OPTIONS & UPGRADES

Depending upon your publishing package, you have a number of available options. By offering these options a la carte, Outskirts Press affords you the flexibility to select the options you want without paying for ones you don't. You do not have to select any. They are all optional.

Expedited Service

Outskirts Press offers optional Expedited Service that accelerates the publication of your book. There are no guarantees about the timeframe and your $99 Expedited Service fee is non-refundable after acceptance, but as long as you provide all the materials and information your Author Representative needs in a timely and complete manner, your book is whisked through the phases toward publication, sometimes in as few as 5 weeks, but typically between 7-10 weeks, depending upon any additional options.

Editing Services

If you want your manuscript edited for typos, misspellings, and contextual word use, this option is for you. This service will extend your publication timeline. There is a 15,000 word minimum, so if your manuscript is less than 15,000 words, this will be the word count used when calculating your cost. If you have a work of poetry, editing services are charged at $50 per hour and there is a 4 hour minimum. After your manuscript is edited, you will receive it back to accept or reject each of the editor's recommendations. That way, you always maintain control of your book. You have the final say.

Indexing Services

Many non-fiction books benefit from having a subject index in the back, although the task of creating an index is time consuming. The Outskirts Press indexing service solves this problem. After your author galley revisions are implemented, our indexing specialist creates an index for you. It is imperative that indexing is not performed until after your galleys are reviewed and approved by you. That way, the page count for your index remains accurate.

Transcription Services

If you only have a hard copy manuscript of your book, you may be interested in the Transcription Services offered by Outskirts Press, which converts your hard copy book into a Microsoft Word file to allow you to take advantage of our full range of publishing packages and services.

Interior Images, Graphics, Graphs, Or Charts (formatting/insertion)

If you have images, charts, photographs, or illustrations inside your book, indicate their location in the body of your manuscript and then supply them separately to your Author Representative as high-resolution images. When your interior is designed, your images will be custom placed according to your instructions.

Images that you submit digitally are available in packages of 10 for $49. Images should be at least 300dpi and should be .tif or .jpg files. Providing optimal quality and pre-formatted images will prevent you from incurring additional fees and will allow for optimal quality. If you submit images that are not high enough resolution, you will be notified by our image specialist. You will have 3 choices.

• Correct the images yourself and resubmit them. No charge
• Use the images "as is" and understand the quality ramifications for your book. No charge
• Consult with our image specialist who will help you optimize your images for print to whatever is possible, depending upon what you provide. The charge for graphic work is $50/hour, within a 15 minute minimum and billed in 15 minute increments.

If you have more than 10 images, you will simply order an additional package of 10 (or however many you need) for $49 each. In that case, copy your images to a CD and mail them to your Author Representative. If you have fewer than 10 images, you can attach them to an e-mail (or multiple e-mails) addressed to your Author Representative.

If you have images that you are submitting via hardcopy that require scanning, the cost is $99 for a package of up to 10 images. Additional hardcopy images above 10 simply require additional hardcopy image packages of 10 at $99 each.

Customizable Covers

All the packages at Outskirts Press include a number of professionally pre-designed covers that you can further customize. This ensures that your cover is professional in appearance and also conforms to industry standards. The number of choices depend upon the package. The cover selected also determines the type of interior design you will receive, since we strive to create a cohesion between the interior and exterior of your book. Of course, original custom cover designs are also available for our Ruby, Diamond, and Pearl authors. More details about covers can be found at http://outskirtspress.com/covers

Author Webpage

Your free author webpage is designed for you and launched upon publication of your book. You have up to 16 different webpage formats to choose from, depending upon your package. You may modify the content on your webpage whenever you want from within your author's center.

• Emerald webpages display an image of your book, the book format, and price. The back cover/synopsis in-formation is also displayed. Since Emerald books are not distributed, book sales are directed to the author via an e-mail link. Green is the only color choice.
• Sapphire webpages display an image of your book, the book format, price, and ISBN number. The back cover/ synopsis, sample text, and your supplied biography is also displayed. The author photo is not pictured. There are two color choices (green and blue). Book orders are directed straight to your Amazon.com listing for enhanced buyer confidence.
• Ruby webpages display an image of your book, the book format, price, and ISBN number. The back cover/synopsis, sample text, and your biography are also displayed, along with your author photo. There are three color choices (red, green, and blue). Book orders are directed straight to your Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble listing for enhanced buyer confidence. The e-book option also offers credit card functionality and instant e-book downloading if you selected that option.
• Diamond and Pearl webpages display an image of your book, the book format, price, and ISBN number. The back cover/synopsis, sample text, and your biography are also displayed, along with your author photo. There are four color choices (silver, red, green, and blue). Book orders are directed straight to your Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble listing along with a "Contact Author" button allows readers to communicate directly with you via email. The e-book option offers credit card functionality and instant e-book downloading if you selected that option. Plus, rather than highlighting Outskirts Press' "Featured Titles" this webpage highlights other books you have published with Outskirts Press, including links to those webpages. The Diamond also allows you to choose from any of the other package designs and layouts you may prefer, too, or switch back and forth whenever you want.

Author Photo on Cover

If you want your photograph on the back of your book, submit it via e-mail as a high-resolution image. If you are electing not to include an author photo, your Author Representative will need to know that, too. Author images are included for free on Sapphire, Ruby, Diamond, and Pearl covers. You must own the rights to the image you supply, and if it was taken professionally, we will need the photographer's permission to publish. In that case, request an authorization form from your Author Representative.

If you have a hardcopy image of your author photo that requires scanning, that will incur the $99 hardcopy image package cost.

Custom Color Illustrations

Original art does not have to be expensive or confusing. This package lets you select from a variety of styles and then describe exactly what you are looking for to get custom, original illustrations for your book. More details are at http://outskirtspress.com/art

Marketing COACH

It is a widely-held misconception that New York publishers market and promote every book they publish. On the contrary, traditional publishing companies have marketing budgets, just like every other company. They apply the lion's share of their budget to the few books they feel will pay back huge dividends. So if your name is J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, or Dan Brown, you are sitting pretty. Enjoy the ride.

For the rest of us, the responsibility of marketing and promoting falls mostly on our shoulders. That is where Outskirts Press comes in.

The exclusive Marketing COACH at Outskirt Press offers Creative Online Assistance, Coaching and Help for books published under the Ruby, Diamond, and Pearl publishing packages.

Beginning 6 days after your book is published and continuing for years after publication, the Marketing COACH is a valuable and necessary component of any successful publishing journey.

The free Marketing COACH offers you resources, tips, and tactics that many other publishers charge you thousands of dollars for. When publishing with Outskirts Press, you will receive:

• Access to national television producers contact information, including Oprah and Good Morning America
• Access to radio producers contact information in your U.S. state
• Book reviewer addresses and submission instructions
• Hint: Any author can get a book review written by Kirkus. The Marketing COACH tells you how.
• Hint: Any author can pair their book next to a best-selling book on Amazon. The Marketing COACH tells you how.

E-Book Edition

A secure e-book file in industry-standard PDF format is created for additional revenue and marketing opportunities. Outskirts Press securely locks your electronic e-book file with protection that prevents editing or printing of the document, so you know your book is safe. Your e-book also becomes available on your free webpage at a price you set yourself. You keep 50% of the profit made from each e-book sale originating from your Outskirts Press webpage and 100% of e-book profits made through distribution channels you explore yourself. The e-book edition is included free with the Diamond Publishing Package.

Audio Excerpt

Particularly valuable for professional speakers who have published a book (but a catchy promotional hook for others), the Audio Excerpt option provides the opportunity to record your voice on your free webpage. You can read a 3-minute section of your book, or just explain in your own voice what motivated you to write, or what message you would like to share with your fans or readers. It is as easy as calling a toll-free number and talking into a phone. Within one week your audio excerpt is added to your free webpage for others to hear.

Press Release Distribution

Outskirts Press distributes your press release to an international syndicate of reviewers, journalists, newspapers, reporters, and websites. Recipients include all the big players like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publisher's Weekly, and others. You should still distribute your press release locally and follow-up personally.

Press Release Writing Services

A professional press release is an important element of successful book promotion. However, writing an effective and captivating press release is difficult. With this optional upgrade, the professionals at Outskirts Press will compose your press release for you. After you fill out the supplied form Outskirts Press will incorporate your important points into a media-friendly press release that conforms to industry required specifications, maximizing its effectiveness. Press Release Distribution is included with our Press Release Writing Services.

Cover Scribing Services

The back cover copy and author biography is second only to a dynamic cover when it comes to motivating a reader to buy. Select this optional upgrade and your back cover copy will shine with professionally written zing. Once you submit your book summary and author biography within your Author's Center, Outskirts Press will enhance it with polish and pizzazz to make it sparkle. You are free to continue to use the new copy on your webpage, on your back cover, and anywhere else you deem necessary as your book promotion unfolds.

Cover Image From Gallery

The Ruby Publishing Package includes seven customizeable covers that feature space for images. The Diamond and Pearl Packages includes 14. The default images are free for you to use with your selected cover as a part of your package.

But what if you prefer an image more appropriate to your book? Ruby, Diamond, and Pearl authors can select a cover image from our incredibly wide selection of photographs, confident in knowing that the rights to the image have been secured for use. Your cover designer will then insert your selected image into your cover for you. Our photo gallery contains literally hundreds of thousands of images to choose from, so you're sure to find what you need.

Custom Cover Design

If you want an exclusive custom cover designed specifically for your book according to your specifications and/or using an image you own or envision, this option is for you.

Providing concept sketches, images, or photographs to your Author Representative is helpful in creating a cover that matches what you want. Your Author Representative will need some details from you about what type of cover you are looking for. Custom cover designs cannot be original illustrations, which need to be commissioned from a 3rd party artist and then submitted. A custom cover design is an original design using graphic elements and pre-exisiting images or photographs that communicate your specific concept or message while conforming to industry standards for covers.

You may wish to provide a photo or image for actual use on your cover, and if so, it must meet the following criteria:

• You must own the rights to publish it and be able to provide documentation when requested by your Author Representative. Outskirts Press takes copyright infringement seriously and only accepts images or photographs that you own or have authorization to use.
• The image must be high-resolution (at least 300 dpi). Anything less results in a less than optimal cover image.

If you do not have an image or photo, the best way to describe your cover is in the form of a very specific e-mail sent to your Author Representative. Indicate color and/or font preferences if you have strong feelings about that. Anything left out will be put into the capable hands of our cover designers.

Here are the details of exactly how the custom cover design process works:

• You send your author representative a detailed email that explains your cover design and provides any collateral images or fonts that may apply.
• Within 7-10 business days your author rep will email you 2 different concepts based upon your description. (If you provided a very detailed concept initially, one of these design concepts will be yours, fully meeting cover specifications.
• You will select one concept and if necessary, send another email to your author representative describing some modifications.
• Your minor changes will be made and you will receive the final custom cover via email from your author rep.
• If you approve the cover, notify your author rep and it will be available to review during the galley stage of the publishing process, along with your custom-formatted interior which will match the font-design of your custom cover.
• If you want more changes, additional modifications to the cover are billed in 15 minute increments at \$50/hour.

Back Page Promotion

Have you published more than one book with Outskirts Press? We will create a graphic announcement for your previous book(s) in the back of your new book.

Publication Announcement with Ingram

If you want your book within the pages of Ingram's monthly catalog announcing new publications, this is the option for you. The Ingram Advance is distributed to wholesalers, bookstores, libraries, and readers on a monthly basis. In addition to a cover image, your listing includes your pricing information and ISBN number to facilitate ordering.

Official Copyright Registration

According to the U.S. Copyright Office, copyright law protects a literary work once it is placed in a tangible medium such as a manuscript, e-book, or even a word processor file. Nevertheless, many authors choose to secure their copyright officially with the Copyright Office. Outskirts Press handles all the details involved in officially registering copyright as an optional service.

Library of Congress Number

A Library of Congress number helps facilitate distribution through the United States library system. With this optional upgrade, Outskirts Press acquires a Library of Congress number for you and places it on your copyright page in standardized format. We also submit the appropriate editions of your book to the Library of Congress after publication.

CD Media/Press Kit

The CD Media/Press Kit is a customized CD that contains everything a book buyer, journalist, or media contact will need to make a decision about purchasing your book or interviewing you. Each CD includes a secure e-book version of your book, a high-resolution image of the entire cover (front and back), a high-resolution author photo (if provided) your author biography, and the book summary information you provided for the back cover.

Also included are a professionally written press release, your sales sheet, and your customized marketing plan/promotional schedule. In advance of receiving the final CD, you will receive a marketing template from your Author Representative. Fill it out to create your marketing plan and promotional schedule. Book buyers in particular require this information.

You receive five copies of the CD Media/Press Kit on CD, five color copies of your sales sheet, and five copies of your professional press release to further help you with marketing and promotion. Additional copies of the custom CD are available in packs of 5 for $50.

BONUS: Depending upon the marketability of your book, Outskirts Press may at their discretion represent your book personally to the Barnes & Noble Small Press book buyers and/or the national Borders acquisitions department. If this is the case, Outskirts Press will make personal contact and provide them with a copy of your book and your CD Media/Press Kit. There is never any guarantee that a bookstore will stock your book; that is up to each individual buyer.

Retail Returns

Traditional book retailers often look for four things when deciding to stock a book on their shelves: Availability with a distributor, a very attractive trade discount, a returns policy, and demand.

Creating demand, or "buzz," is up to your promotional efforts, but Outskirts Press provides the necessary means to fulfill the other criteria. The Annual Retail Returns program is billed for a 12-month period of time and allows retailers the option to return unsold copies of your paperback book back to Ingram. It is not available for the hardback edition.

Outskirts Press is one of the few on-demand publishers that offers a retail returns option. In fact, most retailers automatically (and incorrectly) assume all on-demand books are not returnable. If you select this option, you should also set a 55% trade discount for your book, since retailers who are concerned about returns are also concerned about receiving the maximum retail margin for their book, which is only available with a 55% trade discount. Then you can inform them that your book IS returnable and they earn their standard margin.

There is never any guarantee that a store will stock your book as a result of participating in this program, but meeting this requirement is one of the first things most retailers look for.

Hardback Editions

For only $199, Diamond and Ruby authors can elect to publish an additional hardback edition of their book with either a full-color laminated hardback cover, or a full-color wraparound dust jacket over cloth caseboards. The $199 hardback edition must be the same size as the paperback and includes its own unique ISBN, barcode, and distribution. Base price, trade discount, retail price, and book profit/royalty are calculated independently of the paperback edition. For $298, the author can add a hardback edition that differs in trim size from the paperback edition.

Author Loyalty Program

Writing and publishing one book is hard enough, much less two. But if you publish your first book as a Diamond author, you will receive a 10% discount on your second Diamond publication, bringing the publishing fee down to $899.

If you publish a third Diamond book, you will receive an additional 10%, bringing the fee down to $809. Enjoy all subsequent Diamond publications at this new low price.

Call it an "advance" if you want. It is just our way of thanking you for your business, and encouraging you to keep on writing and publishing.

Get started on the publishing path today.