This article consists of content obtained from the Xlibris website, as well as additional information gathered from the book, The Fine Print of Self-Publishing: The Contracts & Services of 48 Major Self-Publishing Companies—Analyzed, Ranked & Exposed. Information contained in this article was current at the time of publication.

Xlibris is a self publishing company in partnership with Random House Ventures. It provides basic, standardized publishing services that are all listed on its website. BookPros cannot provide such standardization, because we feel every book deserves a unique approach. Xlibris will publish any manuscript as long as it fits its standards of length and formatting. Our relationships with the media and our distribution partners depend on the quality of our books, and we would not accept any manuscript that could endanger these relationships.

In the design process, Xlibris utilizes templates for the interior layout and the cover. The author may choose the template he or she prefers from the Xlibris website. At BookPros, we do not have templates. Every cover and layout is created from scratch to be as unique as the content within.

Xlibris only offers its authors a copy edit. We offer a substantive edit, which reviews more than grammar and spelling. Our price for this is similar to the higher end of Xlibris' copy edit prices. At Xlibris, a copy edit is optional, but at BookPros we require each book to be edited. No matter how great a book's content is, the media and readers will not take it seriously if it is riddled with errors.

Like most self publishing companies, Xlibris only prints via Print-On-Demand (POD). POD means books are printed one at a time when a reader purchases a book. This method of publishing usually prevents a book from being available on bookstore shelves. BookPros, however, prints books in bulk via offset printing (although we sometimes utilize digital printing for smaller quantities), then manages warehousing for the inventory. This method of printing and distribution is more in line with the method utilized by traditional publishers and gives authors the best chance of seeing their book on bookstore shelves. Compared to POD, offset printing also allows for higher quality, and more printing options (like hardcover, embossing, glossing and foil), and lower costs per book.

Xlibris' books are available through online retailers such as Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com and are available for special order through Ingram Book Group. BookPros also uses Ingram, as well as Baker & Taylor, so our books are available for special order through more bookstores around the country. Our Synergy Books imprint also has an exclusive relationship with Midpoint Trade Books, which provides national in-store distribution; while our Ovation Books imprint offers distribution through one of the nation's largest distributors, National Book Network. Through direct wholesale distribution, our Bridgeway Books titles are also available for bookstores to stock.

Xlibris pays its authors a royalty, or a small percentage of the retail price, of every book it sells. Xlibris then takes a percentage for every book sold. BookPros does not make money from our authors' sales. We want our authors to keep their profits.

Xlibris offers piecemeal publicity services for a fee and these services are not included in its basic packages. BookPros does not publish any book without some form of publicity service provided through our corporate partner, Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists. The level of service depends on the publishing package, but we will not accept a manuscript that does not have media potential. We provide a complimentary media analysis for all submitted manuscripts to determine whether we will accept the work or not.

BookPros provides more services and more options for personalization than Xlibris. For more information about what we can do for your book, please visit our online chat or give us a call at (512) 623-7270.