|  Frequently
Asked Questions About Our Self-Publishing Services
Here are the answers to the questions you may
have about our self-pubishing services. If you have further questions,
feel free to contact us.
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to Self-Publishing Services
About
Our Company
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What do you do?
We publish books and other multi-media works.
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How long have you been
in business?
Since 2003.
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Where are you located?
Columbus, Ohio.
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May I visit you?
Sure! Simply give us a call so we’ll be ready for you.
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Why the name Gom?
Gom is pronounced with a long "o" like "Home".
“Gom” is the Korean word for bear. The Publisher’s
Korean friends gave him this nickname. He simply decided to use
it when creating the name for our company.
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What is Gom Publishing’s
mission?
The mission of Gom Publishing is to assist and provide opportunities
for aspiring authors and other creative people to successfully reach
the public with their efforts, primarily through conventional publishing
operations and self-publishing services. In addition, we endeavor
to provide the public with high quality, useful, and beneficial
materials for consumption.
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What is your rights and permissions policy?
For permission to reproduce material from a Gom Publishing title
or for translation and publication rights, please send your request
in WRITING via e-mail, fax, or postal mail:
E-mail: communications@gompublishing.com
Postal Mail:
Rights and Permissions
Gom Publishing
P.O. Box 211110
Columbus, OH 43221
Fax: 866.422.8292
All requests MUST include the following information:
- Your name
- Name of your School/Company/Organization
- Your complete Mailing Address
- Phone/Fax Number
- The purpose/intended use
- Note how many copies are intended
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How long will it take
before I hear from the Rights and Permissions Department?
It can take anywhere from 10-14 days.
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Are there any jobs available
at Gom Publishing?
All of our current openings are listed on our online Job
Board.
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The Publishing
Process
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What is print-on-demand?
“Print-on-demand” (POD) refers to a printing technology
that allows a single book to be printed at a reasonable cost. Conventional
printing techniques are highly manual and, thus, expensive. Consequently,
economies of scale require thousands of books to be printed in order
for a single book to be reasonable priced. POD, though, is enabled
by the extensive use of computers. This allows a single book to
be printed at a reasonable cost.
It is important to separate printing techniques
from subsequent sales and distribution approaches. Reputable publishers
use the production technique best suited to the situation. POD accommodates
books likely to sell only in the hundreds; conventional printing
techniques are best for books anticipating broader circulation.
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Is this vanity publishing?
Absolutely not. Vanity publishers typically charge authors for publishing
and printing thousands of books and provide little if any help in
the subsequent marketing and distribution.
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What are book rights?
The term “rights” basically refers to “ownership.”
In other words, whoever has rights to a book owns the book. And
the owner has complete control over the book. Unlike some publishers,
we let you retain all rights to your book. You do not give it to
us. We simply act on your behalf to print it, market it, and help
sell it.
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Can I publish with another
publishing company?
Yes. Your contract
is non-exclusive.
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Can I use my own publishing
company name?
Possibly. If you choose the Expeditor
Plan and do not ask Gom Publishing to assign an ISBN, you may
publish under the name of your publishing company. However, if you
select the Bronze,
Silver,
Gold,
or Platinum
Plan, we assign the ISBN to your book. Since the ISBN is specifically
assigned to Gom Publishing, we must publish your book under one
of our imprints.
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Will my book have an
ISBN?
Perhaps. If you choose the Expeditor
Plan and do not ask Gom Publishing to assign an ISBN, you may
assign one of your own or simply not have one. If you select the
Bronze,
Silver,
Gold,
or Platinum
Plan, we will automatically assign the ISBN to your book.
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Will my book be copyrighted?
Yes. A book is automatically copyrighted when it is published. However,
if you select the Bronze,
Silver,
Gold,
or Platinum
plan, we will also register your book with the U.S. Copyright Office.
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Do you offer self-publishing
services for full-color or children’s books?
Yes. However, since we do not have any specifically full-color plans
available, we offer a hybrid method. Inquire for
details.
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Can I get a sample book?
We would send you a sample book, but since all of our books look
different we don’t have a “typical” book. We encourage
you to browse
our catalog and purchase a book you’re interested in that
we have produced. The money you spend supports other authors and
you know you’re not getting a specially-produced “sample.”
All of our books are covered under our Return
Policy.
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Will I get free copies
of my book?
Depending on the Publishing
Plan you choose, you are entitled for anywhere from 1-25 free
copies.
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Do you offer hardcover
books?
You get to choose the format of your book—hard or soft cover.
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What e-book types do
you offer?
PDF with various levels of security.
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Do you have an archive
fee?
No.
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What does the proof
look like?
Just like the finished book.
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Submitting
Manuscripts
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How do I submit a manuscript?
Follow our Self-Publishing
Submission Guidelines.
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Do you ever turn down
manuscripts?
Yes. We set high standards for the products we publish.
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How should I format my
text? What formats and fonts should I use?
Unless you are interested in the Expeditor
Plan, no special formatting of your manuscript is necessary.
However, if you have specific formatting preferences in mind, our
Design Department will work with you to format your book according
to the preferences you specify, if any. (See the Submission
Guidelines and Book
Information Form for details).
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What is art?
Art is any artwork, pictures, diagrams, figures, charts, photographs,
graphics, and images included in a book.
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How should I submit my
art?
Simply follow the specifications in the Submission
Guidelines or in our Author’s Guide.
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Do you
accept authors outside of the US?
Definitely!
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Can I use my own imprint?
Possibly. If you choose the Expeditor
Plan and do not ask Gom Publishing to assign an ISBN, you may
publish under your imprint. However, if you select the Bronze,
Silver,
Gold,
or Platinum
plan, we assign the ISBN to your book. Since the ISBN is specifically
assigned to Gom Publishing, we must publish your book under one
of our imprints.
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How long will it take
to hear back about my submission?
Usually a couple of weeks.
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If you choose not to
accept my material, will it be returned to me?
We will return any material and payment sent to us less 10% to cover
the cost of shipping and handling.
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Do you accept Credit
Cards?
Yes. MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover.
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Editing,
Design and Production
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Do you provide editing?
All of our Publishing
Plans except the Expeditor
Plan include basic copyediting of your book as follows:
Any developmental or further editing may be added
by purchasing our Assistance
Service.
Note: Please keep in mind that the high standards
we hold to also affect the quality of our books. If a poorly-edited
book is submitted and you choose not to add any Assistance, our
screeners may not approve it.
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How is my book laid
out? Do you use templates?
No. We want your book to have its own personality rather than a
cookie-cutter feel. We will, however, work with you to accomidate
any formatting preferences you specify, if any (see the Book
Information Form for details). All of our Publishing
Plans except the Expeditor
Plan include the custom design of your book interior as follows:
Additional time may be added by purchasing our
Assistance
Service.
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What about my cover?
All of our Publishing
Plans except the Expeditor
Plan include the design of a custom cover for your book as follows:
Additional time may be added by purchasing our
Assistance
Service.
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How will my book look
when it is finished?
Go into any major chain bookstore and pick up a paperback with a
colorful, glossy cover. That is the minimal quality of your new
book.
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Can I have my book indexed?
Yes. You may add the Indexing
Service to any publishing plan at a rate of $50/hr.
Must I pay for corrections
after I approve the proof?
How post-proof corrections are handled is determined by the publishing
plan you choose:
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Marketing
and Promotion
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Do you have additional
marketing or services available?
Yes. We have a Book
Distribution Program, an Author
Marketing Program, and various Additional
Services from which authors can choose.
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Can I promote my book
at my own website?
Absolutely! The more exposure your book has, the better it will
sell.
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Do you send out review copies?
This is included with both the Gold
and Platinum
Plans. However, if you wish to purchase additional review copies,
you may.
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Who chooses the reviewers
to whom complimentary copies will be sent?
Our Marketing Department handles all reviews, press releases, etc.
However, included in the Author
Resources is an Author Publicity Questionnaire which includes
information for the Marketing Department to better choose reviewers
for your book.
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Where is my book's and
author's web page located? I have experience designing web pages.
Can I design my own page?
Your book’s web page is located on the Gom Publishing website
under our lists of Books
and Authors.
We prefer the format and design of each of our books' and authors’
pages to match for a consistent look and feel. Our Design Department
will create your book and author page for the Gom Publishing website.
However, you may create your own webpage on another website and
provide us with its URL. We would be happy to then link to the page
you created from our website.
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What are some good resources
on how to market books?
- *1001 Ways To Market Your Books by
John Kremer (Included with the Gold
and Platinum
Plans)
- Guerrilla Marketing for Writers by
Levinson, Frishman, and Larsen
- Publicize Your Book by Jacqueline
Deval
- The Complete Guide To Book Marketing
by David Cole
- The Complete Guide to Book Publicity
by Jodee Blanco
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What are galley, pre-publication
and advance copies?
Galley copies are finished, camera-ready pages that are sent to
reviewers. Pre-publication copies can be galleys or quick-printed,
paperback copies of your book with a simple typed cover. Advance
copies are finished copies of your book which are sent out to reviewers
in advance of the publication date.
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Pricing and
Royalties
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Who determines the retail
price of my book?
The minimum retail price (or “Price”) of hardback and
paperback versions of your book is based on the post-production
page count as defined by the following table:
| Page Count |
4x6 to 6x9
Paperback
Price
|
>6x9 to
8.25x10.75 Paperback Price |
Hardcover Price |
25-49 |
$7.99 |
$13.99 |
N/A |
| 50-99 |
$9.99 |
$13.99 |
N/A |
| 100-150* |
$11.99 |
$15.99 |
$25.95 |
| 151-200 |
$12.99 |
$17.99 |
$29.45 |
| 201-250 |
$13.99 |
$19.99 |
$31.45 |
| 251-300 |
$14.99 |
$22.99 |
$34.95 |
| 301-350 |
$15.99 |
$22.99 |
$34.95 |
| 351-400 |
$18.45 |
$25.99 |
$36.95 |
| 401-450 |
$19.95 |
$25.99 |
$38.45 |
| 451-500 |
$22.45 |
$28.99 |
$40.45 |
| 501-550 |
$24.45 |
$31.99 |
$42.45 |
| 551-600 |
$26.45 |
$33.99 |
$42.45 |
| 601-650 |
$29.45 |
$35.99 |
$45.95 |
| 651+ |
N/A |
N/A |
$45.95 |
| |
|
|
|
| *105-150 hardcover |
|
|
w/ jacket = +$1.95 each |
The Distributor Price is 45% of the Price and
is available only for standard paperback books containing less than
500 pages.
The minimum suggested e-book price is based on
its security settings:
- 70% of the corresponding paperback Price if
no printing or copying is allowed.
- 100% of the corresponding paperback Price
if limited printing and copying are allowed.
- 200% of the corresponding paperback Price
if unlimited printing and copying are permitted.
The Price is subject to change at any time at
the discretion of Gom Publishing. Gom Publishing also reserves the
right to introduce additional editions and versions of the Work.
Note: You are free to set any retail price for
your book as long as it is equal to or greater than the minimums
defined in this section.
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How much money do I make
on a bookstore sale?
You will receive a guaranteed 10% of the minimum suggested retail
price (approximately 65% to 90% of Gom Publishing’s net profit)
no matter how much your book sells for. However,
if your books sells to a bookstore through a third party distributor,
you will make 10% of the distributor price, due to the hefty discounds
distributors take. This does not apply to the Expeditor
Plan, since this plan does not include participation in the royalty
program.
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How much money do I make
on an 800# sale or a sale through the Gom Publishing Online Store?
You will always make 10% of the minimum suggested retail price.
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How much money do I make
on a direct sale to a customer?
You may buy your books at the author discount of 55% of the minimum
suggested retail price. Then, when you re-sell them, you will keep
all the profits.
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How often will I get
paid for the books that are sold?
Monthly.
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Does Gom Publishing provide
me with names of people who have bought my book?
No. Privacy concerns and the vast number of distribution channels
we use make this impossible.
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How much of a discount
do distributors such as bookstores and rackjobbers receive?
Between 30% and 70% depending on the distributor type and the negotiated
terms and conditions.
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Does the price have to
be printed on the back of the book?
No, but…. This is standard practice in the book publishing
industry. It allows customers to find the price quickly. Many books
without prices may not be bought, as most people base their consumer
choices on price. However, you are free to not have the price printed
on the cover.
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How will I know how many books I have sold?
This will be detailed on your monthly royalty statement.
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Do you give advances?
Due to the nature of our company, we cannot afford to offer advances
at this time. However, we make up for it with our excellent royalty
program.
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Distribution
and Sales
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Do I have to buy any
copies of my book?
No. But if you do, your price will be 45% of the minimum suggested
retail price (55% discount).
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Can I take my book out
of print?
Yes. Simply notify us in writing.
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Are there fees to take
my book out of print?
No.
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Where can readers get
my book?
Our books are made available to any book buyer (bookstores, libraries,
private companies, etc.) via the Ingram, Baker and Taylor, Bowker’s
Books-In-Print databases. They are also available on Amazon.com,
BarnesandNoble.com,
Borders.com,
Waldenbooks.com,
and approximately 25,000 other online booksellers. They are also
available in our Online Store.
In addition, if you choose the Book
Distribution Program, your book will be marketed by our many
distributors.
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Will my book be placed
on bookstore shelves?
Perhaps. Bookstores are free to decide what books they stock and
sell. However, we have extensive marketing and sales programs we
employ on behalf of authors who select the Gold
or Platinum
Plans or Bronze
or Silver
Plan authors purchasing the Author
Marketing Program service.
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When will bookstores
have access to my book?
Usually within 90 days of your signed contract.
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How many books should
I expect to sell?
No publisher can guarantee sales, no matter what they say. However,
our books are made available to more outlets than most other self-publishing
services. Combining this with our superior marketing program greatly
enhances the probability that your book will be sold.
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Can libraries order
my book?
Absolutely!
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Do you accept returns?
Yes. Read our Return
Policy.
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