By George Kittredge
Once you have made the decision to write a book and have finished your manuscript, the most important decision you as the author can make is selecting the book publisher you want to work with. Possibly not an easy task - especially when you consider all of the different types of publishing services that are available to you.
Wouldn't it be nice if you had some sort of an author's checklist that you could use to identify and evaluate the various types of services each publisher you talk with could offer you. Such a checklist might help you compare one publisher from another as well as provide an outline for questions you need to ask.
If you are in need of a handy author's checklist, the following might be just what you are looking for.
The checklist below identifies 20 specific service areas to ask about and might be useful when determining what services a book publisher can offer you. Consider it a starting point, and feel free to add other services you think may be important.
Book Publishing Services - Author's Checklist
As a publisher, do your publishing services include the following? (Y/N)
√ Develop an interior graphic design and page layout for my book.
√ Design both the front and back cover and create back cover copy.
√ Proofread the entire manuscript and all other created content.
√ Create "front matter" pages (i.e. title page, copyright page, table of contents, testimonial page, dedication page, acknowledgement page, etc.).
√ Obtain and assign an ISBN.
√ Create a trade ready EAN Bookland barcode for the book's back cover.
√ Register the book with Books in Print (Bowker).
√ Obtain copyright registration in my name.
√ Select a printer and oversee/manage all printing requirements.
√ Create and provide a digital galley of the book to me for my approval and signoff.
√ Create and provide a print proof of the book to me for my approval and signoff.
√ Provide any free, promotional copies to me from the initial production run. If so, how many?
√ Act as the Master Distributor for my book.
√ Provide assistance in obtaining book testimonials and book reviews. If so, explain.
√ Provide assistance in helping to identify relevant book award contests, book signings, author appearances, and other book-related opportunities. If so, explain.
√ Provide some advertising and/or promotional services. If so, what specific services?
√ Provide PR support. If so, what specific support?
√ Manage all aspects of book inventory.
√ Receive orders (identify methods) and process all orders received on my behalf. If so, explain what these services consist of.
√Provide all fulfillment services on book orders received. If so, explain what the fulfillment services are.
The above checklist focuses only on publishing services and not the finances. Obviously, you should have a prepared list of questions pertaining to fees, royalties, and other dollar and cents issues.
This checklist may also be helpful when it comes to signing an agreement with a publisher. The detailed list of services the publisher will be providing you should be clearly spelled out in your contract. Having a checklist to refer to may prevent some items from being overlooked or "falling through the cracks." The worst thing that can happen is for you to be assuming you are receiving a service that, in reality, you are not getting.
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