Category Archives: FAQs

Frequently asked questions

FAQs

Why Publish

Why Publish your Book
Many writers ask us questions like:

  • Is my book worth publishing?
  • Why publish when I could just print photocopies?
  • How many sales can I expect?

These are good questions — and you need to think about what writing means to you.

Publishing Can Be Both Rewarding and Successful

Self-publishing has opened doors that simply didn’t exist a few years ago. Many of our authors reach wide audiences, sell impressive numbers of copies, or steadily build followings that lead to other opportunities — talks, workshops, teaching, or new commissions. With professional editing, design, and production, a self-published book is every bit as good as one from a major publisher.

At the same time, publishing is not only about sales or financial return. Just as people invest in hobbies, holidays, gardening, or good coffee because those experiences enrich their lives, publishing a book can be one of the most fulfilling and lasting ways to share your expertise and ideas.

It’s also worth remembering that even in the traditional publishing world, many books do not make a profit for the publisher — the industry has always relied on a few best-sellers to balance the many. And every published book contributes something valuable: knowledge, insight, inspiration, or simply the joy of a story well told.

Why Authors Choose to Publish

  • Years of work deserve a finished form – Many authors spend years crafting their manuscript. Publishing gives that work the permanence and respect it deserves.
  • A lasting legacy – A published book can be catalogued in libraries, discovered online, and passed down to future generations in a way photocopies cannot.
  • Reaching readers – Beyond family and friends, publishing makes your words discoverable by people who might enjoy or benefit from them.
  • Gifts and sharing – Many authors enjoy selling or giving copies away at events, to charities, or within their communities. Publishing allows this in a polished, lasting form.
  • Opportunities – A book can open doors to speaking engagements, workshops, and events where authors not only share their knowledge but also distribute copies.
  • Fulfillment – Holding your own professionally published book is the natural completion of the writing journey, an expression of creativity or scholarship that will endure.

Balancing Costs and Goals
Publishing involves costs, and for some writers this can feel daunting after years of effort.
But a book is not just an expense: it’s an investment in yourself, your ideas, and your story’s place in the world.
Whether your aim is to earn income, share knowledge, or simply complete a deeply personal project, publishing ensures your work is given the permanence and reach it deserves.

FAQs

Understanding Your Printing Options

Understanding Your Printing Options

When choosing how to print your materials, it helps to know the main differences between Litho printing, Short-run digital printing, and Print-on-demand.
Each method has its own advantages depending on your needs:

Litho Printing (Offset Printing)

  • Best for large quantities (hundreds or thousands of copies).
  • Uses traditional printing plates and ink for high-quality, consistent results.
  • More cost-effective at scale, since the setup cost is spread across many copies.
  • Ideal for brochures, magazines, books, and professional marketing materials.

Short-Run Printing (Digital Printing)

  • Designed for smaller batches (from a few copies up to a few hundred).
  • Faster turnaround because there’s no plate setup—the file goes straight to the printer.
  • Flexible: great for test runs, limited editions, or quick reprints.
  • Typically slightly higher cost per copy than litho, but cheaper overall for small quantities.

Print-on-Demand (POD)

  • Prints only when an order is placed, even a single copy.
  • No need to store stock—each book or item is produced as needed.
  • Perfect for self-publishers, online stores, or products with unpredictable demand.
  • Reduces waste and upfront costs but usually has the highest cost per unit compared to bulk printing.
Summary
  • Litho = best for bulk (high quality, low cost per unit).
  • Short-run = best for small batches (fast, flexible, affordable in low volumes).
  • POD = best for one-off or on-demand sales (no stock, no waste, convenient).
FAQs

Copy Editing vs Proofreading

Copy Editing vs Proofreading

Although the two often get confused,
copy editing and proofreading are different stages of the editing process:

Copy Editing
Goal: to make the writing polished, professional, and ready for typesetting.

Happens before the final layout and typesetting.
Focuses on improving the clarity, flow, and consistency of the text.

Checks for:

  • Grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.
  • Consistency in style, tone, and formatting.
  • Accuracy of facts, names, and references.
  • Awkward phrasing, repetition, or unclear sentences.

Proofreading
Goal: to ensure the publication is accurate before printing or release.

  • Happens after the text has been typeset/designed (Final check before when it is ready for print).
  • Focuses on catching final errors that slipped through.

Checks for:

  • Typos, punctuation errors, or spelling mistakes.
  • Layout problems (e.g. broken headings, spacing, page numbers).
  • Inconsistent fonts, captions, or formatting in the final version.

Note:
Both copy-editing and proof-reading are very complicated processes
It is almost impossible to catch all of the errors.
Give yourself time for a final read-through.
Don’t panic – if the book is to be printed on demand,
make notes of any changes for an updated version.

Quick summary:

Copy editing = polishing the text for clarity and consistency.
Proofreading = checking the final version for typos and formatting errors.