Frequently asked questions

Will you make me rich?

Self Publishing your book with Spire Publishing will not automatically turn you into the next JK Rowling. We do however provide an affordable book creation service and all the facilities needed to publish, sell and market your book.

What is self publishing?

Self publishing allows authors to publish their books independently. The author has complete control of what happens to their book. You don’t have to give up your copyright and you don’t have to accept low royalties. Instead you decide how much you want to sell your book for and earn money from that sale.

Why should I self publish?

There's any number of reasons. Maybe your book has been rejected by traditional publishers one too many times. Self publishing it is a good way to get that book into the market. And if you make a success out of it then you can be assured that traditional publishers will be far more interested in talking to you about your next book. In which case you'll have to decide whether you will still be interested in talking to them.

You might want to publish a book for a limited audience, such as your town or special interest group. If you know your potential market then this can be a highly profitable endeavour.

And finally, you might just want to publish a book because you can. A bit like climbing a mountain. But without the danger to life and limb.

I don't live in the UK, Canada or the USA. Can I still publish my book with you?

Absolutely. We operate internationally. Please keep in mind that we currently only accept English language books and that shipping books from the UK or the US to, say, China is not cheap.

I am Canadian. Do I have to pay duty on books manufactured in the USA?

Because of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadians do not have to pay duty on most American manufactured items. Duty is only payable on luxury goods and items not actually manufactured but purchased in the US. For example, if a product is manufactured in China but sold from a US website then you have to pay duty. Our books for the North American market are manufactured in the US, so no duty is payable.

How long will it take for me to self publish my book?

As soon as you upload your manuscript, the publishing process has begun. In most cases, you’ll see your book in print in less than six weeks.

How do I upload my manuscript?

It is very easy to upload a manuscript to Spire Publishing. Simply upload your manuscript when you complete the on-line form. The process should take no more than a few minutes.

What is my Author's Price?

The Author's Price is how much it costs to print your book. Your Author's Price is based on the number of pages in your book. For a full listing of Author's Prices, take a look at the 'Our Prices' section of this website.

What is my Selling Price?

How much you sell your book for is entirely up to you. It is important that you take time to consider what Selling Price is right for your book and how you intend to sell it.

Who owns the copyright for my book?

You do. In fact, as soon as you write the words down, the copyright ownership belongs to you. Using our services in no way means that you cede the copyright control to us. It’s yours and it always remains yours.

Can I obtain an ISBN number through you?

Yes, the ISBN administration service is included in the price. This includes us getting a number from the ISBN Agency, creating a bar code and ensuring your data is correct on the main bibliographic database.

Do you accept print-ready pdf files?

Yes we do.

I have colour images. Is that OK?

Yes, we introduced colour books in spring 2007.

Will I see a proof?

Yes, you will receive soft proofs before we go to print. By 'soft proof' we mean pdf copies of the print ready artwork file which will be send to you for your approval. You can order an optional hard proof. A hard proof is a single copy of your book, printed and shipped to your choice of location.

Can I have my own front cover?

Yes. Spire Publishing provides a free custom cover with all books published with us.

How long will it take for my book to be designed?

We attempt to ensure that all books are designed and ready to print within 20 working days or less from being uploaded onto our servers.

How long will it take for my book to be delivered?

We attempt to ensure that all books are dispatched within fifteen working days of being ready for printing. Subsequent orders are mostly shipped within 24 hours.

Do you buy the rights to books?

No.

Where are my books produced?

We manufacture your books for the North American market in the US, for the UK market in the UK. This allows us to keep postage and delivery time to a minimum. It also reduces the environmental impact of manufacture and shipping.

Is there a maximum or minimum order?

No. You can order just a single book if you want. We have no upper limit on the number of books you can purchase. Of course, we offer a discount scheme for bulk purchases.

How do I sell my book?

There are two ways that you can sell your book at Spire Publishing. Many of our books are distributed via the book wholesale. This means that they are available on amazon and through most book stores. A number of our authors also sell books directly through their own websites, at fairs, conferences and events. We can deliver any number of books directly to the location of your choice, ready for you to sell.

Who promotes and markets my book?

You do. Spire Publishing provides an easy and inexpensive means to publish your book. It's your responsibility to help it sell.

Can I cancel an order?

Cancellation is not possible once your order is being processed. We make individual books, created according to your wishes. Specially personalized products can't be cancelled or returned.

Does Spire Publishing offer a book assessment service?

Yes. Please see the 'Publishing Basics' section for details.

Does Spire Publishing offer an editing service?

Yes. Please visit the 'Publishing Basics' section for details.

Does Spire Publishing offer a proof reading service?