If you want us to design your book’s interior, convert your ebook, and/or design the book cover, we will need:
- The final, edited and proofed manuscript (in Word). Additional charges for excessive changes may apply. Please ensure you’re sending us your as-close-to-perfect (and finished) manuscript as possible.
- The book size. Recommended sizes are 5.5 x 8.5, 6 x 9, 8.5 x 11. (They can be printed anywhere.)
- An idea of where you want to print (recommend KDP and Ingram Spark for print, KDP, iTunes, Barnes & Noble and/or Kobo for ebook)
- The ISBN if you have it
We do payment in full up front or half now, with the remaining after the project is complete and typically do not require a contract.
Copyright Registration
Copyright registration is online via https://www.copyright.gov/. I am no expert on copyright law, and things have changed recently with copyrights. You may want to do your own research or contact an attorney to help you decide if registering for a formal copyright is necessary. (It’s not expensive or difficult to register online.)
Purchasing an ISBN
Use My Identifiers to purchase your ISBN. https://www.myidentifiers.com/get-your-isbn-now.
Purchasing a barcode is not necessary. If you’re using Ingram Spark and KDP Print, you can use the same ISBN for both platforms. No ISBNs are required to upload your ebooks if you’re going direct with the main outlets (Kindle, Nook, iTunes, and Kobo). A new ISBN is required for your ebook if you’re using Ingram Spark to distribute your ebook. (I don’t usually recommend this – I usually recommend authors go direct with the main outlets instead of using a 3rd party distribution service.)
When & How to Use Copyrighted Material
Rule of thumb on copyrighted material: assume it’s copyrighted unless it was created prior to 1923 or was created by a U.S. governmental agency.
If you do wish to use copyrighted material, get permission in writing from the copyright holder. For an excellent discussion on when to ask for permission, check this out: https://janefriedman.com/sample-permission-letter/
Some publishers/authors have blanket statements that will allow you to use their materials without asking for specific permission – Bible translations typically do this. To find boilerplate copyright statements for Biblical translations, go to https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/ and click on the version you wish to use. You can copy/paste this information directly onto your copyright page.
A great resource for all things copyright is the Public Domain Sherpa: http://www.publicdomainsherpa.com/index.html.
Public domain maps: http://www.publicdomainsherpa.com/public-domain-maps.html. Where to find public domain maps: http://www.publicdomainsherpa.com/public-domain-maps-resources.html.