That’s how one of my clients put it when asking what stands between a finished manuscript and books in hand.
“How do I get my book printed?” is the obvious question. Hundreds of companies have sprung up in response to the tremendous surge in selfpublished books over the last twenty years. Some of these companies handle only one item in the bundle of services required, others offer to do everything.
Most complaints involve dissatisfaction with promises to promote the book. selfpublishers are advised to be wary of such promises, even from companies in business for a long time. Examine printing or publishing contracts carefully before entering into an agreement.
The second most common reported complaints concern the quality of the printed books. Some companies deliver a disappointing product, so you should ask for samples of their work before placing an order. The best way to ensure getting a book that looks like it came from Random House or Simon & Schuster is to work with a top notch book designer (see below) and an equally talented artist to prepare your cover. The book designer will be able to steer you toward a printer who does fine work.
As a public speaker, your events provide an ideal platform to sell your books. Hence, you have less need for the all-in-one printers/publishers/promoters (listed below) than other selfpublishers who have no built-in book-selling platform. Maintaining complete control of your book by contracting directly with a book manufacturer is the most profitable way to market your book.
There’s more to it than selecting who will press ink onto paper. To avoid delay, a few other things need to be in place by the time your manuscript is finalized.
ISBN. (International Standard Book Number) Even if you expect to sell your book only at your events, you should obtain an ISBN because you never know what opportunities may come your way.
Bookstores won’t touch a book that doesn’t have an ISBN printed on its back cover, neither will most of the so-called nontraditional outlets: gift shops, specialty stores, big box retailers, and so on.
Although some printers listed below will provide an ISBN as part of their printing service, I advise against this because all book orders will then go to them, not to you or your fulfillment firm. Contact isbn.org to obtain your own ISBN so you’ll retain control of your book. Allow a few weeks to get this done.
WHAT ABOUT BARCODES?
(This section (between the quotes) is by courtesy of Budget Book Design)
“The ISBN for your book is easily translated into a worldwide compatible bar code format called a Bookland EAN (European Article Number). Every bookstore chain and most smaller bookshops use bar code scanning at the checkout register.
Putting the bar code on your book is part of the book cover designer’s job, and it’s a simple one. Using a software program, the designer types in your ISBN and out pops the bar code in just the right place on your back cover. You can put your book’s retail price near the bar code on the back cover if you want to. Doesn’t mean retailers will always have to charge the full amount. Using their computers, they can tie your Bookland EAN code to a sale price, and that’s what will appear on the register when your book is scanned.
If you are using a bar code, it must be black or a color dark enough to be scanned. Keep this in mind when counting the number of colors on your cover.
Receive your barcode in less than 36 hours for only $25.00.”
COVER ARTWORK. Some printers have many stock covers you can choose among. However, these stock covers look canned to today’s sophisticated book buyers. Stock covers also lack much power to catch a prospective buyer’s attention. Since the cover influences most potential book buyers profoundly, paying for a good one is a sound investment. Many publishing professionals contend that a strong selling cover will double sales (most of the same people say a powerful title will double sales again). If you want something better than a printer’s stock cover, contact a graphic artist who specializes in book covers. Here are three highly talented cover design firms. All three have excellent websites you should check before making a decision.
Dunn+Associates Design
No one surpasses Dunn’s amazing portfolio of work, and I recommend this firm highly. www.Dunn+Associates Design.com
Hannus Design
I have referred clients to Hannus Design and they have all been pleased with cost and quality of the covers Dick created. He’s located in Massachusetts. He does the artwork for paperback covers, or the dust jackets for hardcovers.
1106 Design LLC
Michele DeFilippo, Owner
610 East Bell Road, #2-402
Phoenix, AZ 85022-2393
Phone: (602) 866-3226 Fax: (602) 866-8166
email: michele@1106design.com
This firm has an impressive portfolio of work to their credit.
BOOK DESIGN. John Reinhardt says, “I provide both the design and composition of the book. Proofs will be sent back and forth until the book is approved for printing. I then supply the printer with all of the necessary files, fonts, images, prepress info, and final set of laser proofs.”
John Reinhardt Book Design bookdesign.com
143 Grassy Brook Rd.
Brookline, Vermont 05345
email:john@bookdesign.com
phone:1-802-365-4909
toll-free:1-888-305-4710
fax:(802) 365-9273
Budget Book Design
9 Washington Ave.
Pleasantville, NY 10570
Phone: 800-754-7089
Fax: 914-741-6884
jg@budgetbookdesign.com
BOOK MANUFACTURERS/POD PRINTERS
Automated Graphic Services ags.com
AGS is located in Maryland. A California client of mine who had his book printed by AGS was delighted with the results.
Bang Printing bangprinting.com
Bang is located in Brainerd, Minnesota
PRINTERS/PUBLISHERS/PROMOTERS
The services offered by these firms vary. Check them out on the Internet to see if any of them seem to be exactly what you need. Then obtain their publishing agreement and review it carefully. Be sure to obtain your own ISBN from isbn.org so that you maintain control of your book.
Authorhouse.com
Booksurge.com
Infinitypublishing.com
iUniverse.com
Publish America.com
xLibris.com
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Warren Jamison
Comment by admin — August 12, 2010 @ 1:56 pm