Question 1

Is CTP's book distribution global?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We connect your book to print and distribution channels all over the world. When you publish with CTP, you are plugged into one of the publishing industry’s largest global book distribution networks, including access to over 39,000 retailers and libraries—both in stores and online.

Question 2

What book formats does CTP offer?

Accepted Answer

Your book can be published as:
Paperback
Hardcover
eBook

Different readers prefer to consume content in different ways. By having your book available in multiple formats (hardcover, paperback, and ebook), and enabling it for global distribution, you’re maximizing the opportunity to make a sale.

Question 3

What are my book printing options?

Accepted Answer

Your printing options are: 
 
Book Covers:
Paperback - Full-color laminated cover with perfect-bound binding
Hardcover - Available with or without dust jacket
 
Book Cover Textures:
Matte Cover - Soft feel, no glare, polished
Gloss Cover - High shine, smooth finish
Digital Cloth™ Cover - Subtle, cloth-like look (available with or without dust jacket. Textured feel available for hardcover books printed in the U.S. and U.K. only)
 
Book Binding:
Perfect Bound - Pages and paper cover glued together at spine
Case Laminate - Pages glued to hardcover at ends
Jacketed Case Laminate - Pages glued to hardcover at ends with the option to design what prints on the cover beneath the jacket
 
Ink Qualities:
Black-and-White Printing - Most economical, printed on 50 lb/74 gsm paper in crème or white
Standard Color Printing - Standard color quality, printed on 50 lb/74 gsm or 70 lb/105 gsm white paper
Premium Color Printing - Highest color quality with more vivid color, printed on 70 lb/105 gsm white paper
 
Paper Color and Weights:
Groundwood 38 lb/56 gsm – Available in black-and-white printing and select, small-format trim sizes in the U.S. and U.K.
Crème 50 lb/74 gsm – Available in black-and-white printing
White 50 lb/74 gsm – Available in black-and-white printing and standard color printing
White 70 lb/105 gsm – Available in standard and premium color printing options
 
(gsm: Grams per square meter)

Question 4

What are the available trim sizes?

Accepted Answer

Paperback Books with Perfect Binding:
4 x 6
4 x 7
4.25 x 7
5 x 7
5 x 8
5.25 x 8
5.5 x 8.25
5.5 x 8.5
6 x 9
6.5 x 6.5
7 x 10
7.5 x 9.25
8 x 8
8 x 10
8.25 x 10.75
8.25 x 11
8.5 x 8.5
8.5 x 9
8.5 x 11
 
Hardcover Books:
5 x 8 (Case Laminate/Cloth/Dust Jacket)
5.5 x 8.5 (Case Laminate/Cloth/Dust Jacket)
6 x 9 (Case Laminate/Cloth/Dust Jacket)
7 x 10 (Case Laminate)
7.5 x 9.25 (Case Laminate)
8 x 8 (Case Laminate)
8 x 10 (Case Laminate)
8.25 x 10.75 (Case Laminate)
8.5 x 8.5 (Case Laminate)
8.5 x 11 (Case Laminate)
 
Standard Color Books:
4 x 6
4 x 7
5 x 7
5 x 8
5.25 x 8
5.5 x 8.25
5.5 x 8.5
6 x 9
6.5 x 6.5
6.625 x 10.25
7 x 10
7.5 x 9.25
8 x 8
8 x 10
8.25 x 10.75
8.25 x 11
8.5 x 8.5
8.5 x 9
8.5 x 11
 
Premium Color Books:
4 x 7
5 x 8
5.5 x 8.25
5.5 x 8.5
6 x 9
6.14 x 9.21
6.5 x 6.5
6.625 x 10.25
7 x 10
7.5 x 9.25
8 x 8
8 x 10
8.25 x 10.75
8.5 x 8.5
8.5 x 9
8.5 x 11
11 x 8.5

Question 5

Can I list my book for pre-order?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Here is the basic definition of pre-orders (also known as pre-sales): sales that accumulate before the publication date of the book.
 
Marketing is key to a successful pre-sales campaign. It’s one thing to have the book available for sale; it’s another thing to drive readers to your book. Engaging your readers throughout the duration of a pre-sales campaign is incredibly important to accumulating sales.
 
We require a pre-order period of at least 90 days from the approval of your final book.

Question 6

Does CTP proof-read and edit my book?

Accepted Answer

Currently, we don't offer editing and proof-reading services. However, every author needs it. Self-editing a book is nearly impossible. Hiring an experienced book editor is often the best investment. Book editors do more than make sure your I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed. They ensure your writing is fluid and poignant.

Question 7

What about the rights and royalties of my book?

Accepted Answer

You own 100% rights to the book. Royalties are paid quarterly.

Question 8

What royalities will I receive from the sale price of my book?

Accepted Answer

You will receive all of your royalties. The actual amount depends on a few factors:

The Retail Price of your book
The Wholesale Discount
The Cost to Print your book
 
Let's walk through an example: If your book is 6x9, black-and-white, 150-page, paperback book is priced at $15 and you set a 55% wholesale discount, the wholesale price of the book will be $6.75.
 
$15 list price - ($15 X 55% discount) = $6.75 wholesale price
 
The wholesale price is the amount that distribution partners will pay for the book. A wholesaler will keep a portion of that discount and pass along the rest to the bookstores ordering the book, and retailers may pass along a discount to the end consumer (for example: the retailer may sell your $15 book for $12.99 in their store). The cost to print your book (based on format choices you've made such as hardcover or paperback, black-and-white or premium color, page count, etc.) will be deducted from the $6.75 wholesale price, and you will be paid what is left over. (To continue with our 6x9, black-and-white, 150-page, paperback example, the price to print a book with those specifications would be $2.97, meaning you get paid $3.78 for every book sold after all is said and done.)
 
You may be thinking, "Why would I set a wholesale discount that enables the bookstore to make more money than me on the sale?" But consider how many sales you might not achieve without the help of retailers. If you have your own e-commerce and fulfillment methods and a fan base that you know will purchase from you without fail, then offering a higher wholesale discount may not be necessary for you. The minimum wholesale discount you can offer with CTP is 35% (35% in international markets). But majority of the readers visit their local bookstore or online retailer than will visit your author website or hand you cash for a copy. So, you have to consider what that exposure is worth to you, and where you do that is your wholesale discount.
 
You promote your book and let people know what retailers they can purchase it from. The retailers handle the inventory, ordering, and selling of your book so that you can make what may end up being $3.78 on your $15.00 book—but it may be $3.78 you wouldn't have earned otherwise. And if your book sells through stores, the stores may place more orders, and multiple $3.78 sales could end up equaling more than the handful of $15.00 sales you may get if you try to do it all on your own. 
 
If you think you'll offer a bookstore a 30% wholesale discount so that you get more and they get less, consider how many books they're asked to carry and how limited their shelf space is. A 30% wholesale discount is considered a short discount and is not typically a big enough incentive for a bookstore to purchase your book over another with a standard trade discount of at least 40%.

Frequently asked questions