Book Design Form
This forms helps us gather the information we need for your cover design and interior layout! If you have any questions, contact your production manager or email us at team@otterpine.com. If easier, please book a meeting with Saeah (calendly.com/saeahlee) and she'll help you complete the form during a call.
Name
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First Name
Last Name
Email
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example@example.com
What is the full title of your book (including subtitle)? Please be exact about case/caps.
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Has this title/subtitle been finalized?
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Yes
No
What is the EXACT author name you'd like for us to include on the cover? Please be exact about case/caps.
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Which type of binding would you like for your book? It's likely we discussed this already, but now's the time to confirm. If you'd like to print multiple binding options, please select the one you'd like to do first.
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Paperback (Often PoD only) (no upfront print costs)
Hardcover PoD only (no upfront print costs, uncommon)
Elevated Hardcover (multi-process cover design, sewn binding, linen/cloth, stamping/foil, custom endsheets, picture books, and more) (offset print runs, typically $15K minimum)
Elevated Paperback (things like French flaps, and extra processes like UV spot and foil on your cover)(digital and offset print runs, cost varies)
I'm not sure yet
Other
If you selected multiple options above, please clarify which design you'd like to start with (and fill out the remainder of this form with this first binding type in mind). Add anything else you'd like us to know about your binding preferences.
If you'd like to do a non-PoD print run, what kind of print budget can you commit to and what are you hoping to achieve with this print run (make a profit, make something beautiful, fulfill crowdfunding promises, something else)? Understanding your budget and your WHY will help us guide you with decisions around print. Note: For most authors, it makes sense to publish a paperback PoD first, then invest in an elevated hardcover in the future. Publishing a hardcover first makes sense in a few scenarios (if you already have an existing audience, for picture books, etc.). In short, there are a lot of options, and we have a wide print network with a range of capabilities. If you wish it, we can likely figure out a way to help you do it, but we also want to ensure that it helps you fulfill your WHY.
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If you'd like to do a non-PoD print run, how many books would you like to print? If you're not sure, a range is still helpful. We typically recommend printing what you expect to sell through in 6 to 18 months. We also have a warehouse and fulfillment services to help you with this inventory. Don't worry, we'll discuss this again with you before going to press, but this will help us to guide discussions.
Do you have a trim size in mind for your book? This can be as specific as how many inches it measures in width and height (e.g., 6x9", 5.25x8", or 8x10"), very general ("normal hardcover size," "small-medium paperback size," or "workbook size"), or you can use another book as an example.
Please select all the elements you'd like to include on your cover design, including the back cover. Only select the elements that you want on the cover (for example, if you'd prefer to have your author bio inside the book, please don't select it here).
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Book Description/Back Cover Copy
ISBN Barcode and Price
Author Photo & Bio
Your Personal or Company Branding and Logo
Blurbs
Author Website
Please provide additional information about preferred cover elements here and specify if you need Otterpine's help with any of these elements
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Please select all of the elements you'd like to include INSIDE your book/in your layout.
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Blurb Page (a collection of blurbs and testimonials)
Foreword (written by another person, usually with name recognition, to introduce your book)
Illustrations, photos, or other special graphics/design elements
Worksheets or exercises
Acknowledgements (thank you's and more to include in the back of your book)
Index (additional $300 to $1000 depending on complexity)
Bibliography (works cited in the text, organized in the back of the book)
Further Resources (collection of articles, websites, films, books, etc. to share with your readers for further exploration)
Other Appendices
Author Photo & Bio
Please provide additional information about preferred interior elements here and specify if you need Otterpine's help with any of these elements
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If we are working on an elevated hardcover design of a previously published book, which ADDITIONAL elements/treatments would you like to include in your NEW layout. These may be in addition to the elements you selected above.
Preface to the new edition
Additional content & resources
Pull quotes (full pages treatment of excerpts, quotes from your book, quotes from others, and more)
Sidebars/Margin Notes
Additional illustrations
Additional graphics/design (like charts and graphs)
Full color
Black and white
I don't know yet. I need your help to figure all of this out.
Other
If needed, please share more info on the question above.
Would you like to use your own ISBNs or Otterpine's ISBNs? We provide our ISBNs for free to our authors and handle all registration for you, but it will be attached to Otterpine's imprint. Imprint has minimal impact on your title, but some authors choose to purchase their own ISBNs because they want their work to be associated with a specific brand name/imprint. If you'd like to use your own imprint, Otterpine or you can purchase and register your ISBNs through Bowker (1 for $125 USD and 10 for $295 USD). Most titles need at least two ISBNs (for print and e-book editions).
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Otterpine's ISBNs for free using Otterpine's imprint.
I'd like Otterpine to set up a Bowker account for me so I can use my own imprint.
I'll provide my own ISBNs.
I'm not sure yet.
While we love to include Otterpine's branding on the cover design, we don't require it. Let us know if you have a preference.
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Yes, I'd love to include Otterpine's branding on my cover (usually back cover and/or spine).
I'd prefer not to.
I'm not sure yet.
We like to include credit lines on your copyright page, as well as Otterpine's branding. These will be credit lines to the producer, editors, designers, and anyone else at Otterpine who was significantly involved in the production of your book.
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Yes, I'd love to credit those at Otterpine who were involved in the creation of my book.
I'd prefer not to.
I'm not sure yet.
Are there any additional credit lines that you'd like us to include on the copyright page? This might be editors and designers outside of Otterpine who you worked with. Here's an example: Editor: Jane Smith
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Would you like to include a dedication page?
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Yes
No
I'm not sure yet
If you'd like to include a dedication page, what would you like it to say? You can add this to your manuscript at any point during the editorial process.
Would you like Otterpine to submit your manuscript for a US copyright?
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Yes
No
I'm not sure yet
If you'd like Otterpine to submit a copyright, please include the name or organization who will own the copyright. If the copyright is to an individual, we also need to know the citizenship of each copyright claimant. If the copyright is to an organization, we'll need to know the country in which the organization is based.
What is the price you have in mind for your physical book? If we are producing both a hardcover and paperback, please share both. It's OK if you're not sure yet, a range will still help. We will develop a P&L for you in the future to help you validate your choices for retail costs.
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Please upload any applicable files/documents either here or to your client Drive folder. This could include things like the latest version of your manuscript, a book description you've written, illustrations, and more. You're also welcome to link to any of these files in the text box below.
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