Question 1

Who is JTZ Books?

Accepted Answer

JTZ Books is an author-friendly publisher and we aim to put the power back into the hands of the writer.  Our company is committed to authors maintaining their royalties, keeping the rights to their material, and control over their art.  That’s why JTZ Books now works with a dedicated team of editors, designers, and illustrators to help authors see their books come to life.

Question 2

How is JTZ Books different?

Accepted Answer

There are a lot of answers to this question, but beyond our straightforward dedication to strong ethics and integrity, we bring to the table experience in top-notch editorial and design services.  We truly work hand-in-hand with authors through every step of the process, and it’s our goal to be the best publishing experience possible for our authors.  Above everything else, JTZ Books stands out for how our people care for our books and our authors.

Question 3

Is JTZ Books self-publishing?

Accepted Answer

No, we are not a self-publishing company.  Self-publishing is when a person puts a book out for themselves; often with little quality control, no cover designer, and no professional editorial assistance.  JTZ Books is interested in helping writers see their books in print without having to deal with the hassle of trying to get accepted by a traditional publisher.  We make sure to vet every book for excellence.  While there have been successful self-published authors, these are the outliers.  Many self-published authors spend a lot of time and energy writing books that did not make it to the finish line.  That’s why we’re here to offer another way.

Question 4

What’s wrong with traditional publishing?

Accepted Answer

Nothing, in theory.  It can give you great reach, and can take advantage of well-worn pathways to notoriety.  Unfortunately, though, traditional publishing is fraught with shortcomings, and it can be very challenging to authors.  Here are some of the problems that often plague traditional publishing: long time from acceptance to publication; expensive author copies; limited editorial assistance; little say in cover design; little say in interior layout; little say in book dimensions; onerous royalties contracts; outrageous contest and reading fees and rejection.  Here are some of JTZ Books solutions to these problems: can be less than 6 months to publication; wholesale price author copies; dedicated editorial assistance; tons of say in cover design; tons of say in interior layout; tons of say in book dimensions; we take 10% royalties; no contest / reading fees; no endless rejection—if your book is good, let’s make it happen.  Keep these advantages in mind, when determining which route to take to get your book into the world.

Question 5

Is JTZ Books a vanity press?

Accepted Answer

We are not a vanity press.  Vanity presses publish whatever walks in the door and rarely offer anything more than one’s name in print.  All of our books go through a rigorous editorial process.  We owe it to our excellent writers to only publish great work.  We offer consultation and advice to anyone who has a project that they would like to see published.

Question 6

How does JTZ Books work?

Accepted Answer

JTZ Books uses a “partnership” model.   Many traditional publishers pay the initial costs of publication and design.  However, the author is often locked into onerous royalty’s contracts and marked-up book copies sold to the authors themselves.  We’ve seen this happen to great writers over and over again.  Instead of this publisher-friendly model, we use an author-centric approach in which you as the author make the initial investment in the publication costs, maintain your rights and artistic autonomy, and reap the benefits if your book is a hit.

Question 7

How much will this cost me?

Accepted Answer

We strive to have incredibly low overhead, which keeps our costs down, and we pass that savings onto you.  That’s why you get everything from hours of editorial coaching and consultation, interior and cover design, ISBN assignment, international distribution through a recognized major league distributor, and advice and assistance to book events, all for under $3,000, with the exact amount often much less than that figure, and always revealed transparently right up front, with no sneaky surprises later on in the process.  Compare this to vanity/self-publishing venues, who sometimes charge $10,000+ for the same services.  JTZ Books strives to ensure that book sells make its author a substantial profit.

Question 8

Will JTZ Books get rich if my book succeeds?

Accepted Answer

Our focus is on making sure the author is successful.  We only take a 10% royalties.  Part of “author-friendly” means that your book is your book, and no one should get rich off of it but you.  We are still highly invested in the success of your book.  We as a literary press publishing company are only as strong as our submissions.

Question 9

How do you publicize your authors?

Accepted Answer

We promote our authors heavily through social media and email newsletter campaigns, as in the current climate these are the truest ways to reach and expand audience.  We also use an international distributor to make your book available not just through the endless desert of Amazon, but on Barnes and Noble’s website and the websites of tons of independent bookstores, which helps generate local sales.  Given that an author is typically one of the primary driving forces behind the success of a book, we will give direction wherever possible, whether it be through media advertising buys, setting up a book tour, or getting the word out through grassroots social media promotion.

Question 10

Can you create an author website for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  We know that a big part of promoting a book is a strong online presence, and we have web designers and developers on call to build you a website you can be proud to put on your card.  We can connect you with one of our website designers to create you a nice, custom, professional-grade website.

Question 11

How quickly can you publish my book?

Accepted Answer

JTZ Books knows that time is of the essence, and will work to get your book out on a timeline that works for you.  If that means you have a business event and need your book done in six months, we will help make that happen.  If that means you want nine months to plan a publicity blast, we’ll time that right up for you.  Our job is to clearly communicate with you and provide status updates to meet your requested release date.

Question 12

Will I be able to supply my own cover artwork?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!  We love it when authors have a fair-use image we can incorporate into the cover design.  After all, the more you love your cover, the happier you’ll be, and that’s what we want.  We’ll give you advice on your cover and will always be honest if we think a better image is out there.

Question 13

Do you do e-books or print?

Accepted Answer

We do both!  We’re well versed in the interior formatting nuances of both of these formats, which are surprisingly more complex than you might initially imagine.  Our designers and developers are up to date on the latest software, and, more importantly, the latest styles and approaches to the wide world of fonts and typography.  You can be certain that the words on the page—whether that page is paper or a screen—will be easy on the eyes.

Question 14

How much will my author copies cost?

Accepted Answer

Many traditional presses will charge authors 60% of retail list price.  That means that if your book is retailing at $17.99, you’re paying $10.79 per copy, which will make it virtually impossible to make a profit on books you yourself sell, such as at readings and to family and friends.  It also makes it near impossible to make a profit if you try to sell your books at bookstores, which will often take 35-45% of the cut, leaving you with an untenable <$1 per book profit.  At JTZ Books we sell our authors unlimited copies of their books at the printer’s wholesale cost, which is almost always under $7 per book, and often much less, depending on the length of the book.

Question 15

Where are you located and how do I reach you?

Accepted Answer

JTZ Books is based in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and our authors, editors, and staff can be found all around America and the world.  From New York City to Costa Rica to Amsterdam to Sydney to Sao Paulo to Des Moines, we’re used to navigating time zones.  If you’d like to get a hold of us by our mailing address at 34 East Germantown, Pike #251, Norristown, PA 19401, our phone number at +1 (908) 727-0693, and our email at Jtz@jtzbooks.com.

Question 16

Okay, so now I’ve signed on—what should I expect?"

Accepted Answer

You should expect an efficient but thorough assessment of your manuscript, including two rounds of editorial consultation over the phone, in which we discuss ways to make your book the best it can be.  After you make any changes you’d like to make based on the advice, we’ll do a second round of revision to make sure your manuscript is publication-worthy.  During this time we’ll also be talking about cover design and interior layout, as well as what to do when your book is out.  Because we’ll work at the pace that suits you—lightning fast or carefully slow—we will do what it takes to communicate clearly, and before you know it you’ll have a beautiful book in your hands.

Question 17

I love it!  What next?

Accepted Answer

Visit our submissions page to send us your manuscript.  We will quickly be in touch to discuss your project, your desires and expectations, and determine a budget.  From there, we’ll embark on the fun process of guiding that book into shape!
Alternately, if you just have a question you’d like to ask, feel free to contact us at Jtz@jtzbooks.com!

FAQ's