On this page:

• The Real Lives process
• Editing
• Layout & design
• Production, marketing & distribution
• Real Lives Publications & Artwork
• Royalties

The Real Lives Process

From manuscript to book

The path towards publication with Real Lives:

We will...

1. read your manuscript carefully and respond with a full Editor’s Assessment , containing general observations on style and content as well as suggestions for improvement along with a Project Report on the book’s likely appeal and marketability
   We do not charge for this service.
2. meet or correspond with you to convey our experienced advice in helping you decide which steps need to be taken to take the manuscript on to a publishable condition.
3. supply an estimate for all services required.
4. begin work on your manuscript upon acceptance of our quotation.
5. I: Manuscript is Edited, and returned for your approval, comments and suggestiions.

II: Manuscript is typeset and layout enhanced according to desired format. At   this stage the manuscript begins to look like a real book.

III: Cover design is generated either from entirely original artwork or our generic Real Lives cover.

IV: You will receive the final page proofs, cover design, illustrative content (if any) for your final approval.

V: We will then prepare the book for printing, with a final finished proof before commencing the desired print-run.

VI: Finished copies of the book arrive in our warehouse.

Services in Detail

Editing

We have on call a wide variety of experienced authors and editors on whose skills we can draw.

• Ghosting,
• Transcription from orally recorded material
• Complete structural and style edit
• Line edit only (for spelling, grammar etc.)

We can…

1. carry out a simple line edit, checking typographical errors, grammar and syntax
2. edit your work completely, with an eye to structure and style, as required
3. undertake the production of a complete manuscript from core source documents as well as the transcription and editing of recorded material.

Layout and Design

We will…

• design the layout and type-set your manuscript
• assist in your selection of typeface, paper and binding
• design or select artwork for your cover
• assist in sourcing and obtaining illustrations where required

At this stage, we can organize promotional and sales literature, press releases and posters.

Note: Real Lives can hold stock of your title and handle all marketing and distribution for you. We sell to bookshops directly and through the leading UK distributors, and list all our titles for sale on Amazon and our own websites.

Production, Marketing and Distribution

We will…

• arrange and oversee the complete printing and binding process of your book, advising on print runs or Print-on-Demand production
• provide marketing support in sending out review copies, supplying an overrun of jackets/covers, providing posters and display material as required.

Once we have produced a book which we can both be proud of, Real Lives can market and distribute the book on your behalf, if you wish. This is a sensible option for authors who would prefer to let Real Lives handle the sales administration.

This service includes:

• Stock Management (including holding all stock for you).
• Promoting the book to nominated retailers (local or national) and encourage them to hold stock for sale.
• The distribution of review copies and Press Releases to designated media and the design of other promotional material such as posters for in store displays and flyers for distribution during relevant public events and if required, the organization of a Launch Party.
• Distribution through the leading British distributors and providing availability to all High Street book stores.
• Availability on Amazon.co.uk and ABE Books and other main commercial websites.
• Handling all shipping.
• Issuing invoices.
• Monitoring and accepting payments on your behalf.
• Royalty calculations & payments.

Real Lives Publications & Artwork

Royalties

If you choose Real Lives to market and distribute your book, we will pass on to you a royalty of 45% of the net publisher’s receipts. This rate compares very favourably with other publishers, both commercial and underwritten.