Self-Publishing WELCOME TO THE MADHOUSE: A Writer's Odyssey

Self-Publishing Welcome to the Madhouse: Chapter Three: The Deal

Chapter Three: The Deal

The Friesen Press book deal I signed for, includes:

Editor's Manuscript Evaluation

Your manuscript first goes to an editor, who will read your book and make suggestions, corrections, and give a critique. You can take the evaluation and make changes or you can ignore the evaluation BECAUSE IT IS YOUR BOOK. You call the shots. You are not forced to change anything. This is different from traditional publishers where you may have to make a lot of changes or they may not publish your book.

Custom Layout (Inside, Front, and Back covers)

They will design the entire book for you, with as much of your input as you want. They help with the font, the title page, the inner design of the book. They will design the front and back covers with as much input from you as you want. If you want to supply the pictures, they will use them. If you want to supply your own cover, they will use it. They will help you make the type of cover you envision for your book. For me, I did not know what to do for the cover. They are going to make up three totally different covers and I can choose from one of them. I hope you readers will help me choose!

Paperback and Hardcover Editions

The paperback edition is a trade paperback book, not the pocket paperback. There are different sizes you can choose from, depending on what type of book you are creating. For example, a children's picture book or a cookbook may be a different size from a fiction book.

There are two versions of the hardcover book. One is a clothbound book with the removable paper cover. The other is a leather-bound, imprinted book with a protective finish. This one is more often used in children's books. You can choose either one, but not both.

Black and White Interior

My book is all text; I do not have any colored illustrations. If my book required a lot of fancy photographs, as in a cookbook or art illustration book, for example, that would be more money.

Full Color Book Cover

20 Paperback and 5 Hardcover Copies

Complimentary with my deal. It might be fewer, if the book was a cookbook or book that had a lot of color illustrations, because they are much more expensive. Ultimately, you are paying for your 'complimentary books'.

2 Revision Rounds

There will be two full go-rounds with the book, looking at type-facing, design of the book, correcting anything that needs to be corrected with the type, test, design, etc. I thought the 'revision' term referred to editing, but this is incorrect. 'Revision' refers to fixing the look of the book, not correcting your story!

One Hour Complexity Design Time

A designer can spend extra time on the design of your book, especially if your book requires intricate layout. I will probably use this extra design time for the cover.