Self-Publishing Services In Detail

To find out more about a specific self-publishing service, click on any topic below, or scroll down to see the whole list.

Formatting and typesetting
Proofreading
Editing
ISBN
Copyright and CIP
Binding
Cover design
Photographs
Other graphics
Shipping
Taxes
Notes for our American Customers

Publish a well-designed book that will interest readers in buying, and keep them reading to the end! We can produce a design just for you. Or if you've seen a page style you like, please send a sample with your manuscript. Manuscripts supplied in hard copy will need to be converted to electronic form before formatting can begin. This service is available at an extra charge.

Many people use the term proofreading when they really mean light copyediting. Light copyediting corrects misspelling, punctuation, grammatical errors and inconsistencies. It does not involve re-writing sentences. We will indicate on your contract whether or not we suggest this for your manuscript. It is always, however, your decision.

If GF Murray is taking your book from manuscript to printed form, proofreading (checking the formatted files against your manuscript and against page proofs from the printer) is included in your contract. If you plan to supply printer-ready files, proofreading is available at an extra charge.

This includes clarifying meaning, smoothing language or reorganizing a manuscript for content and structure. It could even include re-writing sentences or suggesting re-writes to improve readability, focus and intent. Again, we will indicate in our contract if we suggest this level of polishing for your book, but the decision remains with you.

A unique-to-your-title International Standard Book Number is a must if you plan to market your book to libraries, schools or bookstores. It's great supporting documentation for your copyright, too. We can obtain an ISBN for your book—just ask. Fees will vary depending on the country in which the ISBN must be obtained.

Copyright is secured in your name—you control all rights. We can legally register copyright if you wish, although by printing in Canada you do not have to register copyright to gain full protection. If you wish to include CIP information, we can request it on your behalf and reproduce it in your book. Please note that not all countries permit self-publishers to obtain official CIP listings.

For general audiences, most self-publishers prefer perfect binding with a flat, printed spine. Other methods of binding are available upon request.

The importance of a good cover design should never be underestimated! Cover design starts at $500 for a simple one-colour design and increases with complexity. If you have a budget, we will design accordingly. Of course, you can always choose to provide the cover design yourself. Just ask us about appropriate file formats and other requirements so the cover prints correctly.

If you want to include black and white photographs, please submit originals to us with your manuscript so that we can obtain the best possible printing quality, or provide us with high-resolution electronic files. Originals will be returned to you after scanning to electronic format.

Colour photographs make the book production a great deal more expensive. Please ask for more information if you are considering colour photographs in your book.

The complexity of each graphic element will dictate the cost to include these in your book. Projects involving many tables, illustrations or diagrams must be quoted on a case-by-case basis. Graphics supplied as hard copy (on paper) are subject to a $20 layout charge per graphic. If supplied electronically, graphic files should be in a standard format. Please call us for more information.

Shipping costs are included in your quote, so you know exactly how much you'll pay for your books. Proofs are sent to you overnight by courier (it is your responsibility to return them by courier once you have checked them), and bulk stock is generally shipped by ground carrier.

The Goods and Services Tax applies to books manufactured and sold to Canadian buyers. If you are GST registered you may claim back the GST we charge. Books produced for customers outside of Canada are exempt from the GST.

GF Murray invoices in Canadian dollars, which automatically cuts your production costs due to the exchange rate. There are no hidden tariffs if we ship to you from our site, since books printed in Canada and shipped directly to the United States do not have provincial sales tax applied, nor is Canada's GST charged. Most books may be imported to the US from Canada entirely duty-free under NAFTA, with the appropriate forms attached. We handle all this for you!