1. You should begin by deciding on the format or binding you want for your book: perfect binding/soft cover or hardback with a dust jacket. Next, finalize the number of copies that would be best for your distribution plans. Remember that all the pre-press work is the same whether you print 100 or 10,000 copies. Consequently, the more you copies you print, the more the pre-press costs are spread out over the total print run. Make an initial budget. This enables you to gather the resources you need to make your project a success.

2. Format your manuscript as follows: Times New Roman font, 12 point font size, 1 inch margins all around, and double spaced. Read over your manuscript once more. The entire manuscript must be submitted as one file. Do not save each chapter as a separate file. Make a copy of your diskette and print three copies of the manuscript—two to submit and one to keep for yourself. We will not typeset your book according to the specifications above, that's just for manuscript submission. Your book will have an interior design not just a Times New Roman font.

3. We schedule an initial consultation to conceptualize the project overall. We assess your needs and desires and provide guidance and suggestions for the success of the project. We also discuss any special needs the project has, like artwork or photos you want to include. They require additional work and increase overall cost. We address any questions or concerns you may have.

4. Once your manuscript is reviewed and accepted for publication, we will send you a contract that lays out all the details.

5. Typically, books are produced within 2 - 3 months. Your part in speeding up the process is to provide a clean manuscript and to return the proofs and drafts in a timely fashion.

Payments are required in four stages

1. One third of the quoted price is due when the contract is signed.
2. One third is due when the first cover and text proofs are returned to us with the corrections to be made.
3. One third is due with the return of the second set of cover and text proofs, along with estimated charges like freight and printing overruns will be paid. After this payment is made, the book will be printed.

The publishing process simplified

1. The contract is signed and the first payment is made.
2. We edit the first draft of the manuscript while the artist is designing the cover. Then, the typesetting begins.
3. Page proofs and a color proof of the cover design are sent to you for your approval. The second payment is made.
4. Corrections are made to the page proofs and any adjustments are made to the cover design. These are sent for your approval. The third payment is made.
5. Now, the book is ready to go to press. The printer sends a final set of blue lines and cover proofs to us for approval and the book goes to press.
6. Printed books are delivered to your door or to our warehouse for distribution and fulfillment. Congratulations! Your dream is now a reality.

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