Publishing Services

From Vision to Completion (Step by Step Information)

Index to Services:

Introduction

Step 1. Evaluation

Step 2. Estimate

Step 3. Development

Step 4. Cover Design, Copyright, ISBN

Step 5. Printing

Step 6. Marketing and Fulfillment

Step 7. Request a Print Quote

Introduction: Index Top

Many aspiring authors never seem to get published, as there are many steps and options from the time of conception to the time to the time of actually printing and marketing a book. The process can be overwhelming. From doing the writing to understanding the process of getting your work printed.

The purpose of this page is to introduce you to information on what it takes to publish your book and some of the options that are available. The first option is to ether choose to do everything on your own or you may choose to go with a publishing service or company (like us or some other service). There are good and bad to all things. The more that you personally do, the more that you will make. This has nothing to do with greed, but it has to do with your goals and expectations and often times it has to do with simple math. For example: In order to make the same amount of money on your work should you decide to go with a full service publisher, the number of books sold will be have to be about 15 to 20 times the number of books sold, than if you did the work yourself. Basically, you will receive about $.75 per copy with a full service publisher, while if you did it yourself you would receive about $7 per copy depending on the options you choose.

If you are interested in going through the steps yourself, perhaps because you desire to control each step or because of funding you may choose to be self published. We have put a step by step guide that you can use if that is your decision and you may get a copy, "How to Write, Publish & Market Your Manuscript or Book" This guide offers suggestions that will save you time and money and even if you decide to go with a publisher, you will still want the information.

The other option of course, is to enlist the services of a publisher, broker or agent. There are several types of publishers. Some of the larger publishers do everything in-house while others out-source all or much of the work. We at ODB, Publishing use a combination of both methods to keep costs down and maintain the highest quality possible and to keep costs down. The information provided in these pages will give you some step by step guidelines of what is involved and the steps that are necessary to get the job done. No mater which choice you make we are here to help and can be reaches at our Help Desk.

Step 1. Evaluation Index Top

Part of the evaluation process is to determine how marketable your book or work is and how it should be marketed. Is your work ready to go to press? has it been edited and proofed?

This requires a plan of how to best proceed. From the information gathered an analysis can be made and formal plan can be made. From that point, a professional Editor and Typesetter get together and analyze your manuscript with the goal of designing and creating your bookstore-quality book.

The design process has much to do with the way you book will be marketed and how much you will actually receive for your book. At this point it is important to submit your work so we can for analysis so we can proceed to the next steps. Our editors and designers will come with with suggestions of what to do next and how to proceed after your approval and acceptance of our proposal and or bid.

Step 2. Estimate Index Top

In the estimate stage, you will have all of your questions answered and you will receive a firm proposal and or bid for all the steps necessary to bring your book to completion, including: transcription (if needed), editing, proofing, typesetting, cover design, film, and printing. We "plug in" at any point you need us in the creation of your book.

Definition of Terms
Transcription	This process is used when an audiotape needs to be processed into typed copy. A professional transcriber takes your audiotape and creates a written copy for us to use in the next stage of your book.
Editing	Our team of editors thoroughly reviews your manuscript, catching errors, improving on sentence structure and strengthening the flow of thought.
Typesetting	An experienced typesetter works with your manuscript to create the proper size, structure and fonts to produce your bookstore-quality book.
Proofing	Proofers review your manuscript thoroughly for any errors in all phases of the process; they ensure that the editing and typesetting were done correctly and make certain you end up with a quality book.
Cover Design	One of our award-winning artists can assist you in creating that very important cover. Your readers' first perception is based on your cover, and we are here to insure it’s a positive one.
Film	We can assist with the creation of the film for your cover. This is needed to turn your cover design into camera-ready artwork that book printers need to reproduce your book cover.
Printing	In this stage we use our 18 years of resources and relationships to give you a printing price usually reserved by other publishers for high volume clients. Our reputation and influence stand behind you throughout the process.

Step 3. Development Index Top

Once you accept our bid or proposal, the process of transcribing begins (if needed) and/or proofing the draft of your manuscript. The completed draft will be forwarded to you for your comments, changes and/or approval. Your input at this stage is very important to us.

Wherever you have requested to have ODB, Publishing Services "plug in" we will review the status of your manuscript with you "step-by-step." You will join the ODB, Publishing Services family as we help fulfill God's vision for your book.

Step 4. Cover Design, Copyright, ISBN Index Top

Copyright Services

Submission Form

Our expert graphics team will incorporate your special cover design desires into a powerful cover. This is an important step! The cover attracts buyers to your book. It is also a complex step where careful control coordinates film, ink coverage and half-tones to insure accurate reproduction.

A copyright in your name and an ISBN number and barcode will be assigned by ODB, Publishing Services on your behalf. You are the author and you retain all the rights to your work.

Definition of Terms
Cover Design	(2) Our award-winning artist will work with you to ensure your vision for the cover of your book is brought to completion in a professional and artistic manner.
Film	The graphics team will oversee the creation of the film necessary to bring your book to press; their experience and dedication guarantees you a quality product. This spares you the burden of learning to control the complicated process of color separation that produces rich full color covers using the world-standard 4-color process.
Halftones	This process is used when an image or photograph is to be inserted into your book. A negative is made of the image and turned into thousands of organized dots that create an image that can be reproduced in the printing process.
ISBN	An International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique 10-digit number which ensures that your book can be identified in bookstores and throughout the world. You also need it to sell on the thriving Internet Bookstores.
Barcode	The barcode represents the ISBN in a form which can be read by an electronic barcode scanner, and is used by publishers, booksellers and libraries to order, sell and manage book inventories.
Copyright	ODB, Publishing Services can help you register your book with the Library of Congress; this process protects your book and creates an official historical record with the Library of Congress.

Step 5. Printing Index Top

ODB, Publishing Services is a national print broker. That means we have contracted volume discounts from established, reputable book printers across the country. We pass the volume discounts on to you so you receive great prices for true, BOOKSTORE-QUALITY printing.

We suggest that you discuss your printing with us early in the planning stage. We will help you clarify your printing needs. The most important decisions you will make with regard to your printing will be what size of book, what sort of paper, and what binding will be used for your book. We will also discuss how many copies you should print based on your needs.

Because of our long term relationships with our printers, we can often produce your book to your complete satisfaction in four weeks or less.

Definition of Terms

Binding	The process of securing the pages of the book to your cover. The most common processes are Perfect Binding, Case Binding and Saddle Stitch.
Perfect Binding	Most paperback books use this style of binding; the pages are glued to the square spine of the cover. Found in most books above 48 pages.
Case Binding	Also referred to as Hard Cover, this is a high quality binding used to enhance the quality of the book. A minimum of 48 pages is recommended.
Saddle Stitch	Used frequently on books that are less than 48 pages; Saddle Stitching uses a stapling process that is common for pamphlets and booklets.
Book Sizes	This decision is based on your book type; the most common and cost-effective size is 5 3/8 x 8 1/2. We will suggest the size that best fits the format of your book.
Paper Types	There is an incredible range of stocks available, however only some are suited for book printing. We recommend the 50 lb. or 60 lb. bright white stock for quality and durability.
Copies	How many copies we print will depend on your needs as an author. The most common error is to order too small a quantity on the first print. You can be throwing money away by not taking advantage of the high volume discount associated with the bigger runs. You can save as much as 200% on your per-book cost between 500 and 2000 copies.

Step 6. Marketing and Fulfillment Index Top

Our relationship doesn't end when you receive your completed books. ODB, Publishing Services will help develop a specific marketing package for your book, including postcards, flyers, and brochures. In certain cases we can assist you in pre-selling your book, even raising the needed finances prior to printing.

ODB, Publishing Services also offers 800 number order capability, book storage, and order fulfillment

Definition of Terms
Marketing Kit	This would include Web Site, Postcards, Bookmarks and Business Cards with your cover design printed on all of them. It’s a great opportunity to create interest in your book!
Pre-selling	There are ways to pre-sell your book to help cover manufacturing costs. Contact us and we will be happy to discuss this option with you.
800#	ODB, Publishing Services can establish an 800 number service to help with order processing. Contact us for details.
Warehousing and Fulfilment	ODB, Publishing Services can store your books and fulfill orders generated by your 800 number. Contact us for details.

Step 7. Request a Print Quote. Index Top