FAQs
General FAQ | Bookstore FAQ | Writers’ FAQ
General FAQ
Who are you?
Winterbourne Publishing is a small business based in Perth, Western Australia. It is primarily an electronic publisher, also known as an epublisher, digital publisher, or even a digiPOD (digital and print-on-demand) publisher. The principal editor is Wendy Palmer, and she is supported by several freelancers and contract staff who assist with proofreading, design and distribution.
Hey! I can’t help but notice that your editor and one of your authors have the same name! Are they the same person? Doesn’t that mean you’re just a self-publisher?
Yes and no. We have a focus on quality character-driven stories. All our books go through the same review and edit process, and Wendy’s are no exception. Consider her an independent writer who became discouraged by traditional publishing, and who began to doubt how much benefit it offers to new speculative fiction writers anyway, especially those working outside the straight epic or urban fantasy formula or appealing to niche rather than mainstream audiences.
I want to interview you or one of your writers for my newspaper, blog, school report or other publication, or just tell them how much I like their work. How do I get in touch?
You can contact Winterbourne Publishing at general@winterbournepublishing.com.au. Most of our writers have listed their email addresses on their profile and would love to hear from you. If they haven’t provided their email address, you can email publisher@winterbournepublishing.com.au and we’ll pass your message or request on.
What is an ebook and how do I read it?
An ebook is a digital version of a book. You are probably familiar with pdf, which is a common format used in ebooks, though not the best format. You can read an ebook in a number of ways:
- on a dedicated ebook reader, such as the Amazon Kindle, various Sony Readers, or the B&N Nook
- on a multi-function device such as an Apple iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch (or iPad), or Google Android-powered mobile phones, using e-reading apps
- on a desktop or laptop computer (PC or Mac) using e-reading programs such as Adobe Digital Editions.
Many devices require specific formats, but the emerging standard format is ePub, readable on the Sony Readers, B&N Nook, Apple iPad, or, if DRM-free, e-reading apps on the iPhone, Blackberry, Windows PC and Mac, and this is the format we are primarily publishing in. The second available format on the site is Mobi, which is good for the Kindle and devices using the PalmOS.
For other formats, you can source our books via Smashwords, or you can buy one of the DRM-free formats from our site and convert it to the format of your choice using the versatile Calibre.
You can find a lot more information about devices, formats, and DRM at MobileRead, particularly the forums, where you can read about people’s actual experiences.
Will I have problems with DRM or geographic restrictions?
Our main distributor and most retailers require us to set DRM on the books we distribute or sell through them. Though a hassle, DRM systems have improved somewhat and you shouldn’t have problems accessing the books on your device if you’ve downloaded the correct format. Problems may arise down the track if you upgrade your computer or have to re-install your operating system. We suggest you note passwords and check your device’s instructions on how to transfer your library first. If you have a problem and can prove you bought your copy of one of our books, we’re happy to send you a DRM-free version to replace the DRM version.
Our preference is to provide our ebooks DRM-free, as we think most people are honest, believe writers should be compensated for the many hours of works they put into creating their stories, and find it demeaning to engage in petty theft, and therefore will pay a fair price. We also understand the issues many readers have with buying DRM-limited books and that DRM is more likely to deter a paying customer than prevent piracy. The books sold directly from our website and via Smashwords are DRM-free.
We acquire worldwide rights, so you should not experience any geographic restrictions — let us know if you do.
Bookstore FAQ
Where can I buy your books?
We are widely distributed online, including such sites as Amazon and B&N.com. You can also buy from us directly, or place an order for a print copy in any bookstore. Find out more information here, or visit our bookstore.
What currency is used in your bookstore?
All prices in our bookstore are in Australian dollars.
How does buying through you work?
We use a very simple one-page shopping cart/checkout system. If one of our titles catches your eye, you can go to it in our bookstore area and add it to your shopping cart. Then view your shopping cart by clicking the link or the “full shopping cart” icon on the sidebar (under ‘Shop’). We do not require you to create an account or even provide any details beyond the minimum required to electronically deliver your book or post it to you.
Are the ebooks for sale on your site the same as available through retailers?
The content is the same; the format may change slightly depending on distributor requirements and processes. For example, the formats available through Smashwords are produced through a highly automated process working on a Word document using html, whereas the formats here and through our main distributor come from an InDesign file conversion which uses CSS. This will result in minor differences in layout and how the file displays but should not affect your reading experience overly much.
Are your ebooks reliable?
We test our ePub files with epubcheck and check them on Adobe Digital Editions, the Sony Reader, the FBReader (used by various Linux-based mobile devices) and Stanza for iPhone/iPod Touch. We convert the Mobi files from the ePubs. While the formatting may change depending on your reader program and personal settings (for example, we do not embed fonts, we let you choose your own), the files themselves should load and read without problems. Let us know if you experience difficulties.
If reading our ePubs with Stanza, the best result will come if you turn on Display Styles. This can be done by loading the Stanza app, going into Settings – Layout, and switching the toggle on Display Styles (near the bottom of the Layout options) to ON. Even with this turned on, centre alignment may not work, which will account for any slightly odd effects you experience with headings. Note also that unfortunately the night-time reading setting does not work well with our files.
What format should I buy?
It depends on your reading device. Our DRM-free ePubs are flexible and can be used with dedicated devices such as the Sony Readers, B&N Nook, or Apple iPad, as well as your PC or laptop and mobile devices like iPhone or Blackberry.
Choose Mobi if you are reading on a Kindle or mobile devices that use the PalmOS. Note that if you’re using the PalmOS and need the prc format, you can just rename the Mobi file from *.mobi to *.prc.
For other formats, you can source our books via Smashwords, or you can buy one of the formats from our site and convert it to the format of your choice using the versatile Calibre.
I want a format not available on your site.
Let us know, and we’ll work on providing it. Alternatively, Smashwords supplies lots of formats.
What payment methods do you accept?
Payments are handled externally to our site. We currently have two payment options: Paypal or direct bank deposit (for Australians only). If you buy an ebook through Paypal, your purchase is instant and you will automatically receive a download link as soon as Paypal approves your purchase. For the direct deposit option, you will receive your download link once your payment has cleared into our account (please allow a couple of business days for this). For the printed book, either payment method results in your book being posted to you as soon as payment clears.
But I want to pay using another method.
We have a rather clumsy work-around for this: if you want to use a different service than Paypal, click on the direct deposit option. This activates the manual payment option and leaves your order as pending. The instructions are set up for direct deposit, but you can make your payment however you wish, within limits (e.g. via Paymate or by cheque or money order). Drop us an email to let us know how you paid, and as soon as we receive your payment, we’ll finalise your order and you’ll get your download link/printed copy. You won’t have the instant gratification of paying with Paypal, but you’ll get your book.
Something went wrong and my order didn’t go through / I didn’t get my download link.
There may have been a glitch in the shopping cart or with Paypal, or you may have accidentally given us the wrong email address. Send us an email and we’ll make sure you haven’t been wrongly charged and/or that you receive your copy.
I bought the ebook version from your site but I can’t read it / it’s the wrong format / I’ve changed my mind. Can I get a refund?
Sorry, but unlike Amazon, we do not have the capacity to reach into your computer and delete the copy of the book. Therefore we can’t offer refunds, because you can’t “return” a digital product. We are happy to help you work out how best to read it, to replace a corrupted file, or to send you a different format at no extra charge.
We will of course refund your purchase price if there is a physical problem with the printed edition of the book, or if you accidentally paid for more than one copy of the digital version for your own personal use (if you plan to gift a copy of the ebook, please respect the author and pay for the gift copy too).
Can I order a book as a gift?
You can order a printed book as a gift by entering in your own email address (for receipt and delivery emails), but the delivery address of the person you want it delivered to. If you write ‘GIFT’ in the ‘comments’ field, we’ll know to omit the invoice from the delivery information, and we’ll even throw in gift wrapping. You can also add a personalised message in this field (it takes a lot of text).
Unfortunately, the ebook delivery system is automated and we can’t deliver it to a different email address than to the one provided on the checkout page (which also receives the receipt). You can remove price information and forward the download link to the intended recipient (the download link may only be used once, plus two back-ups, but is not locked to your ISP).
You can also organise an electronic gift certificate by emailing us.
How much is postage?
Obviously, there is no postage associated with the digital version. For the printed version, postage to destinations within Australia is $8. For other destinations, postage is determined by our international distributor, and depends on your location.
How long will it take to receive my order?
For an ebook paid for via Paypal, you will receive your download link instantly.
For an ebook paid for via direct deposit, your order will remain as ‘payment pending’ until we receive your payment in our accounts and authorise the order. This can take up to 48 hours, longer over holiday periods.
For a printed book, the time taken for delivery depends on your location. For overseas buyers, we place your order with our overseas distributor as soon as your payment clears, and they will print and post it within a few days. For Australian buyers, we will generally have our titles in stock and ready to send, so you should get your book about one week after ordering. On rare occasions, we may have to order more copies of a title from our Australian printer, but we will let you know if this is the case (and give you the opportunity to cancel the order should this be unacceptable).
Is GST applicable?
Australians, no GST applies to sales on this site.
Writers’ FAQ
Why should I choose to publish with you?
Perhaps you have already looked into traditional publishers or agents, and have found that you cannot gain their interest or even their attention. Perhaps you want to be involved in new methods of publishing that have come about because of digital technologies. Perhaps you have an independent mindset and a non-mainstream story that you want to get out into the world.
Winterbourne Publishing will give your manuscript a professional edit, an attractively designed cover, and worldwide distribution. We’ll help you find ways to market it. We’ll be the tool you use to make your voice heard…maybe even by those traditional publishers, eventually, if that’s your ultimate goal. And we’ll even pay you an advance (not too many small e-publishers can say that).
Before you submit to us, you need to be brutally honest with yourself. If your dream lies in traditional publishing, chase that first, no matter the odds. Only then consider a small press. If you recognise that your story is niche but not commercial (clues may include that you cannot fit it into any existing sub-genre, for example) but you have a bucket-load of confidence in it, then a small press might be for you.
My book contains sex scenes/violence/strong language. Can I still submit?
If these things occur as a natural progression of the plot or in service to the story, then we have no problem with adult themes and concepts. We’re not so keen on outright erotica, rape scenes, or glorified violence.
I’m not Australian but I live in Australia, can I submit?
I’m Australian but I live overseas, can I submit?
If you put in a tax return in Australia, you can submit (mostly we just want to support Australian writers, but partly we don’t want any of the extra tax complications that come from dealing with overseas royalty payments). You’ll need an Australian ABN.
Does my book have to have an Australian setting?
No — like all good speculative fiction, it can be set in any place, world or time. Use Australian spelling, though.
Will my book be available in my local bookstore?
That depends partly on what rights you give us, and partly on you. If you give us only electronic rights, then no. An ebook’s best distribution channel is through online bookstores like Fictionwise, and that is where we focus our efforts.
If you also give us the print rights, then anyone can go into any physical bookstore in the world and order your book. However, a typical bookstore won’t automatically stock your book on their shelves unless you personally persuade them to do so (an option you are welcome to pursue).
Remember, though, that most books, even those published through traditional publishers, only get on the bookstore shelf for about three months, unless they achieve sustained sales at a volume that meets the bookstore’s requirements. At least with internet-based bookstores, your book is always in stock.
I’d like to try you out on the ebook version, but only give you print rights once I see how it goes. Can I do that?
Yes, but if you only give us electronic rights, we will save ourselves some money by only commissioning/buying screen-quality cover art. If you later decide to have a print edition, you’ll need to pay the cost of upgrading the artwork to print-quality, plus the designer’s fees to make the changes. That’s the only money we will ever ask from you.
Wait, I have to do my own marketing? Don’t you do that?
We will do a little, but most of it is up to you. We will give you tips, ideas and resources so that you can develop a personal campaign. We’ll do whatever we can to support your attempts. But it is up to you to get the word of mouth you need to sell your book. You can choose to do no marketing, of course, but you will then need to accept that your sales will be low.