Q & A
Q: What financial obligations do I assume when I submit
my manuscript?
A: None. We provide an estimated cost for
whatever service you require. This may be simply printing your book, or may
involve editing and proofreading.
Q: How much will it cost to have my book
published?
A: See our price list. There are no hidden costs
because we are not vanity or subsidy publishers.
Q: Do you ever reject manuscripts?
A:
Yes. We will not print any book we consider to be defamatory, libelous or
licentious.
Q: Who pays for the sales promotion and advertising of
my book?
A: You do. We will assist you in the preparation of
mailing pieces and publicity.
Q: What price should I charge for my
book?
A: Competition, book length, subject matter, timeliness,
and the demographics of your market will determine the retail price. It can vary
from two to six times cost.
Q: What is the difference between editing and
proofreading?
A: Editing requires the permission of the author
to have another accomplished writer juxtapose paragraphs, phrases, and words as
well as the authority to add or delete in order to give the author's work more
impact, focus, logic and saleability. Editing requires a complete understanding
of the author's intent. Proofreading corrects grammatical or typographical
errors.
Book Production Procedure
The production of an attractive book can take as long as
90 days. At our facilities in Chapel Hill, we have everything
needed to provide quality service in preparation and completion. There are
no standard rules, but here is a typical production procedure:
- Submit manuscript or floppy disks with
printout along with any rough sketch you may have for the cover.
We typeset sample pages in a style most
suitable to your needs. It is sent to you along with our contract.
Upon your approval, Professional Press
typesetters, artists, editors and proofreaders begin work.
Page proofs and cover design are sent to you
for approval. If necessary, a rough penciled sketch of an illustration for the
cover may be included.
Upon return of the typeset material and
sketch, we proceed to complete cover design, output final typeset pages, and
prepare a blueline.
A blueline is a proof of the negatives in
position, prior to burning plates for printing. It gives you an opportunity to
make last-minute changes.
Upon approval of blueline, books are printed,
and sample copies are sent to you. At this time, the balance of the books are
cartoned and skidded for shipment.
- Upon receipt of final payment, books are
shipped by motor freight to you or a warehouse you select.
We Can Help You Obtain Book Protection
Guard against plagiarism or any unauthorized use of your published
material.
1. Book Copyright
Almost any published book
should have the date of copyright. We can obtain this for you from the Register
of Copyrights. Our fee: $95.00.
2. Library of Congress Number
The Library of
Congress provides a documented registration number to any book that is going to
be published. This number affords a greater level of credibility to your
book—fiction or nonfiction. Our fee: $95.00.
3. The ISBN Number
ISBN is the acronym for
International Standard Book Number. It usually appears as a bar code on the
outside back cover as well as on the page with the copyright and Library of
Congress number. This number is virtually mandatory in helping book wholesalers,
retailers, and libraries order your book. Our fee: $95.00, including the bar
code.
Total for all three protections: $200.00
Subsidy Publishing Versus Book Publishing
We
are primarily book printers, not subsidy publishers. There is a world of
difference between the two. A subsidy publisher will usually require an author
to invest a substantial sum for the promotion of a book. This sum may be larger
than the total required for the printing of the book itself. Unlike subsidy
publishers, we itemize everything we do in advance. You pay only for what we
do, not what we promise. In addition to the printing of your book, this may
include mailings and displays. Consider these aspects of self-publishing when
making your selection of a printer for your book.
