What Is Print-on-Demand?
Print-on-demand (POD) is a revolutionary technology that enables publishers to print one book at a time, upon receipt of an order. Print-on-demand eliminates three of the biggest problems in the book business: artificial scarcity of publications, returns of unsold books, and the warehousing of stock.

The Publishing Business Is Based on an Old Technology Model
The U.S. publishing industry is producing fewer and fewer titles each year, due to pressure to increase sales per title. According to industry estimates, the publishers reject more than 90% of manuscript submissions. These manuscripts are not all insignificant, uninteresting, or badly written. There may be many other reasons why a publisher does not accept these manuscripts. The timing might be off; publishers might want to wait for a new season; the subject matter might be too specialized; the chance of becoming a bestseller is perceived to be limited; the publisher’s financial return requirements are too high for books which might be slower selling. The list goes on. These reasons may have been understandable in an era of traditional printing technologies. But we live in an era of abundance of ideas and information, and the Internet, online bookstores, and now print-on-demand technology are matching this abundance. There is no reason to base publishing decisions on perceived scarcity of financial and technological resources. Many ideas deserve to be heard and published.

Warehousing of Stock and Returns
In traditional publishing, flexibility is limited when demand is different than expected. Currently 35-40% of books are returned by the bookstores to the publishers. Many of these books end up being offered for bargain prices in secondhand bookstores or are destroyed. In addition, bookstores usually order the number of books they expect they can sell. If the title turns out to be popular, the store may not be able to order additional books if the publisher’s inventory is depleted. On the other hand, small bookstores cannot afford to stock slow-moving titles.

Print-on-Demand Technology Enables the Abundance of Ideas To Be Expressed and Spread Widely
Print-on-demand technology makes it possible to publish a book for a fraction of the cost of a traditionally published book. No longer does a publisher need to print 5,000, 10,000 or more books. It suffices to create a digital file of a book, and print one, one hundred, or as many books as needed. Massive returns or warehouses filled with unsold books are a thing of the past.

How does Print-on-Demand Work?
First, manuscripts are digitized and formatted. The digital book file is stored in a database, which is connected to a network of servers and computers. Every time the computers receive an order, the file is sent to a digital printer, where the book is printed, as well as the cover. Then the book will be bound and is ready to be shipped to the place where the order originated. A recent development is that databases are being connected to a growing number of printers in different locations, including different countries. In this way, a book can be released in one country while being printed at the printer closest to the customer.

Print-on-Demand Technology Offers Real Advantages

• Readers will have much more choice of new titles as well as old titles. Out-of-print titles or unique antiquarian books can become available at the touch of a button.

• Authors gain because the economic hurdle of getting published is being lowered substantially. If an author writes specialized books for a niche audience, these books can be made available affordably. If books are out of print, these can be easily released again.

• Booksellers should be able to benefit by offering many more titles without storing them in their warehouses.

• Publishers can gain by widening their publishing list to include titles for niche audiences or by experimenting with cutting-edge titles. Publishers can keep all their titles available, without letting them go out of print.

• The environment benefits because this process is more sustainable and efficient: fewer trees are killed and fewer books are unsold.

Why Is Paraview Publishing Unique?
Paraview is a unique publisher, because:

• We combine new technologies such as the Internet, print-on-demand, and eBooks with its focus on mind, body, and spirit and the frontiers of science and culture.

• We are working with leading digital printers, online bookstores, web designers, editors, and marketing people to develop publishing on demand as a way of reaching readers worldwide.

• We’ve collected a staff that has many years of experience with our specialized subject matter. We work closely with our authors and reach our niche audiences.

• We are affiliated with the Paraview Literary Agency, which has inside information on the literary marketplace. The agency has enjoyed a niche position in the publishing industry since the 1980s. Its experience in personal growth, spirituality, and wellness is unparalleled. Its client list includes the world’s foremost scientists, thinkers, and other experts interested in the transformation of society.

• Last but not least, Paraview Publishing has established a joint imprint, Paraview Pocket Books, with Simon & Schuster, thus enabling us to match our unique content with a leader in publishing, marketing, and distributing of mass market books.