Authors
My Book Program
"My Book" is our user-friendly program designed to help authors get from manuscript to finished book. It's a simple process: prepare your manuscript, choose a page and cover style you like, select any additional options you want and upload your manuscript. We do the rest.
When were done formatting your book, you'll receive a final proof to review. Once it's approved, we'll send you a copy of your finished product and list it in our bookstore. Normal delivery time from submission to delivery is three to four weeks.
My Book Pricing
My Book Basic - $395
Authors may choose from a selection of classic layout styles and cover templates. Selecting our My Book Basic package allows authors to create a professional look while saving money. ISBN included. With three standard sizes and 17 templates to choose from, authors select the style that suits their vision.
My Book Plus - $620
Create a custom look by modifying our design templates to your taste. Create a custom cover. Authors can adjust their template by selecting custom headers, footers and page number placements. Personalize your book by adding header and footer icons. Control paragraph starts, indents, drop caps and line rules to give your book a custom look at an affordable price. ISBN included.
My Book Custom - $1400
Authors with greater needs or advanced layouts are assigned a custom design consultant who designs a custom book format just for them. Includes up to 35 images/charts, custom book sizes, unlimited e-proofs, illustrations, cover designs and ISBN. The ultimate in service, authors have ultimate control of the creative process.
My Book Options
Layout and Cover Design
The "My Book" Program includes many interior layout and cover designs for you to choose from. Please browse the templates via the links below, and make a note of your favorites.
Interior templates
Cover templates
Binding Options
We provide four types of binding:
Perfect Bound: Most paperback books found in book stores use this kind of binding. Perfect binding results in a flat, square spine on a book. It can be used for books with at least 32 pages.
Spiral Bound: In this type of binding, pages of the book are punched and then bound with a spiral coil. This type of binding is often found on cook books and work books. It can be used for books with any number of pages.
Saddle Stitched: This type of binding uses staples to hold the book together. It is commonly found on comic books and programs. It can be used for books with a small number of pages.
Hard Cover: Many new releases of books have more expensive hard cover versions. This type of binding provides extra protection for the book with a hard, thick cover. Please contact us for more information on this type of binding.
Lamination Options
Our standard cover lamination is gloss, resulting in a heavy, shiny protective coating.
We also offer matte lamination for an extra charge. Matte lamination has a flat, non-glossy appearance, but still provides the same protection as gloss lamination. Many books use this kind of coating to give a more artistic or "high-end" look to their covers.
Additional Images/Charts: $10 per image
Corrections:
Please make sure your manuscript is fully proofread and edited before the manuscript is submitted for layout. While we are happy to correct formatting errors for free, any corrections to spelling or editing after initial layout of the book will be subject to charges, as outlined below:
Corrections Package: $35 plus $0.50 per instance
Correction of author-created errors is limited to spelling and punctuation. Corrections should be made to the proof copy and returned to Catawba Publishing for revision. Authors will receive a second proof when corrections are complete.
Corrections Fee: $2 per instance
A cost-effective solution when only a small number of corrections need to be made.
Alterations Package: $45 plus $.05 per word
The alteration package includes major changes to text and the addition of new material, for example, adding a chapter or replacing a section. We request that any major changes and new sections be provided in electronic format.
For More Corrections: More extensive corrections will be billed at a rate of $55 per hour.
Chapter Endnotes: $100
Please contact us for more information on how to submit endnotes.
How to Submit Files
- Submit word files by email, file transfer, CD by mail or in person.
- Submit only one text file per book unless the book has footnotes.
- We accept DOC, RTF or TXT file formats for book pages.
- Template based layouts may contain a maximum of 10 images.
- You may submit your own photo or illustration for the cover, or you may choose one from one of our accepted stock photography websites. (Please note that some stock images may require an additional fee.)
- Please make sure your manuscript is fully proofread and edited before the manuscript is submitted for layout. While we are happy to correct formatting errors for free, any corrections to spelling or editing after initial layout of the book will be subject to charges
Paragraph Formatting
Use hard returns only between paragraphs (in other words, do not hit "enter" in the middle of a paragraph. It will cause the next line to break and indent).
Please do not use a "tab" at the beginning of a paragraph. Our template will automatically inset a tab at the beginning of a paragraph.
Please use only one space after a period. Modern fonts compensate for the spacing after a period for you, so there is no need to double space. Text on the computer does not need the same spacing as a typewriter.
Images
If you give us photographs to scan, number each photograph on the back in order of placement. If you give us digital images, please add a number to the beginning of the file name in order of placement. In the text of the word document indicate the location where the image should be placed. Hit enter twice, type in the photograph number, hit enter twice again and then continue with the book text.
Example of what should be submitted in a Word file:
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
¶
¶
Image 4
¶
¶
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Our Preferred File Types:
- PDF: A PDF can be used for interior text files or cover files that are press ready. A PDF cannot be edited. The PDF should be created at "Press Quality" and the fonts should be embedded to ensure that your chosen font will appear correctly.
- EPS: An EPS is a type of image file. It is most often used for vector images or simple illustrations. If using text in an EPS, please convert all type to outlines.
- TIFF: A TIFF is a type of image file. It is most often used for photographs or images with gradient color. If using text in a TIFF, please rasterize the type and flatten all layers.
- PSD: A PSD is an image file created using Adobe Photoshop. If using text in a PSD, please rasterize the type and flatten all layers.
- INDD: An Adobe InDesign file. InDesign is a layout and design program. Please preflight and "package" all files including fonts and images into a single folder.
- AI: This is an Adobe Illustrator file. It uses vector shapes, and is similar to an EPS. If using text in an AI file, please convert all text to outlines.
- JPG: A JPG is most often used for web images and unfortunately does not always print well. Please provide any JPGs at 300 dpi, and as large as possible to ensure the highest quality image. Please do not convert web images to 300 dpi; they will not print properly.
When providing images, please note:
- All image files should be 300 dpi at the size you want the image printed. If you cannot provide a 300 dpi image at full size, we may require you to approve a printed proof before the final print run.
- All image files with color should to be converted to CMYK.
- All image files that are black and white should to be saved as grayscale.
Unsupported File Types:
- PUB: We do not accept files from Microsoft Publisher.
- PME: We are unable to convert files from Pagemaker.
- DOC: with images. Images placed into word documents do not print or import properly. Please provide images separately.
- PPT: Microsoft Powerpoint. This is a screen presentation program and does not have the required resolution for high quality print.
Trouble Shooting
If you are having trouble with any of the above file types, we may be able to provide assistance for a consulting fee, or make a correction for you for a design fee.
Please feel free to contact us with your problem, and we will do our best to help you find a solution.