BlawgHouse Publishing FAQs
Why should I publish a book?
Book publishing is always a personal choice. It’s one of those “if-it-feels-good-do-it” things that you just “know” you want to do. But what about “need-to-do”? Will your name as author on the cover of a manual or other publication help establish your platform? further your career? draw in potential clients? Do you want to be considered an expert in your field? A book goes a long way to build your reputation and make you the professional people are seeking.
I know how to write a sentence and say what needs to be said, so why do I need an editor?
The bottom line is this: None of us is capable of editing the final draft of his or her own work. Why? We know it too well. Also, we understand all the “backstory” or research that went into it. Readers, however, enjoys none of these advantages. The trained eyes of an editor will catch problems involving clarity, terminology, or transition that might confuse or stumble a lay reader.
Writing an understandable sentence with all the appropriate parts is a great beginning. However, it’s just that—a beginning. Sentence structures and lengths need to be varied. Strong verbs breathe life into mundane topics and action scenes. Elimination of adverbs tightens the prose. Heavy topics should be punctuated with an occasional breath of “fresh air” in order not to exhaust the reader.
Editors review topic development, flow, continuity, and a host of grammatical elements that make the final product a polished professional publication. As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. You never know when that first impression may be your written word.
I still think I can polish my own manuscript. Can I get a “quick” edit rather than the full-blown service?
Editing comes packaged and “a la carte.” A writer can choose just the amount of editing needed to make his/her manuscript press-ready without paying for any additional services. Ask us about this option.
How does the publishing process work?
Once a book is edited, it needs an appropriate cover and interior layout and design. The final files are then assigned an ISBN number and sent to the writer in PDF format for approval before going to the printer. Typically, the printer overnights a proof of the final product (an actual finished book) to the writer for one last approval, and then books can be ordered. Delivery time on the books is generally less than two weeks. We offer both POD (print on demand) and offset printing, depending on the number of books you desire. We can do all the prep work in-house at a very reasonable cost, and there is never any mark-up on the price of the books. The amount we charge you is the same amount the printer charges us.
Do you have questions that are not addressed here? Contact Us and we’ll be happy to answer them.
