1. Terms and Conditions of this Agreement

1.1. This self-publishing agreement (“Terms of Service”) is effective from the date of the first payment from the author/s (“Author”) to the Self-Publisher (“Reach Publishers”). On receipt of the initial payment, the Terms of Service for Reach Publishers are considered agreed and the publishing process will begin.

2. Copyright Works

2.1. The term ‘manuscript’ refers to the work as submitted by the Author for publication in its original version. The term ‘book’ refers to the edited manuscript following completion of the text editing phase of the publishing process. The term ‘Copyright Works’ as it appears in this Terms of Service document refers to the manuscript and the book in all versions and across all stages of the publishing process.

3. Scope of Work

3.1. The Author agrees to provide Reach Publishers with a manuscript not exceeding the number of words (“Word Count”) stipulated in the invoice provided for publication of the work.

3.2. Reach Publishers agrees to provide the following services to the Author:

• • • Front Cover Design – The design department will create a selection of front cover designs in an electronic format (not illustrated) for the Author to choose from, based on the Author’s idea or Copyright Works The Author will be allowed three (3) rounds of changes.
    • Full Cover Design – A full cover will be created (not illustrated) once the Author has approved the front cover and provided the required content for both the front and back cover (e.g. blurb, about the author, author photo, etc). The Author will be provided with the full cover design in an electronic format for review, and allowed three (3) rounds of changes.
    • Editing Excluded – Editing is not included in this Terms of Service. It is the responsibility of the Author to make sure there are no changes required for the content of the manuscript before submitting it to the design department. See headings ‘Inside Samples’ and ‘Layout/Typesetting’ in regard to additional changes.
    • Inside Samples – The design department will create sample layout options for the inside of the Copyright Works for the Author to choose from. The Author will be allowed three (3) rounds of changes.
    • Layout/Typesetting – The design department will create an attractive interior design based on the inside sample which the Author has approved. The layout will be provided in an electronic format for the Author to review, and the Author will be allowed three (3) rounds of changes. If required, the Author may add a maximum of one thousand (1000) words to the text in the completed layout. Text additions exceeding one thousand (1000) words may incur additional costs.
    • International Standard Book Number (ISBN) Registration – The Copyright Works will be registered in the Author’s name with the necessary authority. An ISBN number will be obtained if copies are printed through Reach Publishers. If the Author resides outside of South Africa, an ISBN registration guide will be provided to the Author for the Author to apply for an ISBN in their country of residence. The ISBN will be converted to a barcode for the back cover and included and positioned as part of the cover, per regulations. Online stores will generate an ISBN, and do not require a pre-registered ISBN.
    • Print-Ready Book – Once the publishing process has been completed, Reach Publishers will provide the Author with a digital copy of the Copyright Works. This can be used for printing, marketing, or submissions to potential publishers and distributors.
    • Online Distribution – On instruction by the Author, Reach Publishers will supply the Copyright Works as an e-book to the world’s top distributor of e-books for independent authors. The Copyright Works will also be uploaded to online stores as an e-book and for sale as a print-ready book to be ordered and printed from the online stores, under the Author’s name. Distribution services are listed in section 4.3.
    • Marketing Assistance Package – Reach Publishers will provide a Marketing Assistance Package which includes helpful information on media for review purposes of the Copyright Works. For South Africa, this includes publicity tips; a marketing plan; a detailed bookstore contact list for South Africa; a detailed library list for South Africa; and a book distributors list for South Africa. For overseas, this includes a list of several publishers, literary agents, distributors, and other contacts in the United Kingdom, America and Australia that could be interested in the Copyright Works; and alternative market information.
    • Confidentiality – Reach Publishers will maintain confidentiality of the Copyright Works throughout the publishing process.

4. Printing and Online Distribution

4.1. Reach Publishers agrees to print the free number of paperback copies stipulated in the invoice provided to the Author. The Author will have the option to purchase additional copies. The print quote does not include delivery.

4.2. If the Author is printing more than 20 books, the Author will be provided with a printer’s proof of the Copyright Works for quality control purposes before printing commences. The first proof is free, but any additional proofs shall be provided at the Author’s cost. Delivery of the printer’s proof is not included in countries beyond the South African border.

4.3. The Copyright Works will be distributed to the following online stores, with permission from the Author:

• • • Amazon Print-On-Demand
    • Amazon Kindle
    • Draft2Digital: distributed as an eBook to Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Scribd, Tolino, Smashwords, Overdrive, bibliotheca, Baker & Taylor, BorrowBox, Hoopla and Vivliou.

4.4. Additional services: Refer to the Author’s invoice to see which additional services have been included.

5. Quality Control

5.1. Reach Publishers shall ensure that the standard of the Copyright Works is kept at a professional industry standard throughout the process of preparation.

5.2. Queries regarding the quality of printed books will not be considered after 14 days from the date of delivery. If the author is unhappy with the quality of any copies/prints of the Copyright Works, where such books are damaged goods with unacceptable defects (subject to the standard conditions of the SA printing industry), Reach Publishers will take the matter up with the printer. In the event of a printing fault, the printer may replace damaged books or offer to include the number of damaged copies as extra free copies on the Author’s next print run.

6. Payment

6.1. The Author shall pay Reach Publishers the total cost as per the invoice provided for the services rendered under this Terms of Service. Payment shall be made according to the schedule agreed upon in the provided invoice, but the balance can be paid off sooner to avoid any delays in the publishing process.

6.2. Failure to pay agreed-upon figures and/or the balance outstanding can be deemed by Reach Publishers as a breach of this agreement, and will immediately freeze the publishing process. It will be left to Reach Publishers’ discretion whether to resume publication or to pursue legal action for non-payment.

6.3. Reach Publishers will work according to the following payment breakdown:

• • • The first instalment – Inside samples (see section 3)
    • 30% of the balance – Front cover options and manuscript editing
    • 50% of the balance – Full cover design
    • 100% of the balance – Layout/Typesetting and remaining services as per the Terms of Service

6.4. The Author shall receive all royalties and 100% of the profits from the sales of the Copyright Work in any format, including print and online.

7. Author’s Warranties and Representations

7.1. The Author assures Reach Publishers that:

• • • The Copyright Works is an original work. For any information copied from another source, permission has been obtained from the copyright holder. All sources have been properly acknowledged to avoid plagiarism, and do not violate the dignity of another (defamation of character). The onus is on the Author to ensure these requirements are followed, and Reach Publishers will not be held responsible for any plagiarised content or defamation of character, as this is controlled by the Author as a self-publisher.
    • The entering into of this Terms of Service by the Author does not violate any agreement, rights, or obligations existing between the Author and any other person, firm, or corporation.

8. Copyright and Ownership

8.1. The Author retains full copyright ownership of the manuscript and the published book.

8.2. Reach Publishers will assist the Author with the publication of the book in the agreed formats for the duration of this Terms of Service.

9. Duration and Termination

9.1. The Terms of Service shall remain in effect until the completion of the publishing services.

9.2. The estimated publishing duration ranges from three (3) to six (6) months, depending on various factors. This timeframe applies based on payment of the full balance provided on the invoice, if the total has been paid within four (4) months or less, and will vary if the arranged payment terms exceed four (4) months.

9.3. Should the Author be non-responsive to Reach Publishers’ requests for feedback, after months of continuous attempts at contact, resulting in no progress in the publication process (due to no fault of Reach Publishers), Reach Publishers may close the publication process after one year (12 calendar months) from the effective date of this Terms of Service.

9.4. Should the Author wish to reopen the publishing process after it has been closed, a quote will be provided by Reach Publishers. The Terms of Service will apply on payment of the invoice with the exception of free printed copies, which will fall away.

9.5. Either party may terminate this Terms of Service by providing written notice to the other party. In the event of termination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to resolve any outstanding issues.

9.6. The Author forfeits his/her full payment on termination if the termination is not as a result of Reach Publishers’ breach.

10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

10.1. This Terms of Service shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of South Africa. Any disputes arising under or in connection with this Terms of Service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of South Africa.

11. Assignability and Entire Agreement

11.1. This Terms of Service does not provide for a joint venture between the parties.

11.2. This Terms of Service contains all the covenants, agreements, terms, provisions, and conditions relating to the rights and obligations of the Author and Reach Publishers. Neither has made or is making, and neither in executing and delivering this Terms of Service is relying upon, any warranties, representations, covenants, promises, or statements by any official, agent, or employee of Reach Publishers or the Author, except to the extent that the same may expressly be outlined in this Terms of Service or in such documents and matters that are a part of this Terms of Service. No alteration, amendment or modification thereof shall be valid unless executed by an instrument in writing by the parties hereto with the same formality as this Terms of Service.