1. Which services require payment in full before work begins?

Every service requires some payment up front, but a few do not require payment in full before we begin work. Ghost writing and screenplay writing/conversion require a payment of $1,500 - $2,500 before work begins. While web design requires a $575 payment to be made in full before construction of your site begins, there is an annual maintenance fee involved which will be due at the beginning of the month prior to the end of your first year, and at the same time each subsequent year that you decide to renew the service. The rest of our services (editing, proofreading, data entry, cover design, formatting, publishing, and printing) do require the full amount to be paid up front. However, there will, occasionally, be further costs that are incurred for editing, formatting, web design and cover design. These extra costs will be discussed before charged to the client. At that time, the amount will be due before work continues.

2. What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept personal/business checks, money orders, cashier's checks, as well as credit card payments from the following credit card companies: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express.

3. How long does it take to complete the services?

This depends on a few different things. Obviously, it depends on the service being provided. It will also depend on the number of iterations the author requests. Method of delivery will effect the length of time it takes to send the manuscript to and from the author, which in turn effects the overall amount of time until completion of the service; electronic delivery will be the most efficient. Author turn-around time--the amount of time the author takes to look over galleys, etc.--must also be taken into account. We do not have a "guaranteed delivery date" like some other self-publishing companies, but that is because we believe in quality over quantity.

4. How can I check the status of work being done on my book?

For the time being, a phone call or email will have to suffice. However, in the future we would like to have a system that will allow you to check the progress of work to your manuscript from our website. This will enable the author to get an answer in an instant!

5. What is your refund policy?

Our refund policy is one that we hope to never have to use, but we will honor any reasonable request for a refund. We do ask that the request be given in writing. However, we are confident that you will be pleased with the outcome of our services, as well as the treatment that you will receive from Penned, Ink.

6. What software do you use?

We have a variety of software available for use at Penned, Ink. We can accept text files in Word, Wordperfect, Quark, and Adobe Acrobat Reader. We prefer to receive original copies of photos and illustrations, but we can work with Photoshop, Illustrator, and Powerpoint files, as well as images inserted into any of the above mentioned software. If you are working with a different program, just let us know and we will see what we can do to convert it or even purchase the software necessary to accommodate your needs.

7. Should I send my manuscript in before signing a contract and/or making a payment?

We actually prefer that you do send us a copy of your manuscript before making any payments or signing a contract. That will allow us the opportunity to assess your work and give you recommendations on any services that would benefit you. You can always refuse any service that you are not interested in. At that point, we would then draft the contract and send a copy to you for your approval. The first payment or payment in full, depending upon the services you are to receive, should then be sent to us with the signed contract. We will send you a receipt of your payment and a copy of your contract within a week of the time that we receive it back from you.

8. Are you Macintosh compatible?

Penned, Ink does not work in Macintosh, but we have the capability of converting your Macintosh files to PC files. There will, however, be an extra charge of $50 per file to be converted.

9. What are the printing options that I should consider before signing up?

It is advisable that, if you are interested in having Penned, Ink print your book, you call or email us for printing information. We will need to know the specifications of your book in order to give you an accurate assessment. However, you may want to look at some books in your local bookstore and see what catches your eye. Pay attention to the color and texture of the paper, the look and feel of the cover/dust jacket, the binding, and any other features that you would like to consider for your book.

10. Do I have to be a client of Penned, Ink to register and post on your message boards?

No! We encourage everyone to participate in our forums. We want you to think of our boards as your personal writing community, where you can mingle and discuss topics of interest with other writers, or those who just enjoy literary endeavours. The more members we have participating, the more interesting they will be! We created these boards to be an environment that authors and lovers of literature will enjoy visiting. Personalize the boards by choosing a style that suits you. When you create your profile, you can also choose an avatar that will appear whenever you post to the boards. Members can start their own topics, or join a discussion in progress. Or, if you like, you can just stop by and read what others have to say!

11. Are you a vanity publisher?

NO! A vanity publisher takes your money, gives you a few books, and that's it. We are a true self-publishing company, offering a variety of services to help authors publish their own book. Unlike other self-publishing companies, we will never take royalties from your book, and you only pay for the services that you need. The author has all the control; we are here to help make the experience easier and more enjoyable for an author who wants to self-publish. We are also working on a unique marketing experience that we can offer to our authors. Some of the strategies will be familiar, as they are used often by other self-publishing companies, but many will be unique to Penned, Ink!

12. Do you handle distribution?

No, and the reason why is simple. Since our authors keep 100% of the profits from their books, it makes sense that they would handle the distribution. In doing so, they are better able to keep track of where their books are selling, how many copies have been sold, and how many copies they need to print to keep up with demand. So, while we do offer marketing services, our authors are responsible for all sales and distributions of their books.

 

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