SELF PUBLISH WITH ÓS PRESSAN
If you’re a writer, it’s very likely that you have a novel in the drawer. We, at Ós Pressan, are happy to give talented authors an opportunity to publish professional-quality books by offering a range of book production services, such as design, typesetting, printing, as well as distribution.
We do not purchase manuscripts or cover the cost of producing them. Authors are expected to pay for the costs of publication. However, after decisions are made jointly with authors, we will take care of the planning, producing and printing the book. Another advantage offered to authors is the use of our channels to distribute, sell and promote your book.
We are aware that deciding to finance your book is not a decision to be made lightly. It requires a large investment up front and that is why we take the whole process seriously and will only agree to bring a book to life if we think that it is both ready and worthy of publication.
We will analyze every single original received and let authors know of our decision to move forward or not with publishing. Accepted books will be published and distributed under the Ós Pressan imprint.
Instructions for sending originals
If you have read all the information regarding self publishing with Ós, you agree with the prices detailed below and you are interested in having Ós Pressan consider your work, please send originals to: ospressan@gmail.com with MANUSCRIPT as the subject. You will receive a confirmation email from us within a few weeks after you have sent your manuscript.
Your file must be named in the following way: Name of the author_Name of the work_Genre
(Ex: Halldor Laxness_Independent People_Novel)
Together with the manuscript, the author must send a brief bio written in the third person.
Only originals sent in the correct way via email will be considered.
Please read the FAQ section below before emailing queries and originals.
FAQs
What types of books do you publish?
We publish novels, collections of short stories, creative non-fiction and poetry books. We do not publish academic work, biographies or cookbooks.
Is there a certain genre or writing style that Ós Pressan prefers?
No, we will consider any work of poetry and prose, ranging from creative non-fiction and literary fiction to romance, fantasy, sci-fi and detective novels, among others.
What services are offered by Ós Pressan?
We will proofread, format and design your book, including typesetting, cover and interior design, as well as take care of printing and distributing the book to local bookstores and libraries. We can also help with marketing and promoting the book and with warehousing and fulfillment services (order processing, book packaging and shipping, and customer invoicing).
Is there a fee?
Yes, we charge a fee for the services provided to publish and distribute your book.
How much does it cost?
Price varies depending on book length, cover design, book size, whether the book is printed in four-color or black and white, etc. We are only able to give a specific quote after reviewing and accepting the manuscript, but the table below covers the average cost of the professional services we offer and serves as a guideline.
Professional Service
Cost
Book proofreading (100 pages/30,000 words) - ISK 60,000
Book formatting and layout (for 100 pages) + 3 corrections - ISK 200,000
Cover design (no illustration) - Included
Cover illustration (optional, made to order) - ISK 90,000
Book printing (100 copies) - from ISK 150,000
Book distribution - from ISK 20,000
Marketing promotion - from ISK 10,000
Warehousing and fulfillment services (optional) - from ISK 20,000
*Prices refer to a softcover, black and white SRA5 sized book (160mm x 225mm), with no illustrations and printed in black and white with a colorful cover.
Do I have to pay in advance?
We require 50% of the estimated order value in advance and the balance immediately prior to printing.
Does the manuscript need to be edited?
Yes. Books should be fully edited. If we consider that a manuscript still needs editing work, we may suggest a professional editor for the author to work with, if they so wish.
What is the minimum and maximum number of pages/words for submitted manuscripts?
There is no minimum or maximum number of pages/words, but an average novel has around 50-80K words. In general, there are 300 words per page, so a 60,000 word manuscript should come out as a 200 page book.
Can I submit manuscripts in any language?
No. Right now we are only accepting manuscripts in English.
What format should manuscripts have?
As long as it is legible, you may choose font, font size and margins.
How much control do I have over the production process?
We will take over the creative and production process as to how a book is formatted and designed after the acceptance of the manuscript. However, you will be able to review and approve suggested designs, layouts, fonts, etc.
Can I do my own design for the interior layout and/or cover?
You may make suggestions, but for our books to have a consistent look and feel, we offer templates for interior design, typeface, graphics, size, cover, trim size, etc. You will be able to suggest, review and approve all aspects before the printing stage.
How long does it take to receive an answer from Ós Pressan?
We aim to analyze originals and get back to authors within three months from the date we receive your manuscript, but it may vary depending on the amount of material we receive. We will let you know if the process will take longer.
Will my manuscript be safe after I send it to Ós Pressan?
Yes. Your manuscript will only be made available to the editors involved in analyzing it for publication.
What happens to my manuscript if it is not selected for publication?
Work that is not selected for publication will be deleted from our database once we inform the author of our decision.
Can I use a pseudonym?
Yes, we can publish your book under a chosen pseudonym, but we require that you use your real name when submitting your work for consideration.
Do I keep all rights to my book?
Yes. The author maintains all copyright and intellectual property rights to the work. We only require the right to publish the book in the particular format agreed.
Who owns the books?
You do. However, we can offer warehousing, fulfillment and shipping services.
Do I receive royalties or sales proceeds on the books sold via Ós Pressan and local bookstores?
Yes. If you wish Ós Pressan to feature and sell books directly, we will keep books in stock and take a small fee (5%) from sales originated on our site/events. We will set pricing and discounts on books we sell. Rates and royalties vary for external distributors.
How long does it usually take to recover the money invested in publishing my book?
Our previous experience shows that authors may recover the amount invested in about six months to a year.
What is the minimum amount I can print?
The minimum order quantity is usually 100 depending on the specification of the book. We recommend you do not print more than 300 copies, however, the more copies you print, the cheaper it is the printing price per unit.
Where will published books be released?
All the works published by Ós Pressan are made available in Iceland, but can be sold online and shipped worldwide.
Who handles marketing and advertising?
We can offer marketing services for a small fee, including sending out review books to local media outlets, creating online campaigns and scheduling book readings. We can also help with web promotions, giveaways, special offers and online bookstores.
Can I distribute my own book?
Yes, you’re free to distribute your book as you wish.
Do you print both hardback and paperback books?
No. We only supply paperback books.
Do you design the cover?
Yes. Basic cover design is included in the price. For an extra fee, you may have a unique illustration created by our art director in consultation with you. You can see samples of his work here.
Can my book have a color cover?
Yes. All books are printed with a color cover. There is no saving in cost if you decide to have a cover with no color.
Will my book have an ISBN and a barcode?
Yes. We’ll take care of obtaining an ISBN for your book and including a barcode for scanning purposes.
What is an ISBN?
The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a numeric code that uniquely identifies a book, from its language to its publisher and edition. ISBN codes are required for books in bookstores and libraries. A book that appears in different languages will have different ISBN codes for each edition.
Do you publish eBooks?
Yes. If your work is accepted, you can decide to have only a digital version of a book instead of a physical printed version of it. Please let us know if you have a preference for an eBook when submitting your work.
How much does it cost to publish an eBook?
The cost of an eBook includes proofreading and design fees and varies according to length.
Do you print on demand?
No.
Maybe now is the time for that novel in the drawer to see the light of day!
Don’t let fears about how to publish your book keep you from transforming your publication dream into reality. Ós Pressan will support and advise you along the way. Get in touch for a chance to publish your book.