What to expect during the second trimester...

The Second Trimester - What does a publisher do?

I found my partner in this book relationship. A trusting companion that is going to take my vision and turn it into a reality.

But how?

What are they responsible for?

What am I supposed to do?

Is this a 50/50 partnership where roles are defined ahead of time? Kinda like - do they take out the trash and I make the dinner? – What if I am the trash?

Any type of relationship you are in – family, partner, work, team, etc. there are always ups and downs, roles, and responsibilities, not to mention personality conflicts. It is a job to consistently maintain a positive rapport. Understanding your value, communicating effectively, listening intently, and demonstrating respect are just a few key attributes needed for any affiliation.

The same logic goes for your publisher/author partnership. Sure, it is a professional contract, but the human element is apparent and necessary. Publishing a book takes time, dedication, and personal involvement – both from the author and the publisher. There will be disagreements, expectations, and emotional roller coaster rides. There is immense pressure on both ends to turn a vision into a successful voice. A publisher does not want to disappoint their client and yet has metrics they need to hit from a business side. An author does not want to disappoint their readers and more critically, themselves.

In my last blog The First Trimester – How does one find their publisher soul mate?; I highlighted the importance of choosing the right teammate. Taking the time to research your publisher is the most important step in my opinion. By the time you sign your contract you need to feel comfortable with your partner:

·       They hold the delivery system for success.

·       You will be communicating to them constantly.

·       They will provide constructive criticism, resistance, and enthusiasm.

·       You will learn from them.

·       They will be condensed in your life for a period of time.

How comfortable am I with my publisher?

First, I’m comfortable enough to sign a contract with them.

Contract platforms differ based on the publisher. It is important to have those detailed discussions up front, thoroughly read through the contract, redline any areas of concern or questions, and have a potential third-party review for authenticity.

For general context, a contract could contain the following:

·       Agreement outline indicating both parties and date

·       Grant of rights

·       Royalty details

·       Production details

·       Distribution details

·       Promotion details

·       Investments

·       Copyright information

Second, my comfortability shines through the below article from Indigo River Publishing’s website detailing their responsibilities followed by my sincere appreciation of the significant impact they’ve had on my journey.

PRODUCTION (River 2024)Copyright © 2024- Indigo River Publishing  – All Right Reserved

What’s included in our partnership + How we work with you

MULTI-LAYER EDITING

All authors receive a tier three editing process, including development, line and copy editing. Authors will have an Executive Editor, who will be hands on for the full developmental process working with the author and then will oversee the project until all phases of editing are complete.

After the Developmental Edit is completed, the author will be connected with a Lead Editor to go through a full line editing process. 

At each phase of editing the author works collaboratively with their editor to go through the full manuscript to ensure that it is structurally sound and reads really well from start to finish, and that the author’s voice is not lost anywhere along the way.

Once the author signs off on the line edited manuscript, a copy edit will be completed. A copy editor will review the manuscript for clarity, conciseness, and consistency, and correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation to prepare it for design.

DESIGN

Our design team will collaborate with the author to create a custom cover design (front, back, and spine), in addition to the interior layout for both print and e-book.

Based on the author’s research and ideas along with the designers’ research and expertise, they will create two or three mock designs. From there the team will collaborate with the author to perfect the cover to best represent the book for the market.

After the cover is completed, the design team will complete the full Interior layout for both print and e-book.

DISTRIBUTION AND PREPARATION FOR LAUNCH

Book distribution is a crucial aspect of publishing. Distribution refers to the process and logistics of making your book available to the customer. 

All books are put into wide distribution and made available to bookstores, retailers, schools, and libraries both nationally and internationally. All e-books are distributed through Simon & Schuster and will be placed on S&S’s website.

Authors will have two types of distribution options:

1.  Distribution with a print run will be distributed by Simon & Schuster

Simon & Schuster is a major international publishing company that offers a broadened reach through their distribution channels and includes being included in the Edelweiss catalog. 

2.  Distribution by Print on Demand (POD) will be put into wide distribution through Ingram/Lightning Source 

Ingram/Lightning Source is generally regarded as the largest book distributor in the world, Ingram specializes in print books and reaches more than 39,000 stores. Ingram is also one of the largest and best-known wholesalers in the world.

MARKETING

Authors are offered to engage with Indigo for three levels of marketing support:

1. General Marketing Guidance provided to authors. 

Marketing and Publicity guidance are given to the author via plans and documentation created by book publishing experts. 

2. Trade Marketing Provided by Indigo River Publishing

• Outreach for reviews in trade media

• Placement of book on Netgalley

• Creation and distribution of a press release on the wire at on-sale announcing the new book

• Inclusion in Indigo’s Newsletter Digital advertising Author Liaison Program

3. Author Liaison Program

✓ Author will be assigned an Author Liaison to work with one-on-one through pre- and post-launch for the purpose of collaboration for marketing and promotion of the book✓ Author Liaison will work with the Author to establish a personalized marketing strategy including working with the Author’s team (Publicist, PR rm, etc.)

It is important to note not all publishers provide the same bundle of responsibilities as what Indigo River does. Additionally, some could provide more in-depth roles. This summary details what I have experienced from my partner and provides a general overview of a publishers role.

Yes, Indigo River checked the box on all responsibilities highlighted in their article, but it was their passion, enthusiasm, listening skills, patience, determination, confidence, transparency, encouragement, expertise, and culture that elevated this experience and allowed me to trust their commitment.

We all heard my manuscript was a hot mess express and they were no different. Actually, they pointed out the manuscript was a hotter mess than anticipated. However, the way they discussed with empathy and knowledge made me less worried for what was to come.

Each person I worked with from acquisitions, editing, marketing and design took the time to get to know me. They made it a point to understand my personality, how I worked, what I wanted and where I was struggling. They adjusted their approach based on my needs. This was definitely more effort on their end but made the process significantly easier for both parties.

My editor knew I wasn’t a writer. She knew I had never studied classes or wrote a book before. Nor was this my full-time job. Instead, she asked me about my career. What I liked about it. How I got into the field and my learning preference.

I am a person who learns the fastest by doing something. I am also someone who wants all the details. So instead of editing my chapter and sending me a sea of redlines to review, change, and sign off on, Deb took the time to edit a section of the chapter, send me the reasoning as to why she edited it and challenged me to edit the remaining half of the chapter utilizing her previous remarks.

Don’t worry, she wasn’t escaping editing duties by making me do this. She simply was teaching in a way where rewriting the hot mess express manuscript would be easier for me. I was now introduced to key elements a writer experiences.

·       Where to avoid unnecessary words – or verbal diarrhea as I like to call it.

·       Understanding the difference between conversation tone versus conversational.

·       Showing actions versus describing play by play.

·       Applying supportive material to highlight a point.

·       Placing yourself in your readers shoes. What questions will they ask, what do they want to know?

The list goes on…..

The team has incredible patience with my work. Willing to listen to my voice, professionally detailing theirs, accepting my personality, exceptionally providing their expertise, and enthusiastically counting down this journey. They took a leap with me, and I have never felt their grip loosen. Instead, at times when I was falling, I felt their grip become tighter. They believe in me and my project. That isn’t a corporation, it’s a partnership.

Deb and the Indigo River team provided me the outlet to become and feel like a writer rather than someone who allowed a publisher to rewrite their book for them. They highlighted early on Milk Drunk: What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting will portray my tone, voice, and personality even though they had a large hand in it. It was an army of people getting this baby off the ground, but yet, it never felt like there were too many cooks in the kitchen. Milk Drunk is me.

I gained so much knowledge and confidence through this platform, allowing me not to feel like an imposter. Instead, I’m Danielle, a first-time published author, product development engineer, professional reality tv watcher, wife, daughter, sister, cool aunt, loyal friend, and cat lover.

Stay tuned for the next blog installment – The Third Trimester and learn all the details on how Indigo River and I turned the hot mess express into the beautiful baby it is now!