Pricing






We believe in being straightforward. Our cost structure can be summed up like this: If you have a manuscript that requires less work and complexity to ready for print, then it will cost you less than a larger, or more complex manuscript. That's why we have two straightforward packages. One is for novelettes and short children's books, and one is for everything else. It's that simple.

What constitutes complexity? This is primarily due to the layout and formatting specifications appropriate to your type of manuscript (eg., a novel vs. a cookbook, single text column vs. text interspersed with tables or images), your trim size, and your interior paper stock finish, and cover choices.

THE CORNERSTONE package, as shown below, is specifically designed for novelettes and short children's books because these genres have a smaller word and page count. Larger manuscripts have a higher word and page count, so they start at THE FOUNDATION package, also as shown below. Our matrix takes into account your additional content and indicates your added cost if you exceed the word and page count, and services included in either THE CORNERSTONE, or THE FOUNDATION packages.

So, how do you figure out your word and page count for your manuscript? You can use the built-in word count feature within your word processing software, or use one of the numerous on-line word count websites available.

AS FOR CALCULATING PAGE COUNT, HERE ARE THE FORMULAS TO USE FOR THE 2 MOST COMMON TRIM SIZES:


YOUR WORD COUNT DIVIDED BY 390 = PAGE COUNT FOR A 5.5" x 8.5" BOOK
YOUR WORD COUNT DIVIDED BY 475 = PAGE COUNT FOR A 6" x 9" BOOK

If your desired trim size is different from the above sizes, let us know with your submission form and we'll need to give you a more custom quote per your specifications.

As a value add for all of our authors, we include two FREE screen resolution social media promotionals for both THE CORNERSTONE and THE FOUNDATION packages, no matter the size of your finished book. The digital files of your promotionals will be put into a DropBox folder for you to download after your final book goes to print.

If you need promotional pieces such as a logo, bookstore sells sheets, posters, bookmarks, business cards, or even a website, we can do that, too. A number of the promotional items we offer are listed below in our pricing matrix, but if there is something that you don't see listed below, let us know and we'll be happy to give you quick turnaround on a customized quote.

Please note that your printed promotionals include the design of the promotional only, and not the actual printing of the promotional. We do this to make print promotionals cost effective and efficient for our clients. It doesn't make sense to offer a set amount of 50 printed posters if you only have plans to use 20 posters, or to print 250 bookmarks if you only need 100. By giving you complete control over your printing, you have the freedom of choice to compare costs of printers and get the best deal you can on your print output. And if you have a color printer at home, or you have access to a local on-demand vendor such as a "big box" office supply store with a printing department, you can print your promotionals at smaller quantities, on your timeline, at very reasonable prices, without waste.

Everything we design for your project has the same professional branding that we've already established with your existing graphics, so all of your pieces will match. Our promotional pieces allow you the flexibility to download your digital files at your convenience to use on your social media pages and email blasts. Your print-ready files can be uploaded to any online print vendor of your choice, or they can be easily copied to your thumb drive to be printed at your local on-demand print vendor, per above.

Please note that the total contract amount of your book is due in full before services are rendered, and design/layout/editing costs are invoiced separately from actual print and shipping costs. In other words, before we begin on pre-print services, your pre-print invoice total must be paid in full. Before we send your book to print, your print cost invoice must be paid in full. If there is any additional editing, revising, or printing changes that fall outside the original quotes, then those changes will be billed separately.

If you have questions about our publishing services or costs below, or if you're ready to submit your manuscript for consideration, please see our FAQ page for further instructions.


THE CORNERSTONE - $395.00 USD
The Cornerstone cost is for novelettes and short children's books.

DESCRIPTION:

The Cornerstone does not include any printing costs, ** nor applicable shipping and handling costs of mailing your books to you or your distribution channels or vendors each time you place an order for fulfillment.

The Cornerstone covers manuscript word counts up to 13,000 words.

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THE FOUNDATION - $595.00 USD
The Foundation cost is for all of the genres we publish, with the exception of novelettes and short children's books which have 13,000 or fewer words.

DESCRIPTION:

The Foundation does not include any printing costs, ** or applicable shipping and handling costs of mailing your books to you or your distribution channels and vendors each time you place an order for fulfillment.

The Foundation covers manuscript word counts up to 50,000 words.

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ADD-ON SERVICES

Use the following matrix to calculate your additional package costs if your manuscript has a word count that exceeds THE CORNERSTONE or THE FOUNDATION, and/or if you have pages with complex layouts or additional content.

PAGE EDITING - STRUCTURAL, COPY, PROOF

+ ADD $.40 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL TEXT-ONLY PAGE
+ ADD $1.00 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL TEXT PAGE WITH IMAGES

PAGE LAYOUT

+ ADD $2.00 PER PAGE (STANDARD, SINGLE-COLUMN, NO IMAGES)
+ ADD $4.00 PER PAGE (COMPLEX, MULTI-COLUMN, TEXT WRAPS, IMAGES, TABLES, ETC.)

IMAGE INSERTION

+ ADD $5.00 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL IMAGE OVER 10
THIS COST INCLUDES COLOR CORRECTION, CROPPING, AND SIZING OF IMAGE.

CUSTOM ILLUSTRATIONS

+ QUOTED INDIVIDUALLY IF CONTRACTED FROM A SOUTH MAIN MEDIA ARTIST
+ ADD $10.00 FOR EACH PROFESSIONAL STOCK ART, ROYALTY-FREE, PHOTO OR GENERAL ILLUSTRATION


PROOFING & EDITING

+ ADD $50.00 FOR INTERIOR PROOFING CYCLES BEYOND THE FIRST THREE CYCLES
A CYCLE IS DEFINED AS SMM EDITS > AUTHOR CORRECTIONS > BACK TO SMM TO MAKE THE CHANGES TO THE MANUSCRIPT.

HARDCOVER DUST JACKET COVER DESIGN - FRONT/BACK/SPINE/INSIDE FLAPS

+ ADD $25.00
THIS OPTION WILL ALSO ADD COST TO THE FINAL PRINTING COSTS.

PERFECT BOUND PAPERBACK COVER FINISH UPGRADE

INCLUDES FOIL STAMPING, EMBOSSING, DEBOSSING, VARNISHING
+ QUOTED, AS ADDITIONAL PRINTING COST

REQUESTED EDITS TO FRONT/BACK/SPINE COVER AFTER MANUSCRIPT GOES TO PRINT

+ ADD $50.00

RESUBMISSION AFTER MANUSCRIPT GOES TO PRINT

+ ADD $150.00
IF FINAL PRINTING HAS ALREADY HAPPENED, BUT THE AUTHOR FINDS PROBLEMS, ERRORS, OR OTHER ISSUES THAT THEY WANT TO CORRECT, WE CAN RE-SUBMIT THE FILE FOR FUTURE PRINTING.



ADDITIONAL PROMOTIONALS


BOOKSTORE SELL SHEET

+ ADD $99.00

2" X 6" BOOKMARK DESIGN

+ ADD $49.00 FOR FRONT-ONLY DESIGN
+ ADD $59.00 FOR FRONT & BACK DESIGN

8.5" X 11" BOOK OR BOOK EVENT POSTER DESIGN

+ ADD $99.00 FOR FRONT-ONLY DESIGN

11" X 17" BOOK OR BOOK EVENT POSTER DESIGN

+ ADD $99.00 FOR FRONT-ONLY DESIGN

BUSINESS CARD DESIGN

+ ADD $169.00 FOR FRONT-ONLY DESIGN, STANDARD RECTANGULAR 2" X 3.5" CARD
+ ADD $189.00 FOR FRONT & BACK DESIGN

WEBSITE DESIGN & HOSTING, OTHER PROMOTIONALS

+ QUOTED SEPARATELY



PACKAGE EXAMPLES:
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