Preparing your manuscript for formatting

You don't have to be a computer whiz to submit a production-ready manuscript. That said, you do need to understand that your finished book will only be as polished as the manuscript you submit for publication. It needs to be the very best work you can produce.

Assuming you have taken advantage of our free introductory services, the "Reading and Brief Critique" has alerted you to any textual problems that might need attention, and your "File Assessment" and "Image Assessment" have given you all the pointers you need to deal with the technical end of the project.

If you can afford the extra service, you can have your manuscript either copy edited or, better yet, copy and text edited as well. Feel confident of your own editing skills? Prepare your manuscript for publication yourself and pocket your well-earned savings. Do read the Editing and Self Publishing. page.

There are no shortcuts to a flawless manuscript. But there are guidelines as we have mentioned on the pages in Publishing Services and Editorial Services. In addition you should study the rules in using copyright, fair use and public domain materials and have obtained all the permissions necessary. More information can be obtained from the US Government Copyright Office.  

Proofreading your manuscript
The process of proofreading begins long before your galley proof arrives in your mailbox. Your goal is to keep costs under control by submitting as clean and complete a manuscript as you possibly can.

The fees for our Basic Publishing Package only cover working with the file you provide us. Corrections and/or additions to your file after you have gone through your galley or printer's proofs incur additional charges. Save money! Proofread before submission.

Good proofreading takes time, and improves with every fresh pair of eyes you can recruit to help go through your work. We all like to think we are perfectionists, but when it comes to proofreading, be prepared to be humbled!