Common questions
Answers before you start a project.
Publishing and digitization projects become clearer when the audience, rights, source material, responsibilities, and intended result are discussed early.
How is DirectionPress different from traditional publishing?
DirectionPress is a self-publishing service. The author commissions a defined scope of support and remains closely involved in the decisions that shape the edition.
Do I need a complete manuscript?
No. A useful first conversation can begin with a concept, outline, partial draft, complete manuscript, existing edition, or a clear description of the reader and purpose.
What kinds of books are the best fit?
Practical nonfiction, field guides, directories, professional references, hobby books, instructional titles, and books built around a clearly defined community are natural fits.
Can DirectionPress help with an existing book?
Yes. An existing title can be assessed for editorial revision, redesign, updated production, clearer positioning, digitization, or a more focused market plan.
Does DirectionPress guarantee distribution or sales?
No. DirectionPress can help create a professional book and a credible route to its intended readers. Market response depends on the title, audience, timing, channels, and sustained participation.
What materials can be digitized for AI projects?
DirectionPress considers books and document collections that the client owns or is authorized to digitize and use. The physical condition, layout, language, rights, and intended output are reviewed before a method is proposed.
Who is responsible for AI training rights?
The client confirms that it owns or has secured the rights required for the proposed digitization and AI use. DirectionPress documents the permitted project use but does not provide a substitute for the client's legal review.
Is scanning the same as preparing AI training data?
No. Scanning creates page images. A training or retrieval dataset may also require OCR, text cleanup, structural tagging, metadata, source relationships, quality review, manifests, and agreed delivery formats.
What file formats can a digitization project include?
Depending on the project, outputs can include page images, text, PDF or PDF/A, EPUB, XML, JSON, tabular files, metadata, manifests, checksums, and quality records. The exact specification follows a sample conversion.
How are project files handled?
Access, transfer, retention, return, and deletion expectations are agreed before work begins. Confidentiality and chain-of-custody requirements can be included in the project scope.
How does a project begin?
Start with a short inquiry describing the source material, audience or intended use, current condition, rights status, and desired result. DirectionPress will respond with the next useful questions.
Still deciding where to begin?
Send the question with the project.
A short description of what you have and what it needs to become is enough to begin a useful conversation.