Many people desire to publish a book. Most have no idea as to how to proceed with such a project. Two avenues are available for getting your book published. First, is the traditional approach of preparing a draft manuscript and submitting it to an established book publishing company to determine if they are interested in managing the publishing of your book. This can be a lengthy and frustrating process. A more direct approach is to act as your own publisher. This approach is known as self-publishing. As a self-publisher you become the author, the editor, the typesetter, and the distributor. The primary assistance required to produce the desired number of copies consists of the services of a commercial printer to accomplish the actual printing and binding of the book.

This short article outlines the fundamental elements of the self-publishing, book-production process. The book-production process consists of a number of orderly steps. It also requires some investment in the appropriate software and a rudimentary knowledge of the printing process.

(Reference 1 provides detailed guidance on all phases of the self-publishing process. Reference 1 covers practically everything one needs to know to write, print, promote, and sell a self-published book.)

The fundamental elements of the self-publishing, book-production process are illustrated in Figure 1. The steps in the process are numbered for purposes of the following discussion. Each step is briefly described in the following sub-sections.

1.0 Research
Research is usually the first thing to be done in the production of a written document. The purpose of research is to establish a credible knowledge base on the subject, to fill out gaps in the knowledge base, or to develop background material. Research generally continues, in one form or another, throughout the life of the project.

2.0 Organization and Structure
Once the decision has been made as to the subject of the writing project and the research effort begins to produce information and data, it is essential to establish the basic structure of the book and to create a corresponding file system. For most books, the structure is usually in the form of chapters. For other documents, it can be in the form of major topics. The layout in terms of chapters (or topics) becomes the fundamental structure within which information and data are organized and filed. The file can be a physical file consisting of a set of file-cabinet folders, or it can be a set of computer files. Most likely, it will be both. The physical file holds hardcopy information and notes until these are converted into a digital format. The physical file also holds backup printed drafts of the book as they are produced for reading and editing. For ease in correlating material, the physical file should be a mirror image of the electronic file.

3.0 Write the Book
The book begins as a rough draft organized by chapter. The draft is a revisable set of files which will change often. As the flow develops, it often becomes necessary to reorganize and restructure, or to expand the organization of the publication. Continuing research often produces additional data and information. As the product develops, new ideas and concepts of presentation will emerge. Keep in mind the type of illustrations (photographs and graphics) which are to be integrated into the text to add interest and additional explanation.

It is useful to think of the book as consisting of four components (Cover, Front Matter, Main Text, and Back Matter). The cover refers to the type of binding. Binding is generally either softback or hardback. Front Matter is the first few pages of the book consisting of an inside title page, a copyright page, a dedication page, the table of contents, and the Preface. The Main Text will be the main body of the book consisting of a series of chapters. The Back Matter consists of appendices, notes pages, the index and any other pages not considered to be the Main Text but that are to be placed as the last few pages.

Several drafts will be required as the book develops. In all probability text will be revised, illustrations rearranged, and additional material added as the project matures. Label each draft with a unique date and version number. This is especially important if you are preparing the drafts on a word processor and are keeping copies of previous drafts on your computer's hard drive. You will need a draft-numbering system that makes it easy to identify the current working version. If hardcopies of each draft are filed in the physical file, label each hardcopy with enough information to identify the corresponding digital file on your computer's hard drive. Make back up copies of all computer files.

As the project nears completion you should prepare a complete hardcopy (mechanical) of your final draft. The mechanical should contain all pages printed on your desk top printer as a double-sided copy exactly as you desire the pages to appear when your book is printed by the printer. The mechanical provides a final check that all pages are correctly numbered, that all illustrations are correctly placed with appropriate cut lines, etc. Ensure that all odd-numbered pages are right-hand pages and all even-numbered pages are left-hand pages. Proof read everything very carefully; or, better yet, have someone else proof read the final copy.

The printer will most likely require the final manuscript to be submitted in a digital format prepared using one of the available software programs designed for book production. Three of the most frequently used software programs are Adobe In Design, Quark and Adobe Pagemaker. You may compose early rough drafts in other software programs, such as Word, but it will most likely be necessary to submit your book to the printer in one of the programs specifically designed for book publishing. (If you elect to pursue the digital printing approach ( e.g., POD), it will be necessary to consult with the printer to determine the exact manner in which the electronic copy is to be submitted.)

4.0 Collect Illustrations (Photographs and Graphics)
Practically all publications contain illustrations of some sort or another. Collect relevant photographs and prepare graphical sketches that complement or emphasize the textual material. Be sure to label all illustrations and to keep a hardcopy in the physical file. Photographs are copyrightable, so be sure to obtain written permission to use photographs taken by anyone other than yourself. The choice of illustrations is important. Photographs are always of interest. For people photographs, be sure individuals are identified and the photograph is dated. Graphics can be used to summarize quantities of information for presenting in a simple and understandable manner to aid the reader. Line drawings can also be useful. Integrating illustrations onto pages of text creates a more interesting visual image to the reader than endless pages of text. (The exception is the novel.)

As you work your way toward a final draft, it is important to size illustrations (photographs and graphics) to the actual size that will appear in the final manuscript. It will be necessary to place the illustrations in the text at the appropriate position and to flow the text around the illustrations. Photographs will need to be scanned in order to be placed (or linked) with the text. Photographs must be scanned at a resolution of at least 300 DPI and saved as uncompressed TIFF files. Graphics (line drawings, charts, etc.) can be created directly in some software and/or imported digitally into the final manuscript. If the graphics are created separately, or are available only as printed material, they also must be scanned as 300 DPI TIFF files to achieve decent quality in the final printed version.

5.0 Cover Design
Most books are bound with one of two types of covers: soft cover or hard cover. The cover of the book consists of a front, a back and a spine.

Hardcover books (case bound) are the most durable (and expensive). The title of the book is stamped on the front of the hard cover and the spine using a foil-type material. It is necessary to layout in your software the exact manner in which the title and author information are to be stamped onto the front cover and the spine. The printer uses this layout to prepare a dye for stamping the information on the hard cover. There is virtually an unlimited choice of cover materials and colors. When you select a printer, they will work with you to select an appropriate hardcover material. Hardcover books usually have a paper dust cover which fits over the hardcover. The front of the dust cover shows the title and author, together with a relevant illustration or some additional verbiage. The back usually contains a brief synopsis of the book content as well as any additional desired information. The spine shows the title, author's last name, and the publisher's name.

The most common type of softcover is the perfect bind where the pages and cover are glued together. The cover for a perfect-bind book is printed on a heavy-weight paper which is coated with a clear finish. Although less durable than a hardcover book a perfect-bind book serves most purposes. The cover of a perfect-bind book is analogous in content to the dust cover of a hard cover book.

Covers for perfect-bind books and dust covers for hardbound books can usually be designed with the same software used to create the text manuscript. However, it may become necessary to acquire assistance (Pre-press support) in the design and layout of the cover for a perfect-bind book and for the dust cover for a hardbound book. Most high-end printers have in-house persons who will work with you to develop an appropriate cover design and layout.

The printer will provide you with a Proof Copy of the book cover (or dust cover in the case of a hardbound book). Examine the Proof Copy carefully to ensure it is what you desire and is free of spelling and grammatical errors. You will be asked to sign off on the cover design prior to the printer producing the required number of copies.

6.0 Final Manuscript
After your final draft (mechanical) has completed the review process, it should be corrected as necessary and saved as the manuscript copy. The final manuscript is the print-ready copy of the book. Make backup copies of your manuscript.

Conventional off-set printers will most likely require that the final manuscript be submitted in a digital format composed using one of the software programs specifically designed for book production. Three of the most frequently used software programs are Adobe InDesign, Quark, and Adobe Pagemaker. You may compose early rough drafts in other software programs, such as Word, but it will be necessary to submit your book to the printer in one of the programs specifically designed for book publishing. It is highly recommended that you use one of the three software programs from the very beginning of your project as you type and compose the book's initial layout. This means you will have to acquire the software program and learn to use it prior to producing your manuscript. These programs cost several hundred dollars each. You will need to make a copy of the manuscript to submit to the printer. It will most likely be necessary to place three folders on the CD. One folder will contain the complete book (Front Matter, Main Text and Back Matter) as composed in one of the three (InDesign, Quark, or Pagemaker) software book production programs. The second folder will contain the cover (or dust cover) layout. The third folder will contain the 300 DPI TIFF files of all photographs and scanned illustrations.

Printers specializing in Print on Demand (POD) and other digital techniques may require the manuscript to be submitted in other forms and software. Be sure that you understand exactly how the printer expects the manuscript to be submitted.

7.0 Determine Number of Copies to be Printed
At the time you deliver the manuscript to the printer, you will need to know how many copies you desire to have printed. The major costs associated with printing will be the conversion of the manuscript into plates which can be used to print the sixteen-page signatures. Two plates (front side and back side) will be required to print each sheet of signatures. The imposition software used by the printer will automatically create the plates from the files containing the manuscript. The printer will quote you a price for printing the book based upon the number of copies you desire to have printed and the number of signatures required to make the book. Have the printer provide quotes for several quantities (e.g, 500 copies, 1,000 copies and 1,500 copies). Pay particular attention to the difference in price between the quantities. The more you have printed, the less the cost per book. Whereas, the first 500 copies may cost you $10 each, printing 1,000 copies may reduce the cost per book to $9 each, and printing 1,500 copies may reduce the cost per book to $7 each. The number of copies you order will be determined by making a judgment as to what you can afford and the number of books you expect to be able to sell.

8.0 Deliver Manuscript to Printer and Sign A Contract.
Deliver the manuscript to the printer and sign a contract for the printing of the number of books you require. In some cases, the printer will require an up-front payment of 50% of the printing cost. Once you become established with a particular printer, the up-front payment may be waived. [If the printer provides pre-press support in the design and layout of the book cover (or dust cover for a hardbound book) these expenses will be in addition to the book printing costs.] For most books, you should allow at least six weeks for the printer to complete the printing and binding of the book.

9.0 The Proof Copy
Upon receipt of your manuscript, the printer will load the book into their imposition software which will produce the plates from which the signatures will be printed. Once the manuscript has been successfully loaded into the imposition software, the printer will produce a single copy of the book, less the front and back covers, as a stack of signatures. The printer will provide you with this single Proof Copy for your final review and approval.

10. Final Review of Proof Copy & Approval To Print
The Proof Copy represents your final opportunity to catch any mistakes prior to printing the number of copies specified in the contract. CAREFULLY READ AND EXAMINE THE PROOF COPY. By this point in the process you should have previously eliminated all spelling and grammatical errors. The printer does not bear the responsibility for making any additional editorial changes for you. If you make editorial changes in the text at this point, you will be incurring additional costs above the printer's original quote. Examine the Proof Copy to make sure the layout of the book is in accordance with your manuscript. It is possible for the printer's imposition software to produce errors. If the imposition software produces an error, the printer bears the responsibility and costs for making this correction. Return the Proof Copy to the printer with any necessary changes marked and noted. Depending on the extent of changes, you may request another Proof Copy and repeat the review process. You will be required to sign off on the final Proof Copy before the printer initiates the manufacture of the book.

11. Book Printed & Bound By Printer
Once you approve and sign off on the Proof Copy as "ready to print," the printer will print and bind the number of copies of the book called for in the contract. The exact number of copies printed may be slightly less or slightly greater than the number specified in the contract. You should not be charged for the difference if the number printed is smaller ("unders") than specified in the contract. If the number of copies exceeds ("overs") the contract quantity, you may be able to purchase the "overs" at a reduced copy per book. The "unders" or "overs" will most probably be within 10% of the number specified in the original contract.

12. Delivery
The printer will contact you when the printing of the book is complete. The copies will be provided in boxes. The number of copies per box will be determined by the size of the book. Typically, a box of full-size (8-1/2 X11) books of 250 - 400 pages will contain seven or eight books. A box of 5-1/2 X 8-1/2 books of 120-160 pages may contain as many as sixty copies. The books may be delivered as a group of single boxes, or as a pallet containing a number of boxes. When you take delivery of the books, you will be expected to pay the remaining 50% of the printing costs, plus any extra costs incurred in the overall process.

As a self-publisher, you will need to have adequate storage space for the books. (The exception will be if you elect to take a Print-on-Demand (POD) approach.) To ensure the books do not deteriorate or become damaged, it is best to store the boxes of books in a climate-controlled environment where excessive humidity and heat are avoided. In some instances, the printer may be willing to provide some storage space.

Some Other Important Things to Consider
1) Copyright your book. (Place copyright information [© by (your name) (date)] on reverse side of the inside title page.) Register your copyright with the Library of Congress, Copyright Office. Make sure the copyright is always registered in your name as the author. Do not allow printer or other individual or company to hold the copyright.
2) Obtain an ISBN number @ www.isbn.org (Necessary if you plan to sell through commercial bookstores)
3) Create your own self-publishing Business Entity (Publishing Mark) (Not necessary, but recommended if you plan to make self-publishing a long-term business venture)

Some Helpful References
1. "The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing" by Tom and Marilyn Ross. Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, OH. 2002. ISBN-13: 978-1-58297-091-2. This is by far the most complete and definitive book on the subject of self-publishing. This book covers in detail practically everything one needs to know to write, publish, promote and sell a self-published book.
2. "Getting it Printed" by Mark Beach. North Light Books, Cincinnati, OH. 1992. ISBN 0-89134-510-8. A good book for getting an overview of the overall printing process.
3. "A Writer's Time" by Kenneth Atchity. W. W. Norton and Company, New York. 1995. ISBN 0-393-03693-6. A book with some useful information on time management and writing in general.
4. "Literary Reflections" by James Michener. Tom Doherty Associates, New York. 1993. ISBN 0-814-55052-8. An entertaining survey from Michener's perspective of some of the writers who influenced his style.