e-publishing

FutureShock e-publishing

Gary Bruce Smith and Theresa Lütge-Smith have been writing professionally for over 20 years. Gary is an accomplished technical and academic research-writer; he writes for numerous print and online publications as well as academic research papers for US-based clients. His specialty lies in English Literature and diverse topics including IT, education, humanities and medicine. Theresa is a non-fiction research-writer and editor; and a published author of four business-related books. She works almost exclusively on the Internet and writes for numerous print and online publications. Her online company e-Cottage specialises in writing, editing and marketing services.

Do you need any of the following services?

Reviewing manuscript
Editing and Proofreading
Obtaining the ISBN and copyright registration
Formatting text in html, disk or CD-ROM
Scanning graphics
Creating Web pages linked to the S.A. Writers' Network Web site
Internet and on-the-ground marketing
Contractual Agreement between author and Futureshock e-Publisher
Graphic design for book jacket (printed hard copy)
Wrters receive royalties (quarterly)
Multimedia and varying format options
(music, graphics, animation, audio, or interactivity-clickable features)

Manuscripts are accepted on the basis of quality and marketability, and go through a process of review, editing and proofreading before publication. A nominal fee is charged to review a manuscript. The production and marketing process of the e--book includes editing, design, multimedia, etc.) e-books are sold through Futureshock e-Publishers' website.

Submit manuscript
Complete manuscripts should be forwarded to Theresa by e-mail or mailed to e-Cottage, P. O. Box 2720, Port Alfred 6170 (Eastern Cape) South Africa. Please note that manuscripts sent by e-mail that are not accepted will not be returned to the author. Computer Diskettes or CD's will be returned provided the author provides a stamped, self-addressed envelope. A contractual agreement will be forwarded to you by e-mail or your postal address, which includes a detailed fee structure to produce and market the e-book. Images must be forwarded in jpg format - 900 pixels in width or height, depending on the layout of the subject; 72dpi.

Selling Prices of e-books vary widely
Fiction titles typically range between R35 and R70, with the average being around R35. Shorter works may cost less, from as little as R15. Non-fiction titles are often more expensive, from R70 to R200, although higher prices may be charged depending on page count.

Higher royalties
Because the costs of e-Publishing are significantly lower than those of print publishing, authors receive a far higher percentage of revenues. Royalties range between 20% and 40%, with 30% being fairly typical. Futureshock e-Publishing pay royalties more frequently - offering quarterly statements - rather than annual or semi-annual payments. We provide a breakdown of sales by format - e.g. how many titles were sold on disk, by download or e-mail, or by e-reader download.

Author-friendly contracts
FutureShock e-Publishing ask only for electronic rights, leaving the author free to market print rights and subsidiary rights elsewhere. Contracts are renewable rather than indefinite. Futureshock e-Publishing will also invite commercial publishers to view the manuscript online.

Shorter response times
FutureShock e-Publishing attempts to respond to submissions within two to six weeks.

Faster publication
It takes a book almost two years to go to print with a traditional publisher. Futureshock e-Publishing can do it in a matter of weeks, although turnaround time may be extended to three to six months to allow sufficient time to generage advance reviews and publicity for the e-book - before any dynamic response can be expected from online buyers.