There are, in general, quite a number of steps and processes involved in the production and publication of a book. The following is a brief list and description of the major points an author needs to consider if you 'go it alone'.

Below, we show you the benefits and good reasons to use our special publishing service.

Critical appraisal
It is generally accepted that authors are too close to the work to offer an independent appraisal. It is therefore recommended that all authors utilize a critical appraisal service not only for the contents of the book but also of the style of writing and possible market size.

Typing
This may seem a little strange considering the author has spent the last few months typing a manuscript, unfortunately unless the manuscript has been typed into a computer based word processor on an IBM or Macintosh computer the whole thing will need to be retyped or scanned ready for the editor.

Copy editing.
This is one of the most important steps in the process of book publication.
This process involves checking the spelling, punctuation etc. of the document and ensures that the final text is well presented and free from errors.

Type setting
This is the process of laying out the manuscript in the way it will appear in the book and producing camera ready copy (a printout from a modern laser printer is usually good enough for this).

ISBN registration
Books that are to be offered for sale in bookshops will require an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) which will be printed on the imprint page and on the cover. This number is supplied by us.

Cover design
This can be undertaken in a number of ways from computer or text-based designs (cheapest method) through to using a freelance artist (more expensive). If the book is designed to sell by mail order (for instance, a specialist knowledge book that can be sold via adverts in a magazine that targets people who need that information) a simple single color cover will suffice. If the book needs to catch the reader's eye in a bookshop, a colorful design would be best. Bear in mind, however, that every color added to a book jacket adds a considerable amount to the price because the paper needs to be fed through the press once for every color used. The maximum number of colors is 4, because any combination colors can be produced using 3 primary colors plus black. The same applies to color photos. A bar code of the ISBN is normally required by many bookshops these days. The printer can incorporate them into your cover artwork.

Printing
Self-publishers need to carry out research among large numbers of printers in order to find the best value for the sort of book they wish to produce. They will need to know what paper thickness and quality is needed to carry the text and photographs, by what process those photographs can be included, and what is the most appropriate and cheapest method of binding. An understanding of the various processes involved in printing is advantageous when discussing your requirements with a printer. Most self-publishers opt to print just a few hundred copies to start with, then reprint if necessary. The second printing is always cheaper than the first, unless a large number of changes need to be made to the text.
Some printers specialize in low print runs, the set up charge by these printers is low but the cost per copy of book is high, conversely other printers specialize in higher volumes. With these printers the initial set-up charges are higher but the cost of printing individual books is lower. The change over point is in the region of 1000 copies of the book.

Using a normal printer, self publishing can often run into thousands of dollars.

Bibliographic registration
This is the process of registering a book with the various bibliographic bodies.

Australian Library Copyright Registration
Publishers in Australia are required by law to send one copy of your book to the National Library.

Publicity and Sales ideas
Having registered the book with databases in Australia, the information will appear in a publication called "The Bookseller" which contains a list of all newly published books, this publication is widely read amongst all bookstores. In addition it will be added to a list called "Books In Print" which is circulated to most bookstores.

Following this the next most cost effective way of obtaining publicity is to send copies of the book to magazines which have an interest in the subject area and the author.

Other publications that should also be considered are the local press and to some extent the national press.

The downside to this is that for every hundred books sent out only five or six reviews may be obtained and the books are non returnable. Having obtained some publicity it is worthwhile contacting the Booksellers Association and obtaining mailing lists for local bookshops and specialist bookshops.

A letter to each of these with a copy of the book cover and photocopies of some book reviews (to show there could be a demand for the book) will often result in a number of orders. From here what is done depends on how much time is to be devoted to selling and to how much the "Sales Budget" runs to.

The main problem with author funded publishing is that many authors prefer to be writing rather than publishing. This publishing option does not include a marketing package - although Poseidon Books will assist in any way it can.

SELF PUBLISHING PLAN

includes the following:

A paperback book printed in black ink with a full-color cover.
Conversion of your Microsoft Word or Lotus Word Pro file (s) to typesetting files. Other word processor formats are acceptable pending review by us. Your manuscript may have up to one level of simple internal headings - no extra indenting or special typesetting characters.
Full professional edit of your work, formatting and pre-press preparation.
Page proofs emailed to you as PDF files.
ISBN number - a number unique to your book (needed by bookstores to order books from the wholesaler).
Barcode required by most bookstores in order to shelve your book.
Copyright registration in your name in the Australian National Library.
20% net royalty on all sales of your book, excluding author purchases.
1 book sent to the Australian National Library.
Listing of your book on all major databases and inclusion on new release forms sent to bookstores.
100 copies of your book delivered to you.
Your book will be made available to bookstores and retail internet sales for the duration of your agreement.
A special discount price of 40% for any extra copies we supply to you.

Cost of this plan: AUD$3,750.00

Add ons: If you have photographs (black and white) to be included in your book, this agreement will cover up to 50 photographs, that we will scan and place in your book. If there are more than 50 photos required, you will need to advise us so we can discuss the options with you.

Contact us for further information and for a copy of the agreement. To submit your material for evaluation, you may either email it as an attachment in Word, RTF, PDF or Lotus WP. You can also post it to us at: Poseidon Books, P.O. Box 2554, Burleigh MDC Qld. 4220 Australia.

Email: info@poseidonbooks.com

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