stages of service
This workflow will help you navigate what stage of the process you are in, and what to expect next. Depending on which services you’ve chosen to partner on with us will dictate where you start and how quickly you progress through your customized process.
Stage 1: you write an awesome book
The only part we can't really do for you. Once you have your manuscript finished (meaning, all chapters have been written, including any introductions, forewords, preface, author bio, and/or conclusions) we will be ready for the next steps. If you have not contracted Albatross for editing services, then this should be completed prior to moving on as well.
Stage 2: developmental “Dev” editing
This is the first step in the editing process and involves taking a look at the big picture of your book. It addresses plot gaps, character development, flow, the structure of your chapters, and content. Big changes and content shifting can happen here.
Stage 3: Copyediting
The copyediting process takes a line-by-line, word-by-word look at your manuscript with a focus on grammar, syntax, structure, punctuation, and organization. One round of copyediting can snag 90-99% of grammatical errors. It's common to have your manuscript copyedited by one or more people, or in more than one round. The rest of the errors are typically found in the next editing step: Proofreading.
Stage 4: Front Cover Design
Your book has been edited, and you're happy with the content. now comes the fun part: Designing the cover! We will send a few samples to get a feel for where you're leaning design-wise for your cover. The cover will also influence how the interior looks, so it's an integral part of the process (the back cover will be designed later on, after interior formatting because your book's final page count has a big impact on spine thickness).
Stage 5: Beta Readers
These people take your edited manuscript and give you valuable feedback. They can be friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc… It's best to choose people who fall within your targeted audience. We will make your manuscript readable and ready for your readers with prompt questions based on the kind of feedback you're looking for.
Stage 6: Interior formatting
Heavily influenced by the front cover esthetics, we will send over a few samples of the first chapter to gauge your design ideas for how the interior of the book will be laid out. From there, we will send over a first-round for your approval, make tweaks and changes, and once complete, we will have the official page count that will inform the back cover later on. If you purchased an eBook interior as well, this will be completed simultaneously, but typically comes after the print version is completed.
Stage 7: start Website design
This can happen simultaneously with or right after the interior formatting. We will gather any relevant images, content, templates, and design elements you'd like on your site and start mapping out how the book launch site will look so that it will be ready to go when you go to print.
Stage 8: proofreading
After the book has been formatted, it is a good idea to proofread once more to wrap up any grammatical errors that have slipped through the cracks, as well as ensure the layout and flow of the pages are correct. This is an essential step and should not be passed up, as it's the last chance for your book to be looked over before going to print!
Stage 9: finalize manuscript, ISBN, and interior design
This is where you will need to provide us with an ISBN number specific to your book. There are multiple ways to get one. You can purchase one here, or if you’re printing with Amazon, Ingramspark, or LuluPress, they will provide one to you for free. Be sure to have a separate ISBN for print and ebook, and send it over to us to incorporate into your copyright page and back cover.
This stage also includes tying up all those loose ends to get your book ready to print.
Stage 10: retrieve cover template
This is where you provide our cover designer the template for your cover. You will input the size, page number, binding style, and type of paper with the self-publishing site of your choosing, and they should send over a cover template.
**Keep in mind, cover templates are different for every publisher, so if you’re planning on publishing with more than one printer, you’ll need to send over a separate cover template for each one ($45 each additional template).**
Here are a few links to commonly used publishing sites’ cover template generators:
Once you obtain your template, it needs to be forwarded to our design team (casey@albatrossbookco.com).
Stage 11: Full cover wrap
With the cover template(s) in hand, our design team will create the back cover and spine, and combine them with the front cover for a full book wrap, ready to upload to your chosen publisher or printer's website.
Stage 12: marketing assets
This service is all about getting the word out about your book! Things like 3-D book mockups, social media posts, graphics for a website, etc... everything that you might need to advertise your book, all designed to match your customized esthetic for a seamless look.
Stage 13: Finish website
Final touches on the website, including adding an ecommerce section for your customers (if added).
Stage 14: ready for print!
You are ready to print! You will have your website, book launch assets, a .pdf of the interior and cover template as well as an .epub file for an ebook if purchased.
Keep in mind, we are always available to address any issues along the way including questions about publisher websites and support when uploading.