could choose to apply Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection to their PDF or EPUB.

Lulu Jr.

In 2014, Lulu launched Lulu Jr., which enables children to become published authors. Lulu Jr. products include My Comic Book and IlluStory.

Lulu Blooker Prize

The Lulu Blooker Prize was a literary award for "blooks" (books based on blogs). It was awarded in 2006 and 2007 and sponsored by Lulu. An overall prize was awarded, based on the winners of three subsidiary categories: non-fiction, fiction, and comics. The Lulu Blooker Prize was open to any "blook" that had been published "to date" (i.e., by the entry deadline) by any publisher.

2006

The first competition saw 89 entries from over a dozen countries. A panel of three judges decided the winners: Cory Doctorow, Chair of Judges; Paul Jones; and Robin "Roblimo" Miller.

Winners

Runners-up

  • Biodiesel Power by Lyle Estill (runner up, non-fiction, see biodiesel)
  • Hackoff.com: An Historic Murder Mystery Set in the Internet Bubble and Rubble by Tom Evslin (runner up, fiction)
  • Dinosaur Comics: Huge Eyes, Beaks, Intelligence, and Ambition by Ryan North (runner up, comics)

2007

The 2007 competition had 110 entries from 15 countries. The number of judges was increased to five: Paul Jones (chair), Arianna Huffington, Julie Powell (2006 overall winner), Rohit Gupta, and Nick Cohen.

Winners

Runners-up

See also

References

  1. "Lulu Enters Exclusive Licensing and Distribution Agreement With Easy Student Publishing for Kids' Creativity and Book-Making Products" (Press release).
  2. "Red Hat's co-founder was unemployed and working in a closet when he started the company IBM just bought for $34 billion". CNBC. November 1, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  3. Allam, Chantal (April 8, 2022). "As Lulu.com celebrates 20 years, founder Bob Young reflects on its staying power". WRAL TechWire. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  4. Carpenter, Caroline (February 3, 2017). "Lulu launches academic alternative". thebookseller.com.
  5. Tilton, Kate (January 25, 2013). "Royalty Rates Comparison". BiblioCrunch. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  6. "Lulu acquires Durham-based Replay Photos". newsobserver. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  7. "Replay Photos: Help / FAQs". ReplayPhotos.com. Archived from the original on June 21, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  8. "Lulu Launch Lulu Junior Website and Introduce Children's Book-Making Kits". Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  9. "Lulu Jr". Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  10. ^ Moyer, Edward (October 13, 2005). "'Blooker Prize' rewards books based on blogs". cnet.com.
  11. Gibson, Owen (April 3, 2006). "From blog to book: first awards for online writers who became mainstream successes". The Guardian. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  12. "War book wins Blooker blog prize". BBC News. May 14, 2007. Retrieved November 16, 2015.

External links

Ebook digital distribution platforms
Active
Non-commercial
Commercial
Discontinued
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