How much will a custom reader cost?

A Bedford Select reader has a base price of $8.00, plus an additional charge of $.09 per page for all selections from the database. You can also add Janet Gardner’s Writing about Literature to your custom reader for a flat fee of $3.00. Outside material, such as a syllabus, a preface, or research guidelines, costs $.10 per page. Once you've built your book and submitted your request, a custom publishing representative will contact you to confirm the net price. (Net price is the price to your bookstore and is subject to their markup.)

Is there a minimum order quantity?

The minimum initial order is 25 copies; the minimum reorder is 10 copies.

What is a Quick Select suggested table of contents?

Bedford Select features 26 Quick Select suggested tables of contents, which are designed to provide a convenient starting point for creating your custom reader. These pre-built tables of contents include rhetorical, thematic, and single-theme readers, as well as literature anthologies. Also available are 5 value readers that are priced around $22 net. Quick Selects are easily modified: You can add or delete selections, so you get just what you need.

What instructional materials do you offer?

Bedford Select offers an assortment of class-tested instructional materials, including introductions to rhetorical methods of development, “Reading Processes” and “Writing Processes,” a “Quick Editing Guide,” and Janet Gardner’s Writing about Literature, both in full and in chapters. We offer guides to working with sources, documenting using MLA and APA styles, and avoiding plagiarism. Also, you’ll find that all of the readings in Bedford Select are accompanied by introductory headnotes.

Can I include my own material in a custom reader?

Yes, up to 20% of your custom reader can be outside material. You can incorporate original content, such as a syllabus, a preface, or research guidelines, into your custom reader by clicking the Add Your Own Material button at the top of the Gather Content tab. Please note that this additional material should be submitted as a Word document. Bedford/St. Martin’s will lightly proofread any outside material that you submit, as well as format the text in the Bedford Select style and send it back to you for your approval.

Can I include non-database selections in a custom reader?

Yes. Non-database readings are considered outside material, so the $.10 per page cost does apply to selections not currently in the database. Please note that outside material cannot comprise more than 20% of the total length of your reader.

To include material currently under copyright:
If you are ordering more than 500 copies and the material you would like to add is subject to copyright restrictions, we would be glad to try to obtain permission to include the material on your behalf. It can take up to 3 months to obtain permission from the rightsholder, so be sure to let us know as soon as possible if you would like to include a selection requiring permission in your reader.

To include material that is in the public domain:
Permission is not required for public-domain material, so if you would like to include an essay, short story, poem, or play from the public domain in your reader, submit the text in a Word document just as you would other outside material. Please note that some translations of public-domain works are subject to copyright restrictions. If you have questions about whether a certain selection or translation is in the public domain, we are glad to help. Send an inquiry to customreader@bedfordstmartins.com and a custom representative will respond.

Can I package my custom reader with another Bedford/St. Martin's text?

Yes. Packaging a custom reader with another Bedford/St. Martin’s text usually results in a 10% discount for your students. The packaging process adds up to 3 weeks to the regular production schedule. If you decide to package, please advise your bookstore to order at least 6 weeks in advance.

Can I package my custom reader with a Macmillan trade title?

Yes. If you would like to package your custom reader with a Macmillan trade title, your students will receive 50% off the net price of the trade book. Visit http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/Tradeup for more information and a complete list of the available titles. The packaging process adds up to 3 weeks to the regular production schedule. If you decide to package, please advise your bookstore to order at least 6 weeks in advance.

How long will it take to publish a custom reader?

If you would like to see an evaluation copy before placing an order through your bookstore, you will receive the evaluation copy in 3 weeks. Delivery of an initial order takes from 4 to 6 weeks (see What might delay the publishing schedule of my custom reader? below), and reorders take 1 to 2 weeks. Note that the publishing schedule for your student copies begins only when Bedford/St. Martin’s receives the purchase order from your bookstore.

What might delay the publishing schedule of my custom reader?

• Packaging your custom reader with one or more Bedford/St. Martin's or Macmillan titles adds up to 3 weeks to the publishing schedule.
• Adding outside material can add up to a week to the publishing schedule: Bedford/St. Martin’s will lightly proofread any outside material that you submit, as well as format the text in the Bedford Select style and send it back to you for your approval.
• Including material currently under copyright can add up to 3 months to the publishing schedule. If you are ordering more than 500 copies and the material you would like to add is subject to copyright restrictions, Bedford/St. Martin's would be glad to try to obtain permission to include the material on your behalf.

What happens after I submit my order for a custom reader, and how do I get an ISBN?

You will receive an automated message confirming that we received your submission. A Bedford Select representative will then e-mail you within 2 business days asking for your confirmation of the details of your order. After confirming your order, you will receive an ISBN for your newly created reader within 48 hours. Once you provide that ISBN to the bookstore and Bedford/St. Martin’s receives the purchase order, the readers will be produced. Your bookstore must send us a purchase order before we can begin production of your book.