AUTHORS RESOURCES

1. What is an ISBN#?
2. Do I need an ISBN#?
3. What is an ISSN#?
4. How do I obtain an ISBN#?
5. How do I submit my manuscript?
6. What is self publishing?
7. What is FTP?
8. Is my manuscript ready?
9. What happens if I need to make a change in text after it's gone to the designer?
10. What types of files can I upload?
11. Do I need a barcode for my book?
12. How do I get a barcode for my book?
13. What promotional materials do you provide?
14. Can a book that is not designed by BPD be listed on Budreau's On-line bookstore BOLB?
15. How do I copyright my manuscript?
16. How do I create an index?
17. I live far away, how can I proof the book?
18. How many proofs do I get?
19. What is a Contract of Work Statement?
20. What if I need more work than what is in the Work Statement?
21. How do I pay for services?
22. How do I proof my book?
23. What is a bleed?
24. What resolution should my images be?
25. How do I prepare my images?
26. Should my images be grayscale, RGB or CMYK?
27. What is RGB and CMYK?
28. What is saddle-stitch binding?
29. What is stitched binding?
30. What is perfect binding?
31. What is coil binding?
32. What is hand binding?
33. What is offset printing?
34. What is digital printing?
35. What are the most common sizes of books?
36. Will you advise me that you have received my submission?
37. Who pays for shipping?
38. Will BPD warehouse and distribute my book?
39. Can I link my website to BPD On-Line Bookstore?

1. What is an ISBN#?
An ISBN# is a 13-digit number that identifies each published book, and each edition of a published book.

2. Do I need an ISBN#?
An International Standards Book Number expedites handling of your book in the marketplace, it is recommended that your book have an ISBN# otherwise most retailers will decline to sell it for you.

3. What is an ISSN#?
An ISSN# is an International Standard Serial Number that is used by Libraries for identifying titles. ISSN #'s are assigned to periodicals and journals when there is a series or on-going issues.

4. How do I obtain an ISBN#?
An ISBN# can be obtained for you by your book designer or you can obtain your own from the collectionscanada.gc.ca website.

5. How do I submit my manuscript?
Submit your manuscript by clicking "upload" on any of the books pages or the home page in this website. There you can fill out a small amount of info and upload your files.

6. What is self publishing?
Self Publishing is creating your own book, plus marketing, and bearing all costs of production.

7. What is FTP?
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol for exchanging large files over the Internet. It is a convenient way for authors to send large files to designers.

8. How do I know if my manuscript is ready to send to the designer?
Ideally, your manuscript is ready when it has been professionally copy-edited and proof read and you are finished editing.

9. What happens if I need to make a change in the manuscript after it's gone to the designer?
First you let the designer know what changes are to be made, you can expect to pay an additional fee.

10. What types of files can I send?
The file types preferred are MS Word, Notepad, jpg, tiff, pdf. If you have other file types, please send an email to inquire about conversion.

11. Do I need a barcode for my book?
Bar coding your books is a must if you plan to sell it through retailers. Most store inventories are managed through barcode systems. For the store owner or manager, it's an inconvenience to carry a product that has no barcode and you don't want to give them a reason to reject selling your book. However, if you plan to sell the book directly to the consumer then having a barcode is less important. Bar coding registers the title and author in the National Archives in Canada.

12. How do I get a barcode for my book?
You automatically get a barcode for your book when it's designed by BPD. You can also visit www.barcodegraphics.com to purchase your own.

13. What promotional materials do you provide?
First we talk with you about your marketing plans and then suggest the best materials for your book selling strategy. We design business cards, bookmarks, posters, flyers, pamphlets, sell sheets, media kits, galleys, advertisements, invitations, post cards plus new and inventive pieces that we dream up!

14. Can a book that is not designed by BPD be listed on Budreau's On-line bookstore BOLB?
Yes. If you have published books and have little or no internet presence through which to sell them, just fill out the Author Info Upload Form to have them listed on the BOLB book shelf.

15. How do I copyright my manuscript?
There are a couple of accepted ways to copyright your manuscript. One is to print a finished copy of it, seal it in an envelope and mail it to yourself. When it comes back, store it and do not open it. The post date on the stamp is proof of copyright date. If your copyright is ever challenged, the envelope is presented and opened in court as evidence. The other way is to register it with Collections Canada and pay a small fee. For more information go to http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/6/24/s24-1003-e.html

16. How do I create an index?
Build an alphabetical list of words to be indexed. Be careful of spelling and people's names, sometimes initials are required when generations of families are involved. Eg. John MacGregor and his son John H. MacGregor, you'll need the "H" to define who is who.

17. I live far away, how can I proof my book?
Distance is not a problem. You will receive a PDF file by email that you can print either at home or at an office supply shop. This file can also be sent directly to your office supply shop. You mark up the printed copy for changes and either fax back just the pages that need correction, or mail them to BPD mailing address. Another option is if you are Adobe PDF savvy, you can edit the PDF file on-line and email it back to BPD.

18. How many proofs do I get?
Usually 3.

19. What is a Contract of Work Statement?
It's a form that the designer fills out based on your requests, you check it for correctness and understanding, make appropriate changes and once agreed upon, both parties - designer and author - sign it.
The Work Statement indicates what work will be done and on what timeline. It is not an estimate.

20. What if I need more work than what is in the Work Statement?
When this occurs additional fees are paid for the extra work.

21. How do I pay for services?
Payment is accepted by cheque or postal money order in Canadian funds.
30% of the estimate fee is required to initiate design services
40% at the time of the second proof and
30% when the files go to press.

22. How do I proof my book?
Proofing your book is best done in a methodical manner checking for the same item from page to page. Here are some things to look for:

Credit:
Is the credit given to all those who have contributed to the production of the book?

Pages:
Is the page size correct? (look for crop marks and measure to be sure)
Is the number of pages correct?
Are the pages in the correct order?
Are the pages numbered correctly?
Are pages identified with running heads?
Are blank pages included where they should/shouldn't be?

Type:
Are there any typographical errors?
Are the requested typefaces used?
Does any text run off a page?
Does any reverse type look like it will plug up once printed?

Photos and Images:
Are all photo and illustrations etc. at the proper size and placed in the correct position?
Are all image colours correct?
Is all colour satisfactory?
Do crossover images line up correctly?
If the print project is part of a series, do the colours match the other pieces?
Are all image/photo captions correct?
Are all logos positioned accurately?
Is the logo the correct size?

Margins:
Are margins consistent?
Do margins allow for special binding or folding?

Folding:
Is the proof folded correctly?

Binding:
Saddle Stitching: Are staples in the correct position?
Perfect Binding: Check spine against artwork for alignment.
Binding Holes: Are bindery holes the correct size and in the correct position?

Corrections:
If corrections have been requested, have they been made?

Postal Regulations:
Does the project conform to postal regulations?

Quality:
Is the quality of the overall piece acceptable?

23. What is a bleed?
A bleed is a term used to indicate an image/colour that runs beyond the actual printed edge.

24. What resolution should my images be?
The minimum resolution of submitted images should be 300 dpi and the physical size of that image, at 300 dpi, should be a bit larger than what the printed size will be.
Most images collected from the internet are not print quality.

25. How do I prepare my images?
Images for publication that come from a digital source (camera or generated from software) should be the original file.
A large file (consult with designer for your particular book's needs) is best ie 300 dpi 5x7 or 300 dpi 8x10
If you have prints, slides or negatives, they should be scanned professionally for large image reproduction on a cover or two page spread. Images that will print as small photos in your book can be scanned on home equipment depending on the look and feel you are trying to achieve with your book. Quite often home scanners reproduce the photo paper texture to the point of distraction and interfere with the actual photo, this is where a professional scanner provides superior results.

26. Should my images be BW, RGB or CMYK?
If you scan your own photos, be they colour or black and white (BW), always scan and send them as RGB, which means, colour. Your scanner should have the option to choose between RGB, Grayscale also known as BW, or CMYK.
Sending colour images gives greater latitude to adjust and maximize the photo's reproductive values.

27. What is RGB and CMYK?
RGB refers to the colours red, green and blue. CMYK refers to cyan, magenta, yellow and black. This terminology refers to the press end of the publication process.

28. What is saddle-stitch binding?
Saddle-stitch binding is a stapled book folded in half. It's stapled two or three times along the spine. This binding method limits the number of pages to about 70 +/- depending on the paper used.

29. What is stitched binding?
Stitched binding is done by a machine and sews folded signatures of pages together, most often in groups of 16 pages. This method is used on hardcover books.

30. What is perfect binding?
Perfect binding is single sheets glued or folded signatures pinched together, and then glued to the cover. Used in soft cover manufacture.

31. What is coil binding?
Coil binding is single sheets perforated along the spine and a coil wound through.

32. What is hand binding?
Hand binding can be perfect binding or stitching by hand. This is useful for very small editions or producing a draft copy of a book.

33. What is offset printing?
Off-set printing uses a complex set of steps to create metal plates and each one represents the colours, CMYK. Paper is passed between the cylinders of a printing press on which all these plates are aligned. The paper is printed with each colour and the combination thereof creates the finished piece.
Generally, type on two facing pages aligns better, durability of off-set ink is known to last a very long time.

34. What is digital printing?
Digital printing uses digital files and translates the information in the same manner as a home printer. The difference between commercial printers and home versions is commercial printers have a greater capacity for spooling large jobs, higher printing speeds and lower ink costs. Digital ink sits on top of the page rather than sinking into the paper fibers like it does in the off-set process.
It isn't known how long a digitally printed page will last into the future. Some inks smear when wet, whereas off-set does not.

35. What are the most common sizes of books?
Books generated for the trade market have sizes such as
Paperbacks- 4"x7". Other typical soft cover sizes 5"x8", 5.75"x9", and 6.25"x9.5"

36. Will BPD advise me that you have received my submission?
Yes, by email.

37. Who pays for shipping?
The client pays all shipping fees.

38. Will BPD warehouse and distribute my book?
No, we do not provide this service at this time. We do provide consultation and strategies for marketing and promoting your book, and produce the materials that you need to achieve that end.

39. Can I link my website to BPD On-Line Bookstore?
Most often yes, just send an email to request permission and include your website address.