MANUSCRIPT GUIDELINES

Your Manuscript is very valuable, it has taken time and effort; and to you the author, it is a personal possession.  Once we receive it, we will treat it as valuable and be completely committed to its development throughout the whole process. We will also accept it as a true copy and that all rights, as far as possible has already been investigated by you, the author. 

You can help us by ensuring that you have followed the guidelines below.

• Can you email your manuscript to info@truecolourspublications.com and at the same time send a Disc to our PO Address, the disc should be password protected and you should keep a copy for yourself. This is for your protection in case there are any discrepancies. Once your cheque has cleared our account we will contact you by email to commence work on your manuscript.
  
  
• Please ensure that what you have emailed and posted are exactly the same and all updates have been actioned. 
  
  
• Each chapter is to be in a separate file and numbered e.g. “Chapter 1 (Name of Chapter)
  
  
• Keep The font the same size throughout all files.

Cost

• The cost varies depending on the size of the book, the number of pages and the number of copies ordered.  For a typical Standard (b) (please see our size guide) 1000-15000 words paperback the total cost for Publishing your book   taking in all the aspects of design and production (providing we receive a complete manuscript (all editorial work is outsourced) will be approximately £900.00.
  
  
• The normal period of preparation of your book would be between 10-16 weeks. Should however there be any last minute changes this would inevitably delay the process and all changes must be agreed with True Colours Publications and signed off by author and of course this will involve further costs. 
  
  
• Once books are printed – They are automatically yours to sell.  Should however you wish to opt for our marketing package – this can be arranged once the book is in hand and this too is outsourced. Details will be given upon request.
  
  
• We outsourced to a professional Proof Reader and the average price is approximately 0.05p per word.  Unless we have a book which is complicated (e.g. text book and further research is required)

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Editorial Work

• Proof Reading is optional and is outsourced to a professional Proof Reader.  However we do recommend that your manuscript is finally proof read by an independent proof reader.
  
  
• Your book will be professionally laid, designed and produced at an excellent standard. 
  
  
• On receipt of your completed request a quote form we will provide you with a written estimate, which will state exactly what you will receive and the cost.

Payment

• Proof Reading Costs are separate and will be treated as so.  This is done is at the final stage of the process; i.e. before PDF proof is made and after you have signed “The Author Signoff”
  
  
• Our Payment Terms will be stated in our confirmation of Acceptance on the “Request a quota Form”.

Completeness

• Please do not send in in-complete manuscripts.  The only elements that may be left out on submission, are those which are self-contained and for which you can tell us how much space to leave for each e.g. “allow x pages for foreword to come”
  
  
• We will always treat your email as the “authorised version” and not any other mode or version.
  
  
• Please ensure that your disc is never more up to date than the email sent to us.
  
  
• If your manuscript is to include notes, do check that they are complete and accurate and that the numbers relate to the correct references.

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 Chapters & Other Headings

• Begin each chapter on a new sheet.
  
  
• Keep heading within chapters brief and do not use full stops at the end.
  
  
• Should you wish to use sub-headings, try not to use more than two levels at most to avoid confusion for typesetters. 

Paragraphs

• Indent the first line of all paragraphs so that we and our typesetter can always identify where a paragraph starts and ends

Artwork

• Any artwork that you want included in your book should be in a separate file marked “artwork” and where you want the artwork to appear and how much of a page (or pages) each item is expected to occupy.
  
  
• Try to consider how the scale of the artwork will relate to the proportion of the finished page/pages.  The text area of the printed book will be smaller than that of your original email and that the proportions may not be as what you expect.

And Finally

Please ensure that you have a complete copy for yourself.

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