Author: Cheri Breeding

Cheri Speaks

Self Publishing for the Eco-Conscious

As our society becomes more concerned with environmental issues such as climate changes, pollution and land use, many authors want to know how they can publish a book that fits their environmental values. These authors want to know about the practices of the companies they publish with as well information about the materials used to print their books. If sustainability and conservation are important to you, here are a few things to consider before publishing your book.

1) Ask About the Ink – Some self-publishing companies use non-toxic ink. This is important for many reasons. For instance, it means…

  • Your book can later be recycled or composted without the fear of toxic ink seeping into the soil.
  • Once recycled, the finished product will not have a grayish-yellow appearance like the recycled papers of the ’90s.
  • The ink in your book will pose no threats to those who come in contact with it. (If your two-year-old child decides to nibble on the pages, he or she is perfectly safe.)

2) Ask About the Paper – Some self-publishing companies will print your book on recycled paper. There are also companies that use certified paper products. For instance, Outskirts Press uses bookblock paper that is Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certified and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Mixed Credit. These practices are important to prevent deforestation, which causes global warming and species endangerment.

3) Ask About Certifications – It is important to find out about the practices and products used by your self-publishing company. One way businesses prove that they use environmentally conscious practices and products is certifications such as SFI Certified and FSC Mixed Credit. Most companies will be more than willing to share this information with you, so ask your publishing company what certifications they have.

4) Ask About Best Practices – There are plenty of ways individuals and businesses can help the environment. Just a few ideas include energy-efficient appliances, telecommuting and recycling. Ask your self-publishing company what they do to reduce their carbon footprint. Do they value sustainability and conservation? Do they encourage their staff to share their values by taking small, eco-conscious actions?

When choosing a self-publishing company, it is important to find a company that shares your goals and values. Before committing to a self-publishing company, do your research. Find out about their practices and products. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. An honest company will be more than happy to answer them.

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.
Cheri Speaks

5W’s of Using an Imprint

One of the many decisions that authors must make is whether or not to use their own imprint, but like all facets of publishing, this decision can be confusing. To help answer your questions about imprints, I will discuss this topic using the 5W’s.

What is an imprint?

An imprint is the trade mark name under which your book is published. Many publishing companies have several imprints, and they choose an imprint depending on the type of book being published. As a self-published author, you have the ability to create your own imprint or use the imprint of your publishing company.

Why would you use your own imprint?

There are several reasons why authors choose to use their own imprint. Here are just a few.

* Full control – Authors want full control of whow their book is identified, discovered and sourced.

*Industry Standards – Depending on your marketing plans, a personal imprint may be the best option. For instance, textbook authors typically use their own imprints to make business with wholesalers easier.

Association – When you publish your book with a specific company and use their imprint, your book is associated with all of the other books that are published at that company. Some times, self-published authors don’t take advantage of all the services available to them. They might skip the professional copy editing services or choose a poorly designed cover because of a tight budget. Using your own imprint allows you to take advantage of all the services offered by self publishing companies without being associated with the poorly developed books sometimes published by those companies.

Credibility and Branding – By using your own imprint, you are building a brand for your current and future books. If you are an expert in your genre or topic, an imprint can help increase your credibility.

When do you choose an imprint?

You must choose your imprint early in the publication process because your imprint will be printed on all your books. Also, if you have a specific name picked out, you want to secure it before anyone else uses it.

Who can choose an imprint?

Anyone self publishing a book can create an imprint. Typically, the self-publishing company will still assist the author with other tasks such as inventory and accounting even if the author chooses to use a personal imprint.

How do you create an imprint?

If you decide to create an imprint, it is important to research your company name to avoid creating a duplicate. Also, talk to your self-publishing company to find out their specific process for creating an imprint.

I’d love to hear your comments and questions about imprints. Please feel free to comment on this post, and I will try to respond to your questions individually or address your questions in future posts.

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.
Cheri Speaks

5 Things You Need to Know About the Interior Design of Your Book

As you prepare for publication, you probably have a vision of what you want your book to look like as a finished product. This is especially important for certain genres such as poetry, children’s books and cookbooks. One of the most common complaints among new authors is that they are dissatisfied with the interior design of their book. Here are five things you need to know so you will love your book once it is published.

1) Know Your Vision – Before you select a publisher, spend some time thinking about how you envision your book. What aspects are important to you? Don’t assume your publisher will read your mind. You need to have a clear vision before you tell a publisher what you want.

2) Review Other Books – Go to a bookstore or library and browse other books in your genre. Make note of the different types of layouts and designs. Compare this information to your vision. You may discover that your original vision needs some tweaking. Let yourself be inspired and innovative.

3) Look at Your Options – Before you choose a publisher, look at the interior design options available. Are they able to accommodate your requests? Do they offer specific templates you must choose from?

4) Ask Questions – Talk to the publisher about the interior design process. Tell them exactly what you want your book to look. Make sure you ask about any additional costs your design might require, and find out if you will get to review the gallery proofs prior to printing. Also, ask if the gallery proofs are an exact representation of how your book will look printed.

5) Make an Informed Decision – After you have considered your goals and reviewed your options, you need to make a decision. This includes choosing a publisher and a design package. Always be clear about your needs and goals. Don’t wait until your book is printed to decide what you want your book to look like.

Happy publishing!

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.
Cheri Speaks

3 Tips for Authors Self Publishing in November

It is hard to believe, but the end of 2011 is almost here. As the weather turns chilly and stores become Christmas factories, you might be wondering if now is the right time to self publish your book. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind if you are working on self publishing your book this November.

1) Change your copyright year to 2012 so the book appears new even if it publishes before 12/31/11. Readers like to feel like they are reading the newest version of books.

2) If you’re interested in publishing to market for the holidays, it’s time to get moving and finish up before the end of November. As the holiday approaches, more people are buying and shipping, so it may take a bit longer to print and ship. While you don’t want to rush the creation of your interior and cover proofs, the holidays are an ideal time to market. Also, keep in mind that the general reader doesn’t see the book as the author does; for example, an author keeps checking the spelling and grammar, rewriting sentences, and tweaking the cover image. If you’ve carefully reviewed the chapters to make sure they are error free and have carefully reviewed the design at least 2-3 times, then let it go and move on to the next steps.

3) If you’re signing up just to publish by year-end or for Christmas sales, you need a reality check. There is the possibility that your book won’t be finished before the year’s end or that your marketing efforts won’t generate a large  number of holiday sales because you didn’t spend enough time marketing your book. (Think about how early retail stores begin marketing for Christmas. You can’t throw together a book and expect to sell dozens of copies a few weeks before Christmas.) Instead of obsessing over holiday sales and the end of the year, focus on starting the new year off with a bang. Publishing a book is a great way to start off a new year, and you will have more time to plan for success if you consider all of 2012 instead of the few weeks left in 2011.

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.
Cheri Speaks

LOC Acronyms Explained

If you are an aspiring author, you’ve probably heard the terms LOC, LCCN, CIP and PCN. But what do this acronyms mean, and which ones are important? Read on to find out.

LOC – Library of Congress. It is the largest library in the world, and its mission is “to support the Congress in fulfilling its constitutional duties and to further the progress of knowledge and creativity for the benefit of the American people.” To learn more about the LOC, visit loc.gov.

LCCN- Library of Congress Control Number. This number is similar to an ISBN. It can be helpful when marketing your book to libraries, but it not necessary for publication. To learn more about this number, read Who Needs a LCCN?.

CIP – Cataloguing in Publication. This program creates a bibliographic record that is printed on the verso of the title page. This program is not available to self-published authors.

PCN – Preassigned Control Number. This is the self publishing alternative to a CIP. This program creates a LCCN prior to publication. Self publishing  companies provide authors with this service.

I’d love to hear your questions or concerns about LOC acronyms. Feel free to leave comments, and I will try to address you questions directly or in future posts.

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.