Self-Publishing Submission Guidelines

1. Complete and Prepare Your Manuscript and any accompanying art/materials

2. Complete the Standard Author Contract and Book Information Form

3. Submit Your Complete Submission Package

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Complete and Prepare Your Manuscript

In preparing your manuscript, refer to our Pre-Editing Tips (Note: This is a PDF files and require Adobe Reader to open. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you may download it for free here). We at Gom Publising hold to these guidelines as our manuscript submission standards and will turn down manuscripts for publishing that do not meet these standards.

Note: The following downloads are PDF files and require Adobe Reader to open. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you may download it for free here.

Manuscripts submitted as hardcopies must be typed on white paper and warrant an additional charge for digital scanning (see Additional Services, Text Scanning)

Manuscripts may be submitted as word processing files in Windows or Macintosh formats. We accept the following file formats:

• Microsoft Word
• Text or Rich Text
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe PageMaker version 6.5 or later
• QuarkXPress version 3.3 or later
• Corel WordPerfect versions 5 or 6.

If you cannot send any of these formats, contact us to see if we can accept your file’s format.

Name word processing files with the title of your work and your name. Name multiple word processing files, such as separate chapters, with a number indicating the proper sequence of the files along with the title of your work and your name.

Preparing Art

Submit any artwork, photos, diagrams, etc. that you want to accompany your manuscript in your book. Art for placement on the book's cover can be reproduced in full-color. Interior art is reproduced in black and white, unless you choose a Full-Color plan (see the Full-Color Plans). Be sure you have secured all copyrights or permissions/releases to use artwork.

Gom Publishing will design a custom cover for your book with the exception of Expeditor Plan books. At your request, Gom Publishing can create any other art you would like for your book as an additional service.

Digital art files must be at least 300 dpi resolution at full size although 600 dpi is preferred. Save files as EPS, Bitmap or TIFF files. Do not submit JPEG files (If you do not have the ability to save images in one of the accepted formats, please contact us). Name each file by its figure number (Example: Figure 1.1) or otherwise describe its placement in the book.

Physical artwork, photos, etc. can be mailed or otherwise delivered to us. Securely label all photos and art with their figure number or a description of their placement in the book. Be sure any marking or labeling does not interfere with the image. Use care when package photos and artwork mailing so these items will not be damaged during mailing. Do not attach paperclips, rubber bands, or tape to these items.

Preparing Disks

Digital manuscript and art files can be submitted over the internet or by sending us any of the following (either Windows or Macintosh formats unless otherwise specified):

• CD ROM (no CD-RW's)
• 3.5” Floppy Diskette (Windows format only)
• Zip Disk (750 MB or lower)

Label disks with your name, the title of your book, your address and phone number, the disk format (Windows or Macintosh) and use the system of indicating “Disk 1 of 2”, “Disk 2 of 2”, etc.” if submitting more than one disk. Remove all unnecessary files from your disks, and if applicable, retain all file extensions in the file name. Retain a backup of all files submitted.

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Complete the Standard Author Contract

Note: The following downloads are PDF files and require Adobe Reader to open. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you may download it for free here.

• Download the Standard Author Contract, unless you need a full-color interior for your book. If this is the case, download the Standard Author Full-Color Contract.
• Download the Author and Book Information Form.

After downloading, print, review, and complete both the contract and form. Be sure to indicate which Self-Publishing Plan you desire for your book on the Author Contract.

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Submit Your Complete Submission Package

Your complete submission package should include:

• Your completed manuscript
• Any art, photos, etc. you want to include in your book
• Your completed Contract
• Your completed Author and Book Information Form
• Author photo(s)
• Your payment
• Copies of any releases granting you permission to use non-original material. Keep copies of all permissions for your records. Sample Permission Request Form.

Submitting Material over the Internet

Manuscripts and any other digital files may be submitted to us using the Internet. Send files as an email attachment to:
submissions@gompublishing.com

In the future authors will be able to submit their manuscripts and accompanying material using our website.

Submitting Material by Mail

Mail your contract, other forms, and any remaining material to:

Gom Publishing
Submissions
P.O. Box 211110
Columbus, OH 43221

Do not send us the only copy of your manuscript, as we cannot assume responsibility for it. If you need us to return any disks or materials, please provide a self-addressed stamped envelope along with your submission that covers the cost of postage for your materials. If sending original artwork, we will make special arrangements with you regarding the return of these items.

Once we receive your submission, the Gom Publishing staff will review it for eligibility and completeness, and be in contact with you regarding your submission within a couple weeks.

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