makezine.com: Lulu

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Lulu

by Terrie Miller

Type(s): Web Service, Web Site
Tags: lulu book self+publishing

Tool photo.

Lulu is a print-on-demand system that you can use to make, publish, and sell your own books. I used lulu.com to create a book for my nieces and nephew and was really happy with the results.

The process is pretty easy: download their templates, add your content, upload the templates, choose your book printing and cover options. Once you're finished, the books are available on demand, much like Cafe Press T-shirts. You get an optional store front to make the book available for anyone to purchase (or download for free, if you like). Lulu lets authors add a profit margin to books if they choose (my 26-page hardcover book is $20.99 at cost).

It takes a while for the books to print and ship -- I ordered on January 12 and received them on February 7. So if you need your books by a certain date, plan ahead!

Online web service; free to use, the only cost is if you order books.