Getting started

Book production is broken up into three main categories:

Editing and manuscript preparation

This covers manuscript evaluation; editing; translating; permissions; proof-reading

Production

This includes book design; scanning; typesetting; creating DTP artwork; cover design & makeup; ISBN application; barcode generation; copyright insertion; supplying page proofs; creating a print-ready PDF file

Printing or ebook creation

This covers large-run litho printing; low-run digital printing; printing only as books are purchased, also known as print-on-demand (POD); ebook creation.

Step 1: Completing your manuscript and getting a quote

It will be impossible to get an accurate production and printing price on an incomplete manuscript, so the first step, before you approach an author services or book production company for pricing, is to get your manuscript as near to completion as possible. This is because production prices are usually based on a combination of a page rate (typesetting) and a price per 1000 words (editing), so a fairly accurate word count is required. Text-based books that are A5 in size usually contain 300-350 words per page.

The book production company will quote on the following:

• manuscript evaluation (optional but recommended if publishing seriously)
• editing (complex or standard edit, depending on the quality of the writing)
• artwork commissioning (if applicable)
• book design and typesetting
• cover design and makeup
• ISBN application and barcode generation
• insertion of copyright
• proof-reading
• litho or digital printing and/or ebook creation

Although one's budget may be tight, there is definitely such a thing as being penny-wise pound-foolish when it comes to production. This is because standards of production can differ quite remarkably from one service provider to another. If this is a serious publishing project, or if your professional reputation is going to be linked to your book in any way, it is very important to find someone with extensive book production experience, preferably in a traditional publishing environment.

Expect to pay between R18 000 and R20 000 for professional editing and production, assuming a standard edit is required (see Step 3 below). Depending on the service provider, you may be required to pay a 50% deposit upront on the full production bill, or you may be charged for each stage of production, or you may only need to pay on completion of the job.

Step 2: Handing your manuscript over for editing

Once you have agreed on a price, the next step is to hand your manuscript over for editing. It is very important to have everything ready at this stage, including the end-matter (glossary, references, bibliography, etc). The only thing that you won't supply is the index if your book requires one. This is because the page flow after the book has been typeset will be different to the original manuscript. The index is usually the very last thing to be completed. If you have any images or artwork in the book, these should be supplied as well - as separate images and as close to 300 dpi as possible. If you are in any doubt as to the suitability of your material, double-check this with your service provider.

Any material sent to the editor after the editing has begun may incur extra costs.

Step 3: Editing

Your manuscript may require a complex edit or a standard one. The type of editing required depends on the condition of the manuscript, and will usually be specified in the quotation after the editor has had a chance to assess the manuscript.

A complex edit is where sentence structure, story flow, grammar and fact checking is corrected. A standard edit is where only grammar, spelling, punctuation and fact checks are conducted. Many editing quotes will be subject to sight of the final copy, so if you would like an accurate quote upfront, you will be required to send your entire manuscript through for a price assessment. Different editors have different strengths and areas of expertise, so many book production companies will outsource the editing to the editor best suited to the job.

Editing can take anything from one week to four weeks, depending on how busy the editor is, and on how quickly you respond to any queries. If it is a complex edit with many queries, this will obviously delay the process. It is better, however, to take the extra time needed to get the manuscript right.

Once the editing is done, the editor will usually send the edited manuscript back to you for checking. The editor may be in touch with you during the editing process, asking for clarification on something or requiring further elaboration. When you have approved the edit, the manuscript will enter production.

Professional editing prices can vary from R120 per 1000 words to R250 per 1000 words, depending on the condition of the manuscript.

Step 4: Book design and typesetting

Book design is the process whereby the 'personality' of the book is decided on and a style sheet set up to ensure that the personality of the book is maintained throughout. Book design includes choosing a font style for text and headings, determining margin widths, setting word and letter spacing, choosing a chapter heading and number style, and so on. Once the design and style sheets have been set up, the book is typeset. Typesetting involves flowing the edited text into the template and applying all the preset styles. The combination of book design and typesetting is what gives a book it's professional look and feel on the inside.

Book design and typesetting may take anything from one week to four weeks, depending on how busy your service provider is.

Book design prices will range from R750 to R1500 for novels and self-help books and from R1800 to R2400 for educational books. Some book production companies include book design as part of their typesetting service. Typesetting charges for novels and self-help books are usually between R25 and R40 per page and includes one to two sets of author proofs, in either PDF format or printed laser copies. For educational books it can increase from R45 to R90 per page depending on the book and the complexity of the setting.

Step 5: ISBN application and barcode generation

Every book needs an ISBN number (unless it's a personal book for private distribution) which is a unique identification number. If the book is to be sold through retailers or a distributor, then a barcode will also be needed. Most book production companies will apply for an ISBN number on your behalf and generate a barcode. The barcode will be included on the book cover.

An ISBN and barcode purchased through an author services company will usually cost from R200 to R250 and takes 1–2 days to secure.

Step 6: Cover design and makeup

Cover design is an art and a book cover is considered prime real estate by publishing houses. People do judge a book by its cover, so it is very important that the cover is carefully considered and put together. The title, byline, blurb and cover images should all work together to create a cover that has impact and conveys the essence of the book. The cover is also a dead giveaway of a book that has been professionally produced versus one that has not. As mentioned before, book marketers and bookstores tend to steer clear of books that look self-published, so it is important to have a professional-looking cover.

Expect to pay anything around R2400 to R3000 for professional cover design.

Step 7: First and second page proofs

First page proofs is one of the most exciting stages of production for you, as an author, as it is where you finally get to see your book in a professional form – where all your work for the past few months, or years, materializes into something that looks like a real book.

This is your opportunity to make final changes before the book goes off for printing. It is advisable to let a few trusted friends or family members help you with the task of reading the proofs and highlighting anything that may have slipped through. Any corrections that need to be made should be done so in writing - a copy of which should be kept by you. Your service provider will provide you with a second set of proofs so that you can check that all corrections have been made. Once you're happy, you will be required to sign a proof sheet or send written approval giving the go-ahead for printing or ebook creation. Your service provider will advise you in this regard.

First and second page proofs usually take one to two weeks, depending again on how quickly you get them back to your service provider.

The cost of first and second page proofs is usually included in the typesetting fee. However, should the book get to third pages due to changes you make that have nothing to do with any typesetting errors, then you may be charged an hourly rate for those corrections. This is why we said, earlier on, that it's important to properly complete each step and to hand your manuscript over only when everything is ready.

Step 8: Printing and/or ebook creation

Your book is now ready to enter the last phase of the production process. Litho printing (usually recommended for 1000 books or more) takes between 2–3 weeks if done locally about 3–6 weeks if done overseas, whereas digital printing (recommended for up to 1000 books) takes 5–7 working days. Ebook creation may take 5–10 working days depending on how busy your service provider is. If you are using a print-on-demand service, your book is printed only as it is ordered. However, print-on-demand prices are usually higher than volume-based digital printing, so if you're going the digital route, you may choose to print between 50 and 200 copies to start with.

Average printing costs (excl. VAT) in South Africa for a 148 page book printed one colour throughout with a full colour cover and perfect bound will be more or less as follows:

• litho printing 1000 copies: ± R20–R30 each (total minimum investment: R20 000)

• litho printing 2000 copies: ± R15–R25 each (total minimum investment: R30 000)

• litho printing 3000 copies: ± R12–R17 each (total minimum investment: R36 000)

• print-on-demand 1 copy: ± R45–R60

• print-on-demand 10 copies: ± R40 each (total minimum investment: R400)

• print-on-demand 20-100 copies: ± R35 each (total minimum investment at 20 copies: R700)

• ebook creation: ± R1500 to R2500

• ebook creation & online distribution package: ± R5000 to R6000

The prices included on this page may vary depending on the service provider and have been included here only as a rough idea of what you can expect to pay. This in turn can help you decide whether self-publishing is the route for you, and whether you have the available financial resources required for such a venture.

To find out more about our quick and easy online digital printing service (print-ready PDF file of book inner and cover required), click here. Our printing prices include VAT and delivery.