Publishers' FAQ > Publicity > Do I have to make bound galleys?

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Bound galleys are trimmed and bound books that are produced after a manuscript has been typeset but before proofreading. They are generally used by publicists to send to book reviewers. The sales department also uses to them to get a better handle on how to sell your book and to send to key accounts.

You do not have to make bound galleys to publicize your books effectively. Before you go to the expense of producing any kind of pre-publication version of your book, think carefully. Is this a book that will likely get a lot of reviews? Generally, if it's not a novel or topical nonfiction book, the answer is no. If that's the case, you are probably better off making a few copies of the manuscript for the major pre-pub review outlets (e.g. Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus), which all require long leadtimes, and any sure-fire media (depending on your book), and just doing a modest reviewer mailing as soon as you get bound books. The consensus on the indie-press email list was that bound galleys to reviewers were mostly a waste of time, money, and paper. Galleys to key buyers, however, may be worth it.

Most reviewers are happy to read books in manuscript form, but it is advisable to get them bound in some way—copy-shop comb binding is fine. A few reviewers do object to bound manuscripts, since they are generally more bulky than galleys. You can make a nicer impression by comb binding typeset lasers with a color copy of the cover on top.

Your other, substantially cheaper option (if your cash flow can handle it) is to time the production of the book so that you have bound books three to four months before the official publication date. (A side note: Publication dates are notoriously fluid; you have a couple months of wiggle room so use them to your advantage.)

If you plan on sending out more than 20 pre-publication review copies and you do not have access to a photocopier, it may be more cost-effective to make bound galleys anyway, since galley printers price each page much cheaper than your local copy shop can.

Generally, a galley printer will take your disk or camera ready copy and make photocopies, which are then cut to size and bound. It is cheaper to get a plain paper cover with black text printing on the spine and cover, although some galleys have digitally printed color covers.

Make sure the galley or bound manuscript includes information essential to the book reviewer either on the cover or first page:

• title
• author
• publication date
• ISBN
• publisher
• price
• brief description
• author bio
• number of pages
• number of illustrations
• trim size
• distributor and contact
• contact name and information for the publicist

Even if this information is already on the press release, repeat yourself—don't trust the reviewer to keep all your materials together; the average book reviewer get dozens of books a day.

You should be sure to include the statement: "Uncorrected proofs: do not quote without prior permission from the publisher." Also make sure there is a copyright page or some other statement indicating who the copyright holder is.

Galley printers mentioned by the indie-press email list:

• Celecom (East Longmeadow, MA 413-525-4771)
• Stanton (St. Paul, MN 651-642-9241)
• Technigraphix (Dulles, VA techni_info@phoenixcolor.com)
• Crane (Dennisport, MA 508-760-1601)
• Royal Palm Press (Charlotte Harbor, FL 800-214-0023)
• Demand (Island Park, NY 516-889-6281)

Also check the Literary Marketplace (under Binders—Bound galleys) for more sources (note that the free version of LMP online does not have full listings).