Definition & Meaning of "vanity press"

What is a "vanity press"?

A vanity press is a publishing service that prints books for authors who pay for the service themselves. Unlike traditional publishers, which typically cover the costs and take on the financial risk, vanity presses require authors to bear the expense of production, printing, and sometimes marketing. These services often promise to publish and sometimes promote the author's book, but they are usually criticized for prioritizing payment over the quality of the final product. Vanity presses can be an option for authors who want to publish their work but may lack access to traditional publishing avenues.