Wheatmark, Inc. Kicks Off Its Second Annual “Author Awareness Month” Initiative Offering Free Resources to Writers

TUCSON, AZ November, 2006 – In solidarity with National Author’s Day on November 1, Wheatmark, Inc., an industry leading self-publishing service focused on helping authors cost effectively and expediently “break through,” today announced that its second annual “Author Awareness Month” – an initiative intended to increase authors’ overall knowledge on and understanding of book publishing – is underway to help established and aspiring authors make informed choices about getting their written work to print. The company also announced the launch of an enhanced suite of editorial services that give authors even more flexibility and control over their publishing project than ever before.

Activities planned for Wheatmark’s Second Annual “Author Awareness Month” event include:
o Knowledge Center: Free access to Wheatmark’s comprehensive repository of information resources, including “crash course” editorial on:
o Writing and Editing 101
o Book Publishing 101
o Copyright 101
o Book Marketing 101
o Book Publicity 101
o Free Service. The company is offering a free 15-minute telephone consultation to any author considering Wheatmark’s self-publishing services
o Special Offer: All new authors who sign a Wheatmark Publishing Agreement with Wheatmark before December 31 will receive free post-layout proofreading services with the purchase of copyediting services
“This ‘Author Awareness Month’ initiative is our way of providing writers with an objective and reliable resource through which they can find the information needed to make educated decisions about book publishing,” said Sam G. Henrie, founder and president of Wheatmark and president of the Arizona Book Publishing Association. “Wheatmark strongly advocates that authors gain a complete understanding of their publishing options before taking action. We feel this effort will serve both authors, and the industry, well.”

The new editorial enhancements Wheatmark provides include:

• Editorial analysis. Wheatmark now provides a thorough evaluation of an author’s unpublished manuscript for a nominal $199 fee. This allows authors to benefit from senior-level assessment of their written work to determine, in advance and before committing to a service contract, the level of editing needed to conform to today's standard publishing guidelines. Authors also receive feedback and recommendation on their overall text relative to audience, tone), English usage (grammar, spelling, punctuation), content (ambiguities, text flow problems), formatting issues, notes or bibliography errors, potential permissions issues, and other editorial notes. The analysis also includes a sample edit to illustrate exactly how the prescribed level of editing impacts the author’s writing;
• Three levels of copyediting: light, regular, heavy. One-size copyediting services no longer fit all. Wheatmark has implemented a tiered system that will assess copyediting fees based on a manuscript’s individualized needs. Copyediting fees range from $0.015 to $0.024 per word with a 2-3-week term length;
• Developmental editing. This level of service will help both fiction and non-fiction authors effectively convert an underdeveloped manuscript into a publishable piece of work. Multiple editorial passes and heavy copyediting will assure a well-organized manuscript that is “print-worthy.” The cost of this service is $0.054 per word, with a 4-6 week start to completion timeframe;
• Proofreading. Once an author’s manuscript has been turned into a fully paginated document by a Wheatmark editor, a proofreader will scour the document and fix any problems to assure it meets the highest traditional publishing standards. Cost is $0.009 per word, with a 1-3-week turnaround (prerequisite: any of Wheatmark’s copyediting services)


Earlier this year, Wheatmark redefined self-publishing industry best practices by doubling its royalty rate on direct retail sales, offering its authors an unprecedented 40% - the highest among top-tier self-publishing and print-on-demand companies. Self-publishing pioneer Wheatmark is also the only print-on-demand service specifically focused on helping its authors maximize book sales to help boost royalty revenue. The company has designed each of its publishing, distribution, marketing, editorial, and book design services to support each author’s sales and marketing efforts.

Beyond paying record royalties, Wheatmark’s additional strength is that it offers authors the best value in self-publishing. The company provides its comprehensive print-on-demand publishing service for just $799, which includes custom book layout, custom cover design, ISBN, LCCN, and other bibliographic registrations, among many other distinctive author benefits.

Those interested in learning more about Wheatmark’s “Author Awareness Month” initiative and/or would like to take advantage of its free 15-minute telephone consultation during the month of November should contact the company through its Web site at www.wheatmark.com, or contact them via toll-free telephone at 1-888-934-0888.

About Wheatmark, Inc.
Founded in 1999, Wheatmark, Inc. is a leading purveyor of self-publishing services. The company provides aspiring and established authors with publishing, distribution, editorial, and book design services that support authors’ sales and marketing efforts. Wheatmark is revolutionizing the self-publishing industry by marrying the power of digital and other modern technologies with the virtues of the traditional publishing model. Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, Wheatmark can be reached through its Web site at http://www.wheatmark.com.