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Getting a book published by a major house is more difficult and less lucrative than ever. Meanwhile, the worldwide distribution opportunities provided by print-on-demand (POD) and digital technologies have made it much more viable for authors to publish themselves. That way they retain editorial and creative control, and keep their books available for sale much longer.

Publishing competently is a complex process involving many phases: manuscript editing, cover design and text typography, prepress production for offset, print-on-demand, and/or digital publication; procurement of ISBNs, copyright, and Library of Congress registrations; and both initial and continuing publicity, among other challenges. Most authors contemplating an independent book launch do not have many skills at the ready for these tasks.

While a few books and a number of online services address some self-publishing challenges, nothing is nearly as helpful as the hands-on assistance and constant, personal guidance of an experienced professional at every step of the publishing process. That is the service I provide through the Assisted Publishing Program, drawing on 30+ years as an editor, designer, and book producer. I can provide the editorial shaping of manuscripts; handle design, type, and print-file preparation from start to finish; coach authors through every step of starting their imprint; upload the finished print book to such major POD platforms as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark; upload the finished digital book to a wide e-book sales network; and finally help devise, initiate, and maintain the process of publicity for new titles, beginning before the publication date and extending for at least one year afterward.

Most importantly, I’m on hand for quick response to all the inevitable questions that arise during the publishing process. My answers are focused on solving the particular problem at hand, but also provide an ongoing education for novice publishers. I’ve been in the business myself since 1997, publishing many print and digital books under my own imprint and helping hundreds of other authors through various stages of the writing, editing, and book production processes. My service is customized to each client and project.

Please note that the services described below are on a work-for-hire basis. This means that after my fees are paid, I retain no rights or royalties interest in your project, and you receive all sales proceeds directly from the printer/distributors. I can offer agency representation for independently published titles that succeed well enough to be viable for mainstream publishers. The first book I ever produced for an author besides myself, Gary Renard's THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE UNIVERSE, sold 20,000 copies in its first year before being licensed to Hay House, and soon became an international best-seller.

RATES

Because every book project is unique and comes to me at a different stage of readiness, I do not have one set rate for Assisted Publishing. What follows are cost ranges for each phase of the process. After an initial assessment of each potential project, I can provide a precise estimate and payment schedule.

Editorial: In some cases, the AP process begins with a full assessment of your manuscript, as described here. Even if your manuscript has previously been copy-edited, it may not have had sufficient developmental editing to maximize its sales potential in the trade book market. My assessment will determine whether any more developmental editing needs to be done and give you an estimate for that cost. In some cases, I will cut short the assessment to undertake a full edit, in which case the assessment payment counts as a deposit on the editing.

Design & Production: This phase involves front and back cover designs, interior type and page layouts, and technical preparation of PDF print files for print-on-demand production. Depending on the page count, design complexity, and how much original art (if any) is supplied for the cover, this phase usually costs $1750 to $2500.

E-Book Production and Distribution: I produce and upload digital editions to a variety of major platforms (including Amazon Kindle, Smashwords, Kobo, Nook, Apple iBooks, and others) for clients under their own imprint for $750-$1000 per title. The digital program can be undertaken independently of print publishing assistance, but will be less expensive as part of a package production. Some books are best released first or only in digital, others only in print, but most titles I produce are in both formats.

Initial and Ongoing Publicity: Most Assisted Publishing projects include a baseline publicity package, including a cover display on this page linked to a dedicated sales page, announcements on at least two Facebook pages with an audience of 5000+, and a mention in the Fearless Newsletter reaching 1400+ readers. I also provide a free initial consultation about designing your own publicity outreach, and keep in touch with updated suggestions for at least one year following publication. (Click on the AP book covers at the top of this page to see dedicated sales pages.) These publicity features are included in the overall project price.

How to Get Started: Write info@fearlessbooks.com with a description of the book you’d like to publish, and indicate the current status of the book project (Is the manuscript complete? Has it been through any editing process? Do you have cover art?, etc.) I’ll write back and we’ll go from there. If your project seems right for the Fearless Assisted Publishing Program, I’ll give you a production and payment schedule, and we’ll go from there.

I’m looking forward to seeing your future book!

 

 

 

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Multiple-Title Graduates of The Fearless Assisted Publishing Program

THE E-BOOKS OF FRANK GENAO (see all 18)

THE SEX LIVES OF MISFITS by FRANK GENAO

CABARETE DIARIES by FRANK GENAO

DON'T FEED THE NATIVES! Fear and Loathing in the Dominican Republic Meets Zen and the Art of Riding Lawnmower Maintenance by FRANK GENAO

CRAZIEST RIDE SHARE STORIES by FRANK SMITH

DIGITAL and REPRINT EDITIONS from JAMES CONAWAY

              

THE "ONE TRUTH MANY PATHS" SERIES
by ISABELLA PRICE

    

 

DIGITAL EDITIONS from CAMERON WEST

          

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