Nothing can be more damaging to your products and your reputation than publishing a book or other written product that is filled with typos, errors, and incorrect information.
Every book needs editing, as well as other products such as planners, workbooks, journals, training manuals, fitness or health programs, and more. A few mistakes here and there aren't that big of a deal, but consistent misspellings, grammar errors, and incorrect information (such as wrong dates, incorrect website addresses, etc.) will distract your reader and leave them with a negative perception of you, your expertise, and the message or information you share.
No matter what your budget might be, investing time and/or money into editing for your project is a vital step that will help you create the best product you can. When your book or product is in the final stages of writing or design, we recommend that you have it professionally edited. Do not compromise when it comes to the quality of your product. If your budget allows for it, hire a professional. If not, consider a trade of services. Or ask for help from family, friends or colleagues.
There are several kinds of editing services that can be done, including proofreading and copy editing:
#1 PROOFREADING: This is editing that is done at the final stage, before your book, planner, workbook, journal, etc. is finalized for printing. The editor checks for typos, formatting issues, and any other errors they can find. Proofreading is a "lighter" sort of editing that focuses on eliminating minor errors and inconsistencies. Proofreading is right for you if:
Your book, planner or product is in the final stages of design and ready to be printed.
You are reasonably confident in your work and just want one more set of eyes to catch any errors that might have slipped through.
#2 COPY EDITING: Copy editing is detailed, word-by-word editing that includes everything you get from Proofreading plus a deeper look at grammar, usage, and consistency. Copy editing is right for you if:
Your manuscript is finished but hasn’t moved to the design and formatting stage yet.
You want a professional set of eyes to ensure your content is free of errors, technical problems, inconsistencies or loose ends that might confuse or turn off your readers.
While we do not provide editing services here at Vervante, we strongly believe in the necessity of having an editor and often use editors to ensure professional end results. We are happy to provide you with referrals for editors, or answer any questions about editing at [email protected].
You did it! You’ve successfully written and published that book you’ve always dreamed of. Now comes the next big issue, how to be sure that your work is protected by copyright.
Here at Vervante we provide copyright services, or you can work with the government directly to secure your own copyright.
We've gathered the following information to help you gain a better understanding of what copyright is and how it can protect your book.
What is copyright? Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression.
What does copyright protect? Copyright protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed.
Do I have to register with the U.S. Copyright Office to be protected? No. In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work.
Can Vervante register for copyright for me? Yes, we can handle the process for you. A Vervante team member will complete the application on your behalf and submit a copy of your book to the Copyright Registration Office. Your book should be complete, available in your Vervante Author Account, and ready for shipping before submitting this request. Here's how it works:
Log into your Vervante Author Account and click on Copyright Registration under Publishing accessible via the Services menu. Fill out the form there - all fields are required.
Your request will be completed within 10 business days.
Your print files will be uploaded to the Copyright Office.
You will be charged $95 for this service.
In approximately 13 months you will receive the physical certification in the mail.
Can I register for a copyright myself? Yes, to file directly with the U.S. Copyright Office website just go to their website at www.copyright.gov and fill out their online application. The online application takes about 15 minutes and there is a fee of $55.00. You will receive a packing slip at the end of the process. This should be printed and a copy of your book mailed to the Copyright Office within 30 days of completing the online submission form. OR, you can upload print files for your product to the Copyright Office. You do NOT have to do both. In approximately 13 months you will receive a certificate of registration in the mail.
How much does it cost to file for copyright?
Vervante services are $95 (as of September 2021)
U.S. Copyright Office fees are $55 (as of September 2021)
How soon can I publish my book after applying for a copyright? As soon as you want. Once you have submitted the application and a copy of your book, you do not need to wait for the copyright certificate to proceed with promoting and publishing your book. You are free to log into your Vervante author account to have your book printed and your orders shipped.
When is my product copyright protected? Copyright protection exists from the moment the work is created.
Do I have to wait for the certificate? You do not have to wait for the certificate.
How long does a copyright last? As a general rule copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years.
I plan on selling and distributing my book in countries outside the United States. Is my copyright good in other countries? The United States has copyright relations with most countries throughout the world, and as a result of these agreements, we honor each other's citizens' copyrights. However, the United States does not have such copyright relationships with every country. For a listing of countries and the nature of their copyright relations with the United States, see Circular 38a, International Copyright Relations of the United States.
Bottom line? Your book is the result of your hard labor and intellectual brilliance. Taking the step to protect your work, once you’ve written and published, is quick, easy and will provide peace of mind. For more information or to register your book, go to www.copyright.gov.
When it comes to deciding on the details for your next planner, book or journal, the smaller choices are just as important as the big ones. For example, you can have a gorgeous eye-catching cover, but if you open the book and the words are cut off in the margin, or holes are punched through them, it can ruin the whole experience.
Details like margin width are very important, as you can see. If you are designing a new planner, journal or book, attention to margins is crucial. We receive a lot of questions from our customer asking about margins, so we thought we’d share our recommendations here.
In general, for spiral or wire-o bound products we recommend 1/2" margins to be safe. However, if space is an issue, you can follow these specific guides:
Holes for spiral binding are smaller and only require 1/4" of the binding edge.
Nothing can be more damaging to your products and your reputation than publishing a book or other written product that is filled with typos, errors, and incorrect information.
What is copyright? Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression.
When it comes to deciding on the details for your next planner, book or journal, the smaller choices are just as important as the big ones. For example, you can have a gorgeous eye-catching cover, but if you open the book and the words are cut off in the margin, or holes are punched through them, it can ruin the whole experience.