Printing books is a mysterious process to most people.

Publishing Houses are often inaccessible and indifferent to budding authors, making them unsure about submitting their life’s work for publication.

I don’t blame them, and I would probably hesitate to submit my own manuscript to a Publishing House too.

This is probably because my family owns the printing company, Hucul Printing, in Salmon Arm and I would opt to self-publish my book through them. I’ve watched them print books for others over the years. They know how to design attractive book covers, choose appropriate and readable fonts, design and format text (taken from a Microsoft Word, or a similar computer software program), paginate (page numbering), select paper stock, print page signatures, ensure ISBN and bar coding is included on the back cover  and choose the style of binding to complete the book.  This makes it easy for the author to end up with the finished product of their own printed book.

In fact, there are several local authors who have had their books printed at Hucul Printing;  you might have heard of some of them:

1. Fleeting Images of Old Salmon Arm, by Denis Marshall
2. Photographic Memory, by Denis Marshall
3. Sawdust Caesars, by Denis Marshall
4. Salmon Arm’s Historic Roots, by Denis Marshall
5. Life is What Happens, by Alli Graham
6. Calluses, Blisters and Near Misses, by Ernie Graffunder
7. Tales of an Old Bold Pilot, by Jack McCallum
8. A Collection of Short Stories for All Ages, by Marion Williams
9. Oranges – A Novella for Puppets, by Alexander Forbes
10. Hot Lead and Tender Hearts, by Robin Burgess
11. Ulu – A Tale of Terror on the Tundra, by Robin Burgess
12. Small Town Boy – Memoirs, by Bob Priest
13. The Leading Edge, by Jack G. Barker
14. A Raven in My Heart, by Kay McCracken
15. Stalking the Wild Heart, by Deanna Kawatski

If it weren’t for the ability to self-publish, these books probably would have gone through a lengthy process of repeated submissions, being forced to go from publisher to publisher to “find a buyer”. It might have taken years (or never) to find a publisher who would agree to publish your manuscript. And if they agreed to publish your book, it would then have been under the control of that company and distributed in a way they saw fit. This would take away your creative license and your power to make decisions independently about your own book.

Now, book production is relatively easy. Even getting a USBN number with bar coding is a simple process for Hucul Printing.

As a writer, you can have your manuscript printed and displayed in the manner you want, and later you can print additional copies as required.

With the use of the internet these days, you are able to market your own books, if you want to! I know that you can get your book onto Amazon fairly easily … and even sell your book in an E-book format, if that suits your fancy.

The bottom line is that you do not need a publisher to produce a book. You can print your book right here in Salmon Arm.

We can help you fulfill your life long dream, or side project. We also have someone on staff available to edit your manuscript, if needed.

Feel free to come to Hucul Printing and speak with us about how you can get this ball rolling;  you just might end up being an author with a self-published book!