Submission Checklist

Transcript:

Let’s look at a list of everything that you should include with your submission.

Manuscript

The most important item is your manuscript. Please send only the complete final manuscript in a single merged file. We don’t need to receive any partial manuscripts or early drafts.

Images for the Interior (if applicable)

If your manuscript contains images, we need each image sent as a separate digital image file, preferably as a TIF or a JPEG file that meets the size and resolution requirements discussed in our video, Using Images to Bring Your Book to Life: A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words. Please review the number of images that are allotted in your package. Note that there are additional fees if you are submitting more than the allowable number of images.

Image Placement Instructions (if applicable)

Along with any images that go in your book, we also need image placement instructions either typed directly into your manuscript or in a separate document. The instructions should refer to each image file by their exact file name.

Image Captions (if applicable)

If your images have captions, we need the captions typed directly into your manuscript along with the image placement instructions, or they can be sent in a separate document labeled ‘Captions’.

Images for the Cover (optional)

You’re welcome to send one or two images for your front cover. Please be sure to include the word ‘Cover’ in their file names. Also be sure that the images meet size and resolution requirements. If the images aren’t your own, be sure that you have legal permission to use them.

Cover Design Idea(s)

We highly recommend you send a document detailing any ideas you may have about your front cover design. Label the document ‘Cover Idea’. Watch The Top Five Submission Mistakes: How You Can Avoid Them. Number five on that list will give you some tips and suggestions for a successful book cover.

About the Book

For your back cover, we will need an ‘About the Book’, or a synopsis of your manuscript. We recommend keeping it less than 100 words.

About the Author

It is often a good idea to send an ‘About the Author’, or a short bio of yourself. This can be included on the back cover or it can be printed on one of the last pages inside the book. If you decide to send it, please include a note in the document that specifies whether it should go inside the book or on the back cover. We suggest keeping the bio no longer than 100 words.

Author Photo (optional)

You may also send a photo of yourself to accompany the bio. If the bio and photo are going inside the book, the photo will count towards your image limit.

Dust Jacket Flap Text (optional with hardcover publishing)

If you have purchased hard cover publishing as part of your package, then you have the option of submitting text or images for your dust jacket flaps. Each flap, front and back, can hold up to 100 words. If you send images for your dust jacket flaps, reduce this word count accordingly.

My Submission List

Finally, it’s a good idea to send us a list of all of the materials we should be expecting from you. Call this document ‘My Submission List’, and be sure it includes your full name and title of your book. This document will serve as a checklist for us so that we’ll know when we’ve received all of your materials.

Please visit our video tutorials where you can learn more about special formatting needs like footnotes, indices, or creating tables. If you’re publishing a color book, you’ll definitely want to check out our video, Color Books: Guidelines and Design Options.

If you have any additional questions or concerns for your book, you are always welcome to contact us at 0800-891-366. Thank you again for choosing Xlibris as your publisher. We look forward to getting started on your book.