Createspace versus IngramSpark

There are many options for distribution when publishing a book these days. Writer Abroad studied as many as she could for her book, Swiss Life: 30 Things I Wish I’d Known.

Her goals:

Because her book speaks to an international audience, she wanted as many distribution options as possible, including bookstores, since Swiss bookstores were a promising place for sales (and are proving her theory correct, since the book sold 48 copies in less than a week at a bookshop in Zurich).

So here is what she did (the super short version):

First off, she consulted knowledgeable friends who had already published several books. Next, she bought her own ISBNs.  This is important if you want distribution in bookstores.  Your ISBN is your book’s identifying number. Bookstores will look it up. And it makes sense to own it, even if the price isn’t free. She bought her ISBNs from Bowker.

Then, she hired professionals to design the covers and interiors and format the book correctly for each platform.

Finally,

She uploaded her title to createspace.

She uploaded her title with IngramSpark.

She uploaded her title to kdp amazon (Kindle)

And she uploaded her title to Smashwords.

Here are the pros and cons of each channel, at least from her experience having published a book approximately 14 days ago and having sold over 100 in two weeks.

Createspace (for paperback books)

Pros:

User friendly and easy-to-use website

No upload, change, or title fees

Fast, round-the-clock customer service response

Very fast shipping (even overseas)

Makes title available directly on amazon.com with the best royalties for amazon.

Cons:

Printing is not as polished and professional as IngramSpark

If you only use createspace (and not IngramSpark too) your book will most likely never be ordered by bookstores since bookstores consider amazon their enemy

You are limited to certain trim sizes if you want expanded distribution (not to worry about if you use IngramSpark for your expanded distribution instead)

If you choose a customizable trim size, the print quality is hit or miss

IngramSpark

Pros:

Many trim sizes and printing options

Global distribution puts you on the same playing field as large publishers

Your title can be ordered by bookstores worldwide

Beautiful, professional printing

Cons:

Site is not as user friendly as createspace

There are title fees, catalog listing fees, and change fees ( in other words, typos get expensive!)

Customer service is only available from 8-5 p.m. Central U.S. Time (not so good if you are based internationally).

Book is processed much slower than createspace

Book is delivered much slower (even when not shipped overseas, books arrived much slower than books from createspace)

Kdp amazon (Kindle)

Pros:

Easy user interface

Quick and free upload and book is available within 12 hours

70% royalties depending on price

Cons:

None so far, unless you call being able to see your sales in real time addicting!

Smashwords

Pros:

Easy-to-use interface

Quick upload and approval times

Distribution to all major e-book retailers

Swiss Life is in bookstores
(well, at least one bookstore, anyway.)

Cons:

Royalties not as high as amazon

Most e-book sales are on amazon anyway

Requires different formatting than amazon

Finally, after enduring the crazy process that is called publishing, Writer Abroad sat down, relaxed, and had some cheese and chocolate. Her book is about Switzerland, after all. And look, there it is in the Swiss bookstore. Not bad product placement for a book with no marketing budget, oder?

Anyone else have similar experiences with these distribution channels? Or what is your book publishing experience?