Preliminary Author Questionnaire –
Port Yonder Press
1. What do you expect
Port Yonder Press to do for you? What
are your expectations of us?
2. Do you realize the
necessity to be intimately and primarily involved in marketing your book? How do you plan to do that?
3. Would others say
you are an easy person to work with? How
should we expect you to handle edits and suggestions by editors?
4. Do you have family
or work responsibilities that might get in the way of your writing schedule for
this book? How does your spouse / children / feel about your project?
5. Do you feel your
book will need some / moderate / or much editing?
6. What do you feel
an acceptable price will be for your book (be reminded, we will *never*
overprice our books; we seek to provide “affordable quality”). Would you prefer hardcover or paperback
(hardcover will raise the price, of course; if hardcover, why?)?
7. Are you
comfortable with our books-on-demand system of printing and distribution? Do you expect to find your book in your local
bookstore or library? What will you do
on your part to make sure your book gets there?
8. Who are you
considering to get to endorse your book?
(At least two or three recognizable names, please.)
9. Will your book
profit from illustrations / b&w sketches?
How many would you like to see?
10. Do you have an idea for a book cover? Will you work with us on finding a striking
design and be open to our suggestions?
11. At what stage of completion is your book? If incomplete, when do you
expect to finish it? If a serial,
how far along are you on the other(s)?
12. In which forms would you like to see your book beside the traditional softcover, and why? Hardcover? ebook? Large print? Audio book? Foreign language (which one)? Other?
13. Realistically, how many buyers do you think will purchase
your book in the first year through your own contacts/efforts? (Please do not rely on a
publisher to sell your books; our marketing is of necessity minimal. Like almost all publishers today, we cannot
guarantee sales, only production.)
14. If we accept your project, what do you feel is a
reasonable amount for us to pay you as an advance against royalties based on:
the editing needed on your book, the salability of your book, your personal
marketing program and ability to hold book signings, your ability to offer your
book on your website, your platform or audience (those who know you and will
buy your book), and your ability to otherwise “push” your book?
15. In your estimation, why do we offer authors from 40 to
50 percent net royalties on books sold?
16. Do you have comments, concerns, questions, or other
information would you like to share with us?
17. Word count of
your book? How many chapters?
18. Is this a simultaneous submission?