What to do and how to do it.

1. Request a price quote if you haven't already. See form for obtaining Price Quote

We can quote various quantities if you are not yet certain how many books to order, whether 25 or more.  You can make a final decision on quantity to order when you receive the book proof. Read New Ordering Options.

On a ready-to-go book, we will need to know  –
    •Total number of pages (including any intentional blank pages) 

    •The size of book (8.5 x 11, 6 x 9) 

    •Hard or soft cover  (Have you created the cover design? See example of how. We can create a soft or hard cover design at no charge.)

    •Quantity (we are happy to quote various quantities)

    •Any special options as described in Hard & Soft Covers. 
    
    •Standard cover or Imitation Leather or Cloth-based Cover or Bonded Leather.

    •Are you sending a disk or CD, and is it post-scripted or a PDF file, or not? We can walk you through how to postscript in about 5 minutes.

    •Or, are you sending camera ready pages. See Printing Tips. 

    a. If camera ready pages, are you sending photos for us to create a photo section and if so, how many.    

    b. If camera ready pages, are you sending a disk with a photo section you have created for us to drop into the master file.

When you choose a final quantity, we can also quote you an approximate shipping charge, if you wish.

THE PROCESS OF SUBMITTING MATERIAL

    •Make one last review of the guidelines in Family Book Essentials.

    •If you have last minute jitters, read what our clients have to say.

    •Carefully package your Zip disk, CD, or Camera-ready manuscript. If a disk or CD, also include a printed manuscript. Cushion well the inside of the box. 

    •If a disk or CD, place a label on it with your name, the name & version of the program you used to produce the work and either PC or MAC, and your phone number.

    •For our address, click on About Us. If you wish to send via US Mail, UPS, or Fed Ex, call for our physical address.

WHEN WE RECEIVE IT

    •We examine the contents. Camera-ready pages are reviewed to make sure margins are adequate. (We do not look for text errors) 

    •The Disk or CD is examined in what we call "pre-flight" to make sure all is well. From a postscripted file, we create a PDF file (like an e-book) and send you a low resolution copy via e-mail so you can take one last look before we move to the next step of creating a book proof to send you. In reviewing the PDF file, if you see errors you have missed, you can correct them in your computer, postscript again and send us a new file. We then create another PDF and send it to you. The goal is to save you money on changes once you receive the printed proof. Changes to that proof carry a charge because work must be redone and new proof created.

    •We review the total number of pages to verify what your e-mail price quote indicated would be in your book. 

     •We e-mail you a one-page simple contract that will govern the work we will do. You sign and date and keep one, and return one to us.

YOU WILL RECEIVE A PROOF

    •If camera-ready pages, we scan to create a master file and produce a proof. If disk/CD, we output a proof. The unbound proof is sent to you UPS or FedEx ground and when you are finished reviewing the Proof, return it to us.

    •With the proof, we include a Proof Acceptance Form. If you see an error you have made and want to correct it, instructions will be included for what to do. If the proof is acceptable, you sign and date the Acceptance Form and return it with the proof. This is our authorization to proceed with printing and binding your book.

    •If your book will be a hard cover, you will also find in the box a swatch of cover samples and you will choose your favorite type of cover & color. This is the one we will use on your book.  Each cover type/color is numbered. On the Proof Acceptance Form, you will write in the cover/color number. And you return the swatch with the proof. If you have questions, call us 1 800 360-5284 or use our Question Form.

    •If your book is a soft cover, a color proof of the cover will be enclosed.

Once the accepted proof is back in our hands, it takes 3-4 weeks to complete a hard cover book and 2-3 weeks to complete a soft cover book. We examine the finished books, then ship the order to you.

WHEN REVIEWING the E-book Proof and then the paper Proof

Never Assume. Take the time to read the proof. Do so in a quiet, leisurely environment. If you discover errors you have made, then you must decide if the error is important enough to correct. Most books today have an error or two, because it is almost impossible to catch every one. Have another person read the proof also. If we have made an error, we will correct it at no charge. If you have made an error you want corrected and it is the printed book proof you are reviewing, there is a charge because we must redo our work. We will explain how to make the correction.

From the time we receive your ready to go disk or camera-ready sheets, to your having books delivered, ranges from 5-8 weeks, depending on whether you order a soft cover or hard cover. If we discover errors on your disk, etc, add time for you to send corrections. Add time for shipping books to your location.

WHEN BOOKS ARE DELIVERED TO YOU

Before you sign the shipper form of the carrier that delivers to you, examine the outside of each box for dents or damage. Once you sign it, you are verifying you have received the books "in good condition" and if later you discover shipping damage, it may be too late to prove it so that you or your publisher can obtain a settlement. This rarely occurs, but be alert.

STORING YOUR BOOKS

Books not immediately sold or given to others should be stored in a climate-controlled environment, never too cold or too hot. It is good practice to stack no more than three boxes high. If you take books out of the box to store in another place for any length of time, lay them flat.

IF YOU SHIP A BOOK TO OTHERS

    •Investigate current charges for mailing or shipping the book to family members who have requested that you mail the book to them.

    •You can offer Media Rate (formerly standard book rate) with the U.S. Postal Service. This rate you can know in advance because it is based only on weight, not distance, and the price applies to any location in the U.S. Create a handy chart of weight increments for your book. Weight for one book, for two books, three books, etc., plus weight of mailing container. 
     Your can offer an upgrade to Priority Mail or Express Mail if requested. Contact USPS for rates to specific zip codes. 

    •If you have questions about USPS rates, etc., call their toll-free number: 1 (800) 275-8777. With the new postal rates, the rate category for mailing books is called "Media." On your mailing label, it must state: Media Mail, preferably in the lower right- or left-hand corner. This tells USPS why the postage applied on the container is lower than first class mail. If the package must travel more than a short distance, USPS will cost less than UPS.

    •Using UPS Ground, 3-day, or Overnight (or a similar service) is priced on weight and distance, so check for the price to different locations. It will require you to travel to a UPS office or a neighborhood business offering that service. For UPS rates, call 1 (800) 742-5877. 

    •One benefit to UPS or FedEx is that every shipment automatically carries $100 insurance against damage, and you can purchase additional insurance if you wish. Another is that they can always track the delivery date of the package, in case someone says it never arrived.

SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS

    •Whether you use USPS, UPS, or FedEx, know that in today’s fast paced world, smaller boxes can be thrown around. If the book/s do not fill the box, add cushioning all around so the book/s are secure. Use as much care packing the box as you would in shipping a delicate object. It will prove to be cost effective in the long run.

    •Do not buy cheap boxes for sending many books at one time. They are likely to come apart. When sending a large order even in a sturdy box, use extra heavy weight tape around the middle.

BOXES & MATERIALS

    •Most cities have companies that sell quantities of boxes and mailing packets. Usually you can purchase as few as 25. Of course, the smaller the quantity, the more you pay per box.

    •If you live in a small town, go to the library and look through the Yellow Pages of a city near you. Look under "Boxes" and jot down their phone numbers.

    •Before ordering a quantity, measure your book, allow an additional inch or two on all sides, and ask what sizes they offer. So there are no surprises, it is better to order a size larger than you think you’ll need than have one be too small. If ordering a soft mailing packet, ask if their quoted dimensions measure 1) the inside of the container, or 2) the outside of the container. If they are quoting outside dimensions, you must add a couple inches to know what the inside will accommodate.

    •A hard cover book should always be shipped in a sturdy box to protect the spine against being crushed.

    •Shipping a soft cover may be safely done in a well cushioned mailing packet. It would be a good idea to place a sheet of heavy cardboard inside with the soft cover book so the packet won't bend. If the order is for three or more, your interests are better protected by using a box. Having to replace a damaged book can cost you more in the long run.

    •A roll of bubble wrap can be purchased for about $20. This provides the extra cushioning that some shipments need. You can also open an old newspaper and crush individual sheets to provide packing material.

    •Supplies can be purchased from your neighborhood shipping business.

    •A good tape gun is handy.

WHEN IT IS FINALLY PUBLISHED

Make peace now. Know that even though you have edited the book many times yourself, and had others read it too, almost no book when published is without error. You may see a misspelled word or wrong date. Most authors do. Know that if you want reprints of the book in the future, you can make corrections at that time.

     What one author placed in her Preface: "Finally, though I have tried to avoid errors, I am certain some will slip through, and I take full responsibility and I apologize in advance. (Please do not call my mother nor any other contributor about any errors!)" And she is an attorney and a detailed writer.

Also know that your years of hard work and dedication have provided your family or organization with a treasured keepsake that can be passed down through generations. Know that your efforts have helped bind generations together, each new generation knowing about (not wondering) and gaining strength from the lives of their forebears.

REPRINTS

We archive files. Once we have published a book and later you decide you need more books, it is easily done. Also read options for reprinting.

If you have questions, please call us 1 800 360-5284 or submit them on our Question Form. 

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