I can't remember if any WWers are involved with YouWriteOn's free publishing offer from the autumn, but this is an update from How Publishing Really Works:

http://howpublishingreallyworks.blogspot.com/2009/02/youwriteons-free-publishing-offer.html#comments

Emma

I read somewhere that Authonomy now has links with a POD publisher - surely not?


- NaomiM

This is a horrible state of affairs. What I don't understand is that YWO is Arts-Council funded, isn't it? In which case, how did the Arts Council allow this to happen, and what is their response to this situation?
Susiex

No it isn't routinely Arts Council funded. As I understand it, the AC did once join with them on a one-off project, and somehow YWO have had the logo on their website ever since.

Emma

I read somewhere that Authonomy now has links with a POD publisher

Yes, here it is - (via Nathan Bransford's blog):

http://eoinpurcellsblog.com/2009/01/28/publishers-and-the-tangled-web-guest-blog/

By now, a number of the earlier adopters of the site had become less enthusiastic about it. And it’s hardly a wonder, either. A pattern had emerged that runs up to the present day, with HC’s announcement that Authonomy will support a ‘POD button’ through a tie-up with POD company Blurb.

- NaomiM

<Added>

I think sites like YWO and Authonomy are a magnet to POD publishes, taking advantage of the innocent and desperate.