Author's Menu

The first place to start is in your heart.  If you receive a vision or a dream on a topic or an idea, then by all means, WRITE IT DOWN. With our experience, it is better to write down the things that you receive in your heart, mind and spirit at the time you are getting the "download".  If you wait, more than likely you will either forget the (original) thought when it first came to you, or you will only remember the thoughts in parts . Put a notebook and pen beside your bed, in the front seat of your car, at your desk; any place you frequent the most. You can use a mini recording device as well.

It depends. First you will have to either present to us your final manuscript for printing, or you can obtain our services to proof read and format it for you.  Your turnaround time depends on you.  Your book will be printed in 2 business days from the time that your proofs are approved.  Depending on where you are located, your books can reach us in approximately 4 days.  Since we use an outside contracted entity to do the printing for us; you can elect the option to have a pre-copy sent to you before the final printing of the books.  The printing company charges an extra fee for this, but if you want to see exactly how your book will look then it's worth it.  In some cases, we may recommend to you to not waste money on a pre-copy.  Each situation is different, so we will inform you of what we feel is best for you.  The bottom line:  It's your book and you have the final say so of what to do to your project.

It depends?  You can have anywhere from 10 copies printed to 1000 copies+ printed.  It also depends on the number of pages the book contains and whether there are colored pictures in the book.  We have used the same printer for the past 6 years and are pleased of their continuous services in quality printing, materials and accurate printing times.  Unlike Vanity Press Printers however, how ever many books you order for yourself will be included as a flat rate.  In other words, some Publishers use the POD (print on demand) method.  You pay a fee, (usually between 600 to 1300 dollars) and the Publisher sends you 2-5 copies for yourself.  If someone orders your book, the Printing Company will print the book and then send it to the customer.  Usually, POD businesses will keep a small royalty fee for each book sold.  This may be the way to go for some, but we feel that the best way to promote your book is through the one who knows it best, YOU!  Vanity Press Printers are not going to promote your book for you, and if they claim that they will, it is for a fee, and they really don't do more than you can do on your own.  Keep in mind, the more books you print, the cheaper the cost is to print.

Check out our sample pricing quote of a past client to give you an idea.  To receive a more accurate price, you must contact us for a quote.  You can also self-publish through GP using our services, but you, not GP, will be listed as the publisher.  Look at the comparison chart to see the difference between self-publishing and publishing with GP.

The year that you have your material printed is the year that your material is copy written.  You may opt to have your book copy written through the Copyright Office for a fee.  Paying to have your book copy written is not really necessary, (unless you find yourself in a legal battle regarding your published book), then having your book copy written through the Copyright office will be an asset.   We can help you obtain the Copyright if you chose to go that way.  In the meantime, we suggest that you do the "poor man" method.  Place a copy of your manuscript in an envelope, take it to the Postal Office and ask them to seal your package with a dated seal.  Make sure that the seal covers the sealed part so that it is impossible to open the envelope without first breaking the seal.  Then have the package mailed to you and request the confirmation with a signature service.  NEVER open this package, and keep it in a place where you will always know where it is.  We will assist you with all of the legalities of your copy written material.

Our Mother company Griot International have several different websites that house a bookstore for online shopping of our published books as well as our Amazon.com bookstore.  Authors who wish to have their books on display in the online bookstore may do so under our consignment program.  We do not have strict guidelines like some, but we do monitor what we will allow our name to be represented on. We will not display any material that is not suitable for our sites, however, if you have material that you are not sure meets the criteria for GP, contact us and for a free evaluation of your manuscript.  What you think is not within our guidelines may in fact be within them.

Once your book is published, we will display your material on our website for more exposure. To answer the question, we will keep your book on this site for as long as this site exists or you choose to no longer have your book (s) displayed here.  Either way, just notify us in writing to remove your book and we will, no questions asked.  

You can order as many times as you need to.  Keep in mind, if you want to make any changes to your book; you will have to republish all over again.  This is not a hard thing to do however; you will have to pay the initial cost to publish a new book.  We will work with you to perhaps get you to that final point of satisfaction of your material to eliminate the need to republish.  The complication comes when you register for an ISBN (The International Standard Book Number (ISBN). An ISBN is a 10-digit number that uniquely identifies books and book-like products published internationally.  Once you are issued an ISBN, your book is married to it for life.  If you decide to make drastic changes to your book, you may do so; just not with the Number that was assigned to the book.  ISBN's are NON-TRANSFERRABLE AND CANNOT BE SOLD EXCEPT THROUGH AN AUTHORIZED VENDOR OF THE U.S ISBN AGENCY.   We will help you to obtain that number and barcode.  

This is the #1 question that we are asked. To make your book legit, be prepared to spend a few more dollars than you have expected. Here is a quick list of the major things that need to be done in order for your book to be considered to occupy a shelf. Again, we will help you through the whole process so don't panic. If you just plan to distribute your book amongst family and friends, then these numbers may just be a waste of money. Again, you are the boss!   We are just listing them here so that you can educate yourself on the process that your book will go through.  

*Griot Publishing is listed as the Publisher but you own the copyrights to your book. GP- ISBN is available immediately.- $75.00

*YOU are listed as the Publisher - $150

** Personal ISBN & Barcode combo. $164

Approximately 1 week delivery time. 

This price includes the barcode & the processing fee for the application.

The Library of Congress does not charge for LCCN's, but Griot Publishing charges a processing fee of $35.00 if we do the application on your behalf.

Problems with various account numbers, such as billing errors, products shipped to the wrong points, errors in payments and returns, will be almost eliminated by using the SAN system.  If your stores, or libraries, have the SAN on your stationery and ordering documents, vendors to whom you send your transactions do not have to check your account number and can proceed immediately to process your orders. Approximately a 15 day delivery time.