Printing with Lulu Direct
Why I Chose Lulu Direct to Publish
Whispers of the Willow
When I began preparing Whispers of the Willow for publication, I spent a lot of time researching different publishing and printing options. There are countless companies available to independent authors today, but for me, the decision was about more than who could print a book. It was about finding a company whose values aligned with my own.
I’ve always believed that we are, in part, a reflection of the people, communities, and organizations we choose to surround ourselves with. The partnerships we make matter. As a small business owner, I want to work with companies that share the same commitment to responsibility, sustainability, and positive impact that I strive to uphold through The Legendary Skunk.
That’s what led me to Lulu Direct.
A Values-Based Decision
Many of you already know that sustainability is an important part of my business. From reducing plastic packaging whenever possible to supporting environmental initiatives through my shop, I try to make thoughtful choices that reflect my values.
One of the things that immediately stood out to me about Lulu Direct was that they are a Certified B Corporation®.
B Corps are businesses that meet high standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Rather than focusing solely on profit, Certified B Corporations are evaluated on how they impact their employees, communities, customers, and the environment.
As someone who believes businesses can be a force for good, that certification mattered to me.
Supporting Independent Creators
Another reason I chose Lulu Direct is their commitment to empowering independent creators.
As an author, artist, and small business owner, creative freedom is incredibly important. Lulu allows creators to maintain ownership and control of their work while providing professional printing and fulfillment services. This means I can bring my stories directly to readers without sacrificing my creative vision.
For Whispers of the Willow, that independence was something I wanted to preserve.
A More Sustainable Approach
Print-on-demand publishing also offers environmental benefits compared to traditional large-scale print runs.
Instead of printing thousands of books that may sit in warehouses or potentially go unsold, books are produced as they are ordered. This helps reduce waste and allows creators to make their work available in a more sustainable way.
While no manufacturing process is completely without environmental impact, I appreciate companies that actively work toward more responsible business practices and resource management.
Looking Forward
Publishing Whispers of the Willow has been an exciting milestone, and choosing Lulu Direct felt like a natural extension of the values I’ve built into The Legendary Skunk from the beginning.
At the end of the day, I believe that the companies we choose to support say something about who we are and what we value. I wanted to partner with a company that prioritizes accountability, sustainability, and supporting independent creators and that’s exactly what I found with Lulu Direct.
Thank you for supporting independent authors, small businesses, and organizations that are working toward a better future.
Learn More
If you’d like to learn more about Lulu Direct, their sustainability efforts, or what it means to be a Certified B Corporation, you can visit the following resources:
🔗 Lulu Direct
https://www.lulu.com/direct
🔗 About Lulu
https://www.lulu.com/about
🔗 Lulu Sustainability
https://www.lulu.com/sustainability
🔗 Certified B Corporation
https://www.bcorporation.net
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the values behind Whispers of the Willow and The Legendary Skunk. Every purchase helps support independent creativity, thoughtful business practices, and a more sustainable future.
