Publish your own book

Ok, today I got a book in the mail that I had ordered from Blurb. It looks really nice and I think my uncle will like it. It is the autobiography that my aunt wrote this past year before she passed away.

Interesting tidbit that I found out while asking if they wanted me to include anything else in the book - she has over 40 journals! However, this past year she read them and condensed them into this one 100 page book. Wow! Like Abraham Lincoln said, it takes more time to write a shorter letter.

Anyway, since I know that many other friends also order books, I'm hoping that I can share some information and it will trigger others to share some more back to me.

I have no problem "wasting" money on testing a product if it helps me spend my money wisely going forward on the right product.

But, here's what I've learned so far:

• Winkflash - good for photography books, reasonably priced, but don't think they have the professional paper cover jacket. The software is online (unless it has changed and I couldn't find that it has)
• MyPublisher - a little more professional, great for photographs and minimal text. It provides some basic nice templates. Downloadable book creator software. It can be pricey if you don't use the online coupons they provide you every few weeks. Allows you to share a link to your complete book for others to view.
• Blurb - looks a little like MyPublisher as a final product, but cheaper. Works well for text heavy books, but allows for graphics. Allows you to share a link to others to view. But, it doesn't look like they can view the complete book. Also, it allows you to set a price to sell your book and even allow people to order their own style (softcover, hardcover, small, large, etc.)
• Shutterfly - haven't ordered from them yet and would be interested to see what they do.
• Lulu - haven't ordered yet, but definitely will. This site is great if you actually want to publish a book. You can buy the ISBN number and editing services if you so choose AND sell your book right on the site.
• Others that work?

All of these sites allow you to order posters, calendars, cards, etc. I was just focusing on the book publishing services here.

Please share if you have had good luck elsewhere. I will be publishing a few books in the future (ok, mostly journals and photos that are personal) and would really like to get high quality with the most reasonable company.

No offense to scrapbookers, but these are great AND I've actually scanned in an old scrapbook or two and have them in one of these books now. It's great and ...takes about 1/5th the space. Let's not forget the fact that you can order multiple copies too.

I love technology!