Thank you!! You definitely should!! It's so much fun getting your book in 'book' form even if you decided not to publish yourself and go the traditional route!!
I've tried both ways too. I think the proofs are really nice and I prefer them. However, I did print my book out when I was doing my developmental edits, and I found that helpful because I had more space to write in the margins.
I forgot about that! Yes, you're totally right, definitely more space in the margins to write! My only problem is that my handwriting is so bad, I always have trouble reading what I wrote lol! But I always have that problem hahaha!
Ok. I never even thought about a proof before!!!! I couldn't afford to print mine out at one of the shops so I just printed it out at work and edited it loose-leaf style hahahahaha This is a great video idea. Can't wait to see more about the covers and more about proofs.
If you can get a free print-out that's always better lol!! But yeah, a proof is pretty cheap, especially if you're just doing straight-up black and white text (no pics or artwork). The photoshoot for the new covers is on Tuesday so I'm getting nervous and excited!!
I’ve been going through this exact dilemma!! I’m so glad you went over this because I hadn’t even thought about the proof and I am delighted that you made this video!!
Thank you! And yes! I was so excited to get my first print-out from Staples and then they told me the price and I was like... what?? I did it anyway, but never again hahaha! The proof is just so much nicer and easier for me to catch mistakes because it's actually in 'book' form. But I know people who swear by the print-outs so it's all a matter of taste lol!
Thank you!! I indie publish so I always had to get a proof anyway, but once I realized how much cheaper and better it was for me, I make proofs of everything lol. Even stuff I don't publish!
It is crazy, isn't it? I honestly didn't think it was going to cost a lot to have it done at Staples because I see so many people on AuthorTube do it! But yeah, 50 bucks later lol!
Great information! I'd never even thought of this as a possibility, which is bizarre considering I used to work in publishing. Granted, it was for a tiny math textbook publisher 20+ years ago and I wasn't in editorial, but still. I do remember the proofs arriving from the printer in a rather odd bluish cast and being called "salts," though. Definitely not bound or looking much like the final book. I wonder if that's the proof-before-the-proof or just an ancient way of doing things that technology has rendered obsolete. I've wondered about doing something like this for some of my fanfic, which I obviously never have any intention of selling, because I don't want to be sued. But it would be nice to see some of these things in book form, especially the ones that have been illustrated. I look forward to your video about InDesign to learn more about this. Both for that purpose and for future o-fic purposes. You didn't ask for questions and may have already recorded that other video. Imma toss you a question anyway, and I hope that's okay, because one question I have about the process (which has always stopped me from going the Staples route) is whether the InDesign/KDP proof option can handle a color illustration somewhere in the middle of the text. I have a feeling Staples would rocket the cost through the roof by printing the entire thing as a full-color document. There are a couple of things I've done in partnerships with artists that I'd love to be able to print up a copy for each of us, with their illustrations embedded in the scenes they chose, and this sounds like a potential way to do that without paying something completely absurd for a couple hundred pages.
That's so cool that you worked in publishing!! And that's crazy that they bluish! I'm loving the name 'salts' though lol, it just sounds cool! And you could totally do it with fanfic. You don't have to publish it at all and it really is nice to have a copy of your work in book form. And yes, you can place pictures any where you want in InDesign. It would definitely be more expensive to print, but I can say with full confidence, that I'm positive it's cheaper than Staples/Office Depot. They charge sooooo much for full-bleed color, it's ridiculous!! I wrote and illustrated a 144 page graphic novel and published it through KDP (CreateSpace at the time) and the proof was about 25 bucks. So more expensive than a paperback black and white book, but if I had printed it out at Staples it would have been in the hundreds of dollars for sure!
Can't wait to see the final cover! Great comparison. For now I just use my mother's printer and put the pages in a ring binder. I'd love to have a proof when I get to later more polished drafts, though. Feels so much more 'booky' :)
Thank you! I'm so excited about the cover!! And yes! A printer works great if you have one! But yes, later drafts, where there aren't as many edits, proofs are so much fun!
This was a helpful video, I think you made really good points for both! I usually go with Staples because it was a little cheaper with Canadian shipping, and I figured it would be easier to write in. But that’s a good point about what you do with it after. A staples copy takes up a lot of space, and it would be kinda cool to have the “first version” of my book as a proof on my bookcase as a souvenir. I think going forward I’ll use the Staples copy for early drafts when I know I’ll need to write a lot, and a proof for the later drafts where there (should be) less big changes to make and where formatting etc would be a bigger focus.
Yeah, Canadian shipping is out of control lol! I have an etsy store and I had to stop making my stuff available to Canada because the shipping was nearly triple what it cost in the states. And yes, that is a great point of having more space in the margins to write notes. I write small so proofs still work for me. I can barely read my own writing, but that's an entirely different issue lol!
Oh yes I would love a video on inDesign! I self published a book before I found AuthorTube and now I wish I had done things so much differently. I am fine with my actual content, but design and self-publishing site... not so much.
That's what I love about AuthorTube! Learning so many new things from everyone's experience! I can't tell you how many 'ah ha' moments I've had since watching other authortuber's videos! Hopefully, I'll have the InDesign video up next week!
I am probably going with the Kinkos/FedEx proof out of tradition/muscle memory. I walked over to the Towson, MD Kinkos for my senior design project & while I waited I watched a movie & ate a late lunch on the same block. I think I'll reconsider if the word count of my manuscript inflates past 75,000 words. It's great that you made this comparison. Thank You
That sounds like a fun tradition so I totally get it!! It is such a wonderful feeling walking into the printer and picking up a completed project! I'm really happy I did it this time! But yeah, it only takes an extra day to wait if ordering a proof, and it's just so much cheaper lol! Also, so much easier to carry around with me to edit than a printout :-)
It is such an exhilarating feeling picking up the printout!! I'm glad I did it once. But it just doesn't make sense for me to do it again lol! And if you get the proof through KDP/Amazon it only takes a day, so at least you don't have to wait long! I submitted the files Sunday night and the proof came to my doorstep Tuesday morning. So not too bad!
Becca C. Smith oh that’s great! I haven’t looked into, but I don’t think they have a printer in aus, so it might take a little longer for me to get. I dare say it’ll still be cheaper though.
@@EmilyBourne I keep forgetting that Amazon is U.S. based, yeah, ordering a proof might be more expensive with shipping. You'll have to let me know if you ever try it!
This was seriously an interesting video...and something that I have not thought about as of yet; I am still working on my very first manuscript and am currently trying to learn EVERYTHING that I can about the process from start to finish. Thank you for making this video, I honestly fill like I have learned something new; which should always be the goal. Now, if you don't mind, I am going to go all super stalker mode and watch your uploads to see what else I can learn. It was nice meeting you...is that weird? **shrugs** Anywho, I wish you all the best in your journey and all that jazz. Have a great day/night!!!
Thank you!! And not weird at all lol! I always feel like that when I watch someone's channel for the first time. Authortube is such a great community, I love that I've made so many new friends through it!! Very nice meeting you too :-)
Great comparison Becca! I have never gotten a proof or printed it out spiral bind but I am definitely going to try it if you can keep the manuscript in your drafts and not published online! I will be looking into doing this in the future!
Thank you!! Yeah, you can keep it in 'draft' form forever if you want! I just love having it in book form. It makes it easier to carry around with me, although I do get appalled looks from people at cafes who think I'm writing all over a book hahaha!
@@serenalou528 I almost want to explain it to them hahaha! "No, it's not a book, it's a...book.... but it's kind of a pre-book... so I can write in it... Never mind."
I never knew a proof was an option. Where would you go to purchase that? And is it really cost effective when you consider all the money you have to put into InDesign month after month-- especially if you will only use it (maybe) four times a year? I personally love InDesign from when I used it in uni, but I DESPISE that it's subscription based. My broke butt can't rationalize that 😥
I totally get that! Subscription based programs are rough. I miss the old days when you could just buy the program and that was it lol! The thing with proofs though is you don't have to layout the book in InDesign, you can use free templates, or format it in word or Scrivener if you have either of those. I use InDesign because I indie publish all my books and I like having the freedom to lay out my books any way I want. But yes, if you're on a strict budget, you can totally lay out your book for free and order a proof. I use KDP. You basically go their site and click on 'add paperback' then set it up as if you plan to publish, but you never actually have to.
@@BeccaCSmith Yes! I miss it, too! Waaay back in the day... Haha 😂 I understand from a business perspective why they did it, but I still like having the more permanent option. I do own Scrivener, but I haven't dabbled with it yet because I've heard some horror stories about it not autosaving progress and losing near complete manuscripts 😱 I'll have to look into that option, though; hopefully as a program specifically for writers, their layout design will allow me to go more in depth than Word. I'm a bit OCD myself, and I'm spoiled by the knickknacks that InDesign-like programs offer. I might be on the eternal hunt for an permanent InDesign-like software 💔 And thank you for all this input! I'm still pretty new to this AuthorTube community, so I'm learning a lot 😊
@@zarwrites I've heard those horror stories too about Scrivener! Unfortunately, I'm officially addicted to it, so hopefully nothing will happen 'crossing fingers.' And yeah, you know from experience all the stuff InDesign can do, it's so hard to go back to super basic! But if you're just doing a proof for editing, simple and basic is perfect. My friend who self-publishes once a year, sometimes even once every two years, just buys InDesign for a month. Adobe does let you do that without signing a contract. I think it's like 5-10 dollars more than the 'monthly' subscription, but worth it for actual publication. (And if you ever find an InDesign-like program that can just be bought, let me know!)
I know this video is old but I’m currently working on my manuscript and this video is exactly what I need. I love this! Thank you so much ❤🙌🏽
could you maybe do a tutorial on how to use KDP for creating a proof? It would be really helpful!
Love Love Love this video. I’ve never gotten a proof, definitely planning to try it next!!
Thank you!! You definitely should!! It's so much fun getting your book in 'book' form even if you decided not to publish yourself and go the traditional route!!
I've tried both ways too. I think the proofs are really nice and I prefer them. However, I did print my book out when I was doing my developmental edits, and I found that helpful because I had more space to write in the margins.
I forgot about that! Yes, you're totally right, definitely more space in the margins to write! My only problem is that my handwriting is so bad, I always have trouble reading what I wrote lol! But I always have that problem hahaha!
@@BeccaCSmith I have the same problem 😂😂😂
Hi there! Can you walk us through the process of getting a proof with KDP? I’m a little nervous uploading my manuscript. 😅
Ok. I never even thought about a proof before!!!! I couldn't afford to print mine out at one of the shops so I just printed it out at work and edited it loose-leaf style hahahahaha This is a great video idea. Can't wait to see more about the covers and more about proofs.
If you can get a free print-out that's always better lol!! But yeah, a proof is pretty cheap, especially if you're just doing straight-up black and white text (no pics or artwork). The photoshoot for the new covers is on Tuesday so I'm getting nervous and excited!!
I’ve been going through this exact dilemma!! I’m so glad you went over this because I hadn’t even thought about the proof and I am delighted that you made this video!!
Thank you! And yes! I was so excited to get my first print-out from Staples and then they told me the price and I was like... what?? I did it anyway, but never again hahaha! The proof is just so much nicer and easier for me to catch mistakes because it's actually in 'book' form. But I know people who swear by the print-outs so it's all a matter of taste lol!
I never would've thought of a proof for editing, that's a fantastic idea! Great tip and comparison!
Thank you!! I indie publish so I always had to get a proof anyway, but once I realized how much cheaper and better it was for me, I make proofs of everything lol. Even stuff I don't publish!
Cannot wait to order my first proof copy of my book :D Have a blessed day, Becca!
Thank you, Timi!! You must do a video when you order your first proof!!
Thanks for making this. I would have thought that the proof was more expensive, so this was really interesting to see!
It is crazy, isn't it? I honestly didn't think it was going to cost a lot to have it done at Staples because I see so many people on AuthorTube do it! But yeah, 50 bucks later lol!
Great information! I'd never even thought of this as a possibility, which is bizarre considering I used to work in publishing. Granted, it was for a tiny math textbook publisher 20+ years ago and I wasn't in editorial, but still. I do remember the proofs arriving from the printer in a rather odd bluish cast and being called "salts," though. Definitely not bound or looking much like the final book. I wonder if that's the proof-before-the-proof or just an ancient way of doing things that technology has rendered obsolete.
I've wondered about doing something like this for some of my fanfic, which I obviously never have any intention of selling, because I don't want to be sued. But it would be nice to see some of these things in book form, especially the ones that have been illustrated. I look forward to your video about InDesign to learn more about this. Both for that purpose and for future o-fic purposes.
You didn't ask for questions and may have already recorded that other video. Imma toss you a question anyway, and I hope that's okay, because one question I have about the process (which has always stopped me from going the Staples route) is whether the InDesign/KDP proof option can handle a color illustration somewhere in the middle of the text. I have a feeling Staples would rocket the cost through the roof by printing the entire thing as a full-color document. There are a couple of things I've done in partnerships with artists that I'd love to be able to print up a copy for each of us, with their illustrations embedded in the scenes they chose, and this sounds like a potential way to do that without paying something completely absurd for a couple hundred pages.
That's so cool that you worked in publishing!! And that's crazy that they bluish! I'm loving the name 'salts' though lol, it just sounds cool!
And you could totally do it with fanfic. You don't have to publish it at all and it really is nice to have a copy of your work in book form.
And yes, you can place pictures any where you want in InDesign. It would definitely be more expensive to print, but I can say with full confidence, that I'm positive it's cheaper than Staples/Office Depot. They charge sooooo much for full-bleed color, it's ridiculous!! I wrote and illustrated a 144 page graphic novel and published it through KDP (CreateSpace at the time) and the proof was about 25 bucks. So more expensive than a paperback black and white book, but if I had printed it out at Staples it would have been in the hundreds of dollars for sure!
@@BeccaCSmith Only $25? Yeah, Staples would definitely be in the hundreds. Good to know, thanks!
Can't wait to see the final cover! Great comparison. For now I just use my mother's printer and put the pages in a ring binder. I'd love to have a proof when I get to later more polished drafts, though. Feels so much more 'booky' :)
Thank you! I'm so excited about the cover!! And yes! A printer works great if you have one! But yes, later drafts, where there aren't as many edits, proofs are so much fun!
This was a helpful video, I think you made really good points for both! I usually go with Staples because it was a little cheaper with Canadian shipping, and I figured it would be easier to write in. But that’s a good point about what you do with it after. A staples copy takes up a lot of space, and it would be kinda cool to have the “first version” of my book as a proof on my bookcase as a souvenir.
I think going forward I’ll use the Staples copy for early drafts when I know I’ll need to write a lot, and a proof for the later drafts where there (should be) less big changes to make and where formatting etc would be a bigger focus.
Yeah, Canadian shipping is out of control lol! I have an etsy store and I had to stop making my stuff available to Canada because the shipping was nearly triple what it cost in the states. And yes, that is a great point of having more space in the margins to write notes. I write small so proofs still work for me. I can barely read my own writing, but that's an entirely different issue lol!
Oh yes I would love a video on inDesign! I self published a book before I found AuthorTube and now I wish I had done things so much differently. I am fine with my actual content, but design and self-publishing site... not so much.
That's what I love about AuthorTube! Learning so many new things from everyone's experience! I can't tell you how many 'ah ha' moments I've had since watching other authortuber's videos! Hopefully, I'll have the InDesign video up next week!
I am probably going with the Kinkos/FedEx proof out of tradition/muscle memory. I walked over to the Towson, MD Kinkos for my senior design project & while I waited I watched a movie & ate a late lunch on the same block. I think I'll reconsider if the word count of my manuscript inflates past 75,000 words. It's great that you made this comparison. Thank You
That sounds like a fun tradition so I totally get it!! It is such a wonderful feeling walking into the printer and picking up a completed project! I'm really happy I did it this time! But yeah, it only takes an extra day to wait if ordering a proof, and it's just so much cheaper lol! Also, so much easier to carry around with me to edit than a printout :-)
I was so happy getting my binded printout, but a proof copy has so many more benefits. My printout was soooooo expensive. And same day!!
It is such an exhilarating feeling picking up the printout!! I'm glad I did it once. But it just doesn't make sense for me to do it again lol! And if you get the proof through KDP/Amazon it only takes a day, so at least you don't have to wait long! I submitted the files Sunday night and the proof came to my doorstep Tuesday morning. So not too bad!
Becca C. Smith oh that’s great! I haven’t looked into, but I don’t think they have a printer in aus, so it might take a little longer for me to get. I dare say it’ll still be cheaper though.
@@EmilyBourne I keep forgetting that Amazon is U.S. based, yeah, ordering a proof might be more expensive with shipping. You'll have to let me know if you ever try it!
This was seriously an interesting video...and something that I have not thought about as of yet; I am still working on my very first manuscript and am currently trying to learn EVERYTHING that I can about the process from start to finish. Thank you for making this video, I honestly fill like I have learned something new; which should always be the goal. Now, if you don't mind, I am going to go all super stalker mode and watch your uploads to see what else I can learn. It was nice meeting you...is that weird? **shrugs** Anywho, I wish you all the best in your journey and all that jazz. Have a great day/night!!!
Thank you!! And not weird at all lol! I always feel like that when I watch someone's channel for the first time. Authortube is such a great community, I love that I've made so many new friends through it!! Very nice meeting you too :-)
Great comparison Becca! I have never gotten a proof or printed it out spiral bind but I am definitely going to try it if you can keep the manuscript in your drafts and not published online! I will be looking into doing this in the future!
Thank you!! Yeah, you can keep it in 'draft' form forever if you want! I just love having it in book form. It makes it easier to carry around with me, although I do get appalled looks from people at cafes who think I'm writing all over a book hahaha!
@@BeccaCSmith I will definitely be trying it for my next book! Thank you. Ah I bet you do. It's a big no no 😂😂😭
@@serenalou528 I almost want to explain it to them hahaha! "No, it's not a book, it's a...book.... but it's kind of a pre-book... so I can write in it... Never mind."
@@BeccaCSmith hahaha I'd be getting some judgemental stares if I did/said that too. Wonderful idea and on my list to do!!
Problem for me is I live in Thailand, where I don't think a proof service exists. Looks like I have to print it!
I never knew a proof was an option. Where would you go to purchase that? And is it really cost effective when you consider all the money you have to put into InDesign month after month-- especially if you will only use it (maybe) four times a year? I personally love InDesign from when I used it in uni, but I DESPISE that it's subscription based. My broke butt can't rationalize that 😥
I totally get that! Subscription based programs are rough. I miss the old days when you could just buy the program and that was it lol! The thing with proofs though is you don't have to layout the book in InDesign, you can use free templates, or format it in word or Scrivener if you have either of those. I use InDesign because I indie publish all my books and I like having the freedom to lay out my books any way I want. But yes, if you're on a strict budget, you can totally lay out your book for free and order a proof. I use KDP. You basically go their site and click on 'add paperback' then set it up as if you plan to publish, but you never actually have to.
@@BeccaCSmith Yes! I miss it, too! Waaay back in the day... Haha 😂 I understand from a business perspective why they did it, but I still like having the more permanent option. I do own Scrivener, but I haven't dabbled with it yet because I've heard some horror stories about it not autosaving progress and losing near complete manuscripts 😱 I'll have to look into that option, though; hopefully as a program specifically for writers, their layout design will allow me to go more in depth than Word. I'm a bit OCD myself, and I'm spoiled by the knickknacks that InDesign-like programs offer. I might be on the eternal hunt for an permanent InDesign-like software 💔
And thank you for all this input! I'm still pretty new to this AuthorTube community, so I'm learning a lot 😊
@@zarwrites I've heard those horror stories too about Scrivener! Unfortunately, I'm officially addicted to it, so hopefully nothing will happen 'crossing fingers.' And yeah, you know from experience all the stuff InDesign can do, it's so hard to go back to super basic! But if you're just doing a proof for editing, simple and basic is perfect. My friend who self-publishes once a year, sometimes even once every two years, just buys InDesign for a month. Adobe does let you do that without signing a contract. I think it's like 5-10 dollars more than the 'monthly' subscription, but worth it for actual publication. (And if you ever find an InDesign-like program that can just be bought, let me know!)