There’s no easy, pat answer to that question, because every book is different. Costs can vary widely depending on the length of your manuscript, whether or not you want to include photographs and/or illustrations and whether you want to print in color or black and white, the kind of paper and type of binding you choose, the amount of editorial involvement required, the number of books you want to print,-the list of variables goes on and on. Rest assured, we’ll work personally with you to guide you through the process. At Chapel Hill Press, we’ll be happy to help you develop a set of specifications for your book and then give you a non-binding estimate based on them. Customization is essential: it allows for your book to be both aesthetically pleasing and poignantly expressed in a manner that personally speaks to you and your target audience.

Some publishers will say they can produce your book for less but perhaps nowhere does the expression “you get what you pay for” apply more aptly than in the publishing business. If you want your book to be sufficiently high quality to appeal to bookstores and libraries, not to mention potential readers, you should be prepared to spend what it takes to achieve that desired quality. You have spent many precious hours writing and compiling your manuscript, so give it the professional attention it deserves to be brought to life in a wonderful, beautiful form.

At Chapel Hill Press, the short answer is “a lot.”
Your approval is needed for every step we take. You choose how much-or how little-editing you want, which of our designers’ cover design concepts you prefer, which interior page layout you like, and the book dimensions, binding, and number of copies you want printed. We also encourage you to take the time you need to look over the final pre-press proofs, so that no mistakes slip unnoticed into the first edition of your book.

Yes. You’ll get to see your book several times as it moves through various stages of the publishing process at Chapel Hill Press. You’ll review the manuscript after it’s been edited, review cover and inside layout options as they’re developed, and sign off on the final pre-press proof copy before we send it to the printer. That way, you get to see exactly how your manuscript will appear in final book form.

Then you can choose not to work with us – it’s as simple as that. All of our pre-contract estimates are non-binding, and the first thirty-minute consultation to review a project – either at our offices, or by phone, is free.

We know that we’re not the only game in town whether bricks-and-mortar or online, and we encourage authors to obtain estimates from other publishers. When you do, though, be sure you ask plenty of questions, such as how often you’ll be able to consult with their staff, whether you’ll have personal involvement in the editorial process, and what input you’ll have in the cover and interior design processes. Always ask to see samples of other books they’ve published, and when you do, ask yourself, “Would I be proud to say, ‘That’s my book’?”

We can do certain things to help you get the news about your book out to potential reviewers and readers. If your book is intended for commercial sale, we’ll prepare a news release announcing its publication and help you develop a list of publications and other media outlets that might be interested in announcing or even reviewing it (including local newspapers and magazines), as well as offer suggestions about libraries that might be interested in having it in their collections.

We can also develop and produce direct-mail pieces, design and produce display advertising, and provide links to valuable commercial bookseller’s tools like Books in Print and successful online distributors such as amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

But the most important ingredient in successfully marketing your book will be you: your enthusiasm, your belief in its value, your connections to your community through schools, business, libraries, churches, and civic organizations and social media and finally, your willingness and ability to get out there and promote your work.