Frequently Asked Questions
Quick find
I have software that can produce newsletters. Why do I need you?
I've never hired an editorial services company before. How does it work?
These are tough times. Can I afford New River Press services?
I don't have much time. How involved do I have to be with my publication?
I'm a frazzled student. Can New River Press write essays, term papers and theses?
I'm an author with a great book idea. Will New River Press or Barking Cat Books publish it?
I need other media, like a radio spot or full video production. Can New River Press do that?
Question: I have software that can produce newsletters. Why do I need you?
Answer: Many New River Press clients came to us after they tried to produce a publication on their own, either in print or online, only to have it turn into a nightmare. They believed the software manufacturers, who practically say that any fourth grader can produce a prize-winning publication.
That's hogwash.
A mountain of planning and preparation must go into any publication that's worth anything. There are thousands of elements that must be brought together, including text, graphics and photos, advertising and proper page design. After that, it all has to be crafted, quickly and professionally, then uploaded (and/or printed and distributed) on time, every time.
Especially important is good writing and editing. What few editorial-services companies that exist usually produce a nice-looking publication, but the articles often are poorly written, ridden with clichés, and filled with public-relations jargon that means nothing. Every one of New River Press's writers and editors is a genuine journalist. Each one has a real background working for newspapers and/or magazines for years, and many are nationally published authors. So you can be sure that the articles in your publication will be concise, clear, accurate and quite special.
Even if your members or employees write the articles, New River Press's people will make them shine.
Question: I've never hired an editorial services company before. How does it work?
Answer: New River Press is a "take-charge" operation. You hire us as experts to do something you don't know how to do, so we ask that clients follow our lead in any project.
PROPOSAL: Before you sign on with us, New River Press owner Paul F. Eno will help you determine the scope and purpose of your project, then provide a detailed written proposal.
WRITER/EDITOR: As soon as you accept the proposal, a writer/editor will be assigned to your project. He or she will handle the project's initial setup, provide a suggested design and publication name, if needed, and help you set up a system to gather articles, sell advertising and/or any other necessary activities. Then he or she will work with you from start to finish.
CALENDAR: If your project is a newsletter, magazine or other recurring publication, your writer/editor will provide a production calendar at the beginning of every cycle. This spells out day-to-day responsibilities and deadlines -- when you have to have material to us, when we provide proofs for you to review, when we go to press, etc. Deadlines are extremely important because they are the key to your publication appearing on time, and they keep your project from backing up into others.
ELEMENTS FOR YOUR PUBLICATION: New River Press can produce your publication from scratch, or you, your members or employees can supply text and photos. In any case, our job is to put it together in a professional, effective way.
HOW TO SUBMIT MATERIAL: Text should be e-mailed or submitted on a disk. Clean, typewritten manuscripts are okay, but in this day and age there is an extra charge for hand-written material that we have to key in from scratch. Photos and other graphics should be e-mailed. Be sure to set your digital camera at the highest resolution. We need graphics to be changable to at least 300 dpi.
Answer: Most people still like to hold something in their hands, something they pick up at your facility or that comes right to their mailboxes.
Nevertheless, a growing number of people like to access publications on their devices. But they still have to "work" to access them: find the site, maybe log on, etc.
The fact is that, for optimum results, your publication should be available BOTH in print and online. New River Press can do both. What's more, we place an electronic version your print publication online at no extra charge.
Question: These are tough times. Can my outfit afford New River Press services?
Answer: Considering the professional caliber of New River Press's people, our prices are quite reasonable indeed. As a matter of fact, if your company or association is struggling or just starting out, we'll do whatever it takes to work with you until you get on your feet. And we know you will, because a strong publication will help your company or association unite, focus, become better known and grow.
Every project is unique, with different costs, but New River Press will work out a payment plan to suit you.
We can keep prices down because New River Press is a professional consortium: Our writers, editors and graphic designers are independent professionals who are hand-picked by the owner. While we work together closely, each works out of his or her own home. So we have virtually no overhead, minimal labor costs and few of the other costs that drive up other companies' prices.
We can even counsel you about funding sources for your publication and can advise you on setting up an advertising base.
Question: I don't have much time. How involved do I have to be with my publication?
Answer: As involved as you want
to be. As a bare minimum, New River Press will require that you
carefully review a proof of your publication before it goes to
press.
As a rule, our clients maintain a different degree of involvement
with their projects. One of our trade associations appoints its
executive vice president as "editor." She gathers text and photos
and sends them to us "in the raw" for processing. Another member
usually sells advertising. Authors, students and other individual
clients often have important, one-time projects and are on the phone
or 'Net with their editor daily as the project develops.
Question: I'm a frazzled student. Can New River Press write essays, term papers and theses?
Answer: No. That wouldn't be ethical. However, for the standard consultation fee of $100 an hour, we can advise, cajole and suggest topics, styles and approaches. And we edit and assemble papers, theses and dissertations regularly, though under very strict guidelines so we and the client don't drive each other crazy.
We do ask that students allow ample time for the project!
Answer: The book industry is changing rapidly and radically. We have moved away from traditional book publishing and into e-publishing.
We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts at this time, but we are willing to hear ideas for e-books to be published by New River or Barking Cat on Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook and other outlets. Recognized literary agents are welcome to contact us.
Question: I need other media, like a radio spot or a full video production. Can New River Press do that?
Answer: Absolutely. We retain a crew of young, professional video and audio people in the Boston area. Contact Ben Eno, our Audio/Video Division chief by e-mail or at 888-273-1941 Ext. 6
Answer: You bet! No project is too small.