What size and types of books can I select from?
We offer any size! The most common sizes are 5 ½” x 8 ½,” 6" x 9," and 8 ½" x 11" books with perfect-binding (square backs), plastic coil, plastic comb binding, or three-ring binding. Hardcover books are also available. Call today to discuss the size that best fits your need.

What exactly are "rights"?
It is your right, as the author, to do whatever you like with your book. Generally, an agreement with a publisher gives that publisher the right "to print, publish and sell the work in book form." The granting of rights sometimes lapses after a book is considered out of print.

Do you have an age requirement?
Anyone signing a book contract with Certa Publishing must be 18 years of age or older.

Do you publish eBooks?
Definitely!

Do I need an agent?
We do not require that you have an agent to submit your work to us.

Can I use a pen name?
You must sign your legal name on the contract and use it for payment purposes, but we can publish your book under your pen name.

What’s an author bio?
It’s usually 100 words or so about your background, previous writing experience and why you wrote this particular book

Can I revise my book after I get feedback from readers?
You can make changes to the inside pages or the cover at any time. Contact us for more information.

Can I publish my book in landscape format instead of portrait?
Absolutely. Contact us for a custom quote.

What is on-demand publishing?
It is printing only one book at a time, as needed. Typically, the on-demand presses do not produce as high of quality book as other presses. The unit cost is also significantly higher.

Does Certa Publishing use on-demand printing?
No. We use digital and web based presses in order to help increase the quality of our author's books while decreasing their unit cost. Our authors print a minimum of 100 books to start. This is also because our authors believe they have a message, product, and the marketing needed to sell that quantity and much more.

Can I submit a book that’s not in English?
Yes. Although we currently offer heavy editing written in English only, if you have a book written in another language, we will be glad to print it for you. We can also offer proofreading services in Spanish and Portuguese.

Can I publish a series with you?
We welcome authors who have written a series. We do ask that you sign a separate contract for each book.

I already have a book published with Certa Publishing. When can I send in my next work?
We welcome you back! We will be happy to consider your next book.

How do I get started?
Call us at 855-77-CERTA.

How will I know that you have received my submission?
Once we receive your submission, we will set up a file, give it a number and contact you.

How long does the review process take?
After we contact you the actual review process will take a week or less.

How long will it take to publish my book?
Many factors affect the production time of any book, including the proofreading/editing services your manuscript requires. We can give you a close estimate of turnaround time after we have seen your manuscript and spoken with you. The average time needed to print a soft-bound book is only a few weeks.

Do you offer editing services?
Because errors in a manuscript can and will hurt the sales of a book, we offer proofreading/editing services.

When do I get paid?
We pay you quarterly, as long as you have $25 or more in royalties due.

If I published my book with Certa Publishing, who owns the rights?
The rights to your book will always be yours.

What would happen if an agent or editor saw my book and wanted to publish it?
Your publishing agreement with Certa Publishing is non-exclusive, so you can enter into any other agreements if you like. But other publishers may ask you to cancel your agreement with us and grant them exclusive rights.

How long does my book have to be?
We usually prefer a minimum of 8,500 words. But we will consider works in progress or shorter works which can be lengthened. We can print books up to 100,000 words. However, please keep in mind, the longer a book is, the larger the printing cost will be. We typically recommend a Christian non-fiction book to have between 35,000 and 55,000 words.

How can I submit my book?
The best way to start is by reviewing our manuscript submission guidelines. Next, format your manuscript according to these guidelines and fill out the submit my book form. We will contact you as soon as we get it or you can call us at 855-77-CERTA.

I haven't copyrighted my book yet. Is that a problem?
No, application for copyright is not necessary. In fact, copyright registration is included in every publishing package we offer. Having your book copyrighted should never be an option.

Do you provide an ISBN?
Yes, we provide each book we publish with their own unique ISBN.

What if I did not write the work I want to publish?
If someone else wrote the book, we must have notarized written permission from that person before you can use our service. We will publish memoirs from a deceased family member. In your contract, you will agree to "hold us harmless" if you are engaged in any legal action and/or misrepresent your ownership of the work.

What should I do about footnotes, page numbers and headers and footers?
Certa Publishing will set the page numbers when we format the book file. If you want to use a specific header and/or footer, please let us know and we can incorporate that into the interior design. Use the built-in Microsoft Word tool for footnotes. If you insert either page numbers or footnotes manually, we will return your manuscript for you to make corrections, or we will charge you if we make them.

What about pictures?
You may use photos in your book. See Graphic Image Guidelines  for details and instructions. If you are adding color photos, please keep in mind that this will increase your printing cost.

What is a graphic?
Any element such as a chart, picture, or an illustration of any kind.

I want to include illustrations in my book. Can you provide them or recommend an illustrator?
We encourage the use of illustrations and we can provide them through our in-house design team or suggest some talented third party illustrators.

Will you scan my pictures for me?
Yes, for an additional fee.

Can my inside pages be printed in full color?
Absolutely. In fact, if you have written a children’s book, we recommend that the entire book be in full color.

Does Certa Publishing act as my agent?
No. We are here to publish your book and help you get exposure and make sales. You must take an active part in the promotion of your book. Merely having your book listed in the system does not guarantee you will receive big royalty checks. You will need to do a lot of work to promote your book and your new web site. We offer many resources to assist you with this. Check out our Promotion page.

Where will my book be available?
Depending on the publishing package you choose, your book can be listed on Amazon.com and on your very own website. All publications are listed in the Books-in-Print database and are available through Certa Publishing.

Can libraries and bookstores order my book?
Libraries and bookstores can order your books directly from Certa Publishing.

Can I promote my book on my own website?
Great idea! We will provide you with the code to link your website to your book’s page at our online bookstore.