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Book Publication – Process

1. Introduction

The publication or release of a monograph or edited collection is a major moment in the lifecycle of a manuscript. At this point the "finished product" is released to the world and disseminated through the various channels that we have at our disposal. This is also a "point of no return." Even though small corrections can be made after publication, the entire process is aimed at minimizing the occurrence of such requests.

2. Goal & Objectives

The primary goal of this process is to release a reviewed, copyedited, and proofed manuscript as a publication in print and digital formats.

The process covers the following objectives:

  • The creation of a complete metadata record for a release
  • The creation of finalized print and digital files for a release
  • The completion of the book page on the website and triggering of sales
  • The annoucement to the author

3. Role Model

The following roles are relevant in the context of this process and need to be assigned to persons or teams / groups involved in the process.

Role Task Assigned staff
Process Manager (PM)
  • To maintain the process definition / description (this document)
  • To perform process reviews as a basis for the continual improvement of the effectiveness and efficiency of the process
  • To ensure adequate communication to increase the awareness for the process
  • To organize trainings on the process for people involved in the process
  • To inform the author
 Vincent
Typesetter
  • To generate the digital and print book files 
 Vincent
Metadata Manager
  • To update the metadata record
  • To update the web page
Vincent
Publisher
  • To inform the author
 Vincent

4. Relevant Business Objects

Business objects are “things” that are required, produced, or processed by the process or one of its activities. The following objects are relevant:

Business Object Description
Print PDF

The final PDF generated by the Typesetting Software
Ebook PDF

The final PDF generated by the Typesetting Software with front cover generated by the Illustration and Photo Editing Software
Metadata Record

The metadata record of the publication hosted and maintained on the Metadata Management platform
Letter to the Author

The standard letter sent to the Author upon release of the publication
Web Page

The page on the publisher website dedicated to the publication
Thoth Identifier

The identifier of the publication metadata record. This is a hash that is part of the URL of the metadata recod in Thoth, for example 1841b54c-b495-4bb5-9bcf-054e5c393af3
Front Cover PDF

The final PDF of the front cover generated by the Illustration and Photo Editing Software
Front Cover JPG

The final JPG of the front cover generated by the Illustration and Photo Editing Software
ISBN Record

The metadata record of the publication on the ISBN Management platform

5. Activities

5.1 Release Part 1

5.1.1 Generating Print PDF

This activity generates a print-ready PDF that can be uploaded to the Publishing Platform.

Input Finalized InDesign book and document files (from Proofing)
Roles Involved

Typesetter
Outputs

Print PDF file of the publication interior
Actions
  1. Print PDF Generation
  2. Final PDF Check
  3. If correction needed, correct the InDesign file and return to 1. 
  4. Otherwise done.
Alternative Actions, Exceptions, Additional Information
5.1.2 Extracting and Uploading DOI References
Input Print PDF (from 5.1); DOI Extraction Script; DOI Upload Script; Thoth Identifier
Roles Involved

Metadata Manager
Outputs

Metadata Record updated with DOI references
Actions
  1. DOI Extraction
  2. DOI Check
  3. DOI Upload
Alternative Actions, Exceptions, Additional Information During DOI Check you may find additional small errors in the PDF. Return to 5.1.
5.1.3 Adding Chapter Metadata to the Metadata Record
Input Metadata Record
Roles Involved

Metadata Manager
Outputs

Metadata Record
Actions
  1. If the publication is an edited collection, Chapter Metadata Addition
  2. Otherwise skip.
Alternative Actions, Exceptions, Additional Information During Chapter Metadata Addition you may find additional small errors in the PDF. Return to 5.1.

5.1.4 Uploading Print PDF
Input Print PDF, Front Cover JPG
Roles Involved

Typesetter
Outputs

Ebook PDF
Actions
  1. Print PDF Upload
Alternative Actions, Exceptions, Additional Information

5.1.5 Generating Ebook PDF
Input Print PDF, Front Cover PDF
Roles Involved

Typesetter
Outputs

Ebook PDF
Actions
  1. Ebook PDF Generation
Alternative Actions, Exceptions, Additional Information
5.1.6 Updating the Metadata Record before Release
Input Metadata Record
Roles Involved

Metadata Manager
Outputs

Metadata Record
Actions
  1. Pre-Release Metadata Record Update
Alternative Actions, Exceptions, Additional Information
5.1.7 Updating the ISBN Records
Input ISBN Record, Metadata Record
Roles Involved

Metadata Manager
Outputs

ISBN Record
Actions
  1. Final ISBN Record Update
Alternative Actions, Exceptions, Additional Information
5.1.8 Adding Publication to SQL Database
Input Metadata Record
Roles Involved

Metadata Manager
Outputs Updated SQL Database
Actions
  1. SQL Database Publication Addition
Alternative Actions, Exceptions, Additional Information
5.1.9 Adding Publication to the Internet Archive Usage Data Python Script
Input Thoth Identifier, Internet Archive Usage Data Python Script
Roles Involved

Metadata Manager
Outputs Updated Internet Archive Usage Data Python Script
Actions
  1. Internet Archive Usage Data Python Script Update
Alternative Actions, Exceptions, Additional Information

5.1 Release Part 2

Part 2 of the release can be undertaken after the Print Publishing platform has approved the book for publication. This takes between 24–72 hours, and the platform will send a notification email to info@punctumbooks.com with the subject "Your paperback book has been published!"

 

Document Control

Document ID SPM-PUB-001
Document Owner Vincent
Version 1.0
Last Date of Change October 2, 2025
Next Review Due Date
Version & Change Tracking
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