Mark Levine talks about his book "The Fine Print of Self Publishing."

How to recognize book publishing predators An in-depth look at the self-publishing industry So many options are available to authors today that choosing a publisher that fits your needs—and your budget—should be easy, right? But with more self-publishing companies and vanity presses vying for your business than ever before, aspiring authors should beware: quality publishers will deliver a superior product at a fair price, but publishing predators will overcharge and under-deliver. Publishing industry watchdog Mark Levine educates authors about the possible pitfalls of choosing a self-publishing company for the first time. He analyzes and critiques the contracts and services of the top 45 self-publishing companies in the third edition of his acclaimed book, The Fine Print of Self-Publishing (Bascom Hill Publishing Group, September 2008). Leveraging extensive firsthand research and experience as a corporate and entertainment lawyer, Levine outlines the essential qualities to consider when picking a self-publishing company, educating authors on how to decipher the legalese and fine print of self-publishing contracts. "If you decided to buy a television or a car, you might read Consumer Reports to find the best price and highest quality," says Levine, CEO of the e-commerce company Click Industries, Ltd. "Spending hard-earned money to publish your book should be approached with the same care—but, unlike buying a car, your book is an extension of you."