Universal Publishing Package: Manuscript to Print & ePub

Universal Publishing Package: Manuscript to Print & ePub

Since e-formats are the starting point for all books, whether in print or eBook form, we provide this comprehensive option for authors and publishers. 

The package includes:   
  1. Custom design/graphic layout
  2. Professional typesetting
  3. Collaborative refinement of the initial product through markup and revision
  4. Print-Ready PDF for print production
  5. Accessible eBook formats ready for distribution through Amazon/Kindle, Apple, Kobo, Google and others
  6. InDesign package for future editions or revisions
Here's how to place a Book Composition order and what to expect:

1. Create Title and Place Order 

Use your account to add the title, move it  and place an order. 
Choose "Universal Publishing Pacakge" from the order form (see below.)

2. Receive Order Confirmation

Your order will generate a confirmation "ticket" which will remain "open" so that it may be used for exchanging questions and information as the work progresses.

3. Upload Source File(s)

After the title has been created on the platform, use the "Upload Source Files" button on the Title View to open the folder associated with the title and upload the source files we will need to perform the composition work.  Essentially we need a copy-edited/final manuscript in unicode. This may take the form of a Word document + image files for interior or cover. Sample layouts and notes on style are welcome. If there is a house Style Sheet, please add it to this folder. 

4. Choosing a "Demand" (POD) Printer

If you intend to distribute your work in printed form, this an important step. 
As the author, you will need to sign up directly with the provider.
Before our production process is finished, we should be informed of the POD printer chosen, so that we can guarantee that the POD files we provide will work on any platform, but we do recommend Amazon's KDP for its simplicity.  

5. Initial Edition - Markup and Revision 

This is a critical stage in the process. After we have seen your manuscript and know your POD choices, we will create a first edition of your book in PDF form, following the guidelines you have provided. This will be placed in the Markup and Revision subfolder in the Title folder; you'll get a notification when this is ready. If there are changes needed in the draft, please add comments in the PDF where possible.  
If we have questions after reviewing the source files you provide, we will ask for clarification on the confirmation ticket thread. (Please continue to use the confirmation ticket as the communication channel for questions and change requests until the project is complete.)

6. Pricing and Payment for Conversion

For regular clients, if price or other delivery changes are required after the source files have been examined and/or special output requirements have been defined, we will provide any price revisions in the confirmation ticket thread.
For new clients or where prepayment is required, we will send an Invoice asking for payment in advance before initiating the final production process. 

7. The Final Production Process 

Two correction rounds are included in the price.
Using the Word manuscript you provide, we will create a couple of sample designs using the content in your book and send them to you within three days of the start of the project. Using your feedback and corrections, we will create an interim PDF file for your review and approval.
We will use the cover material you provide or will create and supply covers for your approval.  
After these changes are incorporated, we will create the finished print-ready POD/PDF.

8. Formats Supplied

These elements are included in the package: 
  1. Print-ready (POD) PDF files for both interior and covers, pre-flighted and ready for upload to Amazon's KDP and/or IngramSpark and/or to a printer of your choice
  2. Reflowing Accessible ePub3 (suitable for all distribution channels)*
    OR Fixed layout ePub3 for Apple, Google and Kobo AND Fixed Layout KPF for Amazon**
  3. Web-enhanced PDF
  4. The final InDesign package
* If Accessible ePub3 is not required, ePub2 may be substituted
**The fixed layout versions are supplied for graphic intensive books like cookbooks, travel, art, coffee table and childrens' books.

Guarantees

As a Benetech-certified provider, we deliver a valid Accessible ePub3 file, complete with an ACE report. This ensures:
  1. Full compliance with accessibility standards
  2. Compatibility with a wide range of devices and platforms
  3. Enhanced reading experience for users with disabilities
ePub files are guaranteed error-free and ready for upload to distributor portals.

We test the Amazon ePub on all target devices and apps. These include the legacy e-ink kindles, the Kindle Paperwhite, the Kindle Fire and the Kindle Fire HD. We check the files on apps including: the Kindle Previewer, the Kindle for PC, the Kindle for Mac, the Kindle for iOS devices and the Kindle for Android devices.
Generic ePub2 will be ready for upload to Apple's Bookstore, Kobo, Barnes and Noble's Nook Press, and Google's Playstore to name a few.
We hand-code your content and images to the ePub format so that it will be compatible with various platforms.

Distribution to Portals

Upon request we will send your book to Amazon, Kobo or any distribution portal of your choice. You will need to register as a publisher on these portals if you have not done already. We will need the log in credentials and the metadata for the book for us to distribute it on the different portals.

For ePub Reflowable conversion (both ePub2 and ePub3,) we test the Amazon ePub on all target devices and apps. These include the legacy e-ink kindles, the Kindle Paperwhite, the Kindle Fire and the Kindle Fire HD. We also check the files on apps including: the Kindle Previewer, the Kindle for PC, the Kindle for Mac, the Kindle for iOS devices and the Kindle for Android devices. The generic ePub file we provide will be ready for upload to Apple's iBookstore, Kobo, Barnes and Noble's Nook Press, and Google's Playstore and most other channels. 

Fixed layout KPF is tested on the Kindle Previewer, and the fixed layout ePUB is certified for Apple, Kobo and Google Playstore.


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