Self-publishing is a world heavily populated by creative do-it-yourselfers. So when it comes to marketing their freshly printed book, the first step many authors take is into the world of social media. Social media has been a boon for the independent author, as it gives your average Joe a chance to output creative content in an instantly available format to a mass audience. No middle-man, no publishing fees or royalties, and no advertising dollars spent; social media can deliver a direct message about your product to anyone who will listen.

We at Best Book Printing welcome the social media types. In fact, we welcome them directly to our own outlets. This week Colorwise took its first steps into the world of social media with brand new Facebook and Twitter pages.

Our goal is to provide our audience with interesting and truly useful content about the world of printing, self-publishing, book layout and much more. We already provide helpful advice and information to clients as a customer service function everyday, so we may as well help everyone else while we’re at it. Click on the icons below to visit our pages.

Below are a variety of ways to make your hardcover/case bound book unique. Contact your customer service representative or call us at 888-664-8166 to receive more information about these options:

Headbands
Headbands are the fabric decorative piece along the top and bottom spine of the book. They are available in a variety of color combinations.

Ribbons
You could also apply a ribbon to your book as a place holder. White and black are our standard colors.

End Sheets
End sheets tie the book block to the case and must be of the highest quality and durability to withstand extended use. Our standard colored end sheets are white.

Book Cloth
The number of options of book cloth options can be quite overwhelming. Our standard and most popular colors are black, green and blue. If your book is getting foil stamped an upgraded book cloth might be necessary to ensure proper application of the foil. Finishes available include: smooth, linen, vellum, imitation and genuine leather. Consult with your customer service representative to help you choose the right book cloth that best suites your needs.

Custom Foil Design
Although we can foil stamp lettering on the face and spine of the book, nothing will make your book cover pop more than a custom die. Our standard foil stamp colors are white, gold and silver.

Shrinkwrapping
Shrinkwrapping covers the entire book in a clear film. This also allows you to apply stickers to the outside of the book without damaging the dust jacket. It helps protect the book during the shipping/delivery process as well and is recommended for all hardcover/case bound books.

Book Title: Hollywood Rock of Ages - The TRUE adventures of Cupkake & Vinnie Vegas

Authors: Chris Solberg & Vince Meehan

Description: This story is a chronicle of a very fun part of our lives. All these tales are true; for better or for worse. We have tried our best to adopt the credo that says, “Honesty is the best policy”. But then again, we’ve also paid a price for this policy. This book is a snapshot of truth, which exposes our human faults, frailties, fears and failures. And now, our life is literally an open page, I hope you enjoy the story!

Details:
Paperback
Number of pages: 344
Dimensions: 6″ x 9″

]]> http://www.bestbookprinting.com/app/webroot/blog/?feed=rss2&p=398 http://www.bestbookprinting.com/app/webroot/blog/?p=386 http://www.bestbookprinting.com/app/webroot/blog/?p=386#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:24:15 +0000 chris http://www.bestbookprinting.com/app/webroot/blog/?p=386

Book Title: The Ring - Bobby’s Story

Author: Robert J. LeClaire

Description: The author’s memoir, a first book, depicts the events that took place in a one year time frame that changed his life. In a 1950’s small town Wisconsin setting, the author was orphaned. Revealing details of the events as they unfolded including a connection with Collegiate sports history. The Wisconsin Badger Boxing program was likened to football at Notre Dame. This story touches on the authors ties to the program and describes the events that led not only to the demise of the sport at Wisconsin, but to the abolishment of boxing as a collegiate sport. The event that brought down the sport also impacted on his family and future. Available on Amazon.

Details:
Paperback
Number of pages: 121
ISBN: 978-0-615-373214-3
Dimensions: 5.5″ x 8.5″

External Link: http://amzn.com/0615372147

Book Title: Vanishing Cochran

Author: James Davidson

Description: Vanishing Cochran is a collection of historical and recent photographs. The purpose of the book is to show how much, or how little the town of Cochran, GA has changed. The book contains 200+ images collected over the course of a year and a half. This project would not have been possible without the help of countless individuals who either brought in their old photographs, or called, emailed, and researched trying to help me uncover more photographs.

Details:
Paperback & Hardcover
Number of pages: 94
ISBN, Harcover: 978-1-934144-86-2
ISBN, Paperback: 978-1-934144-85-5
Dimensions: 11″ x 8.5″

External Link: http://www.vanishingcochran.com

There are a few key steps that all self publishers must follow when preparing new material for the marketplace. One of these key steps is acquiring an ISBN number. An ISBN number is a unique identifier to your book. Online stores such as Borders, Barnes & Noble and Amazon will need this number to catalog and inventory your book. You may also want to consider purchasing your barcode at the same time as your ISBN number. Whether you plan to sell your book on an online store or in a brick-and-mortar storefront, you’ll need an ISBN number to move forward.

In the United States, there is a single agency in control of issuing all ISBN numbers. You can find out more about them here. Once you have your ISBN and barcode, all you have to do is submit it to us along with your artwork, and you’ll be one step closer to publication!

Book Title: The Life of Charles W Basso

Author: Charles W Basso

Description: The Life of Charles W Basso is an autobiography of a great man, a devoted husband, a loyal member of the U.S. Navy, a good father and dear grandfather. This book will educate and inspire all that read it. It was a labor of love. We hope it will lead many others to write down their own histories, so that generations after may know and remember the times past.

Details:
Hardcover
Number of pages: 110
Dimensions: 8.5″ x 11″

External Link: http://www.twiisters.com/

Book Title: Point Well Taken, the Guide to Success with Needles & Threads

Author: Debbie Garbers

Description: Spiral bound for ease of use.

Details:
Paperback
Number of pages: 64
ISBN-10: 0-9653079-0-5
Dimensions: 8.5″ x 11″

External Link: http://pointwelltakenbook.com/

Facebook: http://pointwelltakenbook.com/facebook

Twitter: http://twitter.com/pwtbook

At home you may find ways to protect the environment by recycling, conserving energy and choosing fuel-efficient cars. But what can you do at office? Through our hectic work days it may not be at the forefront of our thoughts. How about choosing a copy paper that is highly sustainable, chlorine free, and is tree free. Treefrog is a new line of paper that is made of 70% sugar cane and 30% bamboo. Bamboo and sugar cane can be harvested in a fraction of the time of trees. Preserving our forests protects our trees, wildlife, air quality and ozone layer depletion.

Click here to learn more about Treefrog paper as well as reference the attached PDF. If you would like additional information regarding this product and pricing feel free to call Valerie at 888.664.8166.

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Front matter is the term used for the information and pages that proceed the body text of a book. This material begins as the first printed page and ends before chapter one. There is far more detailed information about front matter available and should be searched out when creating your book layout. Below are listed the more common elements that we see in the books that we produce. They are listed in the order in which they should appear in the layout and unless noted otherwise, all elements begin on a right side page.

Half Title Page - This is a page with the title of the book and nothing else.

Frontispiece - A left page illustration that precedes (faces) the title page. Not very common but is still used from time to time.

Title Page - Includes the full book title, subtitle and author and can include the editor, illustrator, publisher and so on.

Edition Notice - A left page, sometimes called the copyright page. This page contains technical and legal information about the book including; copyright notice, legal notices, publication info, printing history, catalog information and ISBN number.

Dedication Page

Table of Contents

Foreword - Written by someone besides the author of the book. Generally about a relationship between the author of the book and the author of the foreword.

Preface or Introduction - An introduction of the book written by the book’s author.

Acknowledgements - A list of those that helped the author in the creation of the book through editorial, financial, moral or technical support.

Prologue - Similar to a preface but written by the author in the voice of a character in the book.