Expectations

Dear Self-Publishing Author,

Please pay attention when we describe time frames. It is important to understand that we give you these time frames as guidance.

If you choose to have your work edited (which I encourage!), this will add time to that estimate.

If you choose to have an extra revision round, this will add time to your estimate.

If you need any additional services, this will add time to your estimate.

Please do not act surprised when the time estimate changes because of additional services. Unfortunately, these services take time. No I can't fit these into the original time estimate.

Please also understand that taking a strident tone and becoming rude and demanding will not alter the fact that extra services will take extra time.

Please further understand that while your changes might only take our designers a short time to complete, that you are not the only author with whom we work and it will take some time to get your piece in front of a designer. Please understand that we work with hundreds of authors and endeavor to give each author the same focussed attention. I know you are in a rush because 2012 is coming and everyone will need to read this book, but we have proceedures that must be followed.

Please be advised that telling me what other companies are doing does not alter our process, nor shorten the time it takes to produce a work of quality.

Please be advised that phoning me every other day will not alter our process, nor shorten the time it takes.

Please be advised that our book promotion department has specific experience in their areas, and while you might have graduated from journalism in 1862, that does not mean you know the best way to market your book.

Please be advised that if your target market is college age readers, it might serve you well to listen to our staff, who are college aged and know how that demographic communicates.

Please be advised that becoming obnoxious and rude will not help you achieve the results you like.

Sincerely,
Amazed at lack of courtesy, logic and professionalism of some self-publishing authors.