Frequently Asked Questions

Light Switch Press

Will all submitted books be published?

No. We reserve the right to refuse to publish any book. In the event that your book is declined, you will receive a full refund. Currently, we are not publishing illustrated children’s books or books with excessive images and/or charts.

Is this self-publishing?

We are a hybrid of traditional publishing and self-publishing. Like traditional publishing, Light Switch Press takes a risk in publishing your book. To increase the chances of your book selling and becoming a success, we use our industry experience to create your cover and format your book to the highest standards.

If you require a more hands-on approach to publishing and wish to work directly with a dedicated designer to collaborate in the creation of your book, please contact A Book's Mind.

Author Rights and Royalties

Who owns the rights to my book?

The author owns the rights to their work when publishing with Light Switch Press. Light Switch Press owns the rights to our files (Cover Design and Formatted Interior) which may be purchased by the author for future publication.

How and when do I get paid?

We mail monthly royalty checks on the 15th of every month. You receive a 50% royalty on all e-books sold and a 50% royalty on all paperback books sold.

What if my monthly royalties are under $50.00?

If your monthly royalties are under $50.00 for the month, those sales carry over to the next months royalty period. Once your sales total reach $50 or more, we mail you a check.

How do I track my sales?

Log into your Author Profile and click on the title of your book. There, you will see your sales reports as well as total amount of books sold to date. We update your sales for the month on the 15th of every month.

I’m moving, how do I update my contact information?

Log into your author profile, under Author Information select "Update."

Avoiding Additional Fees

Are there any additional fees?

Editorial Fees are author initiated and only occur when the author requests edits or changes to their manuscript after the book has gone into production. For example: after a book has been published, the author requests to add a new chapter and to change the name of the main character throughout the book. The author would be giving an invoice for the time involved, at which point they can decide if they would like to pay for the edits or leave the book as is.

How do I make edits to my manuscript after it has been published by Light Switch Press?

If you would like to make edits, log into your user profile, select "Help Link", and select "I would like to make edits" from the drop-down menu. You will need to provide your title and list your edits. We will email you an invoice for the time involved, based on the amount of edits.
Please include the existing full sentence or paragraph along with the full sentence or paragraph that we will be replacing in your book.

Example:
Tom received a sea plus on his paper.
to:
Tom received a C+ on his paper.

Cover Design and Book Creation

Is it possible to use my own cover image?

Yes. Your cover image must be at least 6" x 9" with a .25" bleed, and be at least 300 dpi. Please submit your cover in PDF or JPG format, flattened or with all fonts outlined. If the upload cover file does not meet these specs or quality standards, we will create a cover for you. We reserve the right to publish your book with a cover designed by Light Switch Press if we deem necessary.

What if I have an idea for my cover?

You may include your cover design idea when submitting your book information. Like a traditional publisher, Light Switch Press will design your cover based on industry knowledge. Please understand that not all cover ideas are possible, for example extremely detailed characters descriptions or things that do not exist: a blue dragon wearing a gold suit driving a Mazda Miata with a missing door through a city made of peanuts.

After I submit my book, how long before it goes into production?

Your book will go into production within 24 hours. To avoid editing fees, please be sure to include your final manuscript and book information. Any editorial services by Light Switch Press or by a third party editor should be done prior to submitting your manuscript. We will notify you once your book is for sale, or you may check www.lightswitchpress.com/blog for your book to appear.

Can I publish more than one book?

Yes. Log into your Author Profile and click on “Add Book.”

Publishing

When will my book be available?

Typical turnaround time is fifteen business days for your book to appear online. Barnes & Noble process files much slower and can take an additional two weeks.

How do I order books for myself?

Log into your Author Profile and select the "Help Link". Let us know the title, amount of books you would like to order in quantities of 25 or more, and your shipping address; you will be emailed an invoice for the amount due. Please allow 5 days for printing plus shipping time.

Can I print my book with a different printer?

Yes, print files may be purchased and printed with any printer you would like. Email info@lightswitchpress.com with your name and title to request your files. Print files are provided in PDF format.