| Do I really need an editor? NO exceptions -- yes, you do. And, before you print. In our annual EVVY Book Awards, lack of editing -- content and grammar -- is the single biggest ding authors and publishers get. Every book needs another set of eyes -- Does the content make sense? Is the grammar correct? Are there typos? Is the book readable?
You should hire at least one editor who will look for passages that are unclear or poorly constructed. A second reading, either by the same editor if she has the skills, should be for spelling, grammar and punctuation. return to top
Do I need to hire a book or cover designer? We highly recommend hiring a book cover designer and layout designer. An amateur-looking cover or interior will sink your sales. Regarding your book interior, if you are a wiz at the book layout design and proficient with page layout programs such as Quark or InDesign, go for it. Otherwise, a book interior designer is essential for your team. Book cover and interior design is a special niche within the graphic design field. Hire a designer who has experience with book design. We have several excellent cover and book designers within CIPA's Associate members. Make sure you look at several samples of their work and get bids. Most charge by the project or hour -- know what you are paying for before you turn over your files. Talk to other publishers. Did the designer deliver on time? Was the price reasonable in his or her opinion? Were there any problems?
return to top
How many books should I print? If you are contracting with a printer, get multiple (at least 3-5) bids for 1000, 3000 and 5000 copies. Ask what a reprint will cost. Many printers will automatically include a quote for additional 1000s over your requested bid. How many you print will directly tie into your marketing and distribution plans. Do you have one? Do you have the money to support it? There are several printers within CIPA's Associate members. return to top
Should I do a POD (print-on-demand) or a regular print run? Good question. Here's a few back -- Are you going to aggressively market it? Are you spending money on PR? Do you plan to sell to wholesalers and distributors? Do you have the money to finance a print run of at least 1000 books -- don't forget to include cover design, layout and editing?
PODs certainly take some of the work away -- layout, print and put your books together for the initial fee you pay them. Rarely do they do cover design, editing without charging more. Books that come from PODs usually cost quite a bit more per book than if you had printed copies with a traditional printer.
If you are planning on only selling a few hundred copies over the life of your book (such as a family memoir), or are bypassing book stores for sales, then POD could work for you. There are several PODs within CIPA's Associate members.
If you are planning on selling thousands of books, skip the POD route.
By being a member of CIPA, this is a great schmoozing question to ask our more established members. return to top
Bar codes on the cover -- do I need them? If you want a book store to sell them, yes -- no exceptions. By 2006, the new 13-digit ISBN will be required. Also include a bar code for the price. Information for ISBNs is located on the CIPA website under Resource Links. return to top
Should I do hardcover or soft cover? Depends on your market -- you can get quotes from printers for both a hardcover and soft cover version -- hardcover will cost more, but usually carries a higher retail value. Is your book one that will be read and reread many times, or is it one that will be used once and discarded or passed along? Who is your market? Certain markets expect books to be in hardcover, while others soft cover. Do you homework -- check out what the books in your area are presented as, including price so that you are competitive. Your printer rep can be helpful here as well. return to top
How do I copyright my work? How do I register with the Library of Congress?
How do I get an ISBN number?
Go to Resource Links on the CIPA website. Details and contact information is listed. return to top
How do I list my book on
Amazon.com?
Go directly to the Amazon.com site and click on their
Publishers and Vendors Guide link.
return to top
How do I
list my book on Barnes & Noble's web site?
Go directly to the Barnes & Noble web site and click on their
Publisher and Author Guidelines link.
return to top
Do you have a list you either distribute, sell or in book form that lists the Colorado independent publishers, i.e. like a writer's market, but exclusively for Colorado? Only CIPA members have access to the members database. In short - we are not aware that such an exclusive database exists. We do have links to organizations that we are aware of and we add frequently when another becomes known. You can access that information here return to top
I am trying to get the book published but have absolutely no idea where to start. CIPA--the Colorado Independent Publishers Assoc is a group of small independent publishers working together. Most of our members are publishing their own work and some of our members actually sell their books to NY houses versus selling them to bookstores and groups on their own. We will support you and provide education so that you can do the same thing. There are many programs and events that we provide to help make your book a success. The single best thing for you to do is join CIPA and start connecting. Even though we don't have "regular" meetings in the summer, we do get together. Our membership consists of 400+ small publishers--some with just one book; some with many books; some who just publish their own work; and some who publish several authors. We have monthly ArmChair events for members only that cover topics--this past year included layouts, cover design, marketing, pr with the media, etc. Group size is limited to 25--which allows for an in-depth workshop and individual attention.
There are a variety of benefits in joining CIPA, the best is simply being connected with others what are doing just what you are doing.
Visit the Signature Newsletter archive -- which will give you a flavor of some of the things covered.
There is our annual Book Awards event --I would encourage you to go to --you will see in just a few hours the power of what CIPA has done for and with the winners. You can register at the website. return to top
I heard there was a Colorado organization that has a seminar or college or course that basically takes you from start to finish on everything you need to do. Please let me know if you offer such a course and what it contains. By attending our annual college in March, members of CIPA have access to a variety of programs-we don't list them as classes--they are rolled out each month (ie--last month, we covered an entire morning on legal issues, copyrights, etc in publishing with one of the top lawyers in the field) return to top
What is CIPA College? It's a 3-day event that includes sessions for beginners, intermediates and advanced publishers. By attending our annual college in March, participants have access to a variety of programs, usually presented in a general session format so no one misses a session. Topics range from printing, to cover design, to promoting, to building your business, and to working with retail stores and everything else in between. return to top
Is the monthly meeting different from the CIPA College? Yes...it's a half day meeting held on the 3rd Saturday of the month (dark in June, July, August and December) that includes time for networking, brainstorming with other authors and publishers and listening the mornings program. For example, one month was dedicated to working with the media that included a panel of 5 pros--three in print, one from radio and one from TV. Another session was dedicated to legal issues, copyrights, trademarks from one of the top lawyers in the field. CIPA members attend all programs at a discounted rate. Guests are welcome. return to top
Can you represent me to New York publishers? No we are not literary agents, nor do we publish books. Each year, we always have an agent at our annual CIPA college who has successfully represented many of our members in connecting to the major publishers. Most of our members are publishing their own work and some of our members actually sell their books to NY houses versus selling them to bookstores and groups on their own. return to top
Can CIPA publish my book? No--CIPA is a trade association that represents over 400 independent publishers and companies that provide services to publishers (i.e., printers, designers, editors). Some of our members publish multiple authors; others publish only one. CIPA can show a budding author how to become an independent publisher through its many educational programs. return to top
If I become an associate member, what contact info is available for members? As a member, you will have access to all members' contact info, including phone, fax, emails and physical addresses within the Members Only section on the website. In addition, you will receive a copy of the Membership Directory that will be distributed each Fall. return to top
Do you have a Western Slope group? Yes, as a matter of fact we do. You can find information for the Western Slope CIPA group or you can contact our representative via email at westernslope (at) cipabooks.com return to top
Are there equal helps/benefits for authors of children's materials? Absolutely! You will find the exact same support, information and resources available for authors of children's books as you will authors of any other type of book. CIPA's
focus is on helping you with the entire journey of publishing of your
book from concept to marketing and moving on to your next project. return to top
Can I be a member of CIPA if I'm not an independent publisher? Yes, in fact, being a member of CIPA will enhance your publishing experience. You will learn tips and techniques on how to market your book, work with the media, strategies to work with major book stores, create programs around your book topic, etc. return to top
Can I join CIPA if I don't live in Colorado? You bet you can! CIPA has many members in other states - even in other countries! Our out-of-state members enjoy the same benefits as CIPA members, including regular communication through our Signature Newsletter, networking and community support of members, and terrific discounts on special events like our annual CIPA College in March and other special events. return to top
|