After sending my book, Waiting on the Outside, to several publishers, one them asked me to send it back when I had finished the editing. I have done that and I am awaiting a response from them. Keep your fingers crossed.
In the meantime, I’m thinking of publishing with Amazon’s Create Space publishing service. Since I have not published before, I called them up today and spoke with a very helpful young man named Shea. I asked about ISBN numbers- whether I should buy one or use their free one. He advised me to start with their free one. It still maintains my rights to publishing. If a publisher should pick up my book, then I will need a new ISBN number for that publisher.
Then I asked about the layout design. Unfortunately, I will have to have a custom design, as I have footnotes and an appendix with a list of referral sites for those who have a loved one incarcerated. If you have a simple book, you can go with the simple design. With the custom design, which takes about 6 weeks, you collaborate with a designer until you are satisfied. Then you receive a printed copy so you can actually read it and look for any errors that might have been missed. They will also work with you on pricing your book. I think that is a great program. They have assigned me a layout designer / specialist who has been with them ten years and I am having a telephone conference with her on Wednesday! Whoo Hoo!
As for the cover, they will design one for you, but since I already had my cover professionally designed I won’t need that service. My fabulous cover was designed by Morpheus Blak at Critical Mass Communications. They will tell you the specifications for the cover when the interior layout is finished. (Size of the spine etc.)
Lastly, I asked about conversion to e-book. The Kindle conversion is relatively cheap ($79.00). The conversion will mostly mirror your printed book. You will also be able to review it before it is published.
All their services are priced depending on what your needs are. They also offer editing services, but I have already had my editing done by Christina Frey at Page Two Editing, who did a fabulous job for me.
I’ll let you all know how it goes with the call on Wednesday. If you think of any questions I should ask, please send them to me!
Sharron Grodzinsky Author 
Reblogged this on Information for Friends and Family of Inmates.
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HI there – How much did your cover and editing cost? I’ve been checking out different places trying to get an idea. Do you have any beta readers first for the general feel or errors? Did you wait until you had at least a full draft done before you did anything else? If you would prefer to not answer here you could email me at sonniq56@gmail.com.
I recently downloaded a different book someone was offering for free. I look at other people’s writing a little more critically than I used to. Style, phrasing etc. I’m glad I didn’t pay for the book. The book is “OK” except that she kept making the same error in writing over and over – up to a half dozen times a page to the point that it kept jumping out at me. I don’t think an editor would not have seen it, so she probably edited herself or had a friend do it. Now I’m not sure how to leave a review. I don’t want to discourage her, but I think it would do more harm to not say anything. Would it hurt the sale of her book? maybe she could still edit it? What is your thought?
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