Wrapping Up Your Work with a Printer

The process of having your book published is almost complete. After you

turn over your book to the printer, you can expect to receive printed copies

of your book usually within five to ten business days. When you review the

final books, check them carefully to make sure that the printer has done his

job correctly. Was the correct cover and paper stock used? Was the binding

done correctly? Is the quality of the overall work up to par and of profes-

sional quality?

If there’s a problem with the print job, you need to contact the printer

directly to discuss a remedy. If the problem was caused by an error on your

part, chances are you’ll have to pay to have the problem fixed. If the error

was on the printer’s part, the printer should take full financial responsibility

for correcting the error, even if the books have to be reprinted.

If the books you receive from the printer are ready for sale, you’re in excel-

lent shape. Make sure that the printer keeps copies of your files so you can

order additional copies of your book quickly. Ideally, reordering your book at

this point (if you used an offset printer) should require little more than a

phone call.

Now that you have printed books in hand, you’re officially a published

author! Congratulations! It’s now your job as a self-published author to start

selling and promoting your book heavily in order to generate sales.