Linick Group - Your Books Timetable

Your Books Timetable

YOUR BOOK’S PUBLISHING TIMETABLE

You must plan and execute your actions carefully for your self-publishing venture to have a good chance of success. This timetable will serve as a checklist to help you use your time wisely and do things in the most effective order. Not all items apply to every book; use your own judgment. When you need specific details on any point, seek the advice of a best selling, self-publisher, mail-order expert and publishing consultant.

Do Immediately

To set yourself up as a self-publisher, you must first "take care of business"—establish yourself as a commercial entity. For instructions on these steps, refer to "publishing consultant."

01. Read this list completely once. Read it through a second time, taking notes or highlighting sections.
02. Subscribe to Small Press Magazine and Publishers Weekly.
03. Order a copy of Literary Market Place.
04. Request sample copies of any newsletters that interest you; purchase or borrow from the library any appropriate books on self-publishing.
05. Choose your publishing company name. Remember to research to see if it has already been used.
06. Write the Small Business Administration for its publications.
07. Contact Bowker for ABI information, listing forms, ISBN information and log sheet.
08. File a fictitious name statement (if required in your area).
09. Obtain a post office box.
10. Have letterhead, envelopes and business cards printed.
11. Open a business checking account.
12. Contact the Chamber of Commerce and discuss local business license requirements, regulations and procedures.
13. Write the Library of Congress to get your LCCC.
14. When you need expertise in choosing a marketable subject and product development, seek an experienced professional.

Do Just After You’ve Finished Writing Your Book

With manuscript in hand, you’re ready to think about the physical aspects of your book: page count, typeface, design, artwork, etc. Now is the time to file for important identifying numbers, such as ISBN. You also begin planning your marketing and distribution strategy.

01. Research your chosen title to see if it has been used already.
02. Get any needed permissions.
03. Wrap up last-minute research and verifications.
04. Ask competent friends or associates to read/critique/edit the manuscript. Revise accordingly.
05. Make corrections on manuscript; proofread them thoroughly.
06. Plan the interior design and mark the manuscript in readiness for typesetting, or set up styles if you are typesetting on a computer.
07. Gather any interior artwork such as photographs or illustrations, and size them.

01.Write cutlines for interior art. Prepare a keyed list, or incorporate them in computer text.
02. Prepare a castoff to determine preliminary book length, specifications.
03. Get author photo taken.
04. With professional help, design the cover.
05. Request price quotations from manufacturers and typesetters.
06. Determine the tentative retail sales price using our guidelines.
07. Establish your publication date.
08. Photocopy your manuscript and send it to authorities and key reviewers for advance comments and perhaps a foreword.
09. Assign an ISBN.
10. Complete the ABI form.
11. Obtain a Bookland EAN Scanning Symbol.
12. Send photocopies of your ABI form to Baker & Taylor, those on the "Suggested Galley Recipients" list, prime wholesalers and distributors, and other key contacts.
13. Complete the LCCC form.
14. Typeset your book or send it to the typesetter.

Do Next

At this point, set up your promotional campaign and attend to the details of book production.

01. Research your Nationwide Marketing Plan. Track down names of reviewers, syndicated columnists, newsletters, associations, wholesalers, bookstores, special sales outlets, librarians, subsidiary rights buyers, local media people, etc. Think up innovative strategies. Prepare labels or envelopes.
02. Prepare the following promotional materials: news release, sales letter, mock-up review, acknowledgment form.
03. Contact appropriate book clubs and first serial rights buyers you have identified through market research to interest them in subsidiary rights.
04. Test mail-order ads if you’re using direct marketing.
05. Prepare a personal mailing list from Christmas card recipients, your rolodex business associates, club membership directories, students, etc.
06. Get business license (if needed).
07. Obtain your resale tax permit.
08. Proofread typeset galleys and have corrections made.
09. Paste up galleys if you’re doing it manually.
10. Double-check that all corrections were made and that all pages, illustrations, etc., are in the correct places.
11. Prepare the index (if applicable).
12. Typeset and proofread index.
13. Photocopy F&Gs or galleys—send to sources noted in this timetable guide (see 1 above).

Do While Your Book is Being Printed

As you continue your promotional efforts, begin implementing your Nationwide Marketing Plan. Get ready for the arrival of your books.

01. Review bluelines carefully for any final corrections.
02. Set up warehousing space and a shipping area.
03. Order shipping and office supplies.
04. Prepare the following promotional materials:

a. ) Order Flier b.) Discount Statement c.) Return Policy Statement

05. Implement your Nationwide Marketing Plan.
06. Follow up on book clubs and first serial rights potential buyers.
07. Mail your prepublication offer to your personal mailing list.
08. Write the copyright office for Form TX.
09. Write Dustbooks for listing in their various directories.
10. Implement full-scale mail-order campaign (if applicable).
11. Coordinate freight delivery of books, making sure you’ll be there to receive shipment and have payment ready (if needed).

To Do When Your Books Arrive

At last! You have books to sell. Begin filling orders and following up on marketing leads. Send copies of your book to important sources for promotion and copyright registration.

01. Rejoice!
02. Take an inventory count and open several random cases to be sure books are not scuffed, bound upside down, etc.
03. Photograph book and order 4" by 5" B&W prints.
04. Fill complimentary copy requests generated by your Nationwide Marketing Plan.
05. Fill advance orders.
06. Pursue prime wholesalers and distributors who have not shown interest.
07. Go after second serial rights sales.
08. Implement special sales and innovative promotional ideas.
09. Request the return of pertinent printing materials from your book manufacturer.
10. File your copyright registration.
11. Send a copy of the book to the CIP office.
12. Send a copy of the book to Cumulative Book Index.
13. Send a copy of the book to Baker & Taylor.
14. Always carry a copy of the book in your briefcase or purse, and have a case of books in your vehicle.
15. Contact all bookstores in your area.
16. Set up a "revisions" file noting typo corrections and new material for subsequent editions.

Ongoing Promotional Activities

A self-publisher’s work is never done—you must always be thinking of new ways to sell your books. Now’s the time to line up radio/TV interviews via:

1. Implement special sales and innovative merchandising techniques.
2. Follow up on prime reviewers to be sure they received books.
3. Develop an "Available for Interview" sheet.
4. Contact local media for interviews and stories.
5. Expand your media focus to include regional print, radio and TV.
6. Be on the lookout for new review sources and sales opportunities.
7. Consider giving lectures and/or seminars as promotional vehicles.

After a Successful First Printing

Time to decide whether you want to reprint your book (add second editon to cover) or offer it to a trade publisher.

1. Add favorable reviews to the cover or first page.
2. Revise the copyright page and correct any typos.
3. Revise, update and/or expand the book as needed.
4. Review the back-page order form for price or other changes.
5. Get reprinting quotes on a second printing
6. Offer the book to major trade publishers.

Blitz Media-Direct Public Relations (div. TLG, Inc.)

Seven Putter Lane • PO Box 102, Middle Island, NY 11953-0102

Voice: 631.924.8555 • Dedicated faxline: 631.924.3890 • Email: Blitz4pr@att.net