What We Need from You

1. Complete the Publishing Services Worksheet. Items from the Worksheet are explained below. Although the worksheet is designed to give you an easy approximate cost, we handle each project individually to meet your specific needs. If you don't see an item you are interested in, please email us and we will do our best to accommodate your request. 
   • Provide a word count of your complete manuscript. In Microsoft Word, you can see the word count in the bottom bar.
   • Provide a ship-to zip code. We usually figure residential shipping in our quote. If you have a commercial location, please indicate if it is with or without a loading dock for trucks. Either of these commercial options will lower your shipping costs and we’ll pass that savings on to you.
   • Provide us with information about your desired book specifications. For a softcover book, the two most common sizes (called trim sizes) are 5.5 x 8.5 and 6 x 9 inches. Manuals and workbooks are often 8.5 x 11 inches. The standard paperback binding is called perfect binding. Some optional binding choices are mentioned under Additional Services as Printing Options on page 3 of the worksheet. If you are interested in one of these choices we will provide you with a custom quote.
   • Please tell us what quantities you are considering. Common quantities are 100, 250, 500, or 1000. For 750 books, it is only slightly higher to print 1000 using standard offset printing, so 750 is not included on the worksheet. However, we can print books from 100 and up in 50 book intervals. Above 1000, books are generally printed in increments of 500 (1000, 1500, 2000). If you desire a quantity not listed, fill in the quantity you need on the worksheet.
   • Here's how to use the Cost Chart: For the three trim sizes, we are using an average of 300 words per page. This is not how many words you have per page in your manuscript, it is an estimate of how many words will be on each page of the formatted book. Divide your total word count by 300 to give an approximate page count for your final book. Next, start with the Base Cost of the quantity you desire. We've used 152 pages as a base cost because most books are at least that many pages. Note: if your formatted page count is less than 100, we can provide a custom quote for a lower price. The last step is adding additional formatted pages in groups of eight pages. Example: You are printing 100 copies of a 5.5 x 8.5 inch book. The formatted page count is 176 pages. You start with 152 pages @ $1195. You have 24 additional pages @ $9 per 8 page group ($9 x 3 = $27). This makes your total Basic Services cost $1222. If you have a page number in between 8-page signatures, round up to the nearest 8 page signature.
   • Additional Services are listed and explained on the worksheet. Editorial Options are based on the word count of the manuscript. One level, Content Editing, has a cost range that will be determined by a required Manuscript Review. The fee for the review will be applied to the Content Edit service.
   • Most of the Design Options have varying costs, due to the size and complexity of them. Our custom quote will reflect these factors when figuring costs. See the books in the Publishing Services and Showcase pages for examples of some of the design options.
   • Remember, if you have any questions, please contact us.
2. Prepare your manuscript according to our Manuscript Guidelines. This important step will help us create a more accurate Quote. We highly recommend you review the Manuscript Guidelines and follow them carefully before submitting your manuscript.
3. Email your formatted manuscript and completed Publishing Services Worksheet to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What You Will Get from Us

1. We will review your manuscript and worksheet. Approximate page count will be checked (taking into account front matter and chapter starts) shipping costs figured, and an editor will look over your manuscript. You will shortly receive a Quote which will include the optional services you selected and any adjustments to your costs.
2. To begin your project, sign your Quote and the IMD Press Publishing Agreement. (See our Forms page for all our PDF downloads.) Return the signed Quote, Publishing Agreement, and your 50% deposit to IMD Press. Payment by check or money order may be mailed. Forms may also be emailed and payment made through PayPal by electronic transfer or credit card.
3. Work will begin on your book! If ordered, editing and/or proofreading will be done.
4. We will provide you with a cover and interior design for approval. Minor changes are allowed to the design.
5. You will receive a first proof of the book interior. This is your last best time to slowly and carefully read your book and make any corrections. Small Print Dept: Once you have completed your first proof, any content (editorial or design) changes not due to our error may incur reasonable additional costs and delays.
6. First proof changes will be made, and a second proof of the interior and cover will be sent. We will request back cover copy ideas from you. Don’t worry if you don’t know what to write for this—our years of experience help us to create engaging back cover copy. This is included in the Basic Services price.
7. Your final approval means the book is ready to go to press. The second half (50%) will be due to IMD Press before printing. Once we have final payment, the books will be printed and shipped to you.
8. You will receive a Marketing CD. The CD will contain with a variety of cover images and the back cover copy in a text document. These images and text will be helpful in promoting your book.
9. Your book will be made available on the IMD Press Showcase page, with contact links to your email or website. A sample of your book is made available through a pdf download on the Showcase page.