NEWS/TIPS/HINTS/TRICKS
(Updated regularly - Check Back)
Mission: To
guide authors through each of the steps, from idea
to preparation, to reproduction, to marketing and distribution
of your writing; showing you the best up-to-date alternatives
for your unique project. You will learn where to put your
strongest efforts for the best return, and pick and
choose just the help you need for minimal expense.
EXPLAINING HOW
TO WORK THROUGH THE WRITING TO PUBLISHING PROCESS
WE OFFER:
• FREE and Low Cost information
clarifying these writing to publishing processes.
• See our Pathways to Publishing Chart and
accompanying literature (on line soon),
• Check back regularly, as additional updated information continues
to become available.
We will continually update and elaborate our information here.
You may contact us to request
a specific question be answered - we'll try to research and answer your questions
and concerns.
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Some of our Author's
books are available on Amazon:
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See
the Kindle:
a
whole new way to buy and read your books - and SELL them
too! We can guide you through the process.
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TIPS
OF THE MONTH -
JUNE:
1. Self-publishing is NOT
self-publishing UNLESS YOU are the publisher.
Internet sites which
offer so-called "self-publishing" options are really
subsidy
publishers,
and their names are recognized by book buyers as such. They
charge you, but use their own ISBN numbers, so they
rae listed as publisher on all documentation.
2. If there is future interest in your book rights,
companies contact THE PUBLISHER, not the author, so you are out of the loop
as author only. And some subsidy printing companies may charge you to get
your book rights back. (They may say that the content of the book is always
yours, BUT once they have done the layout and design of inside and cover,
they consider themselves the OWNER of that. For your book to look the same
you may have to purchase the graphics from the subsidy publisher before another
publisher can reproduce your book.)
3. You
CAN become your own publisher - with your own company
name
and your
own ISBN numbers to print on your books - less expensively
than ever before. We can show you how. . .
Then you can have your own books printed and sell them for LARGER ROYALTIES
than subsidy publshers pay. All the "extras" such as a listing on Amazon,
selling options with leading distributors are available with our know-how,
and cost
you MUCH LESS when we help you do it yourself, or we do it for you.
REMEMBER TO CHECK BACK HERE . . .
As we are currently researching many of the Self-publishing
companies on the internet, and will have an objective
comparison chart and report in about a week.
Since we are NOT one of those companies, and have no
connections with them, we can be completely unbiased
in our reviews. A good place to start.
So BOOKMARK us and check
back soon!
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ABOUT
US
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Touchstone Communications
Three departments All Focused
on Publishing Help
First and Foremost: We
provide an unbiased look at all writers' options for getting
their work published (through agents, publishers, and self-publishing
options). To avoid the pitfalls, and make intelligent choices,
check out our information. Our overview is FREE,
and we are continually updating the site. Authors' options
are continutally changing, as the internet and business of
publishing
evolves.
We work to stay
on top of the latest options - the pros and cons, and present
them here.
Outlines
of "Things to Consider" and "What Should Be Done When"
are in
process
and
will be
here
for
FREE. More
detailed information will also be available soon. Bookmark
our site and DO CHECK BACK. What you learn here may save
you thousands of dollars, and hundreds of hours of aggravation
Currently we are not asking anyone
to "sign up" or give us your information before we'll share
with you.. We don't solicit our viewers. Peruse as you wish,
take what
information
is
helpful to you, and ask
us any questions you'd like. We'll
try to answer them.
Mission: To
guide authors through each of the steps, from idea to
preparation, to reproduction, to marketing and distribution
of your writing;
offering the best up-to-date alternatives for your unique
project.
Goal for authors:
• Obtain a clearer picture of
your routes to publish.
• Take only the portion of help you need
from us, our basic literature and tips are FREE on this site,
• Plus we will have some booklets with more detailed information
available for a small fee soon.
• Commission some one-on-one time for specific
guidance as you need.
• Pay for only the portion
of
help you get.
• Keep all possible profit and
commissions for yourself.
OUR WEB SITE SHOWS
HOW TO WORK THROUGH THE WRITING TO PUBLISHING PROCESS
ON OUR WEB SITE WE OFFER:
• FREE and Low Cost information
clarifying these writing to publishing processes.
• See our Pathways to Publishing Chart and
accompanying literature (on line soon),
• Check back regularly, as additional updated information continues
to become available.
We will continually update and elaborate our information here.
You may contact us to request a specific question be answered - we'll try
to research and answer your
questions and concerns.
IF YOU DESIRE CONSULTATION
HELP:
We
WORK ONE-ON-ONE supporting you through
the complex maze of:
• Preparation,
• Courting an agent
or publisher and it's
• Alternatives, (including custom-publishing:
self, POD [print on demand],)
• Reproduction, and
• Marketing,
• Distrubution
and
• Selling.
MOST IMPORTANT:
• We take NO COMMISSION on your books reproduced.
• Our help is charged by time only.
• ALL POSSIBLE PROFIT IS YOURS,
• ALL POSSIBLE CONTROL IS YOURS,
• YOU ONLY PURCHASE THE PORTION OF GUIDANCE AND PRODUCTION HELP YOU
NEED.
OUR DEPARTMENTS HELP
YOU FOUR WAYS:
FIRST • Touchstone
Consulting - One-on-one guidance for your
book preparation (see
below).
SECOND • Touchstone Graphics - Setup and design
done for you (see
below).
THIRD • Touchstone Press - Provides reproduction
options, for books & promotional pieces (see
below).
and also:
FOURTH • As Touchstone
Consulting - help with DISTRIBUTION
coaching, and
pathways to get your book listed
to sell in bookstores, on the internet, and
show you options
for distributors to fullfill orders. (see below)
Separate Departments allow
you to contract with one, without having to commit to all parts
of the process.
Thus, you can have much more control over your project than those
who contract for the entire job with one company.
We
serve as: Director,
Project Coach, Print Broker, Publisher, or all these, as
suits you.
Qualifications: Over
30 years in the print/publishing business, we have accumulated
a wealth of knowledge of the process from start to finish,
and have connections with all types of professionals involved,
giving you an unprecidented ability to move through the process
without undue stress. And we continually update the information
available here, so you have the latest information.
Presentations: May
be requested - contact us. We have several presentations,
and would be available to speak, to libraries and writing
groups, for minimal costs. Our presentation could be a fund-raiser
for your organization. Contact us.
Current PRESENTATION: “Pathways
to Publishing,” for those interested in the process
of custom printing and/or publishing.
Current Engagement: "Pathways
to Publishing" Presentation
-
Columbia-Montour County Woman's Conference at Bloomsburg
Univeristy, Bloomsburg, PA. March 29, 2008.
For more information see their web site: http://www.cmwomensconf.org/index.html
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Us --------
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Consultation
& Guidance
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to Top -------- Home ------- Contact
Us --------
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Creative Image
& Design |
Touchstone Graphics 
• Books
All types of graphic design available, and we'll work within your budget.
We organize, edit, and typeset professional looking books, with stunning
full color covers. Graphics created for your marketing campaign and
promotional materials to better position your book project for distribution & sales.
• Samples of some books we’ve helped
create & distribute.
• Graphics
Logos, brochures designs, web sites, and artwork, (including short
animation for the web) are available . You get cost estimates before
you commit. All estimates are free.
• Samples of brochures,
web sites, book covers, etc. to help sell your
books
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to Top -------- Home ------- Contact
Us --------
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Printed Products:
Books
brochures,
Flyers,
Letterhead,
Business Cards,
Envelopes,
Folders & Cards |
Touchstone
Press 
Reproduction
Options - managed
Finding the best options
for reproducing your project within your budget, whether
simple or elaborate.
• We help preparing/printing/binding/finishing your publications.
• Book marketing campaign Promotional materials.
• Over 30 years experience in the print/publishing field.
• Extensive understanding of papers, card stock, press requirements, and
varied output cababilities. The files we submit will be properly prepared, specifications
accurately presented, and your work will come back looking professional.
• Many wholesale print facilities bid on book reproduction through Touchstone,
so
we
are
able to shop for best quality and price with your specific needs in mind.
• We present you with multiple options, creative unique suggestions, several
comparison quotes, and make sure you consider all different aspects necessary
for succes. • Our estimates are free.
Samples
of some of our print projects.
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to Top -------- Home ------- Contact
Us --------
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Consultation
& Guidance |
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IMPORTANT
information if you are considering self-publishing your
book:
YOU ARE NOT THE PUBLISHER UNLESS YOU PURCHASE
YOUR ISBN NUMBER FROM R R BOWKER YOURSELF.
NOTE:
No matter what they imply, any company which provides you with one of their
ISBN numbers is REALLY the publisher on record for your book. Any company
that becomes interested in your book, will contact THE PUBLISHER, not the
author. So additional editions, movie rights, foreign editions . . . all
options are negotiated with the book PUBLISHER. Do read the fine print in
any contract you consider. You may have to purchase back the rights to your
own work, or share in the proceeds of spin-off works, unless you make sure
that YOU are the books' PUBLISHER.
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GROUND-BREAKING
NEWS:
JUST RECENTLY R R BOWKER (the ONLY source for purchasing necessary ISBN numbers
in the United States) began selling individual ISBN numbers. (Previously
you had to purchase 10, even if you were only producting one or two books.)
This is a significant change, and a profound benefit if you, the author,
are interested in SELF-PUBLISHING.
If you are unsure what's best for
you, and how to proceed, contact
us. We can help you through the process, making the right
choices for your specific needs.
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CONSIDER:
Getting an additional, different email address just for receiving research
communications. |
BECAUSE:
Many web sites will ask you to register . . . give them your
information. Some offer you free information (but first you must
register). They all are collecting
your information so they can send you emails later offering
their services, maybe a special this month. . . etc. They may
even sell this information to additional companies.
If you (like me) are not interested in being
deluged with advertising emails, then a separate email address allows you
to not only FILTER OUT those emails, BUT you can ELIMINATE THAT ADDRESS later,
and lose all those unwanted ads. |
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CHOOSE
A NAME that you'll remember is associated with the specific research
you're doing. The name can help you remember this specific address's
purpose. |
Check
with your ineternet email provider about acquiring a second email
address. (Most will allow you up to five different addresses,
plus the option to go into your "administration" section
and change them at will, AT NO EXTRA CHARGE). You can easily
add a new address - then come back and erase it later,
and no longer want to hear from all those companies. Call your
email provider for help, if you need, someone there should be
able to talk you through the process. |
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