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Commemorative Books

Custom and commemorative publishing can be considered many things (i.e., co-publishing, partner publishing, custom publishing). But the bottom line is this: we work with schools, museums and other cultural institutions, and professionals to produce outstanding books.

If you want to commemorate your school’s centennial, immortalize a museum exhibit, or acknowledge the history of your community, we can help. A team of copyeditors and proofreaders will refine the words. Designers and typesetters will bring together your words and images and create a polished product for review. After your approval and a final round of proofreading and double-checks (sometimes triple-checks, just for good measure), we’ll guide it through the printing process and, finally, into your hands.

Whether you’re looking for an oversized, full-color coffee-table book or a smaller, softcover piece, we can help. Contact us now to discuss your project.

Custom and Commemorative books include:

  • Schools: Mark an anniversary, event, or notable person
  • Community: Capture a rich history, people, places, and events
  • Museums: Highlight a special exhibit, programming, or the museum itself
  • Professionals: Convey professional expertise
How We Publish
  • The client gathers images and generates a book manuscript, with or without Reedy’s help.
  • Reedy is able to shape concepts, offering developmental editing as needed.
  • Reedy copyedits the text and separately creates a design sample with the school-supplied images.
  • After the client approves the design sample and copyedited manuscript, Reedy typesets the approved copy.
  • At this same time, Reedy designs a cover and provides design to the client for approval. Changes are incorporated and a revised cover is supplied to the school for approval.
  • Typeset pages are proofread and edits are input.
  • The client reviews and proofreads page proofs and Reedy enters the desired changes.
  • Once the client approves final proofs for pages and the cover, printing commences and books are delivered approximately six weeks later.
Pricing
  • The client looks at book samples and indicates the type of book it wants to publish.
  • The client projects possible order quantities, and Reedy responds with a price scale.
  • The client commits to purchasing a palatable amount of books, as publishing work begins.
  • Reedy provides a pre-sale strategy and supplies the client with marketing materials.
  • Once the book is ready to print, the client uses pre-sale data to order a sensible quantity.
FAQ
What specific services do you provide? Are the services offered ala carte?

Reedy provides a full range of publishing services. Most of our jobs include the following work:

  • project management and direction
  • copy editing
  • image management and correction
  • design
  • typesetting
  • proofreading
  • printing

Reedy will do all or, if desired, parts of the above. Upon request, we provide additional services such as scanning and research. We also consult on advance and post-publication marketing at no cost.

What do the services above entail?

Project Management and Direction

A project manager, also called a production manager, organizes and coordinates the entire the publication process. This person works with the client to establish an outline and schedule. Subsequently, he or she coordinates a team of editors, designers, and other publishing professionals to ensure delivery of the desired product.

Copy Editing

The original author manuscript is provided to a copyeditor. The copyeditor will reword as necessary to improve the format, style, accuracy, or flow of the original manuscript copy while maintaining the integrity of the original. Once copyediting is complete, the updated manuscript is returned to the author for review. After the author and publisher give their mutual approval, the book is ready for typesetting.

Image Management and Correction

Provided images will be reviewed and publisher will offer guidance and recommendations as to image selection and best use including number of images, content, placement, and size. Supplied images will be reviewed for quality and resolution. If the resolution is not acceptable, the publisher will alert the author so that a replacement can be provided. If the image resolution is acceptable but there are marks, scratches, or color correction is necessary to improve the quality of an image, the publisher will make those adjustments.

Design

A designer selects fonts and graphic elements and, using author provided text and images as placeholders, lays out several pages to illustrate what the final pages will look like. Often a designer will create more than one design sample. Changes to the design will occur based on author preference, page count, length of text, and other such reasons. Once the final design is approved, a template is returned to the typesetter.

Typesetting

The typesetter will receive the sample template from the designer along with the approved, copyedited manuscript. The typesetter flows the copyedited manuscript into the template and creates all styles for headings, text, and illustrations/graphics per the approved design. The typesetter also receives final edits from the proofreader and is responsible for making those corrections later in the production process.

Printing

After input of final proofreader edits, all pages are reviewed a final time by the Reedy Press team. Once a final review is complete, pages and cover files are uploaded to a selected printer. Proof reviews take place followed by printing and binding. Final books are boxed and shipped from the printer directly to the client.

Does Reedy provide design templates?

Reedy does not use templates. We prefer to customize the design of each book based upon early input from the client. Prior to starting the design, the client expresses style and aesthetic preferences. Reedy then creates a design sample accordingly. Once the client approves the sample, Reedy designs the rest of the book and takes client feedback afterward.

What are the fees and payment terms?

We typically bill in 3 installments: one-third of the total upon agreement, one-third when the client approves the printer-ready proofs, and the balance upon delivery of books.

Who owns the content?

The client owns the content. Reedy retains reprint rights should the client decide to reprint.

Is there a limit to the number of photos or word count?

Reedy can accommodate any number of images or word count.

Who will I work with?

You will work with production director Barbara Northcott, a highly experienced and talented publishing professional. She has worked with publishers and publishing clients for more than twenty years. She manages a team of designers and editors assigned to the project.

Is the fee structure clear?

We price each job according to the book specifications and scope of work defined in the job contract. Pricing only changes if the specifications and scope change, which only happens with both parties’ agreement.

How long does the publishing process usually take?

In jobs that involve the client providing text and images to Reedy, the process of making and delivering actual books takes approximately 5 months. Jobs that call for additional services take longer, but regardless, Reedy will provide a clear schedule accounting for the entire process at the outset.

Are there minimum print runs?

A typical print minimum is 500 copies. We’ve printed as few as 300. Starting lower seldom makes sense financially.

Do you have references we can contact?

References are available upon requests. See also our testimonials for the sample projects below for extensive feedback on our work.

What challenges do clients often face?

The hardest part of publishing a book is generating the content, which involves research, writing, and photo collection. The client often handles at least parts of this process, so finding quality, reliable people with the time and the will to perform the work is critical. A schedule and outline—ideally coordinated with the publisher—should soon follow. In the schedule, consider and allow time for internal reviews of the manuscript before submitting it to the publisher. And don’t underestimate how much time and effort photo collection can take. Producing material is often easier than finding it.