FAQs: Authors and Book Publishers
Are you a publisher?
No, we are not a traditional publisher, but we offer publisher services. If you are a self published author or a small press publisher we can run the business side of your operation from driving sales to increasing distribution to marketing. We dislike the word “consultant” because what we do is much more involved than just offering advice at a distance. We like to be involved and active in the process from start to finish.
Can You Run My Social Media for Me?
Yes!
If you have existing social accounts we request that you are able to give us passwords and logins. If not we can make you branded accounts from scratch.
Can you help me convert an ebook?
Absolutely! We can help you create an ebook and get it distributed to outlets such as Apple iBooks, Amazon, and more. Creating an ebook is very easy in today’s day and age thanks to outside companies such as Ingram Spark, Draft 2 Digital, and others. We do not charge separately for these services, and can walk you through the process. We can advise on the pros and cons of each of the ebook creation options available, and once set up we can manage your day to day ebook sales (including sales analysis), as a part of your flat fee for our services.
I’m a first time author, can you help me launch my book?
Yes! The world of publishing can sometimes be a bit “insider baseball” when it comes to terminology, distribution, brick and mortar, digital sales, and promotions/marketing.
We want to make the process as easy as possible. We’ve done the research into how to launch your book and sell it to wider audiences for you. We can help guide you through digital sales, the buyer discount, and more.
Do you offer editing, proofreading, or illustrations services?
At this time we do not offer these services in house, but we can help match you with an outside proofreader, editor, or illustrator and guide you through the process. This includes those that we have working relationships with.
Can you get my books in bookstores?
Yes! While we cannot guarantee sales, we have many contacts with book buyers and distributors around the world. We can get your book in front of decision makers for both larger chains and independents. We can make presentations on your behalf with major book buyers for all classes of trade. We can also help match you with a book distributor that fits your needs, and manage your distributor relationship.
What is your pricing?
Our pricing is on a case by case basis, depending on the scale of the services needed and what is reasonably affordable to your operation. We will work with you to find a price that fits best.
We do not take book royalties, as we feel this is an unfair burden to place on our clients, and instead prefer a flat fee model.
Do you offer in house printing services?
We do not offer in house printing services, however we can help match you with a professional, affordable, and high quality printer. Be it print on demand, digital, or off set, we will help you find the perfect match. We will also manage your printer relationship for you.
Can you help me with technical issues regarding the publishing process?
Of course. We are experts on the ins and outs of ISBNs, barcodes, etc. and what book buyers are looking for specifically in this arena.
We can also offer guidance regarding copyright and financial aspects.
We run websites and website pay portals.
FAQs: Magazines and Periodicals
I am a small city/regional magazine, do I need your services?
City and Regional magazines are our specialty! Distribution is especially important to your reginal magazine. We represent you at retail, not only to local retailers, but the large national retailers who have stores in your city. We manage the relationship between your local wholesaler or national distributor. It is very common for regional magazines to be under presented at retail: we rectify that. Many times smaller regionals may not have the budget for an extended circulation staff, that’s where we step in.
Can you handle my subscriptions and Controlled circulation?
Yes, depending on your needs we can set up and run the day to day circulation operations or help you outsource and manage that relationship.
I just received my sales report from our distributor: what are all these returns, why so many deductions, and what is a re-ship fee? My largest advertiser can’t find my magazine anywhere? Why isn’t it in my local supermarket?
Believe it or not these are all common concerns. We’ve heard it all before, having worked for every major national distributor and wholesaler across the globe: we know where the issues are and we know how to solve them. In fact, we make sure we take care of potential issues before they become issues.
Traditionally distributor reports are not very customer friendly, in fact many bookkeepers are mystified by the process. We have the experience to make them understandable and explain the ins and outs of their intricacies. We can also help you go through the fine details of which particular franchise locations your magazines is going (and isn’t going) and why.
I already have a national distributor, how can you help?
We have decades of experience working with magazine wholesalers and distributors. It is no secret that many small to medium publishers do not receive the attention they deserve at a distributor that is handling thousands of titles. Having someone like us, monitoring and working with your contacts at a distributor solves this problem. Also, reporting from a national distributor can be daunting, we make that easy for you with our analysis. In short we act as your newsstand/single copy sale department.
Do you represent my magazines at retail?
YES, of course, that’s what we do. We call on every major, regional and independent chain suited for you. We also ensure your distributor includes your titles when calling on retailers.
I have just bought into a large national promotion at a major retail chain, in fact several at once. Can you manage that for me?
You bet! We are “old school” when it comes to promotions. Depending on your needs we either set up displays at retail where needed, check on displays if you contracted out and check on your draw and placement at retail in store on the ground and at headquarters from retail to your distributor. This is always followed up with a complete report including photos! This service is in addition to running the day to day operations of the promo, negotiating and advising before the promotion, ensuring distributors are in place and following up with results. Further, not only is this service offered for promotion, but special issues as well: national or regional.
I have a circulation staff in place, would I still need your services?
It all depends on your situation, business plan/model and your long and short term goals. Most circulation departments are not well versed in newsstand/single copy sales and it can be time consuming. Some circulators even feel that single copy sales is almost ancillary. In fact, retail sales can be a significant revenue stream, in addition to promoting great visibility to your advertises — both potential and current. We work with your current staff to free them up to devote more time to traditional circulation, subscriptions etc..
What is your pricing?
Our pricing is on a case by case basis, depending on the scale of the services needed and what is reasonably affordable to your operation. We will work with you to find a price that fits best.
Do you offer international distribution?
We manage the day to day operations and help you find an international distributor. We have years and years of experience in international magazine imports, exports, and promotion.
