STEP 1:

Download template and paste in your copy.
Incubation Press can print and publish your book your way. However, your digital manuscript must be formatted first. We can do this for you, or you can do it yourself.

To handle the formatting yourself:

• Copy and save the template to your own computer.
• Paste your manuscript into the pre-formatted Word template that is already set up to our specs and rename it. Add pages as needed.
• Do your own formatting—fonts, spacing, etc. If using a font not on our list, you’ll need to send us the PC version of the font along with your formatted manuscript.
• Insert graphics, if any. Make sure to save each graphic as a .jpg before you insert it into your manuscript. (This will reduce the size of the graphics and the size of the file itself.)
• Print out some sample pages. Make the manuscript look exactly the way you want the book to look, then lock in your formatting by converting that Word document into a PDF (for instructions, click here). That way you’ll ensure that the book you receive from us will look just like the manuscript you so carefully formatted. We may still have to do some formatting once you send your manuscript to us, but the more you do the better.

If you don't download our template and are formatting from scratch:

• Make sure your pages are set to 5.5 x 8.5 inches, with all margins (left, right, top and  bottom) set to a minimum of 1 inch each.
• If you use a header/footer for your page numbers, put it at least .5 of an inch from the top or bottom of the page. 
• If you use headers for your name and/or title on each page use the same spacing, .5 of an inch  from the top of the page. 
• Make sure that odd-numbered pages are on the right side when the book is opened.

To have us handle the formatting:

• Prepare you manuscript in a single Word document with no formatting other than page breaks before the start of a new chapter. A few important hints:
• Those page breaks are critical, so make sure you insert one at the start of each new chapter.
• Only hit the ENTER key when you’ve finished a paragraph (never at the end of each line).
• Do NOT number your pages by hand. Use automatic page numbering (click Insert, then Page Numbers).
• Convert any graphics to a .jpg format before you load them into your book. Just right-click on the graphic and click Save Picture As. Under file name, make sure the Save As Type box (under File Name) specifies .jpg.

STEP 2:

Design cover using template or let us design one for you.
Of course, every book needs a cover that speaks to its quality.

To design your own cover using our template:

• Copy and save the template to your own computer.
• Paste your cover design  into the template, resize layout if necessary and rename it.

To design your cover from scratch:

• Start with a Legal Size Page (8.5" X 14"), landscape mode without margins.
• Measure from Right to left and create 3 sections on that page.

• The right and left sections will measure 5.5 x 8.5”
• The center section will be the spine, and the width of that section will be found by multiplying the number of pages by 0.002 (example 200 pages x 0.025 = 0.5 inches). If you’re looking to use heavier paper (ie: 28 pound stock, also known as 80 pound stock), multiply the number of pages by 0.003 (example 200 pages x 0.003 = 0.615 inches.
• Include within those sections whatever elements you want your cover to have.
• Then print the page into the PDF Printer, or Select all and Export it as a graphic .jpg.

STEP 3:

Submit manuscript and cover to Incubation Press.

Ready to publish your book? Simply fill out our form and then email us your manuscript. The files may not be larger than 2 megabytes. If your files are larger, please contact us at: 1-866-839-BOOK or Email.

Once we have digital versions of your cover and formatted manuscript, printing your book is a relatively simple matter. For short runs of 50 books or fewer, we typically can have your books ready to ship in a week or two, and sometimes in just a few days.

Any questions? Ask us by clicking here or phone us at 1-866-839-BOOK. Any special projects or unusual customizing needed? We'll work with you within the limits of our hardware and software. Our goal is to help you produce an edition of your book that will make you proud.