(651) 206-8926 (Debbi)Independent Publishing FAQs
Documents: How to Prepare the Manuscript | Description of Services | Book Design Process
Interior Book Design:
Q: For independent publishing how much should I expect to spend for interior formatting?
Answer: Book formatting and design fees are all over the board in independent publishing. The going rates can be between $200 and $1500 for the interior design of a lightly formatted book. For cover design you can expect to pay between $100 and $3500.
We, at MyBookDesigner, charge about $400 for the interior design for paperback, of an average 62,000 word manuscript (100% text, like fiction). Get a more accurate quote for your type and length of manuscript, today. Get a quote…
Q: How do I get my book printed and/or selling on Amazon, with other booksellers, or even on my own website?
Answer: MyBookDesigner offers free consulting about independent publishing when you contract with us for formatting or cover design services. We will advise you about print-on-demand and how to get your book on Amazon or to other booksellers. We prepare books for printing with popular print-on-demand companies like Lulu.com, Diggypod.com, Createspace, Lightning Source, Ingram Spark or your choice of printer. Besides the printing of your books, there’s the selling. Many authors sell on their own sites.
Q: Is it better to get my manuscript formatted for print or an eBook? If both, then which one first?
Answer: MyBookDesigner has services for both print formatting and ebook conversion. Everyone knows that the eBook market is growing, but rest assured that 70% of the readers still read books in print. Our opinion is that for credibility as an author you still go to print, and better yet, offer both formats. It is a common opinion that if a book is in print then the author is a “real writer”. We can begin formatting either version first. Our pricing offers up to a 10% when purchasing both services simultaneously. Read more about eBook formatting or conversions
Cover Design
Q: How do you design my book cover? What’s the process?
Answer: We will have a phone interview to discuss your book; to get a feel for the subject and content. You can provide a synopsis as well as your ideas for the cover. Often the author has an image in mind. We direct you to websites to look over images which may be purchased for the cover. Sometimes the author finds 2 or 3 images from which we create a composite image. Then, we email a pdf sample layout, discuss it with you and make 1 or 2 revisions before we have the final. Some authors want to look at 3 or more designs right from the beginning (there are package options). All covers are custom designed; we never use templates.
Q: Do you use the same cover for an eBook version?
Answer: Increasingly, covers for ebooks are not exactly the same as for their print version. The reason for this is the way they display. It’s best to design a cover that displays well in its intended format, while adhering to the “brand” in order to be recognizable. MyBookDesigner will do whatever will work the best; use the same cover or slightly different.
Q: What is the cost of a book cover design for independent publishing?
Answer: Depending on who you go with, you can expect to spend $200 –$3500. What you spend on your cover has a lot to do with your business plan. We at MyBookDesigner.com offer several cover design packages, which all include design of the front, back and spine as a full layout prepared per printer specifications. All packages are custom designs, using no templates. You and choose to start with 1 cover design (Basic), or 3 (Premium) or 5 (Deluxe). Our Basic plan is 1 cover design with the option of 1 minor revision and starts at $180. Get a quote for your print and/or ebook cover design…
eBook Conversion
Q: Is there a difference between an eBook with reflowable text and an eBook pdf?
Answer: Yes. The setup and formatting are the same up to a point and the fee to format each is about the same.
An eBook prepared for reading devices has reflowable text which is helpful when using the device option of changing the font size. There’s code created to define how the manuscript looks and flows on the “page” of a device like Kindle or Nook. The ebook file type is known as an epub or mobi. These types of files can have links as in web pages, linking Table of Contents and hyperlinks to actual websites.
A pdf eBook is for reading on a screen or monitor, with links, bookmarks and hyperlinks. This type of eBook is often a manual or an article, but can even be a book. The pdf can be read on a digital reading device (eg. Kindle device) but it, not reflowable text; the text remains static, each page is like a picture. It can be difficult reading a pdf ebook on a small screened device because it requires zooming, spanning and scrolling to read a page.
Q: What is the fee if I just want an eBook and cover design for something like Kindle?
Answer: We don’t have a price list to offer since every book is different and custom formatted at MyBookDesigner. We charge a basic set up fee for the interior formatting (between $150-$500 depending on complexity) and a per word fee. Cover design for eBooks starts at $50. So the minimum for ebook alone (it’s less if in conjuction with a printed book contract) is $200. Contact for a quote… 651-206-8926
Q: Do you prepare and upload the files to my choice of eBook seller?
Answer: Yes. MyBookDesigner can upload the files for you, but many of our authors and publishers would rather do it themselves. We provide instructions to help you, but if you prefer to have us do it, we can, and we can even do it together via phone call or video conference.
Other Graphic Design Services
Q: If I fulfill the book orders myself, I’d like to include a bookmark or postcard with the book. Is this something MyBookDesigner can design for me?
Answer: Yes, absolutely. We are graphic designers. We’ll design and can also order your printed marketing materials to be shipped to you ready to include with your many book orders.
Q: How much does MyBookDesigner charge for proofreading and graphic design services?
Answer: Proofreading your manuscript or your book files, or graphic design services are billed by time. With other companies you can expect to pay between $35 and $150 per hour. Our regular hourly rate is always $50/hr. With that there is no charge for and no limit on the number of phone calls (within the U.S.) with our graphic designer or proofreader.
Copyright
Q: In independent publishing who gets royalties from my book sales? Does MyBookDesigner assume any royalties?
Answer: No. Any royalties on selling your book are yours and Amazon’s (if you are selling on Amazon). When we complete our services designing, possibly proofreading, preparing your book files for print and eBook, you make your final payment and no more. With the exception of course that you require post-production editing or corrections.
Q: Do I own and control the copyright of my book?
Answer: Yes. Absolutely. Some independent publishing companies have another arrangement, but MyBookDesigner has no ownership of your copyrighted book and takes no royalties.
Q: Do I need an ISBN for my eBook?
Answer: Yes, and no. An ISBN is required for the Apple iBookstore, but is not required for Amazon or Barnes and Noble. To purchase one or more ISBNs ($125+) under your name, go to http://www.myidentifiers.com or we can provide one at a lower cost under NRD Publishing. We keep NO royalties.
Marketing
Q: Will MyBookDesigner.com market my book?
Answer: No. We are not a book marketing company, nor a distribution company. Independent publishing most often means independent marketing. It will be up to you to market your book, but we can offer you suggestions. Some authors hire a marketing firm when their book is printed for such things as promotions, book signings, listing their books on “New” books directories, as well as optimizing their websites for discovery on search engines. *Note that some companies offer some FREE services such as ebook conversions … find out how they make their money. Nothing is free. Check our Blog page
Other Questions?
Q: Do you offer proofreading and editing services?
Answer: Yes and no. Most manuscripts that come to us have already been professionally edited and thoroughly proofed. If you need additional proofreading services for your independent publishing, do let us know. We don’t do fact-checking, footnote checking, developmental editing, reference checking. We’ll be glad to be of service with:
- grammar editing
- rephrasing for readability
- manuscript proofreading
- thorough proofreading of the pdf book files
Q: I have a lot of questions. Do you charge for coaching in independent publishing?
Answer: Yes. When you sign a design contract with MyBookDesigner for book design, ebook conversion or editing services, all coaching is provided at NO CHARGE. Also check out our blog page for more independent publishing information. There is a fee based on our regular hourly fee for coaching when we don’t have a design contract yet for your book.
Feel free to contact us during normal business hours. 651-206-8926
Debbi, Just wanted to let you know how pleased Victoria and I were with the Epub formatting you did for us. It was a great experience and I am sure you get a lot of business as your service was great!
– Mark Varley, Cloud People and Other Scary Stories for Children by Victoria Varley
