PUBLISHING THE MEMOIR

Some memoirs are published by commercial publishers, but most are self-published. I work closely with Prism Publishing Center, a Minneapolis-based premier book maker.

Prism Publishing Center offers a broad array of self-publishing services:

• Design
  
  
• Printing
  
  
• Marketing
  
  
• Distribution
  
  
• Publicity

Prism produces both paperback and hardcover books—and distributes them to bookstores around the country. With its print-on-demand services, book-selling Web site, and warehouse operation, Prism provides a comprehensive, integrated set of capabilities.

Prism's dedicated, experienced professionals can assist you with all phases of the book production, distribution, and marketing process—from manuscript development to bookstore sales. They emphasize the "personal touch," and they work directly with authors and organizations in efficient, effective, affordable, (even enjoyable) ways.

Here's what Prism Publishing Center says about its capabilities:

What is a self-publisher?

Self-publishing is for authors who wish to publish a book—but do not wish to use the services of a traditional publisher. Traditional publishers require submission of a manuscript, which is then reviewed—and either accepted or (more likely) rejected. If a book is accepted for publication, the publisher usually requires extensive revisions, and the author retains little control over the final product. Self-publishers retain control over decisions related to release date, print run, marketing plans, royalties, cover design, and even title. They also, however, assume the costs of production, distribution, and promotion.

Who benefits from self-publishing services?

Just about anyone can derive benefits from self-publishing services, including:

• You eliminate hassles with agents and publishers, and, by avoiding the acceptance/rejection route, you gain a more pleasant publishing experience.
  
• You get a much quicker turn around time.
  
• You control the sales, and you stand a better chance of financial gain.
  
• You maintain control over design and format.
  
• You are able to work personally with the self-publisher.
  
• You may be exercising your only choice, especially with a limited audience book.

How will my book be printed?

There are two main types of book printing: 1) traditional offset printing and 2) print on demand (POD) services. Each has advantages. For most paperback books, Prism's POD service provides the answer—it reduces costs by thousands of dollars. If, however, we determine that there is a guaranteed short-term demand for 1,500 copies or more, offset printing offers advantages. If your book is initially produced in our POD operation, we can readily switch to offset printing if demand increases. For hardcovers, offset printing becomes more economical at about 500 copies. In any case, we will recommend the most cost-effective and risk-free printing method. If the book contains only type (no pictures), there is no discernible difference in quality between offset printing and POD products.

How does the publishing process work? What's it like to work with Prism Publishing Center?

First, we assess your project and determine your goals. With a completed manuscript in hand, we can create a publishing proposal based on your needs and desires.

With a final publishing proposal and a signed contract in hand, we then compile author and book information. And we schedule preproduction meetings with our managing editor, design team, and production people. In these discussions, we confirm the scope of the project, determine the publication date, and decide all other issues related to final publication.

Shortly after, we meet with you to discuss possible publicity, sales, and marketing strategies.

We provide an author information kit that contains the custom publishing proposal and describes the entire publishing process. We assist with all steps in the process, and we provide one-on-one assistance all the way through. We are always just an email or a phone call away.

How much does it cost to self-publish a book?

Cost depends on a variety of factors, including the number of copies, the number of pages, and the number of illustrations. Heavily illustrated books are significantly more expensive. We will discuss cost in detail when we see the dimensions and content of the proposed book.

How much money can I make?

We have worked with authors who have made six-figure sums. Most authors, however, do well to break even. Many find other rewards—the satisfaction of seeing one's work in print, of leaving a legacy, of boosting a career. We offer two different publishing models, and we will help you select the most appropriate one.

Why should I choose Prism Publishing Center over another self-publishing company?

• We offer the complete self-publishing package. We take you from manuscript stage to bookstore sales stage—and beyond.
  
• We work directly with you to ensure that you make correct choices—all the way through the process.
  
• We help you navigate through the sales channels and assist with all publicity and marketing needs.
  
• We base our recommendations on the decades of experience we've acquired in design, editing, production, printing, sales, and marketing areas.

We welcome your participation in the process, and we invite you to visit our Publishing Center, to get acquainted—and to see first-hand how we will work with you on a personal, one-on-one basis.

Don Leeper
President