The New Era of Digital Books

April 30, 2012

Wendy Stetina Book Design, Choosing a Publisher, Kindle, Self-Publishing, Wendy Speaks , , , 1 Comment

Not too long ago, if you wanted to read a book, you had to go to the bookstore, library, or online store and retrieve a print copy. Now, it is becoming easier and easier to read digitally formated books. Readers can purchase and download e-books on their computers or digital book readers such as Kindles or Nooks.  Even smart phones have digital book reading options.

Having a book published in print is no longer enough. Readers expect options, and successful authors are willing to accommodate different reading styles. If you only publish your book in a print format, you could potentially miss out on a large audience — those who prefer digital books.

Not only is digital publishing in demand, it is also a smart choice for authors. In many cases, it is less expensive to produce a digital book than it is to produce a print book, and the publishing option is eco-friendly because there is no wasted paper. If you are interested in taking part in this growing trend, find out what options  self-publishing companies offer and keep those options in mind when choosing a publisher.

I’d love to know, what questions do you have about digital books?

ABOUT WENDY STETINA: Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction, or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.

Submitting Native Files Can Save You Money

February 28, 2012

Cheri Breeding Book Design, Cheri Speaks , 1 Comment

Many self-publishing authors are concerned about submitting print ready files. Often, an author will submit print ready files only to discover that the files do not meet on-demand printing requirements. This results in frustration, extra work, and additional fees. To help you better understand the process and avoid spending extra money, here is some basic information you need to know about print ready files and on-demand printing requirements.

On-demand Printing is Unique

On-demand printing is different from offset and home printing. Therefore, the requirements are different. On-demand printing is digital, and machines are not recalibrated to complement the book and file settings. Therefore, the file needs to meet the on-demand requirements.

Your Files Need Reviewed

Authors who submit print ready files often complain about being charged for the self-publishing company reviewing the files. However, many authors will submit print ready files that are not correctly formatted. This results in frustration and extra fees. To avoid this, authors can submit native files and allow the designers at the publishing company to format the book.

Cheri Breeding ABOUT CHERI BREEDING: Since 2005 Cheri Breeding has been working as the Director of Production for Outskirts Press. In that time, she has been an instrumental component of every aspect of the Production Department, performing the roles of an Author Representative, Book Designer, Customer Service Representative, Title Production Supervisor, Production Manager and, Director of Production. She brings all that experience and knowledge, along with an unparalleled customer-service focus, to help self-publishing authors reach high-quality book publication more efficiently, professionally, and affordably.

Choosing a Self Publisher

February 21, 2012

Cheri Breeding Book Design, Book Marketing, Cheri Speaks, Choosing a Publisher, Uncategorized , 2 Comments

Self publishing is a big decision. Before jumping in, you need to research your options and pick a self publisher that meshes with your needs and goals. Here are three things you should look for when choosing a self-publishing company.

Design Options

Review the company’s interior and cover options. Most companies have standards for each genre. These standards are typically based on what is most viable in the marketplace.

Internal Processes

Each company has a process for handling the publication process, and requesting exceptions to this process can result in extra fees.

Prices and Options

Each company offers a variety of services during production and marketing. Find out what each company offers and the prices.

I’d love to know, what factors helped you choose a self-publishing company?

Cheri Breeding ABOUT CHERI BREEDING: Since 2005 Cheri Breeding has been working as the Director of Production for Outskirts Press. In that time, she has been an instrumental component of every aspect of the Production Department, performing the roles of an Author Representative, Book Designer, Customer Service Representative, Title Production Supervisor, Production Manager and, Director of Production. She brings all that experience and knowledge, along with an unparalleled customer-service focus, to help self-publishing authors reach high-quality book publication more efficiently, professionally, and affordably.

Illustrations Affect the Success of Your Children’s Book

February 20, 2012

Wendy Stetina Book Design, Uncategorized, Wendy Speaks , , 1 Comment

So – you have written a charming children’s story. Your children and all of your friends’ children love the storyline and the characters. You dream of becoming a published author. Perhaps you have ideas for a series that involve many stories with the same characters. Bringing those figures to life with an investment in high quality illustrations will contribute to the success of your book.

 I regularly tell authors: if you do not purchase one of our professional illustration sets, please hire an independent graphic illustrator to create your images. Make sure that you get a release from the artist giving you permission to use the illustrations and always get in writing that they will not be receiving any portion of the royalties from your book.

If you want your book to be taken seriously, you need to spend a little money to make it look professional.

 

ABOUT WENDY STETINA: Wendy Stetina is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years experience in the printing and publishing industry. Wendy works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; and together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction, or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Wendy Stetina can put you on the right path.

 

What You Need to Know About Custom Covers

December 20, 2011

Cheri Breeding Book Design, Cheri Speaks , , , , Leave a comment

You’ve heard the cliché “A picture is worth a thousand words.” This is especially true in the publishing industry. The cover is the first impression a reader gets of your book. Therefore, it needs to be appealing and professional, but it should also reflect the tone and style of your book. If you have a specific vision of your book’s cover, you are probably considering a custom cover. However, there are two different types of custom covers. Here are the basics.

Regular Custom Covers vs. Illustrated Custom Covers

Regular custom covers are created with photos from a photo image site. Illustrated custom covers are drawn by professional illustrators. If you take a trip to the bookstore or browse book covers online, you will see that covers with photos and covers will illustrations are two very different styles. Also, illustrated covers offer more unique designs. The type of custom cover you choose depends on your vision.

Choosing a Cover

When deciding whether to choose a regular custom cover or illustrated customer cover, consider these questions:

  • What do I want my finished book to look like?
  • What do other books in my genre look like?
  • What insight has my market research provided about cover art?
  • What is my budget for cover art?

I’d love to know, do you plan on using a regular custom cover or an illustrated custom cover?

Cheri Breeding ABOUT CHERI BREEDING: Since 2005 Cheri Breeding has been working as the Director of Production for Outskirts Press. In that time, she has been an instrumental component of every aspect of the Production Department, performing the roles of an Author Representative, Book Designer, Customer Service Representative, Title Production Supervisor, Production Manager and, Director of Production. She brings all that experience and knowledge, along with an unparalleled customer-service focus, to help self-publishing authors reach high-quality book publication more efficiently, professionally, and affordably.

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