With Quartet Books, you retain the rights to your book and all the books are delivered to you or to your distributor. You don’t receive royalties from Quartet Books. The books are yours, the ISBN is in your name, and you keep all the profits from the sale of your books.
In addition to individual authors, Quartet Books also works with small presses who choose to outsource some or all production services. Click here to view our small press services.
If you choose Quartet Books, you can be assured of our personalized attention to your book, exceptional quality of work, and thorough knowledge of the publishing industry.
A la Carte Services Provided by Quartet Books
Manuscript Review
We will read your manuscript and prepare a written report about the work that addresses the your specific concerns, which may include writing style, subject matter, competition, audience, and timeliness of topic.
Timeline: 2 weeks
Content Editing
Content editing (often referred to as substantive editing) will improve the general clarity and smooth expression of your writing by eliminating wordiness, redundancy, clichés, and inappropriate word choices. As appropriate, we will ensure that it has been written in the same point of view throughout; that context is preserved; and that analogies, similes, and metaphors are employed correctly and portray stellar examples. As well, by replacing passive constructions with active ones, smoothing transitions, rephrasing awkward passages, and reconstructing and moving sentences and paragraphs, we will enhance the “flow” of your material without intruding upon your “voice.” And while no one can turn a bad book into a bestseller, our competently inspired editing will take your good book and make it even better. Perhaps it would be instructive to sum up these remarks with an insightful quote from Arthur Polotnik, the author of The Elements of Editing: A Modern Guide for Editors and Journalists: “You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you. And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke.”
Timeline: 4 to 6 weeks
Copyediting
Your manuscript will be checked for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors and we’ll enter corrections. We’ll fix and/or query inconsistencies in the manuscript and even reformat the manuscript if necessary. We will code the manuscript for the typesetting program and prepare a style sheet for the typesetter and proofreader.
Timeline: 2 to 3 weeks
ISBN, CIP, and Copyright Registration
We will get an ISBN and barcode for the book and enter the book data into Bowker’s Books in Print database. We will register the book with the Library of Congress’s cataloging-in-publication division to get an LCC number or a CIP number and send one printed copy of the book to them. We will also register the book with the Library of Congress copyright office and send two printed copies of the book to the copyright office.
Cover Design
As a general rule, we will provide three concepts for your review, incorporating either new designs based on a review of the book material and discussions with the author/editor or designs utilizing art provided by the author/editor. After approval and completion of the front cover text, the spine and back cover will be completed to complement the front cover design.
Timeline: 2 to 3 weeks
Text Design and Typesetting
Upon receipt of a text file, samples pages of the layout will be provided for your review. The layout will reflect the material and style of the book. The sample pages will show the design of each element (such as the chapter pages, part pages, running heads, subheads, table of contents, etc.), and an estimated page count will be provided. Once the layout is completed and proofread, all corrections will be made.
Timeline: 2 to 3 weeks
Proofreading
We will read the typeset galley for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and layout errors (running heads, chapter heads, page numbers, widows, etc.). We will enter page numbers into the table of contents and read ensure the file is in final shape for the printer.
Timeline: 2 weeks
Indexing
We will read page proofs and compile an alphabetical list of references to pertinent terms and concepts in the text. We will choose, group, and consolidate page references under main headings, subheadings, and cross-references.
Timeline: 2 weeks
Final Review
We will conduct a final checklist review of copyright page, table of contents, and layout issues (such as running heads, chapter heads, page numbers, etc.) before sending the final text and cover files to the printer.
Timeline: 2 days
Printing
After discussion with you as to the number of books you want to be printed, we will get quotes from a minimum of four book printers, help you select a printer, send the text and cover files to printer, check text and cover proofs, make sure the books stay on schedule, coordinate delivery of books, review the invoice, and archive the text and cover files.
Timeline: paperback, 6 weeks; hardcover, 8 weeks; four-color book from Asia, 10 weeks
Publicity
After telephone and email contact with the author several months before the book’s publication date, will create a press kit that includes a press release, an author’s bio, talking points for radio/TV interviews, media Q&A, and pitches. Will set up book signings and get print reviews, national and syndicated radio, and regional TV interviews for the book, getting the word out to boost sales.
If we send galleys or advance reading copies, the process will start several months pre-pub (the cost of sending galleys and the follow-up on galleys will vary). Will also create the galley list. All out-of-pocket expenses are paid by the author. When paid speeches are secured, most often with the possibility of book sales, the charge is 20% of the honorarium.
Set Up Distribution
Enter your book into the distribution channels of Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Baker & Taylor, Borders, and Ingram small-press divisions.
Once your book is in the distributors’ systems, you will handle orders, shipping, invoicing, and returns.