Fruitbearer Publishing, L.L.C.

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“Small Seeds for a Great Harvest”

 

Our Services

Although we specialize in "budding authors," established authors who are interested in independent publishing will find Fruitbearer a gracious fit. In addition to full-length books (paperback and hard cover), we do small projects such as tracts, booklets, flyers, post cards, greeting cards, brochures, and stationery. Every project Fruitbearer Publishing undertakes must have some redeeming value or be wholesome in nature.

Listed below are the services provided by Fruitbearer Publishing. Chances are slim that you would need all of these services for a single project, but this will give you a good overview of what we have to offer. If there are other services you need that aren't listed here, ask about them, and we'll try our best to meet the need or refer you to someone else who can help.

Editorial Services

Manuscript Critique

We will review your manuscript for overall effectiveness. If you don't already know, we'll help you identify your target audience by asking you to answer the reader's three most important questions: "What's in it for me?" "What's in it for me?" "What's in it for me?" The editorial critique will help you:

Content Editing

This is the process of evaluating a manuscript for style, organization and large general revisions. We'll be looking for wording that can be strengthened or clarified, such as awkward, fragmented or run-on sentences. Sometimes we recommend reorganizing paragraphs and chapters for logical text flow. Whenever revisions are necessary, we always do our best to retain the author's intent and voice. (We never want to edit so heavily that the author doesn't recognize his or her own work.)

Copyediting

This is the fine-tooth-comb technical aspect of editing. We'll check for spelling, grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and overall correctness. As a rule, we use the Chicago Manual of Style as our guide.

Rewriting

Sometimes the author knows what he or she wants to say but can't seem to get it across to the reader. When trouble spots like this occur, we combine both copyedit and content edit procedures to completely rewrite the existing text the author has provided. When rewriting, no new material is developed or researched, and all material is provided by the author in advance.

Page Proof Review

After the manuscript has been typeset, we double-check formatting accuracy in all sections for hidden complications and errors, such as inconsistency in chapter headings, table of contents, headers, page numbers, end-of-line breaks, etc. At this stage, we are looking closely at every character and every space.

Proofreading

Proofing has to be done again and again. We work hard to catch all typos and editorial oversights, but the more eyes that inspect a document the better. We will be counting on the author to double check us for accuracy. An approval form will be included for your signature at each stage of publication, giving an opportunity for changes and corrections. Important: Keep in mind that when the final copy goes to the printer, any changes made to the "blue lines" can be very costly and may delay the timetable considerably.

Revision Proofreading

Whenever revisions are made, additional proofreading is necessary. (We don't want to make new errors when correcting the old ones.) Extra care is taken to ensure that all revisions are double-checked for consistency with editorial guidelines but, again, we'll want your final okay. The author is responsible for approving the final proof that goes to the printer.

Formatting Services:

Typesetting

We take your raw material (e-mailed, typed, or handwritten) and key it into a computer software program (Adobe InDesign, WordPerfect, Pagemaker, MS Word, etc.) where it can be manipulated for design and printing purposes.

Page Layout

This is where the pretty stuff comes in, the point where we "design" your pages. There is an art to selecting just the right font (typeface), line spacing, and graphics to achieve the desired eye-appeal of each page. The process of formatting also includes margin placement, boxing or any other special treatment, as well as indicating the trim size and physical layout of the project. If you already have a preference of how you want your page layout to look, by all means, bring us a sample and we'll do our best to duplicate it.

Scanning

If you have photographs, artwork, or illustrations you want to use, we can scan them into the computer and incorporate them into your project. We charge $15 each for low resolution scans, and $25 each for high resolution.

Cover Design Services:

Did you know that the average bookstore browser who picks up a book spends eight seconds reading the front cover and 15 seconds reading the back? This assumes the spine caught their attention in the first place. The appearance of your cover must not only be eye-catching, but every word must be an accurate reflection of the contents. Even if you plan to hand-deliver your publication to friends and family, cover design is extremely important.

Cover Text

Fruitbearer Publishing will work with you in selecting just the right words to emphasize the key points, summarize the project, and capture the reader's attention. We'll make sure your title works and, if appropriate, help you to identify a dynamic subtitle.

Cover Illustrations

There are several options for you to consider with regard to cover art:

  1. We can illustrate the cover for you using royalty-free stock photos or clip art, or we can even paint an original watercolor (our fee will be determined by the complexity of the project).
  2. You may submit your own photograph, original artwork, or computer-generated illustrations, but if using artwork that has been previously published, you must honor their copyright.
  3. You may want to contract an artist to design the cover art for you (we can recommend local artists).

Printing

Fruitbearer Publishing matches the type of printing service to your project. For hardback and soft cover books, we use POD (print-on-demand) as well as offset (traditional) for printing and binding. Other projects, such as business cards and posters, are done in-house or through other printing venues.

Fruitbearer Logo, ISBN, & Bar Code

Your project will become a Fruitbearer publication, including our logo. If you want to sell your book in bookstores, an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is essential. Fruitbearer Publishing maintains a list of ISBN numbers and will assign one to your publication. In addition to your unique ISBN being included on the copyright page, it will become a part of the Bar Code (the Bookland EAN price symbol) that FBP will order for the back cover of your publication.

 

Copyright Services

The author will retain full copyright of the publication. Fruitbearer Publishing will place the copyright notice in the author's name on all copies of the work. Formal registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is the prerogative of the author. If desired, Fruitbearer can obtain a Library of Congress number (be aware that lots of lead time will be needed if it is to be included on the copyright page).

 

Transcription Services:

Data Entry

This is "straight type" where we transfer information you give us (typed or handwritten) into a computer document without editing or aesthetic touches. This might be something like a mailing list of names and addresses or a draft manuscript you want double-spaced.

Recorded Messages

If you have audio taped recordings you need transcribed, we can help (editing would be handled separately).

 

 

Our Rates

There is no charge for the initial consultation—we will listen closely and do our best to “capture the vision.” You’ll fill out a Manuscript Submission Form (we can help if you have questions). Based on the services you want Fruitbearer to provide and the size of your project, we will quote an estimate and present an Agreement for your consideration. One-half of the fee is due when the project commences, and the balance due with the return of page proofs (before the book goes to press).

How much will it cost?

In the words of self-publishing expert Dan Poynter, "Asking how much a book will cost to publish is like asking how much is a car? Each book is different." There are so many variables, it could range anywhere from $120 to $20,000+. While no two projects are alike, you can be sure we'll do our best to keep the cost as reasonable as possible so we can all be good stewards.

Publishing is an investment. Our prayer is that your written words, like seed sown on good soil, will produce a crop-thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what is sown (Mark 4:20, personalized).

How long will it take?

Ideally, you could have your book within 90 days of Fruitbearer's receipt of all material. But keep in mind that every project is unique and has its own set of obstacles.

So many details!

If all this seems mind-boggling, don't despair. We'll walk you through the editorial and production process one step at a time. Although Fruitbearer Publishing is a relatively new company (1999), we have more than 30 years of experience in making things look good in print. Besides, we have the Holy Spirit as our Helper and the promise of Romans 8:28: "In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Our Guidelines

Because Fruitbearer Publishing is a Christian-owned company, the work that we publish must edify the reader or have some redeeming value. Our favorite manuscripts are those that are inspirational or wholesome in nature that the Holy Spirit can use to further the kingdom of God by strengthening the Body of Christ.

We prefer that manuscripts be submitted via e-mail, double-spaced with no fancy fonts. But we understand that not everybody is computer savvy. If your manuscript is handwritten, we can typeset it for you.

CLICK HERE for our "Manuscript Submission Form."

Sample Book Publishing Agreement

If you are interested in our Terms & Conditions, CLICK HERE for a sample of our Book Publishing Agreement.

 

Our Brochure

If you would like us to mail a copy of our brochure to you, please CONTACT US. An electronic version (PDF) is available by clicking HERE.