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Blurb vs Lulu
Last updated: March 03, 2024
Blurb and Lulu are two prominent self-publishing platforms that cater to authors looking to bring their books to the market. One key difference between Blurb and Lulu lies in their primary focus. Blurb specializes in creating high-quality print books, including photobooks, magazines, and trade books. The platform offers a wide range of customization options for authors, allowing them to create visually stunning publications with professional-grade printing and binding. On the other hand, Lulu is a more versatile platform that caters to both print and digital publishing. While Lulu also supports print-on-demand services, it places equal emphasis on e-book publishing, providing authors with a comprehensive set of tools for creating and distributing digital books.
Another notable difference between Blurb and Lulu is their approach to design and formatting. Blurb offers authors an intuitive and user-friendly book creation platform, complete with customizable templates and design options. Authors can utilize Blurb's BookWright software or even integrate their own design files to create visually appealing layouts. Blurb also provides access to professional design services for authors who prefer a more hands-off approach. Lulu, on the other hand, offers a simpler book creation process, with authors being responsible for formatting their manuscripts according to specific guidelines. Lulu provides templates and guidelines to assist authors, but the platform places more emphasis on the author's input in the design and formatting process.
When it comes to distribution, there are differences between Blurb and Lulu. Blurb primarily focuses on selling books through its own platform, allowing authors to create their own storefront and sell directly to readers. Blurb also offers distribution options to select online retailers like Amazon and Apple Books. On the other hand, Lulu has a broader distribution network, including partnerships with major online retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books. Lulu authors have the advantage of reaching a wider audience across multiple platforms, enhancing their book's discoverability and potential sales.
Another notable difference between Blurb and Lulu is their approach to design and formatting. Blurb offers authors an intuitive and user-friendly book creation platform, complete with customizable templates and design options. Authors can utilize Blurb's BookWright software or even integrate their own design files to create visually appealing layouts. Blurb also provides access to professional design services for authors who prefer a more hands-off approach. Lulu, on the other hand, offers a simpler book creation process, with authors being responsible for formatting their manuscripts according to specific guidelines. Lulu provides templates and guidelines to assist authors, but the platform places more emphasis on the author's input in the design and formatting process.
When it comes to distribution, there are differences between Blurb and Lulu. Blurb primarily focuses on selling books through its own platform, allowing authors to create their own storefront and sell directly to readers. Blurb also offers distribution options to select online retailers like Amazon and Apple Books. On the other hand, Lulu has a broader distribution network, including partnerships with major online retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books. Lulu authors have the advantage of reaching a wider audience across multiple platforms, enhancing their book's discoverability and potential sales.
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Create and publish bookstore-quality books with free software for PC or Mac. Then sell your book in the Blurb bookstore. You can make a fully customizable book with our amazing free tool, BookSmart. If you’re a photographer, you can use Adobe Lightroom with Blurb’s book module built right in. For designers, we have a plugin for Adobe InDesign. You can even make an instant book online in an hour. Tools for any kind of beautiful, high-quality book you want to make. All free.
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Lulu pioneered the self-publishing industry and paved the way for people around the world to publish books and bring them to market, while allowing authors to retain full control of their work. Operating a global network, Lulu provides worldwide distribution so that authors can reach readers just about anywhere via print, e-readers and tablet devices. As the leading independent self-publishing company, Lulu has enabled people in more than 225 countries and territories to self-publish nearly two million publications, including 1.5 million books.
Blurb vs Lulu in our news:
2024. Self-publishing platform Lulu integrates with website builder Wix
Directly selling books to your audience is paramount for audience growth and revenue increase, as it empowers you to oversee the purchasing process. With traditional retail channels becoming less dependable, Lulu Direct provides a solution, facilitating the connection between your personal ecommerce platform and Lulu's global print-on-demand network. Now, with expanded integration with Wix, you can seamlessly link your Wix site to Lulu Direct, streamlining direct book sales and providing sales tracking and management through Lulu Direct's dashboard. Although Wix may not offer as many ecommerce plugins as Shopify or the customization of WordPress, its user-friendly interface makes it the simplest platform for site creation and maintenance.
2022. Lulu unveiles Cover Designer
Lulu, a self-publishing platform, has introduced a new tool for designing book covers. While experienced designers and those familiar with design software may prefer a book cover template, Lulu's cover designer offers a simpler alternative for those creating books as gifts, limited editions, or for beta readers. This tool streamlines the design process by automatically calculating the spine width and position. It is compatible with all of Lulu's trim sizes but specifically designed for paperback books, allowing users to design their book covers while publishing on Lulu. The cover maker provides several design options, including templates, image uploads, text boxes with customization options, customizable shapes, and the ability to incorporate an ISBN barcode by entering the relevant information.
2014. Blurb adds Amazon integration
Blurb, the self-publishing platform for ebooks, has unveiled an enhanced book design and distribution service, now featuring direct distribution through Amazon, alongside a new precision design tool called Blurb BookWright. Notably, authors can obtain ISBN numbers for free using Blurb BookWright and Adobe InDesign creation tools, as well as through Amazon distribution. With BookWright, authors can effortlessly design and publish both print and ebooks using a single file. The platform offers a comprehensive ecosystem for creating and distributing beautifully printed books and ebooks, catering to individuals who wish to design, author, and publish their own works.