The Way Things Are Publications is focused upon positive change in the publishing industry by utilizing responsible, efficient, and environmentally conscious methods. Many of these methods are considered outside the scope of traditional publishing, however we believe they are critical to our mission and will fulfill our role in making the industry efficient, profitable, and environmentally responsible.
Our Methods
- All of our titles are printed using Print on Demand (POD) technology. This does not mean we are a vanity publisher. We are not. Our titles are highly vetted and are fully invested in by the company. We choose POD technology because it is efficient and environmentally responsible. The design, production quality, and distribution reach of our books meet and exceed the standards of competitors using offset printing and we do not need to carry the costly and wasteful inventory required with other production methods.
- We do not accept returnable terms. Retailers often expect the ability to return an unsold book for full credit and it is our position that this practice is wasteful not only for the industry but the environment. Returns account for an average of $10 billion worth of wasted books and 30 million trees in the U.S. alone. What we save in waste we pass onto the retailers in the form of high discounts.
Our Standards
We understand the struggle of retailers and independent retailers in particular and so are well aware of the reasons for not accepting print on demand non-returnable books. Therefore we submit to retailers that when a retailer chooses to sell a book by The Way Things Are Publications they are making a choice to change wasteful industry practices and they can be assured that the following set of standards for our publications will be met:
- Relevance. Our books confront important, relevant and timely social issues. Books published by The Way Things Are Publications are on trending topics your customers care about and will bring them further awareness of the world they live in.
- Quality. Publications by The Way Things Are are from highly vetted writers with a mission that matches our own. Each book is put through strenuous editing processes and the quality of design and production meet and exceed traditional houses. With only a handful of books published a year, The Way Things Are spends its resources ensuring that each book’s content, design and production are above and beyond industry standards for quality.
- Marketing. The Way Things Are Publications only takes on books that will receive 100% of its marketing efforts. Publications are not picked up unless all available resources are put into marketing the book to consumers.
Distribution
All of our books are available through Ingram, Baker & Taylor, and Amazon.com. We also set up wholesale agreements and direct-to-retail agreements for specialty retailers. To inquire about setting up distribution, ordering from our distributors, or sample copies please contact:
Jennifer Havenner
Director of Publishing
jhavenner@waythingsare.com
310-469-4352
